Richi Car Rental
Small-island wheels for exploring Statia at your own pace
Why Go
On an island where taxis are scarce, sidewalks end abruptly, and The Quill's trailhead sits a sweaty uphill walk from town, a set of your own keys changes everything. Richi Car Rental is one of the handful of family-run outfits tucked into Oranjestad's Paramira Weg that quietly keep independent travelers moving across Statia's 21 square kilometers.
The Experience
Pulling up to Richi's Paramira Weg lot feels less like a corporate rental counter and more like borrowing a car from a neighbor who happens to have a fleet. Paperwork is short, small talk is long, and someone will usually point out on a paper map where the potholes are worst that week. The vehicles skew toward compact SUVs and hatchbacks — practical choices for an island where the main road climbs from the sea-level harbor up to Upper Town in a few tight switchbacks and where side roads to the Botanical Gardens or the Quill trailhead can turn to gravel and washboard after rain. Fuel up before you head out; there's essentially one working pump on the island and it keeps island hours. Once you're rolling, the whole island unfolds in about 20 minutes end to end: colonial ruins in Lower Town, quiet Zeelandia Beach on the wild Atlantic side, and clifftop viewpoints that face Saba's silhouette on a clear afternoon.
What to Try
Ask for a compact SUV rather than a sedan — Statia's back roads to the Quill trailhead, Venus Bay, and the northern hills reward the extra clearance. If you're staying more than a couple of days, negotiate a multi-day rate up front; weekly deals are almost always better than the walk-up daily price. Grab a paper island map at pickup (Google Maps is spotty once you leave Oranjestad) and mark the single gas station before you drive off.
Insider Tip
Book by WhatsApp a few days before you fly in, especially around dive-group weeks and the November Statia Day holiday — the island's entire rental fleet is small enough that it genuinely sells out. Also confirm whether the quoted rate includes the mandatory island vehicle tax and CDW, and ask them to demonstrate the 4WD lock if you're renting an SUV; you'll want it engaged on the loose gravel climb to the Quill.
The Practical Stuff
Location: 30 Paramira Weg, Oranjestad, Sint Eustatius (Caribbean Netherlands), a five-minute walk from the F.D. Roosevelt Airport terminal and about ten minutes on foot from Upper Town's guesthouses. Driving is on the right; a valid home-country license is accepted for short stays and an International Driving Permit is recommended. Minimum age is typically 21–23. Daily rates on Statia generally run about US$40–70 depending on vehicle size and season. Pay in US dollars (the island's official currency); many small operators still prefer cash for the deposit. Book ahead — walk-in availability is unreliable on a fleet this size.
Pair It With
- Baby Beach Guide — An easy first drive from Richi's lot — a quiet, shallow cove that's a good orientation stop before tackling the Quill.
- Aquarium - Dive Site Guide — Having your own car makes it painless to haul dive gear between your guesthouse, the marine park office, and the shore-entry access for this signature site.
- Alvin V Courtar Park Guide — A nearby in-town green space to stretch your legs while you're still figuring out where to point the car.
- A Quiet Getaway - One-Bedroom Apartment Guide — A short hop from Richi means you can drop bags and grab keys in the same afternoon, then roam the island before dinner.
- Bacchanalia Guide — An easy end-of-day dinner stop within walking distance of the rental office, so you can leave the car parked and enjoy a drink with the meal.
