$8 vs $50.. City bus vs. City Taxi (they look almost the same)

[iamsam07]

Have patience, you just need to set your priorities (and limitations), but don't miss out on St. Maarten.

 

Based on what I see, you want to see the island, do some shopping, have a nice lunch and stay out of the intense sun for lengthy periods of time. All this during a period 11:00a to 7:00p.

 

Stroll down the "promenade" along Great Bay in Philipsburg. For lunch, you don't have to go to Grand Case or Marigot to enjoy good French food. I would definitely consider L'escargot in Philipsburg on Front Street. The ambiance is fantastic and the food is excellent.

 

After lunch go to Marigot (arrive about 1:30p) and walk the back streets and see the shops. Then continue around the island, drive thru Grand Case, check out Orient Beach and arrive back in Philipsburg (target 3:30-4:00p). Do some shopping then sit on the beach (at Great Bay) until you're ready to go back to the boat. Have something to drink at a number of places along the Promenade (Taloula Mangos or The Greenhouse as examples).

 

You can then get back to the boat by 6:30p.

 

Hi Kal,

 

Do you have any suggestions for a walking tour? We are not renting a car, but would like to see as much of St.Maarten as possible. Is the route you suggested easy to do via the buses?

 

Any help is much appreciated! Thanks!

~Samantha

[kal]

The route I suggest is definitely for rental car or taxi, not local bus travel. The reason is that the bus route is generally to serve local residents and not tourists. They do not go to Orient Bay or much of the southeast corner of the island. The best trip by bus would be from PBurg to Marigot and/or Maho and return. Buses run those routes quite frequently.

 

Walking will be fine for the "boardwalk" on Great Bay and Front Street in PBurg. Then too, walking in Marigot is a real pleasure and there's lots to see.

[Brianinidaho]

Great insight. It seemed to us many tourists were taking the bus over the look alike taxis. We felt safe in them. Take care.

[richkinkade]

Do I understand correctly that you can take a bus to Mullet Bay and back? Where do you catch the bus? How much? Are dollars acceptable?

[J&B in GA]

Do I understand correctly that you can take a bus to Mullet Bay and back? Where do you catch the bus? How much? Are dollars acceptable?

The Island Buses can be caught two streets from the beach, on "Back

Street". "Front Street" is where all the business' are located and Taxis.

Just proceed one more street further and you will be on "Back Street",

flag down any bus and ask the driver if he is going to Mullet Bay. Just

make sure the Van has a License Plate which starts with "BUS" and you

will save a lot of money over the similiar looking Taxis. Most people pay

the driver as they exit and yes they take $USD.

 

We caught an Island Bus and the fare was $1/person from P'Berg to

Simpson Bay, so Mullet Bay may be $1.50/person each way. Enjoy ! :D

[J&B in GA]

Duplicate Post - Deleted !

[holiday4]

:confused: Brianinidaho: You mentioned that you took the bus to the Rhino Riders. Did you book them on your own ahead of time? If so, how can I contact them? I assume it is much less expensive than booking through the ship? Where are they located (ie. where do you get off the bus?). I would love to hear from anyone who has info on this. Thanks so much.

[fdwt994]

Hello all,

 

After reading this most helpful post, we will probably take the bus to Maho bay.

 

Question- does anybody know where I can find a flight schedule of all arrivals at SXM so we can plan accordingly? The airport's website is not up to date...

 

Thanks!

[fdwt994]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=462976

 

Thanks Kal!

[Brianinidaho]

We walked into town, avoiding the long lines for the water taxi, and went 3-4 blocks by a casino, and found a main street that had these white vans. Some say TAXI some say BUS. those words will save you tons.

Just tell them you want to go to the Rhino Riders behind the dominos pizza out by the airport. (Maybe look up the address on line).

 

The airplanes, when we were there, all came in around 2-3 pm. It is exteremly worth while to get out to the beach in the afternoon and watch these justs land just a few feet above your head.

[The Big Booper]

The street that Brian mentions is Back Street, one block from Front Street (natch..). This is a crowded commercial street that can take 10 minutes to clear, thanks to cars parking and busses letting people on and off.

 

Allow a MINIMUM of 1 hour to go from Maho to the pier in the afternoon and this is using a cab making no stops. However long the bus takes to go from P-Burg to Maho earlier in the day, it will take a lot longer to go back in the late afternoon because of heavier traffic and the drawbridge opening.

 

Here is a link to KAL's webpage on the big jet landings.

