TRAVELINMAN

I am staying at the Maho Bay Resort in April and was wondering if a car is a necessity. I am planning on going to the French side at least a few times. Is the ferry to Anguilla and St. Barts on the French side? Any help is appreciated.

blaze4fun

Definitely! I've always had a car in St. Martin and it helped a lot. There's a lot to drive around too. Our last rental there was pretty unsafe. Don't expect too much unless you rent from a high-end service.

Maho is much different. You're talking Maho on St. Johns? If you want to stay there the whole time, then no. Maho is remote, but self-contained. For total flexibility, you can have one (which can be rented on the island, or ferried from St. Thomas.) The taxi cartel is one way to get around to specific points. Maho has their own taxi guy who runs a discounted shuttle a few times a day between town. You can hop on and off taxis if you're just going between the major beaches, but for adventuring, a car would be good. I usually like having a car on vacations, but since Maho is so great to just hang out at, I would not get one and just taxi it to town a few times, or rent one for a day or two and check out the island.

Statia

I agree that unless you don't really plan on venturing away from your resort a car is a must on SXM. Taxi fares will break the bank and a car gives you much more freedom.

I've been renting a few times per year from Best Deal Car Rental for years now and have been very happy with their service, cars and prices. I've run thru all the rental companies at SXM at some point in time (including the big American names) and have stuck with Best Deal for awhile now.

http://www.bestdealcarrental.com/

SusanF

Hi, I just returned from SXM on Saturday and yes, a car is a must, especially if you want to go to the different beaches. We rented a van from Hertz, had a great experience, although I overhead someone at the airport complaining that their rental was over $200 more than last year. The ferry, called the Edge, is on the French side, in Marigot. Just be careful if the seas are choppy, I got seasick last year! Hope this helps and have a "BBC" when you get there!

RAB

The Maho area is quite built up and you will not need a car there, but you will want one for going elsewhere. Taxis are expensive and the local mini-buses will not get you to beaches. Car rental is relatively inexpensive. The fery to Anguilla goes from Marigot and is an easy trip, but the boat to St. Barth's can be rough. The last time I took it there was a ferry from the Dutch side, but recent visits have been by air, which is more pleasant.

bebe0711

Hi Travelinman! I would definately rent a car!! You need one like evryone else posted, to get to other beaches you will have to have a car. You will like Maho Brach...its great when the planes fly in!! Make sure you go to the Sunset Beach Bar, next to Maho Beach. around 4:20 is when the jet from PHL lands and it is sooo amazing to see and hear it land!

Have a great trip!