Renting a Car on St. Thomas
Whether renting a vehicle or simply crossing a street, it is vital to remember that traffic in the USVI always flows from the lefthand side of the road. Speed limits are 35 MPH in the country and 20 MPH in town, unless otherwise posted.
For visitors who wish to take in the sights, a variety of options exist. You can enjoy an island tour via safari bus or taxi, rent a car or motor bike, or travel on the Vitran public bus system. But this is a small island with limited pull-off points and taxis often pick up passengers while en route so sudden stops are commonplace. In addition, local drivers tend to slow up, in order to accommodate those making turns.The first thing to remember is that you drive on the left-hand side of the road; the second is that it's hard to get lost for long. This narrow emerald dot on the world map is only thirteen miles long and no point on the island is more than thirty minutes (traffic permitting) from Charlotte Amalie, the main town, which climbs picturesquely up the hills of the main harbor midway on the island's south shore. Black and white signs are spotted along the country roads indicating route number and direction in which you are going. Our road map is keyed to these routes and also to the road names, an aid when route numbers are missing.
The sea is also there to guide you: the Caribbean on the long south coast, the Atlantic on the north. From the east end and the north side, panoramic views take in St. John, the smaller American Virgins and more distant British Virgin Islands. A variety of automobiles are for rent, from sporty four-wheel drives to air-conditioned sedans. Mileage is unlimited; you pay for the gas. U.S. driving licenses are recognized, as are most foreign licenses. A seat-belt law is strictly enforced. Parking in town is a challenge during business hours but there is usually room at the big municipal parking lot east of the Fort. They charge $1 for the first hour, 75 cents for each additional hour, $5 maximum for all day, 6 am to 6 pm. Off-hour and weekend parking is free. Except for the highway from the airport through town, most roads are narrow, black topped and tend to wind up hills and down. Country speed limits are 35 mph except where noted. In town the limit is 20 mph, if you are lucky. As in most communities, traffic jams occur, especially during rush hours. For visitors who do not want to do their own driving, there is a large taxicab fleet. Those drivers belonging to the V.I. Taxi Cab Association know the island well. Fares are from point to point (see Taxi section), but a set fee can be arranged for a tour. "Safari" bus tours are arranged by local travel agencies. Vitran, the public bus service, has a fleet of air-conditioned buses which travel from Red Hook at the east end of the island to Bordeaux near the west end, with plenty of stops in between.
