Gumbsie Car Rental
Family-run wheels for exploring Anguilla on your own clock
Why Go
Anguilla's 35 sun-bleached square miles hide a lot of coves, and the only way to reach the best of them is behind the wheel. Gumbsie, running since 2006 out of George Hill, is the low-key, locally owned outfit that gets you off the ferry or plane and onto Shoal Bay before your rum punch even chills.
The Experience
Pulling up to Gumbsie feels less like a rental transaction and more like collecting keys from a friend who happens to have a fleet. Someone from the family will typically meet you at Clayton J. Lloyd International (a two-minute drive away) or at the Blowing Point Ferry, temporary Anguillian driving permit already in hand, walk you through the quirks of left-hand driving on narrow island roads, and point you toward the closest patch of turquoise. The vehicles skew practical over flashy: clean, air-conditioned SUVs and sedans built to shrug off potholes, salt air, and the occasional goat crossing. Because they're 24-hour and pick up island-wide, you can arrive on a late ferry from St. Martin or a red-eye and still roll straight to your villa without waiting on a taxi.
What to Try
Book an SUV rather than a compact – Anguilla's back roads to secret beaches like Little Bay, Captain's Bay, and the northeastern tip of Junks Hole are dirt tracks that punish low-clearance cars. Ask about a weekly rate if you're staying four nights or more; the per-day drops noticeably and Gumbsie is known for flexible daily, weekly, monthly, and long-term corporate leasing. Take them up on the free airport or ferry delivery – it saves the $25–30 taxi hop and lets you start exploring immediately.
Insider Tip
Anguilla requires a temporary local driving permit (around US$25) on top of your home license – Gumbsie sorts this for you on the spot, but have your passport and home license physically with you at pickup. Also: fill up at the Texaco or Sol station in The Valley before returning; refueling charges from the rental desk are notoriously steeper than pump prices. And remember – Brits and Aussies will feel at home, but Americans, you're driving on the LEFT.
The Practical Stuff
Location: George Hill, ~2 minutes from Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport, ~8 minutes from Blowing Point Ferry. Hours: 24-hour service by arrangement. Contact: +1.264.461.3435 (office), +1.264.235.3435 (cell), +1.866.265.4478 (US reservations), bookings@gumbsiecarrental.com. Website: gumbsiecarrental.com / gumbsiecarrental.ai. Payment: credit/debit card required for rental and security deposit. Requirements: valid passport, home country driver's license, temporary Anguillian permit (obtained at pickup). Fuel policy: return at same level. Insurance: optional add-on, not included in base rate.
Pair It With
- 20 Knots — A short drive from George Hill – drop your bags at this hotel after pickup and immediately head out to scout the west-end beaches.
- 4 Bedroom Condo - Fountain Anguilla on Shoal Bay — Having your own car is essentially required for a Shoal Bay stay; Gumbsie's free delivery makes the arrival seamless.
- 12th Avenue Entertainment — Once you've got wheels, an evening run over to this local spot is easy – no need to negotiate a late-night taxi back.
