St. M ideas and tips; I just returned

[M in MN]

.........A complete review of RCCL's AOS southern caribbean trip will be posted 12/30 complete with suggestions and helpful info.

 

This applies to all ports: All hotel tourist areas were lovely, clean and nice. But the rest of the islands have narrow streets, cramped small buildings of hodge-podge construction and varied upkeep, and excessive congestion, especially in the main cities. Yes, there are general road maps available, but they a mainly worthless because most roads and streets are unmarked; occasionally you’d see a street sign. Parking in any of the port cities is nearly impossible- street parking is all taken and there are few parking lots.

 

We rented cars in St. Thomas, ST. Maarten and Curacao [we canceled the latter, as congestion was nuts!].

 

We’d advise against renting a car, rather use the taxi. There really isn’t anything to see on any of the islands besides beaches and scattered lookouts with vista views, that all started to look alike after a while. Except for St. Thomas they all drive on the right side. If you are determined to rent, reserve in advance.

 

In each port you’ll find local venders right at the port announcing they have island tours available. These folks are sanctioned by the local port authority and have ID. You’ll find they offer small van/bus tours that cover the major points of interest for the island [ranging from 2 - 3 hours]. The cost is significantly less than the equivalent RCCL tour. We took 2 of these and were very pleased. All cities have places to rent snorkeling equipment, so you can take a taxi or bus to the best snorkeling area and do it yourself. Some tours are best arranged by RCCL, but are costly. Downtown areas consist mainly of high priced tourist stores selling jewelry, watches, cameras, liquor, tobacco, nick nacks, clothes, tourist trinkets and dishes.

 

The water temperature at all the islands ranges from 80-82 degrees; after 50 minutes of snorkeling in we started to feel chilled.

 

Philipsburg, St. Maarten:

Weather: warm, not very humid. Tourist info is right there at the port. Behind the building are independent tour operators. We rented from Alamo and they picked us up at the port. Traffic was slow heading west toward the airport and after the airport it was at a stand still. It seems there is a bridge that raises to let boats in/out; that plus people stopping and chatting cause traffic. We drove the main road all around the island. The nice homes weren’t visible from the street due to high walls and vegetation. There was scarcely a street sign to be seen and we drove by guessing. The traffic was bad in Marigot and things are poorly labeled or unlabeled. After asking and hunting we found FortLouis. [if you find the Texaco station, head 1 block west, turn right into an alley that heads for a old Catholic church. Turn right and go around the back of the church, head partly up the incline and park. Walk up the hill, turn right when you see the steep road. At the top is the stairs to the fort remains]. The view is beautiful. Sadly, the government doesn’t belief in maintaining their historic sites.

 

We drove around where the average citizen lives and found it depressing. Leaving Marigot we wanted to stop in Grand Case, but due to lack of signage, passed thru without realizing it. We tried to find the various points of interest labeled on the map, but due to lack of signage, missed most everything. We saw a developers sign for OrientBeach and drove thru the lovely high rent district. We followed the sign to OysterBeach [Fr. side] and Dawn Beach. The latter was spelled differently, so we passed by. The road to get to it is very steep going up and down. The parking was in the grass by what looked like a not well kept up small bar/restaurant. The powdery beach was nice [pay for chairs, huts]. The waves were about 2-3’ high and some toplessness was noted. The traffic at 2:00 was at a snails pace as you got close to the Great Bay Salt Pond [40+ minutes to crawl our way to the port]. There is a water taxi [$5./ for all day] at the pier that takes you into Philipsburg, if you are just going for shopping. There is an internet cafe in town and one at the pier, but neither were open. Four passengers from our ship were left behind, they arrived at 5:37 and the boat had already pulled away.

[gtaylor]

Philipsburg, St. Maarten:

Weather: warm, not very humid. Tourist info is right there at the port. Behind the building are independent tour operators. We rented from Alamo and they picked us up at the port.

 

Traffic was slow heading west toward the airport and after the airport it was at a stand still. It seems there is a bridge that raises to let boats in/out; that plus people stopping and chatting cause traffic.

Traffic is often slow headed towards the airport. The bridge is WELL before the airport, and couldn't possibly contribute to slow traffic or stand still after the airport. That area has one of the fastest flowing traffic patterns of any on the island.

 

We drove the main road all around the island. The nice homes weren’t visible from the street due to high walls and vegetation.

The great villas are protecting their privacy. There are many homes and condominium complexes that you can view driving around the island.

 

There was scarcely a street sign to be seen and we drove by guessing.