 

http://www.bywindkal.com/SXMJets.html

[Brianinidaho]

The traffic can be slow at times. But the Taxis and Busses, it appeared, were stuck in the same traffic. In other words, don't pay 5 times the amount thinking that somehow magically the Taxis go faster through the traffic than the busses do. They look the same. Or Bus stopped twice. Not much.

[BTfan]

Hi Brian:

 

Thanks so much for all of your info. on taxis/buses in St. Maarten. I do have a question for you and hopefully you can assist me.

 

DH/I plan to go on our own in St. Maarten. We would like to take a bus from Philipsburg to Marigot in the morning, walk around the shops and maybe have an early lunch there. Then we would like to go over to Maho Bay to watch the planes fly in. Stay there for a few hours, head back to Philipsburg to look at the shops there and head back to the ship.

 

Could all of this be done via. buses? What time does the stores open in Marigot? Explorer will be docked from 7am - 6pm.

 

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

This is my plan as well.. Ideally, I wanted to do Baie Rouge instead of Maho, but I like the idea of being able to catch transportation to the boat without a rental car.

 

Last time at Maho, we did catch a bus back to PBurg. It was interesting talking with the residents..they all have a story! A very diverse island!

 

Not thinking, we asked about dropping us off at the pier..which he did, but charged us taxi rate..oh well..live and learn.

[mrsd2fan]

How much will it cost 4 people to take a cab to and from Orient Beach? Also, what will cost us extra when we get there? Will is cost us anything to go onto the beach? Will it cost us to rent a beach chair? If so, how much? Anything else you can advise me on?

THANKS!

[The Big Booper]

4 people to Orient Beach should be 5-6 pp one way. Brian's bus does not go to Orient. Orient Beach is almost 1/2 mile from the highway through pothole city (this beach access road has to be experienced to be believed) especially if being dropped off at Pedros, near Club Orient. Club O, located at the southern end of the beach, is a clothing optional beach whose inhabitants sometime take beach strolls up and down the rest of the beach. If you think this would bother you then get let off further north such as Bikini, which is where most of the cruisers go. There is no entry fee anywhere along the beach even at Club O. The beach is sectioned off and each section rents chairs, umbrellas, etc. The best thing is that no matter where you get dropped off just wander up and down the beach until you find a spot you like. 2 chairs and an umbrella will run you 14-18 depending on where you park yourself. There are always plenty of cabs hanging around in the afternoon so you can head up to these areas and expect to find a cab. It will take 25-35 minutes to get back to the pier so allow 60 minutes from the time you get in the cab until you are walking up the ship's gangway since it is a 5-10 minute walk along the pier, which holds 2 ships each side nose to tail.

 

Here is a link to a great panoramic map shot by a long time SXM visitor, Ed. He took these shots while parasailing along the beach and stiched them together for his website.

 

http://home.carolina.rr.com/photos2005/LargeOrientPanorama.htm

[laceyjane]

Any idea cost of taxi for two adults roundtrip from cruise ship pier to Mullets Bay?

[laceyjane]

Any idea cost of taxi for two adults roundtrip from cruise ship pier to Mullets Bay? What about cost of taxi for 2 roundtrip from pier to Le Galion beach?

 

It will be Sunday Feb. 4, don't know if they charge more for taxis on Sundays and if they will be available for return trips from either Mullets or Galion? We are looking for a very calm water beach with no waves and both these were recomended but someone said it would cost us $70.00 round trip for 2 adults to Mullet Bay seems like a lot.

[The Big Booper]

2 people in a cab will always be more expensive than 4 or more. The cabbies try to load up with people so if you don't mind riding with strangers you can save $$$.

 

As far as pricing there is a price list posted at the pier but I don't have access to it in "favorite places". Some have posted links to it in the past.

[redrum42]

Big B, that link to the panarama shot of Orient Beach is incredible! Gives one a good idea of what to expect. We have not been to SM before, and decided to rent a car and do some snorkelling at Creole Rock with SXM Snorkel out of Grand Case Beach Club. This was not offered from the ship, thus the rental car.

Just wondering about parking, and parking fees. Will we have to stock up on some local currency/change for pay parking in either side? We will probably stop in Marigot and at Orient Beach. Also, do you know any off the beaten track places that would be good to visit with our own vehicle?

 

Thanks again for the great link.

[Brianinidaho]

What is nice is that to many places you only pay $2 or so per person if you look for the sign on the white van that says "bus" instead of the "taxi" sign on the white van. This minor difference, a few letters, can mean big savings. Brian

[The Big Booper]

Big B, that link to the panarama shot of Orient Beach is incredible! Gives one a good idea of what to expect. We have not been to SM before, and decided to rent a car and do some snorkelling at Creole Rock with SXM Snorkel out of Grand Case Beach Club. This was not offered from the ship, thus the rental car.

