Eazy Importz — Wheels for Every Corner of Statia
Round-the-clock car, SUV, bus, and scooter rentals from Man O War, run by Hildo and his easygoing crew.
Why Go
Statia is small on the map but big on hills, hairpin turns, and hidden coves — and public transport is basically 'know somebody with a truck.' Eazy Importz is the answer travelers keep coming back to: an independent, locally run rental outfit in Man O War that hands you keys 24/7 and lets you actually see the island on your own clock.
The Experience
Pulling up to Eazy Importz feels less like a chain-brand counter and more like meeting a friend at their yard. Hildo runs the show with a small, unfussy team, and the vibe is that of a neighborhood garage where the paperwork is short and the handshake is long. The fleet is genuinely mixed — compact cars for a couple bouncing between Oranjestad restaurants, SUVs for anyone planning the rutted track down to the Quill trailheads or up toward Venus Bay, minibuses for dive groups hauling gear, and scooters for solo travelers who just want the wind and the sea view. Pickup and drop-off are flexible; if your LIAT or Winair flight lands at an odd hour, they'll usually meet you. Vehicles are kept in working order, not showroom-shiny — this is Statia, everything gets a coat of salt spray within a week — but they run, the AC works, and the tank policy is straightforward. Most first-time visitors underestimate how vertical Statia is; renting from Hildo is what lets you say yes to the tide pools at Zeelandia, a sunset at Fort Oranje, and dinner in town without begging for rides.
What to Try
For most travelers a compact car is plenty, but ask about the SUV if you plan to tackle the road toward Venus Bay or lug dive tanks along the coast. Scooters are the sleeper pick for a sunny day of café-hopping around Oranjestad and coasting down to Lower Town. If you're traveling in a group of four or more with luggage, the bus/minivan option saves you doing two trips from the airport.
Insider Tip
Book direct by phone or email (+599 318 1189 / info@eazyimportz.com) rather than through a third party — Hildo can hold a vehicle for an odd-hour arrival, quote a better weekly rate, and drop the car at your guesthouse or the harbor if you're coming in on the Makana ferry from Saba. Also: fill up in Oranjestad before the weekend, because Statia's single station keeps island hours and running dry mid-Quill hike is a very local rite of passage you don't want.
The Practical Stuff
Location: Man O War, Oranjestad, St. Eustatius. Hours: 24/7 by arrangement. Contact: +599 318 1189, info@eazyimportz.com, eazyimportz.com. Payment: cash (USD, the island currency) is always safest; card acceptance can be spotty across Statia so bring some bills. You'll need a valid driver's license from your home country (an IDP is a nice-to-have, not usually required for short stays). Drive on the right. Fuel up in town — there's essentially one station on the island. Roads are paved in the main areas but expect potholes, roaming goats, and the occasional cow with right of way.
Pair It With
- Baby Beach Guide — One of the easiest 'why you rented a car' payoffs — a quiet, sheltered spot on the Atlantic side that's a short but bumpy drive most visitors wouldn't attempt without their own wheels.
- Aquarium - Dive Site Guide — Statia's diving is world-class and gear-heavy; an SUV or minibus from Eazy Importz makes shuttling tanks and buddies between your guesthouse and the shore entry painless.
- A Quiet Getaway - One-Bedroom Apartment Guide — Self-catering stays only really work on Statia if you can drive to the grocery store and back — pair the apartment with a compact rental and you've got a proper island base.
- Bacchanalia Guide — After a day of exploring, dinner in Oranjestad is far more enjoyable when you're not negotiating a taxi home in the dark — park, eat, drive back at your own pace.
