Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Taxis charge slightly more at night and may ask for an extra fee if you want the comfort
of air-con. It's also worth remembering that some taxis charge around Rs 1 per minute
waiting time. It seems minimal, but it adds up if you stop for lunch or do some sightseeing
on foot. Your best bet is to negotiate a set fare with the driver that includes waiting time.
Upon arrival at the airport, there is a taxi desk with set prices for just about anywhere
on the island.
Taxi Hire
For around Rs 2000 you can hire a taxi for a full-day tour of sights along one or two
coasts of the island. You can cut costs by forming a group - the price should
not
be calcu-
lated per person. Once you've agreed to a price and itinerary, it helps to get the details
down in writing. Although most drivers can speak both French and English, double-check
before setting off to ensure you won't face a day-long communication barrier. If you're
lucky, you'll get an excellent and informative guide, but note that most drivers work on a
commission basis with particular restaurants, shops and sights. If you want to go to a res-
taurant of your choice, you may have to insist on it. Again, small guesthouses can usually
recommend a reliable driver.
Share Taxi
When individual fares are hard to come by, some taxis will cruise around their area sup-
plementing the bus service. For quick, short-haul trips they pick up passengers waiting at
the bus stops and charge just a little more than the bus. Their services are called 'share
taxis' or 'taxi trains'. Mind you, if you flag down a share taxi, you'll only be swapping a
big sardine can for a small one, and if you flag down an empty taxi, you may have to pay
the full fare.
