carolv

With our daughter graduating college this May, we are planning a family vacation with our adult (22 year old) children. We are all first-time visitors to USVI. In fact, it is my family's first trip to the Caribbean. Eco-camping at Concordia seemed to fit our interests and our budget, so we will be there for 6 nights in June. I do understand an eco-tent will be "close quarters" and not luxury, but we would like to focus on relaxing in nature, exploring, swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and of course, local food and drink. I know it will be hot and humid, so we would most likely go for shorter (as opposed to all day) scenic hikes and swim in warm waters as much as we can (we are used to cold New England water, so just floating has high appeal!)

I have questions about renting a jeep. We would rather not - or maybe just rent for a couple days. We arrive on a Friday and hope to be on the 4 or 5pm ferry into Cruz Bay. Would you recommend taking a taxi to Concordia the first day and then just renting a jeep later on in the trip? Any companies that might be willing to bring a rental out to Concordia or do they only go to resorts? We will be able to hike from Concordia and can walk to Salt Pond Bay. We can also cook/eat on site for some of the time. DH is able to drive on the left side. I just wondered whether the location of Concordia might be too remote to not have a car and I understand taxis aren't big on coming out that far? Any comments on the safety of driving around for newbies? I am just wondering about the logistics/necessity of getting around since we are in a fairly remote location (11 miles from Cruz Bay next to National Park at Salt Pond Bay).

Are there any sailing trips you would recommend? (I am in the beginning stages of planning). Also, I don't believe umbrellas are rented at Concordia. Do the beaches have enough trees for shade? DH is very sensitive to sun. He'll be okay swimming, but he won't be able to be out all day. Or maybe we could buy an umbrella when we get there?

Any great restaurants for local flavor that we could get to? We like seafood and vegetarian options and are open to sampling whatever the drink specialty is. Love views. For this trip, we'll be going the casual route.

Any advice would be appreciated and if I've missed anything, any other tips would be welcome! Thank you in advance!

brenandg

Sorry to burst your balloon, but it would be very difficult to stay at Concordia without a rental. Taxis do not go there unless perhaps you pre arrange one. The Vitran bus runs to Salt Pond but is not very reliable. Also, in my experience, the rental companies do not deliver the vehicles anywhere, even if you are staying in town. You would be able to walk to Salt Pond but that is about it. You will indeed be in a remote area of the island. The Tourist Trap right at the entrance to Concordia has really great food for a tiny kitchen. Other than the restaurant at Concordia, nothing else is walking distance. Oasis in Coral Bay gets good reviews for local food. Salt Pond is one of the least shady beaches on the island.

carolv

Thank you for your reply brenang. I had the impression we might need a car for part if not the whole trip, so your input is helpful. We would most likely have to go back to pick it up if we do not want to drive the first day (or we arrive too late). I did read about the Tourist Trap, so we would only drive to dinner for 2 or 3 nights. Do you have any comments on driving around and getting to the other beaches or to Coral Bay for a meal?

brenandg

You can check with the rental companies to arrange for a late pickup on your vehicle. If you make the 4pm ferry, it will be no problem. What time does your flight arrive? It would cost you way more to get a taxi (if you even can) there and back to town than it would to just get the rental the day you arrive. I would say it is a good 40 minute drive to Concordia from Cruz Bay.

The only beach even close to Concordia beside Salt Pond is Lameshure and that is a very steep, partially paved and very potholed road! I'm guessing it would be about 20-30 minutes to The East End of the island (Vie's Beach) Hanson Bay or to the North Shore Beaches. There are plenty of restaurants in Coral Bay, but they are spread apart. If I were you, I would get the rental, and provision on the way. Concordia may have a comissary though, not sure on that. You REALLY need a rental if you stay there!

carolv

Yes, I am thinking it would be best to just rent a jeep for the week. We land at STT at 2:30 (assuming it is on time)- so would most likely make the 4pm ferry. There is a café at Concordia, but in the off season it will be closed for 2 of the days. Will definitely want to pick up provisions on our way in when we arrive. Never having been, it is hard to estimate driving times - we want to see different things but obviously not spend too much time driving. I appreciate your input!

brenandg

Good information, I never knew that existed! But, considering that they have 4 people, it would cost $60 just to go to dinner and it is structured. I would still rent a vehicle. Even if you drive 30 minutes or so to get to the beaches, the scenery is so beautiful that it doesn't seem long at all. There are only 2 main roads on St John. Centerline and North Shore Road. There is a shortcut to the North Shore Road from Centerline by the smoothie stand. Here is the link to markets in the Coral Bay area although I would probably provision the first time at Starfish at the Marketplace in Cruz Bay.

http://newsofstjohn.com/2014/01/20/n...-in-coral-bay/

Another good link to learn about St John.

http://seestjohn.com/

carolv

Great links, thank you. I think we would prefer the flexibility of coming and going when we want. I wondered if there is a vehicle rental company you would recommend. I have a few names from the place where we're staying, but reviews are all over the place. We just want reliable transportation with fair terms and helpful service. Any ideas?

