If you're planning exploring the island, it's recommended that you rent a car at the airport and head out on your own, since the only other island transport, mini-buses , are irregular and patience-wearing. Both terminals have numerous rental agencies, including Avis (tel 0590/21 13 54, fax 21 13 55); Budget (tel 0590/21 13 48, fax 21 13 63); Europcar (tel 0590/21 13 52, fax 21 13 53); Hertz (tel 0590/84 57 94, fax 84 57 90); and Jumbo Car (tel 0590/91 55 66, fax 91 22 88, ). You'll also find them in all resort towns.

Passengers arriving by ferry disembark at the westernmost of Pointe-A -Pitre's quays, the Gare Maritime (or Quai Gatine).From here, you can catch a taxi to Le Gosier (a?¬15) and St-FranA§ois (a?¬50); while there are no car rental agencies near the docks, plenty are on hand at the bigger resort towns.

Both the airport and the ferry docks have tourism information booths near customs with flex-hours depending on plane and ship arrival times. Should they be closed, the main office in downtown Pointe-A -Pitre keeps regular hours.