Just wondering about parking, and parking fees. Will we have to stock up on some local currency/change for pay parking in either side? We will probably stop in Marigot and at Orient Beach. Also, do you know any off the beaten track places that would be good to visit with our own vehicle?

 

Thanks again for the great link.

 

Yes, Ed's panorama shots are incredible, I always reference him when I post that link, and to think he took it while on a parasail and then aligned all the sections.

 

As far as parking, you should never have to pay for parking while at Marigot or Orient, there are not even any pay lots that I am aware of. Orient, just park on the dirt road or on the side behind Pedros. At Marigot you might have to circle or walk a couple blocks.

 

The only place I have paid for parking was in downtown P-Burg where street parking on Front Street, the main shopping drag, has been eliminated. There is a lot near the courthouse and flea market that charges $1.00 per hour or you could park 3 blocks from Front Street next to the Great Salt Pond for free but then have to walk 4-5 blocks or more in the hot sun. Even in the courthouse lot you might have to circle looking for an open spot but this is an active downtown lot and just use your mall skills (follow the pedestrian entering the lot jangling keys, etc.)

 

The US $ is accepted all over the island so don't worry about converting currency. Do bring small bills and US change or you might get Euros in change if the vendor has no US $.

 

If you have a car, the big international airport near Maho beach is unique as the big jets come in 25' over your head. This has been discussed on many threads here. Here is a link to Kal's website showing the schedule of takeoffs and landings; this is a unique experience.

 

http://www.bywindkal.com/SXMJets.html

[CanuckCruizer]

Wondering if anyone can help me? Once we make it to Back Street and get in one of these "buses" how long will it take to get to Marigot? We will be going fairly early in the morning (9am at the latest). We want to return to Phillipsburg by lunchtime (by 12:30 or so at the latest). Going by the traffic reports, should I double the return trip time?

 

Also, does anyone know the cabfare from the pier to Marigot? Just wondering because we will probably have to take a cab to Back Street anyway to catch the bus (I have knee and foot problems so can't walk too far - so walking into town probably won't work for us - how far is it anyways - I can't remember - my mind is clouded with memories of all the jewellery stores but can't remember how I got there - ha ha). In other words - how much are we going to save by getting out of a cab and then into a bus instead of taking a cab the whole way? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Canuck

[CaribbeanCrazy]

I would also like to find out how long it usually takes to take a bus to Marigot in the am.

Also does anyone know how long it takes to take a bus from Marigot to Maho? Then Maho to Philipsburg in the afternoon? Are the buses clearly marked destination wise?

 

Thanks

CaribbeanCrazy

[The Big Booper]

Wondering if anyone can help me? Once we make it to Back Street and get in one of these "buses" how long will it take to get to Marigot? We will be going fairly early in the morning (9am at the latest). We want to return to Phillipsburg by lunchtime (by 12:30 or so at the latest). Going by the traffic reports, should I double the return trip time?

 

Also, does anyone know the cabfare from the pier to Marigot? Just wondering because we will probably have to take a cab to Back Street anyway to catch the bus (I have knee and foot problems so can't walk too far - so walking into town probably won't work for us - how far is it anyways - I can't remember - my mind is clouded with memories of all the jewellery stores but can't remember how I got there - ha ha). In other words - how much are we going to save by getting out of a cab and then into a bus instead of taking a cab the whole way? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Canuck

 

It is a 20 minute walk for a healthy person from the cab pickup to Back Street. But it also a 5-10 minute walk from the gangway to the circle where the cabs wait, depending where your ship will dock. If you have leg problems, it is simplest just to take a group cab from the pier to Marigot. The pain if you try to walk will far outlast your satisfaction at saving a few bucks on the transportation. Not to mention the valuable time you will lose while the bus/van trundles along making many stops. Not to mention that it will cost a couple bucks to cab from the pier to pick up the bus on Back Street.

 

One or so less drinks on the ship equals the extra you pay to go directly from the pier go Marigot. Priorities, priorities.

[The Big Booper]

Also, the traffic back from Marigot is at its heaviest in the late afternoon because of drawbridge openings which don't happen in the middle of the day. Somewhere here KAL or Gary has a schedule of when the drawbridges open.

 

Do you plan on eating lunch on the ship? On an island that has the best food in the Caribbean? Or shopping at P-Burg.

 

You also might consider buying an unlimited use band for the water taxi ($5.00 a day) and take that to the downtown pier, catch the bus there and then take the bus back to downtown if you come back early in the afternoon. Do your shopping and then get over to the water taxi for a ride back to the ship.