We believe that most of the major roads and intersections are VERY WELL marked and easy to find if you have a good map.

 

The traffic was bad in Marigot and things are poorly labeled or unlabeled.

Traffic in Marigot is usually bad, but there are more street signs and directional signs here that most anywhere else on the island.

 

After asking and hunting we found FortLouis. [if you find the Texaco station, head 1 block west, turn right into an alley that heads for a old Catholic church. Turn right and go around the back of the church, head partly up the incline and park. Walk up the hill, turn right when you see the steep road. At the top is the stairs to the fort remains]. The view is beautiful. Sadly, the government doesn’t belief in maintaining their historic sites.

We think that the route to Fort Marigot/Louis if fairly well labeled. Our approach is usually from Rue de Republique and Rue Hospital, but there IS signage. The French could take better care of the Fort complex.

 

We drove around where the average citizen lives and found it depressing. Leaving Marigot we wanted to stop in Grand Case, but due to lack of signage, passed thru without realizing it. We tried to find the various points of interest labeled on the map, but due to lack of signage, missed most everything.

We don't know how you could have possibly missed Grand Case. The restaurants there want it highly visible. You have at least two shots at it and you have to drive pass the Grand Case Airport to miss the second opportunity. We wonder which map you may have been using.

 

 

We saw a developers sign for OrientBeach and drove thru the lovely high rent district. We followed the sign to OysterBeach [Fr. side] and Dawn Beach. The latter was spelled differently, so we passed by.

There are many opportunities to get down to Orient. Oyster Pond maybe? Dawn Beach - how was it mis-spelled?

 

The road to get to it is very steep going up and down. The parking was in the grass by what looked like a not well kept up small bar/restaurant. The powdery beach was nice [pay for chairs, huts]. The waves were about 2-3’ high and some toplessness was noted.

Get to 'IT'? What was 'IT"? They charge for chairs and umbrellas most everywhere, not sure what the 'huts' are.

 

The traffic at 2:00 was at a snails pace as you got close to the Great Bay Salt Pond [40+ minutes to crawl our way to the port].

Traffic depends entirely on the route that you take into Philipsburg. There are slow routes, there are quicker routes to the pier.

 

There is a water taxi [$5./ for all day] at the pier that takes you into Philipsburg, if you are just going for shopping. There is an internet cafe in town and one at the pier, but neither were open. Four passengers from our ship were left behind, they arrived at 5:37 and the boat had already pulled away.

[kal]

This sounds like you would have been better served to take a taxi tour of the island. Then you would have been able to go everywhere you wanted without guessing. It also sounds like you had a pretty bad map. Here's an example of a good map: Marigot Map. Can't imagine how you could have missed Grand Case or Dawn Beach.

[Flintstone]

Thanks M for your reveiw. A couple years ago on our first visit to SMX, we had the same problem finding our way. I believe it was the fault of the map from the car rental agency! We stumbled upon Friars Beach by accident...but all we did was tour the condo's at Orient Beach. Never could find the beach! This time we will be more prepared and purchase a road map before hand.

 

One question, however, about Alamo. I checked their website and got VERY good rates, but they are not specific as to their 2 Philipsburg locations. Do you know which location you booked thru (phone or internet) and how did you arrange for them to pick you up at the pier?

 

I know I'm advance planning!! But with 9 ships in port on our day, I want our reservations in as early as possible!!!

 

Thanks for your help.

Deb

[L_T]

...but all we did was tour the condo's at Orient Beach. Never could find the beach! Deb

I have to laugh about your comment - we spent two weeks on Orient Beach and didn't know there were condos there!! Are you sure?! I really can't see how you missed Orient Beach, there are a few different ways to get to it with lots of signs, plus you can see it from the highway. Anyone you would have asked would have steered you to it. SXM really is the "friendly island", just stop and talk with anyone and they will help. You'll find it okay this trip. Have fun.

[hoenichj]

Hi,

Just back from the Celebrity Summit (a great time) where we visited St. Martin - just into Phillispsburg and Marigot. We are stopping there in February on the Century. Any suggestions as to drivers who might give us a good tour of the island? We aren't beach people - any suggestions as to what to visit. Thanks

[gtaylor]

Missed your post earlier.

 

I have to recommend our friend Joyce Prince for a personalized island tour. You will find her e-mail on her website, and I also recommend that you do a search here for (99%) VERY happy clients.

[hoenichj]

Thanks for the info. Joyce is busy; any other ideas?