About Me
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- Name:Jan Thoelke
- Location:Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
01/01/2005 - 01/31/2005
02/01/2005 - 02/28/2005
03/01/2005 - 03/31/2005
04/01/2005 - 04/30/2005
05/01/2005 - 05/31/2005
07/01/2005 - 07/31/2005
08/01/2005 - 08/31/2005
09/01/2005 - 09/30/2005
10/01/2005 - 10/31/2005
01/01/2006 - 01/31/2006
Renting the Right Car
A rental car is a must to get the most out of a vacation on St Maarten – St Martin. Even though the island is small in size – only 37 square miles – the mountainous terrain allows room for several towns and villages, with an amazing variation of landscapes. The infrastructure is acceptable by Caribbean standards, but misses the quality of American or European road systems by a huge margin. Roads are build for slow to medium speeds, and 'sleeping policemen' (speed bumps) are widely used in residential areas. Heavens knows why they spend the money on speed bumps, because the potholes alone would do the job...Assuming that you would like to find the most economical way to rent a car, while getting reasonable comfort and good safety, you don't need to look for expensive, full sized vehicles. Don't waste money on an 4WD SUV if you don't have friends living in a villa up a hill with an extremely steep drive way and you insist on visiting during a rainstorm. That's about the only use for 4 wheel drive you will find.
Economy cars all offer four doors, automatic transmission and air conditioning. No: you won't turn heads while cruising the Boulevard, but you wouldn't achieve this in a Ford Explorer at four times the price either. To be noticed on St Maarten, think Hummer or Porsche Cheyenne.
The cute Japanese or Korean compact cars offered by many rental car companies on the island are not known in the US, but very popular in Europe. These are agile little vehicles, which might surprise you with their fun factor. Parking is very easy, the narrow roads are not intimidating anymore and you can't beat the price, if you get the car through us: it's free! Great cars are the Hyundai Atos and the newest model, the Hyundai Getz. These little compacts can accomodate 4 adults and will give you perfectly adequate transportation during your stay.
If your group consists of four plus sized adults, you might want to go for an intermediate car, such as the Hyundai Elantra – about 20% more expensive than the smaller class. If you participate in the FreeStMaarten program, you can upgrade to these cars and just have to pay the small difference.
Personally, I appreciate the ruggedness of the Jeep Wrangler, but I can only advise to not rent one on the island. The Wrangler is an off-road car – not because it handles the wilderness with great competence, but because even a regular, decent road 'feels' like you are off-road. The smallest bump – and the big ones we have here even more – cause great discomfort for the Jeep passengers and you might regret your choice of a rental car.
There are a few companies offering buggy style fun cars. These are tiny two-seaters with enough horsepower to be sporty – but there are not meant to cover the transportation needs during your complete stay. Lack of tops (and in one case even any body work) define them more as an 'activity', something you do like driving a jet-ski. I haven't tried them yet, but for the sake of research I will do so in the next days and post my impressions here.
Amazing is the number of visitors who rent scooters: they cost the same as renting a car, if four people rent two scooters its actually double the expense of a car. I really don't get it. If there is the desire to travel on two wheels, than go for a Harley, which can be rented for a reasonable price.
Win St Maarten Contest
How to Play
What You Win:
- The Grand Price is a full week of vacation fun on St Maarten! You are going to stay in a gorgeous luxury resort, get a free rental car, $140 in casino chips and one dinner in a great restaurant.
- Second Price is your choice of two Vacation Upgrades – without the obligation to attend a presentation;
- Third price is your choice of one Vacation Upgrade – without the obligation to attend a presentation;
Who Qualifies for Participation
When are the Drawings?
Details of the Grand Price
- We will make every effort that the free week of accommodations fit the winner's vacation plans. But we can not guarantee that room is available during certain peek holiday weeks especially around Xmas and Easter.
- FreeStMaarten coveres the rental car fee for a economy or compact vehicle for one week, but not optional insurance or other services the winner might choose.
- FreeStMaarten provides two dinner vouchers for two of the island's most popular restaurants.
- FreeStMaarten is providing $140 worth of casino chips to the winner - not match bet required!
Traffic Problems
Yes, traffic has become a problem again. Especially in the Simpson Bay area, cars move only with a snail's pace during some hours of the day. The frequent openings of the draw bridge, allowing yachts into the lagoon, are causing serious traffic problems during morning and afternoon hours.Between December to May, the openings are as follows:
9.00am – 9.30am – 11.00am – 11.30am – 4.30pm – 5.30pm
From May to November, the times are:
9.30am – 11.30 – 5.30
These are the official times, but there are also irregular openings for mega yachts, who pay extra for the privilege of interrupting the flow of traffic. The bridge stays open for up to 15 minutes, in some cases longer if the yachts' skippers can't get their act together.If I sound frustrated, don't take me too serious; I have my personal solution and commute to my office in Simpson Bay by dinghy, as I'm a boat owner myself. I'm more worried about the quality of your vacation and would like to give you a few hints how to avoid the traffic jams:
After 4.00pm, don't try to get from the Cupecoy/Maho region into Simpson Bay or even Philipsburg. Most likely, you will be stuck on Airport Road for a while. After 6.00pm, traffic clears up.
To get to Marigot from Simpson Bay, the Maho area and Cupecoy, use the pleasant road through the Lowlands. It might be a mile or two longer, but you'll arrive half an hour earlier.
Do your Philipsburg shopping in the morning and you will avoid the traffic build up during the afternoon hours.
