Sunday May 11, 2008

Car rentals are a good option for touring both nations while visiting the island

For Hire

With no formal customs or border control at the roads connecting Sint Maarten and St. Martin, rental cars offer travelers the freedom and mobility to tour both the French and Dutch sides of the island for reasonable rates.

Driving in both Dutch Sint Maarten and French St. Martin is on the right hand side of the road. Both countries will honor international driver's licenses for those who wish to rent cars. Seat belts are required in both countries - children under 12 are required to ride in the back seat and children under 4 should be in a car seat. Roads on both parts of the island are in good condition for the Caribbean, but drivers should beware of poorly lit streets, herds of animals, and concealed or missing street signs. Drivers should always be defensive while driving with a rental car in another country.

Rental agencies usually have to deliver cars directly to your hotel, so a taxi might be required from the airport but a large number of agencies are at your disposal on both parts of the island and travelers can find rental car stations near the airport. Taxi rates are affordable on the island, with prices ranging from $30(USD) to $50(USD) a day with unlimited mileage and free drop off. Passenger will incur extra fees with the price of gasoline, child seats, extra driver permits, or the highly recommended collision damage insurance, which will generally run from $9(USD) to $14(USD) a day. Credit card holders should also learn about rental vehicle insurance they may hold on their card.

Rental Car Companies in Sint Maarten:

Rental Company
Contact Information
Alamo
- Juliana, Philipsburg
599-545-5546
599-551-1155
599-545-4415
http://www.alamo.com
Avis
- Philipsburg, Juliana, Grand Case
599-545-2847
http://www.avis.com
Budget
- Juliana, Philipsburg
599-545-4030
http://www.budget.com
Dollar
- Juliana
599-544-2192
http://www.dollar.com
Hertz
- Juliana, Marigot, Philipsburg
599-545-4541
http://www.hertz.com
National
- Juliana, Philipsburg
599-545-5552
599-545-4415
800-328-4567
http://www.nationalcar.com

Rental Car Companies in St. Martin:

Rental Company Contact Information
Avis
- Grand Case
590-87-50-60
http://www.avis.com
Cara�bes Car Rental 590-29-64-26
Esp�rance Car Rental 590-87-51-09
Hertz 590-87-83-71
599-545-4541
http://www.hertz.com
Prestige Car Rental
- Grand Case
590-29-21-57
Unity Car Rental 590-87-34-97
800-836-4529
http://www.unitycars.com/

There are plenty of options for renting a car in St. Martin and Sint Maarten, and the absence of a custom or border patrol station means that a short drive is all that separates the French and the Dutch side of the island.