My husband and I, with our two children (6 & 2), are considering staying at Maho Camps. We will be there during the first two weeks of August. We are not the resort-type people; however,we have these questions: Wouldn't the tent get soggy wet during rain? How do you control bugs in the tent? How should we handle the car seats for the kids in the taxi on the way to camp? Any other information would be greatly appreciated.

We just stayed in an eco-tent at Concordia which is also owned by the same fellow as Maho so I assume that they are the same. They really aren't so much tents as they are cabins. They are wood framed with plastic and screened walls. While your there, you'll roll the plastic up to expose the screening and enjoy the breeze. When you leave, you'll roll the sides down so, if it rains while your gone, it can't blow in and get things wet. check them out here: http://www.maho.org/ecotents.html

Kim,<BR>I've stayed at Maho three times and I love it. The tents can be closed up well enough to keep you and your stuff dry. Never had any problem with bugs in the tent in March but found them more problematic in May. Bug repellant helps, as well as keeping a fan going over the bed. They supply one per tent and during the slow season could probably be convinced to give you an extra one so that both you and the kids would benefit. <BR><BR>As far as car seats go, there are no seat belts in the taxis. They are all just pick up trucks with bench seats mounted in the truck beds. So you'll have to handle car seats like baggage and hold your little guys on your laps. Are you planning on renting a jeep for the trip? If so maybe you could use the web to investigate whether the local car rental folks rent car seats too?

Thank you for your response. Should we rent a jeep for the trip to Maho Camps or should we take the taxi? Should we rent the jeep for the whole week we are there? We are from California where we have never had our kids in the car without their car seats. How is the road to Maho Camps from the ferry area? Is it winding? Steep? Paved? How long does it take to get there? <BR><BR>

Kim,<BR>The road is winding, steep, and will on occasion sport a donkey or two. It is a spectacularly beautiful ride but requires the full attention of the driver. Whether or not to rent a jeep immediately, and for how long is a question of how much money you wish to spend and how often you think you will want to drive to town. If you're looking for relaxation, there's nearly no need to leave the camp and the surrounding area.I'm assuming that with a couple of youngins you won't be spending a lot of time at JJ's Texas Bar and Grill in Cruz Bay throwing the chewy bits from the conch fritters at the local free range chickens. (It happens to be great fun)<BR><BR>As wild as the driving may seem on the island, the residents know what they're doing. Take Fret's Taxi (I think I have that spelled right,) to Maho and hold on to your kids. He parks just up to the left as you get off the ferry. At the very least you will be making an informed decision as to whether you really want to drive anywhere.<BR><BR>The bottom line on all this of course is how you feel about the options. Especially the whole car seat thing. I do think the roads on the island are safer than the Freeway.