How to Travel Around the Caribbean Without a Car – Tips from Local Travel Bloggers

The Caribbean is one of those regions with a more localised or “informal” transportation structure. I often get asked “how can I travel around the Caribbean? I don’t have a car” Even I will scratch my head sometimes wondering what’s the “bus route” to get to one location or another.

But if you take a quick 5mins to think about it, you’ll soon realize that travelling around the Caribbean is not as difficult as you imagined. There are usually plenty of options to choose from…even when going to remote towns to chase that waterfall or be a beach bum.

Of course, if you want to take public transportation then Caribbean buses won’t always run on a tight schedule. But there’ll be a bus and you’ll get to your destination…just factor in a lot of wiggle room for your arrival or departure lol. As a Jamaican, I’ve tried it myself and can tell you I had pleasant success!

Local Travel Bloggers Share Tips on How to Travel Around the Caribbean Without a Car

I knew this was a topic that you always wondered about so I decided to reach out to other Caribbean travel bloggers for their input. If you’re planning a trip to one of these islands then make sure to save these insider tips!

GRENADA – Alyssa Bierzynski @alybiz

Exploring Grenada (and travel around the Caribbean) without a car isn’t as hard as you may think, and this is thanks to our small size, which, for the island of Grenada is just 120 sq. miles. To put this into perspective, you can drive all around Grenada in just under 4 hours.  

Since there are no ride sharing platforms currently available in Grenada, you will need to hop on a public bus, book a tour or hire a taxi to get around. Whichever one you choose, you will find an option to suit your needs and budget.

Tip: Take Public Buses

The public buses are categorised into 10 zones, with Zones 1 – 9 servicing the main island of Grenada and Zone 10 the sister island of Carriacou. Bus Zones are clearly marked on the front of each bus, making it easy to identify where the bus is going. Public buses run Monday through Saturday from 6am – 9pm. While you may be able to get a public bus on a Sunday or public holiday, they are few and far between. Off-route drops cost extra, so always confirm the fare with the bus driver before getting on to the bus. 

Getting off the bus – Since not all public buses have buzzers or bells to alert the driver to stop, be prepared to knock the roof of the bus or shout “bus stop please!”

Tip: Book Tour Companies and Taxis 

There are many tour and taxi companies offering a range of adventures on both land and sea. You can check out this list of companies registered with the Grenada Tourism Authority.

Tip: Choose Central Location to Stay 

Opt for accommodation that is on, or very near to, the main road. In terms of location, staying in the Grand Anse area in the south of the island will prove to be the most beneficial without a car. It is also the busiest bus route so you won’t have any problems getting a public bus.

JAMAICA – Yemalla @naturessweetescapes

I started solo traveling because I was tired of my routine life; work, school, home then I repeated the process. So I started to research places to visit at an affordable cost which was possible due to public transportation. I found so many places to visit on a budget because of my two best friends Google and YouTube. 

Tip: Travel via Public Transportation

It’s very affordable to travel via public transportation. I don’t have to worry about the parking fee, no parking space, and high gas prices. If driving your vehicle or rent you will need to ensure you have sufficient funds for gas and tolls.

Traveling via public transportation, you have to ensure you arrive at the bus stop early to get a comfortable seat which is the window seat of course. These buses are not leaving the bus park until they are packed to capacity. This is because there are no bus stops on the highway or the country roads to fill the empty seats if these buses leave the park with just a few passengers.

The middle seat is very much uncomfortable but I love every minute of traveling via public transportation whether it’s in the middle or by the window, I know the result (a beautiful waterfall) is just a few hours away. Traveling along the country road, smelling the fresh air with greenery insight is free therapy. The cold breeze kissing your cheeks is like the perfect love affair with nature.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Gigi Frias @holagigi

Dominican Republic, an island less than 50,000km2 full of beautiful landscapes and magnificent beaches. It has really good paved highways and well maintained yet it is not as easy to drive as you might think. This is part of what makes travel around the Caribbean not as straightforward. So how do you travel around?

Tip: Book Tours/Excursions

If you decide to stay in the eastern part of the country in an all inclusive hotel but want to explore outside the hotel you can arrange for excursions and tours to take you around the area and adventure out.

Tip: Use Ride-Sharing Services like UBER

They are safe and you can use them almost anywhere around the country. Just download the app and that’s it.

Tip: Rent a Car

You can find big rental companies at the airport or at the city malls. Car Rental is a really good option for you to venture out and get to explore the country at your own pace. You must be 25 years old and have a license to be able to rent a car in the Dominican Republic.

Tip: Take Public Transport or “Guagaus”

There are different types of public transport. Ranging from Public Buses also called “Guaguas” or “Carrito Publico”. These take you short distance trips within the city, in Santo Domingo. I would only recommend it only if you know where you are going.

Tip: Use Bus Services

For long distance travel to another province you can take one of these private buses, they are reliable and well equipped. Bavaro Expreso operates daily and connects travelers from Santo Domingo and Bavaro and vice versa. Caribe Tours offers transport routes from Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Sosua, Barahona, Cabrera, Jaraboca, La Vega, Montecristi, Samana and Haiti. Metro Tours departs from Santo Domingo to La Romana, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Sosua and Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

JAMAICA – Diedre McLeod @diedreinwanderland

If there’s a place you want to go in Jamaica, there is a bus, route taxi, minivan, or shuttle that will take you there. I guarantee it! You have several ways to travel around without a car…just like in the rest of the Caribbean. The trick is in knowing where to start looking for these answers.

Tip: Ask for Directions at the Main Transport hub in the town

Yes, you can take public transportation to travel to most places in Jamaica. Public transportation includes public buses, route taxis, and minivans that take you from Point A to B. If you don’t know what public transportaion to take, then just stop by the main transport hub in your town and ask any bus driver for directions. Sometimes, how to get to a location doesn’t seem straightforward but it is usually relatively simple. Just ask a bus driver or a local in the main transport hub and you’ll find out!

Tip 2: Take Advantage of Coach Services

Coach services like the Knutsford Express in Jamaica act like shuttles and drop you off at central places around the island. Coach services offer the convenience and comfort of travel, without the hassle. Once you arrive at a main town then taking a taxi or public bus is even simpler.

In summary, travelling around the Caribbean without a car isn’t as daunting as it may seem. You have lots of safe ways to get out and sightsee. Don’t let the notion of “not having a car” stop you from exploring!

Have you ever travelled around the Caribbean without a car? How was your experience? Tell me in the comments!