Itinerary Help: rental car, Marigot, Pinel, Orient, Baie, Maho, Philipsburg

[juniperia]

Hello all,

Going to be in St. Maarten on a cruise stop (on a Wednesday) in December, ship arrives at port 9 am, leaves 11 pm.

Here's our plan, please tell us if it is too ambitious, as I'm not aware how long it takes from one spot to another!

* Get off the ship ASAP and rent a car as soon as we get off the ship (from what I've read from posts, the rentals have to be back by 5 - is this true?).

* Head from there to Marigot for the morning market and some coffee and pastries (1 hour?)

* Drive to Pinel (park cark) and then take ferry, stay 2 hours and ferry back

* Drive to Orient, have lunch, and spend a couple of hours there in the sun (3 hours?)

* Drive to Baie Rouge - just to see it (maybe a 1/2 hour to take pics)

* Drive to Maho to see the planes land and have a couple of drinks (1 hour)

* Drive back and return car (filled up)

* Go shopping downtown Philipsburg for some MaDouDou/guavaberry, Rima's

More questions:

* Is there parking at Orient?

* What times do the shops at Philipsburg close?

* What stuff do they have at Rima's anyway?

* What does anyone suggest to do in the evening? Is there something to do in downtown Philipsburg at that time?

* What would you skip?

Thanks so much for your help and comments!

[The Big Booper]

Take a look at this map. Way too much for one day.

 

The main roads here are not superhighways but ordinary 2 lane roads with low speed limits (50kph). And sometimes heavy traffic. And frequently beat up old belching trucks that can barely do 15 going up the frequent hills. And you will be doubling back.

 

My experience, and what we did on our trip last month, was to head out and do the bad section first (ie Maho and Marigot). Heaviest traffic around here. The big jets tend to come in after 11:30 AM. Marigot is further away so you would have to go up to Marigot, get your treats and scope out the town in the earlier morning and then turn around and head back South to Maho, then after a few planes head North once again but now bypass Marigot with it's tough traffic, loop over the top of the Island for Orient. The trip back from Orient should be 25-35 minutes to Phillipsburg, depending on how many belching trucks and slow moving Busses (sorry Brian) you get stuck behind. Then you get to P-Burg, park in the free new lots alongside Pondfill road, walk 3 blocks to Front Street to check out the 100 stores.........You get my drift. Plus it gets dark and the P-Burg stores start shutting down at 5:30 PM.

 

Too much. You have to maximize the efficiency of what you are doing; this is high season and the place is packed with Americans and Europeans.

 

On our last trip, we hit Maho (to check out the hurricane damage at Sunset Bar and take some pictures), then on to Marigot to hit what was open on Sunday (not much) then on to Orient for 3 hours of tanning (more will damage skin, especially skin that never sees sunlight.:D) Then down to Pondfill road where we had less than an hour to check out the stores we wanted to hit and get our booty. Then back to the pier by 4:55 PM. Huff puff. We were the last car in (Hertz). All the other places had shut down already.

 

We know the island and know shortcuts and knew where we were and what poorly marked road we were looking for. You don't.

 

You have to prioritize and figure out what you wan't to see most.

 

I set up an album on Webshots (not linked in my sig as of this post). Go to the links below, find the SXM album on my homepage and examine the pics and the time taken.

[jenZ]

Thanks Mr. Incredible for that great map!

 

OP- we docked at St. Maarten 5 years ago in early June and rented a car-loved it! I gather the island has increased its tourism since then, and I didn't know December was the high season, so I guess now traffic is a concern.

 

FWIW, here was our itinerary(I don't know the exact times but this should give you a flavor of driving times/activities):

 

a.m. - 12 metre America's Cup race. (had to be at least a 3 hour activity- great fun btw)

 

p.m.- rent car, go to Maho Beach (couple of drinks, couple of planes- DH is a plane buff); go to Marigot (beautiful vistas along the way, had lunch, walking tour of town- bought unpastuerized butter and cigars!); then a circuit run around the rest of the island (with several vista stops including Orient Beach).

