St. Thomas Questions
 

I have a couple of questions, some of which have been addressed here to some extent but I am still confused about:<BR><BR>1. Taxis - We are staying at the Frenchman's Reef. Concerning taxis, I have heard the price to be anywhere from a few dollars to around $20. What would be the actual price to FR? I have also read some discuss "private" taxis. What is the difference and cost of these?<BR><BR>2. We will be arriving Wed. afternoon and leaving Monday afternoon. We have boat trips planned for Friday and Sunday and plan on a trip to St. John on Saturday. We will be renting a car for that day, but I am considering just renting for the entire time I'm there. However, since we will not have any use for it two of the days (except going to/returning from Red Hook) I'm wondering if it might not make more sense to either rent only for the trip to St. John. This is related to the taxi question above - how much will it cost to get from FR to Red Hook per person? I'm beginning to think that by the time we go round trip to Red Hook on, say Friday, and then go out somewhere to eat that night and pay for the round trip cab, it might be almost as economical just to have something rented.<BR><BR>3. What time to people "normally" eat in St. Thomas? I'm not all that concerned about being ostracized if I am too early/late, but we were wondering if it is more European (late) or American (early). Just trying to get an idea.<BR><BR>4. Finally, I have heard good things about Agave Terrace and Virgilos (sp?), but any other suggestions would be appreciated.<BR><BR>Sorry for the verbosity!!

Tom: For taxi fare info., check out www.usviguide.com and www.usvi-info.com. We spent a week on St. Thomas last month and I seem to remember anywhere we went on the island in a taxi was usually $8 per person one way. The taxi fares are "set" no matter what taxi co. you use.<BR><BR>We rented a car from Dependable Car Rental and were able to take the car on the ferry to St. John. With four people in our group, it just made more sense to rent a car instead of paying $32 one way for a taxi for all of us.<BR><BR>As for my favorite restaurants...<BR>Blue Moon Cafe at Secret Harbour, Off the Hook and Duffy's Love Shack in Red Hook, Agave Terrace, and Raffles. I hear Toad and Tart is very popular.

Most restaurants serve dinner from about 530 to 1000, some later. If you're around for dinner on Thursday, check out the Toad ANd Tart's roast duck that night. Won't get into it at length but she's got great food, heart and soul into it and such a character. Fish and chips on Friday out of this world. Couldn't be there for the prime rib on Saturday but heard from others that it was extraordinarily good.<BR><BR>Taxis? Don't worry, just use them but settle on the price before you take them. Going back to Frenchman's from the Toad, Anna got a taxi for us and he only charged us $12 so we gave him a good tip.<BR><BR>Hope this is helpful and hope you ejoy yout trip as much as we did.

As I recall, the taxi from the airport was approximately $10 for one with a better rate for multiple passengers.<BR><BR>Taxis are the best choice for me since the roads are windy and hilly and traffic around Charlotte Amalie is hectic. Added to driving on the left side of the road, which is unfamiliar for me, to that it is a new place, taxis seem a good choice. Taking a car to St. John is a good idea. While the roads are also curvy and hilly, there is much less traffic and the pace is less hectic.<BR><BR>I know you will have a wonderful time. I am returning in November and can't wait.

Just got back from St. Thomas. Stayed at Frenchman's Reef. <BR>1& 2) We rented a car from Dependable Auto and loved the freedom having a car brings. We got a week rate at $220, which includes everything (there's no tax on St Thomas). Took a car ferry over to St. John from Red Hook for only $27 round trip (included the passengers) and loved St. John. Definitely rent a car, unless you're a frantic/stressed out driver.<BR>3) Eat anytime, but if you want great seats with a good view, either have your concierge reserve it for you(request window table) or arrive by 6:00-6:30. <BR>3) Restaurants:<BR>Agave Terrace is overrated. Loved Banana Tree and Room with a View. Wonderful view and great food. Herve's has good steak, if you like wine and steak. Virgilio's is a wonderful Italian restaurant. If you want great great food but no view, go to Craig and Sally's in French town. It's great. The Adventure Center at the Marriott has all the restaurant menus and can make reservations and recommendations for you. <BR><BR>Can I make two suggestions? Our favorite two things we did was:<BR>1) Scuba diving (it was out first time and we loved it so much, we're going to get certified!)<BR>2) New Horizons II boat trip to Virgin Gorda and the British Virgin Islands (bring your passport!).<BR><BR>If you have any questions, you can leave them here. I'll check back.

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who responded. We have decided to rent from Dependable. Also, I had already booked a trip with New Horizons II so you enjoyed it. Only a couple of more weeks!