Barbados car hire recommendation

[danzltiu]

Have searched but not a lot of info on here. Anyone got any do`s or don't`s for rental cars in Barbados good/bad companies. Intend to pick up from airport and driving to/staying at Royal Westmoreland. Or would you recommend taxi from airport and get car delivered but seems like an unnecessary taxi fare! Cheers Kevin

[trickywoo]

I always use a company called mah. Family run and tend to be more or less the cheapest with a relaxed but reliable attitude.

The first time I hired from them I was doing the whole inspection thing and they said don't worry about anything as long as you don't return it smashed up. Been as good as their word each time.

Driving on the island is easy and fun. Night time can be more of a challenge but take it easy in the wet and you'll be fine.

Stouts are a big hire company and very professional if a bit more expensive if that's what you prefer.

All petrol stations are attended you just ask to fill it or a specified amount. Similar price to here.

Enjoy.

[ChasW]

I have done both. Last time I took the whole family, 5 of us, we used a taxi to Royal Westmoreland as there was simply too much luggage for a hire car. Stouts dropped off the car once we were installed in the villa. It meant we just had to hire a Yaris and we could all squeeze in as most journeys are short. From memory the airport taxis will offer a fixed price. I think they just charged us the Holetown rate.

[nmd87]

On both occasions I've had my hotel concierge arrange it for me. I think last time the provider was Drive-A-Matic, the car was on time and spotless. There were no issues on either occasion and it takes any effort out of it on your part. Additionally the hotel arranged a one-day hire for us whereas we'd been seeing when searching online that the minimum was two days. I did all this on arrival - no need to book ahead in my experience.

Regarding driving, as others have said it's easy but suggest to go nice and easy as the pace of driving is generally more relaxed. Generally a toot of the horn from other drivers is them letting you go and a toot back to say thanks is customary.

Edited by nmd87 on Thursday 21st July 09:28

[furtive]

I used these last year:

http://www.stoutescar.com/

They dropped off and collected from my hotel, the car was well maintained and clean, and it was cheap.

[MrBen1]

I've used Courtesy, Drive-a-matic and most recently Direct Car Rentals on three trips to Barbados - no issues with any of them. Most rentals are of course small engined automatics which are a bit dull, but one trip I managed to get a manual - it was a Matiz with an 800cc engine but was quite good fun on the little roads!

I always pick up from the airport - only two of us so not an issue for luggage and also means you can leave it a bit later coming back to the airport (last drink on Miami beach and 10 mins to the airport!).

Most driving is fairly sedate but watch out for some nutters later on at night - some of the 'ZR' minibuses along the south coast road are driven pretty insanely with ridiculous overtakes etc.

Enjoy!

[RumRunner]

Drive-a-matic

[Med1c]

furtive said:

I used these last year:

http://www.stoutescar.com/

They dropped off and collected from my hotel, the car was well maintained and clean, and it was cheap.

+1 for this company - Very professional and the cars are clean and reliable.

Just food for thought I think off the top of my head there are also two forms of CDW to take out in the event of an accident.

The later option means if there is an accident you will not have to pay out a lot more under the claim and limits it to a few hundred BBD instead of 1000's.

As others have said driving is pretty cool and laid back but night time especially in Bridgetown can be interesting.

I remember trying to get to my friends football match on the hill just outside of Bridgetown on a rainy evening and even with aircon the windscreen became a shoe box to see out ! That was an interesting drive with multiple lanes !

The buses are something else as previously mentioned - Each one has its own unique custom addons and you will hear them before you see them and boy do they shift !

Wishing you a great time and let us all know how you get on :-)

[AB]

furtive said:

I used these last year:

http://www.stoutescar.com/

They dropped off and collected from my hotel, the car was well maintained and clean, and it was cheap.

Yep. Not used any others but would not have any reason to.

It was only a Jimny but was ideal.