 

Made it back just in time! Was a whirlwind, but I absolutely loved it- fun driving on the right side in a 'smart' car on curvy, hilly roads in a beautiful countryside (I did the driving as DH was not comfortable with the change of side). Will do it again on our December 7th Solstice cruise (w/3 more hours to stop at some lolos, Orient Beach walking, and the harbor at Marigot; maybe even some shopping in Phillipsburg- we're from Florida so sitting on the beach is not on our must-do list!)

 

So if you prioritize as suggested, you may be able to get much of your wish-list done. One thing I have found with ferries or other scheduled activities, you must add more time to account for the queuing until the boat departs/returns((i.e. you may be done touring, but ferry is not due for another 1/2 hour). Without being an expert, I would suggest an either/or for Pinel Island or Orient Beach sunbathing (you may be able to squeeze in Pinel Island with an Orient Beach quick tour).

 

Good luck and have fun!

Jen

[juniperia]

Take a look at this map. Way too much for one day.

 

The main roads here are not superhighways but ordinary 2 lane roads with low speed limits (50kph). And sometimes heavy traffic. And frequently beat up old belching trucks that can barely do 15 going up the frequent hills. And you will be doubling back.

 

My experience, and what we did on our trip last month, was to head out and do the bad section first (ie Maho and Marigot). Heaviest traffic around here. The big jets tend to come in after 11:30 AM. Marigot is further away so you would have to go up to Marigot, get your treats and scope out the town in the earlier morning and then turn around and head back South to Maho, then after a few planes head North once again but now bypass Marigot with it's tough traffic, loop over the top of the Island for Orient. The trip back from Orient should be 25-35 minutes to Phillipsburg, depending on how many belching trucks and slow moving Busses (sorry Brian) you get stuck behind. Then you get to P-Burg, park in the free new lots alongside Pondfill road, walk 3 blocks to Front Street to check out the 100 stores.........You get my drift. Plus it gets dark and the P-Burg stores start shutting down at 5:30 PM.

 

Too much. You have to maximize the efficiency of what you are doing; this is high season and the place is packed with Americans and Europeans.

 

On our last trip, we hit Maho (to check out the hurricane damage at Sunset Bar and take some pictures), then on to Marigot to hit what was open on Sunday (not much) then on to Orient for 3 hours of tanning (more will damage skin, especially skin that never sees sunlight.:D) Then down to Pondfill road where we had less than an hour to check out the stores we wanted to hit and get our booty. Then back to the pier by 4:55 PM. Huff puff. We were the last car in (Hertz). All the other places had shut down already.

 

We know the island and know shortcuts and knew where we were and what poorly marked road we were looking for. You don't.

 

You have to prioritize and figure out what you wan't to see most.

 

I set up an album on Webshots (not linked in my sig as of this post). Go to the links below, find the SXM album on my homepage and examine the pics and the time taken.

 

Thanks so much for your tips! :) I've spoken to my boyfriend who I've asked to prioritize and he's willing to skip Maho and Pinel.

So I think we're going to go straight to Marigot, lunch at Lolo's in Grand Case, park ourselves at Orient beach for a few hours, then head for an hour of shopping in downtown Philipsburg.

I'll definitely take a look at your webshots - thanks for all your postings, I've read a lot of them and you are very helpful!

 

A few more q's:

Do you think we'd have time to sneak in Baie Rouge after Marigot with our revised itinerary?

Is the lunch at Lolo's comparable to food anywhere on Orient that we could perhaps skip Grand Case?

Is the stuff in Marigot the same stuff I will find in Rima's? If not, what stuff is special to Marigot?

 

Once again, thank you! :)

[juniperia]

Thanks Mr. Incredible for that great map!

 

OP- we docked at St. Maarten 5 years ago in early June and rented a car-loved it! I gather the island has increased its tourism since then, and I didn't know December was the high season, so I guess now traffic is a concern.

 

FWIW, here was our itinerary(I don't know the exact times but this should give you a flavor of driving times/activities):

 

a.m. - 12 metre America's Cup race. (had to be at least a 3 hour activity- great fun btw)

 

p.m.- rent car, go to Maho Beach (couple of drinks, couple of planes- DH is a plane buff); go to Marigot (beautiful vistas along the way, had lunch, walking tour of town- bought unpastuerized butter and cigars!); then a circuit run around the rest of the island (with several vista stops including Orient Beach).

