Thread: Have YOU ever had any sort of problem with a Taxi Driver in Antigua?

In light of the recent incident/misunderstanding with the six cruise passengers in Antigua ... wondering if YOU or someone you know has had any sort of problem with a taxi driver in Antigua?

Yes, there was a problem but minor to us because we were on a Ship's Excursion and we knew the ship would wait.

Not so sure it was minor to our excursion operator.

Our excursion group was picked up at the ship by three mini-bus-taxis that took us to the beach for the day. Once there, the excursion operator's staff was great. We had a nice lunch and a wonderful day!

When it was time to return, the three taxi drivers were having a heated discussion with the tour operator. Seems they were demanding more money to take us back to the ship for various reasons including cruisers don't tip.

Not so sure what actually happened... but the tour operator did give the drivers some cash. We assumed it was the additional demanded but don't know for sure ....

It wasn't part of a cruise, but one of our daughters got married on Antigua a few years ago.

After paying a taxi driver an exorbitant amount of money for a wild 6 mile trip (no meters, of course) that had us checking our medical insurance (and our undergarments!) we quickly decided we'd be better off renting a car.

We later learned that it's pretty common practice there for drivers to take you to your destination, then demand ridiculous fares for the return trip. What else are you going to do? Walk?

Funny above.

Unfortunately, seems to often be true which leaves us with no real option. Like, Bos mentioned ... "What are we suppose to do? Walk?"

In all of the taxis we've taken around the world (and there have been alot during our 35 cruises), we've only encountered this one time. The driver wanted more money than was agreed upon to take us back to the ship, so reluctantly we agreed. When we got to the ship, we gave him the original amount we had agreed upon. Needless to say, he wasn't happy about it, so we told him we'll call the police and let them decide how much we should pay. He immediately took the money and departed. In many places, they only issue a certain number of taxi licenses and they are highly sought after so most of the time, they're not going to do anything that could jeopardize that license.

Since that one time, we've learned two things; first, we do not take taxis by the cruise pier. Most of the times, these guys pay a hefty fee to be allowed into the fenced area by the ship. So they have to pass along this fee in the form of higher fees to their passengers. We'll walk outside the fenced area and go a few blocks before talking to drivers about a price.

Second, we take public transportation whenever possible or available.

We hardly ever take cruise ship excursions - in fact, I can count on one hand how many we've purchased from the cruise lines in 35 cruises. And in all our many many experiences, we've had very few problems.

But I look at it this way, we've have had the same problems in the USA, so this is not something new just in Antigua and it's not something that will stop us from enjoying ourselves. We just take certain precautions and try our best not to ask for trouble.

Pete

The sad thing is the taxi drivers in Antigua use to be so very nice ... almost adopt you.

What happened?

When we where there Jan 2010. I pre-arranged everything so we had no problems. Got to see and do more things then most ship excrusions, for about the same price.

Originally Posted by Baldwincruising

When we where there Jan 2010. I pre-arranged everything so we had no problems. Got to see and do more things then most ship excrusions, for about the same price.

Please tell us about what you did and saw!

voted no as we used the bus through to falmouth and nelsons dockyard.