driving and parking

[jks9103]

How easy is it to get around the island? Is parking easy to find at most beaches and points of interest?

[gtaylor]

It's pretty easy to navigate the island, as there are only a few main roads, and many of those loop back into each other if you miss a turn.

 

I've sent lots of friends to the island armed only with a good map and some written directions, and they survived.

 

Parking is another story.

 

Parking in downtown Philipsburg can be almost non-existant, especially when there are multiple ships in port, and you may find yourself parking out on the Pondfill or over by Bobby's Marina and hiking into the main shopping area.

 

Over at the Marigot waterfront, if you're there on market day, Wednesday or Saturday mornings, parking may be difficult to find, and you just keep driving away from the marketplace until you find a spot. Not necessarily a long distance, but maybe a 10 minute walk?

 

Parking at the beaches and points of interest should never be a problem. The worst beach is probably Maho, and there's typically parking inside the Caravanserai Resort complex, or along the road that runs alongside the runway.

 

 

That said, I have adjusted my feelings about renting a car vs. grabbing a taxi or booking a private tour.

 

Which would you prefer, freaking out about getting lost or just missing a turn, arguing with your co-pilot about the map, worried about sometimes crazy traffic and if your insurance will cover you if you hit something, and what if you get lost on the way back to the ship, or kicking back in a van with a nice cold beer, learning about the island while taking in the sights and having your camera at the ready to record the scenery?

 

We report, you decide.

 

gary