 

Made it back just in time! Was a whirlwind, but I absolutely loved it- fun driving on the right side in a 'smart' car on curvy, hilly roads in a beautiful countryside (I did the driving as DH was not comfortable with the change of side). Will do it again on our December 7th Solstice cruise (w/3 more hours to stop at some lolos, Orient Beach walking, and the harbor at Marigot; maybe even some shopping in Phillipsburg- we're from Florida so sitting on the beach is not on our must-do list!)

 

So if you prioritize as suggested, you may be able to get much of your wish-list done. One thing I have found with ferries or other scheduled activities, you must add more time to account for the queuing until the boat departs/returns((i.e. you may be done touring, but ferry is not due for another 1/2 hour). Without being an expert, I would suggest an either/or for Pinel Island or Orient Beach sunbathing (you may be able to squeeze in Pinel Island with an Orient Beach quick tour).

 

Good luck and have fun!

Jen

 

Thanks, Jen, for your tips! :) We've omitted a couple of things that might be more time consuming (waiting for planes to land and ferry excursion to Pinel).

 

Do you remember from whom did you rent your car from? Just any operator off the pier? Also, thanks for clarifying about the lolo's... here I was thinking it was one restaurant, rather than a series of vendors! Is there anywhere with fresh shrimp? My boyfriend's a huge shrimp fan!

[Scooter-n-GB]

!

 

A few more q's:

Do you think we'd have time to sneak in Baie Rouge after Marigot with our revised itinerary?

Is the lunch at Lolo's comparable to food anywhere on Orient that we could perhaps skip Grand Case?

Is the stuff in Marigot the same stuff I will find in Rima's? If not, what stuff is special to Marigot?

 

Once again, thank you! :)

 

IMO, Baie Rouge is not to be missed, so I would suggest altering your itinerary to make sure you get there. Lolo is slang for "local" eateries. Most offer the island favorites (salt fish and johnny cakes, or tutu), plus chicken legs, ribs, peas and rice, etc...

[juniperia]

IMO, Baie Rouge is not to be missed, so I would suggest altering your itinerary to make sure you get there. Lolo is slang for "local" eateries. Most offer the island favorites (salt fish and johnny cakes, or tutu), plus chicken legs, ribs, peas and rice, etc...

 

We can't wait to try a "lolo!" :) Would you know how long it takes to drive to Baie Rouge from Marigot (we have a rental car)? Is the drawbridge a concern (I'm not sure if we'll be passing one between Marigot and Baie Rouge)? Are there lolo's at Baie Rouge? I am getting sooooo hungry!

 

Thanks for the tips!

[tomprice]

I would agree with the advice about the too ambitious schedule.

 

Here's a link to another map with roads on it. http://www.sxm-info.com/SXM-map/

 

Not that big an issue since the roads basically circle the island. Not mentioned so far but worth including in your planning, the Simpson Bay drawbridge opens a few times a day and traffic backs up. Traffic can be brutal, particularly in Marigot, Cole Bay, around the airport, and in Phillipsburg when there are a lot of ships in town.

 

Also, be advised that many local establishments operate on "island time" that can result in significant unexpected delays when dealing with them.

 

IMO, Baie Rouge is a really nice beach with a whole lot fewer people than Orient.

 

IMO, the lolos at Grand Case offer a local flavor that is better and a whole lot more affordable than almost anything at Orient. Our favorite is Talk of the Town. But, you can get similar food in a lot of places. If you go to Rouge, Gus's and Chez Raymond's have similar fare. For something affordable and a little more upscale, check out Mark's in the shopping center with the Grand Marche at the roundabout.

 

I would skip Pinel. You especially don't want to eat there unless you have a big budget.

 

Rima's has a great selection of souvenirs and beachy kinds of things. One of the cheapest places for that stuff on island. http://www.beachwearima.com/ There is also an open-air market on the waterfront in Marigot, open daily but maybe a little more on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Go early....

 

Finally, not mentioned so far, use caution. Watch out for 4-wheelers, unmarked speed bumps, occasional animals wandering on the road, and for the mopeds that drive down the lanes between cars. Do not leave anything of value in the car at any time.

