5–10 minutes from RTB to town with taxis waiting at the door
The airport taxi stand at Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport (RTB) sits just outside the tiny arrivals hall, where drivers immediately call out “West End, West Bay” as passengers exit baggage claim. Rides into Coxen Hole are only about 3 km and usually take 5–10 minutes, but some drivers still quote the same price as a longer resort run.
Most cars at the RTB taxi stand are regular island cabs, not a special metered fleet, so fares are flat-rate by negotiation and typically land in the US $10–15 range per ride to West End if you push back a little. Drivers often start with a higher “tourist” number, and forum reports say locals pay noticeably less than first-timers who accept the first offer.
Taxis cycle through the stand roughly every 15–20 minutes when flights from Miami, Houston, Atlanta, and Dallas arrive in a bank, but the small curb gets crowded fast. When a couple of US flights and a cruise ship day line up, people report sitting 15–20 minutes just to clear the airport access road because of taxi and shuttle traffic.
Rates from RTB into Coxen Hole should be lower than to West End or West Bay, since Coxen Hole is only a 5‑minute ride, yet some visitors mention being quoted US $10–15 anyway. Regulars suggest asking your hotel or host for a “normal” price in advance, then firmly repeating that number at the stand so you’re not paying double what locals do.
Many drivers offer an extra stop at a grocery store in Coxen Hole on the way to West End/West Bay for a small add-on or tip, which frequent visitors use to stock up on food, water, and sunscreen in one run. Shared rides sometimes get pitched as a way to save, but a few travellers report ending up solo in the cab and still paying close to a private fare when no one else joins.
Step-by-step from plane to taxi
- 1. Land at RTB and walk off to the single arrivals hall; baggage claim is a 1–2 minute walk from the gate area.
- 2. Collect your bag from the small carousel, then clear customs; this usually takes 5–20 minutes depending on how many flights hit at once.
- 3. Exit the terminal door and turn toward the marked taxi area, where 5–20 drivers may be waiting and calling out destinations.
- 4. State your destination (Coxen Hole, West End, or West Bay) and ask the driver for a price, then counter with a target in the US $10–15 range for West End/West Bay or less for Coxen Hole.
- 5. Agree clearly on a total fare before you put bags in the trunk, including any planned grocery stop or shared-ride arrangement.
- 6. Ride to your hotel; expect about 5 minutes into Coxen Hole or around 10–20 minutes to West End/West Bay, longer on cruise-ship days.
One tip: if the first quotes feel high, walk 1–2 minutes farther down the airport road and try a cab there; repeat visitors report closer-to-local pricing once you’re past the initial crowd.