brenandg

The post got removed about the taxi service I responded to. Advertising maybe? The car rental companies are all far from perfect, but I think Conrad Sutton gets the worst reviews for rude service. I have used Cool Breeze, Courtesy, and Grande Bay as I was staying there. I have not personally had a problem with Cool Breeze although they don't have a lot in town to park in if you go to Cruz Bay. I have not always gotten the vehicle I was promised though. One time I got a larger one with no extra charge and another time I rented an Escape and got something similar. I think that is pretty much how they roll there, LOL! Most have some scratches and dents, but that is a GOOD thing. You will figure that out after you drive there! So, I guess I can't recommend one over the other. I remember someone telling me about a company who was very fussy about the sand in their rental and they were charged extra. Might have been L&L???? Really, sand? It is an island. Also want to tell you that there is only one gas station on the island and it is in Cruz Bay past the Marketplace. Keep that in mind so you are not low on gas all the way out to Concordia. I personally prefer to rent on St John rather than St Thomas. If anything goes wrong with the vehicle, it is difficult to get service from St Thomas and you will be fairly remote at Concordia. Having said that, it really is not that far from Coral Bay and no more remote than the East End of St John. Kind of the same distance from the main Coral Bay area, just different directions.

Another pointer. You want to take Centerline road to Coral Bay. There is a roundabout in town that is very confusing! Must have about 4 or 5 different spokes! I also bring any of my favorite foods from home that will fit in my backpack and are non perishible.

carolv

Interesting. I am curious about the taxi comment that was removed! You can pre-arrange a taxi from Concordia, but you are correct that it would cost $60 just to go to dinner (one way). By the time you add it up, we'd probably spend the same - without the flexibility. I am not picky about the looks of the car. I just want it to be reliable and I want to trust the people we rent it from. Good tip on the gas and Coral Bay directions, and yes, we will be renting on St. John. It would be nice to bring cereal and coffee from home - that should be okay in carry on if it's unopened, correct? Thanks again for the input!

brenandg

Yep, bring any of your favorites from home! I try to save on money whenever I can. Tea, coffee, spices, granola bars etc..

carolv

I am wondering about shipping a box of food ahead of time so we can also include sunscreen or would that be more hassle? I had planned on purchasing non carry on items when we got there.

brenandg

I do carry on and ship a box ahead of time. The condo owner that I rent from uses a villa company that I ship to and it is at the condo when I arrive. You could check with Concordia to see if they allow you to ship to them. You can also ship to Connections in Cruz Bay or Coral Bay but you probably would not make it in time to pick up before they close in Coral Bay. I also think there is a new place called "Keep me Posted". At least that is the name of their Facebook page. I will check after work. You can ship a large flat rate priority mail box for about $15. You must do Priority Mail or it could take forever to get there. Priority Mail is usually about a week. I allow longer.

brenandg

http://www.connectionsstjohn.com/mail-service.htm

http://keepmepostedstjohn.com/

Connections in Cruz Bay is right by the ferry dock. Not sure if they are open weekends. I do not know exactly where Keep Me Posted is located in Coral Bay.

carolv

Thanks, I will check with Concordia. If that doesn't work I might give Connections a try since it's near the ferry We arrive on a Friday so they should be open. $15 seems reasonable and worth it for the convenience of just having to pick up some perishable items when we get there.

brenandg

Just keep in mind that a large priority mail box isn't all that "large". The good thing is that the weight doesn't matter. You can still fit quite a few things in there. When you decide who you are renting from and if you are shipping, post and I will try to give you some pointers to make it as smooth as possible. I hope you make the 4pm ferry. It will make things much easier for you. You should unless you have a major delay. Last trip we were delayed for 2 hours out of Charlotte .

carolv

I assume there will be plenty of taxis at the St. Thomas airport to take us to the ferry...? so we should make the 4:00 (if we are on time more or less). Once I decide on the car rental company, I'll see how late we can pick the car up. I just emailed Concordia to see if they could hold a box for us. I'll post when I find out more - suggestions are all helpful. Thanks again!

brenandg

After you get off the plane and get inside the airport terminal, stay to your right, past the bar and baggage claim. Taxi dispatchers are there! They do this all the time and it is much easier than it sounds.

carolv

Good, thanks. The carry on will help get there quickly too.

brenandg

The taxi's are actually vans that they cram you into like sardines. You will have to wait a few minutes for it to fill up. You want to go to Red Hook. One more thing. Rent the vehicle sooner than later. I rent at least a few months out. Even though you are going in low season, there is still a big demand for vehicles.

carolv

Thanks for the taxi(van) description - better to know what to expect. Hopefully the wait won't be too long if we want to make the 4:00 ferry. Can you buy the ferry tickets on the boat or do you need to go to a window at Red Hook? A friend is getting me a car quote from a place she works with. I am assuming we need 4 wheel drive for even the most basic beach outings and hikes...? I hope to finalize that reservation soon.