 

Have fun!

[juniperia]

Thank you for your suggestions, tomprice! We've revised our itinerary:

 

* Marigot - Drive there as soon as we get rental car. Spend about an hour to grab coffee & pastries & to see market

* Baie Rouge - Enjoy nice quiet beach, maybe some snorkeling

* Orient Beach - More sun and drinks! Leave at 3:30 pm

* Philipsburg - Return rental car or shopping downtown first then return rental.

 

Question: Should we return the rental car first and then shop? What time are the shops in downtown Philipsburg open until on Wednesdays (in early December)?

 

Thanks!

[The Big Booper]

Thank you for your suggestions, tomprice! We've revised our itinerary:

 

* Marigot - Drive there as soon as we get rental car. Spend about an hour to grab coffee & pastries & to see market

* Baie Rouge - Enjoy nice quiet beach, maybe some snorkeling

* Orient Beach - More sun and drinks! Leave at 3:30 pm

* Philipsburg - Return rental car or shopping downtown first then return rental.

 

Question: Should we return the rental car first and then shop? What time are the shops in downtown Philipsburg open until on Wednesdays (in early December)?

 

Thanks!

 

Much more reasonable schedule here. The car rental booths are inside the pier, so if you returned the car close to 5 PM you would then have to either take the 30 minute walk into P-Burg or walk to the water taxi (ferry) and chug on in. Either way, most of the stores will start to close at 5:30 or so and it will be getting darker.

 

There are a limited number of stores at the pier (6-8 or so).

 

After 6 you would be in the position as those who stay on the island and go into P-Burg for the evening. There are some fine restaurants here and casinos ( I think). The stores are shut down. And there have been some reports of crime after dark, as in any city/town. Use proper judgement.

 

We were on the Explorer in May 2007 which stopped Noon-9PM. We were back on the ship at 7 PM as were most of the passengers.

 

Another alternative is to have dinner at the Marina in Marigot, sitting outside watching the marine traffic. We do that a lot WHEN WE STAY ON THE ISLAND. You would have to ensure that a cab would be available to get you back to the pier before 10:30 PM when the ship pulls the gangplank for the 11 PM sailaway. Leave lots of time for that cab ride.

[juniperia]

Mr. Incredible, thank you for the suggestions for the evening!

 

What time would you suggest we leave Orient Beach in order to make back in downtown Philipsburg by 3:30/4 (considering traffic on a Wednesday and slow moving vehicles)? I was thinking to park the car downtown, shop, and then drive back into the pier to return it.

 

Thanks again!

[The Big Booper]

Mr. Incredible, thank you for the suggestions for the evening!

 

What time would you suggest we leave Orient Beach in order to make back in downtown Philipsburg by 3:30/4 (considering traffic on a Wednesday and slow moving vehicles)? I was thinking to park the car downtown, shop, and then drive back into the pier to return it.

 

Thanks again!

 

I would leave at 3 PM. There is a roundabout as you enter P-Burg (with the salt pond on your right). Go right there along Pondfill Road and you will see the entrance to the parking lot. Try to park as close as possible to the area where the spots are labeled NP. Exit the lot going right. There will be another roundabout, turn left and go straight 3 blocks. This is where the courthouse is and there is a bank with an ATM machine. Walk until you hit Front Street which is where the stores are. You will pass the open area fleet market before you get to Front Street. If you need a potty break, there is a public restroom alongside the pier where the water taxi docks.

 

After you finish the shopping and get back to the car, when you drive out of the lot, go back on Pondfill and make a right at the end, at the roundabout to get the road back to the pier. Don't try to drive thru the area you just walked, congested, etc. Which you will see while you are walking.

 

If you want to do the romantic Marigot dining adventure you can then take a cab from the pier back to Marigot but that will be a time consuming trip at the height of local rush hour. And you will have to check to make sure you can get a cab back. I would forego that as you will be tired and hot. There are nice restaurants in downtown Philipsburg, but we have never eaten there at night. Check out the threads. I also don't know how late the water taxi runs. If you choose this option buy an all day ticket.