r/SXM

Staying at grand case beach club where is the best place to watch the USA match tomorrow on the French side? Not looking to drive far but willing to walk 😀

Are there any clubs or places with DJs that people can dance during the week? Preferably French side/near Grand Case?

Hi! Has barranco permanently closed? Sorry if this has been discussed ad nauseam, I can’t find mention via search. Seemed like a good vibe, mid range dinner option vs some of the other spots recommended in grand case being high high end, but I can’t figure out how to reserve. 80 euro entrees at some of these spots, you guys are balling far beyond our means - props to you. Thanks!

hi everyone!

first off, thanks in advance!!

i’m traveling for the first time to st martin in december and i will be there for about 5 days before 10 friends arrive for my birthday. i was looking to make some gift bags for them and i was hoping to fill the bags with some local items. i did a quick google and some things that came up were sweets, liquors and hot sauces. i don’t want to break the bank and i also don’t want to force all my friends to have to check bags on the way home. questions:

1. do you think i can find what i am looking for at supermarkets? i think i can usually find sweets there but what about mini versions of liquors and hot sauces
2. if no to the above, where do you recommend i find what i am looking for
3. do you have any other recommendations for my bags?

Was planning to do the hike to Petite Cayes this week, but I’m seeing different reports. Anyone here have a recommendation of starting from the dump side vs starting at Anse Marcel? We are comfortable hiking so difficulty not an issue, but wanting to get the best views and most memorable experience. Thanks in advance!

Edit: Completed the hike today from Anse Marcel. It was gorgeous and totally worth it. Took us about 50 minutes to get to the beach. We did swim a little bit but there was quite a bit of seaweed and it was a little choppy. Had the entire beach to ourselves and had a small picnic there. Really loved the experience. Heading back only took us about 40 minutes. Thanks everyone for your tips!

Hello everyone!

Currently on the island, it’s our first trip here and we’re loving it! Been here a few days, staying until next Tuesday. Already planning our next trip back.

One thing though… I can’t find a beach chair to save my life. I know I could’ve rented them from the car rental company at the beginning, but I just thought I’d get to the island and buy one, then leave behind at my Airbnb for the next guest. But I can’t find them anywhere! We’ve been to a few beaches and gotten chair rentals there, but over the next few days we plan to venture to more isolated beaches where there aren’t amenities.

Would anyone happen to be on the island that has a chair to spare, and would let me borrow or rent it from them? Or a lead on where I can find one myself? Staying near Marigot, Nettle Bay to be exact, but we’ve been all over the island from Grand Case to Orient Bay so far. Any tips would be appreciated!

Spent the last 5 days in Anguilla and really enjoyed Sharky’s. However, was a little disappointed with the grilled lobster at Tasty’s. We’re spending another day at SXM and looking for places with the best grilled lobster (staying at Grand Case Beach Club if that helps). I’m seeing Calmos as being suggested by most, should we give it a shot? Thanks!

Staying at Hotel L’Esplanade in Grand Case. Have already booked a catamaran tour and made a few dinner reservations.

Would love some suggestions of beaches to visit that won’t be affected by saragassum. Planning to spend a lot of time at Le Petit Hotel, which is beach front. We were not planning on renting a car, but may consider it once we arrive.

If anyone has any other suggestions of beaches/activities to do that are in walking distance or a short ride by taxi, it would be greatly appreciated!

I’m planning on visiting Sint Maarten during September and already have flights booked. Given it’s during hurricane season I was thinking about waiting last minute before the trip to book my lodging because there aren’t a lot of refundable options in case there is a storm. Do y’all think there will still be a lot of options and the prices won’t go up or is this a bad idea?

Need Advice: Keep My Nettle Bay Airbnb or Find Something Else?

I'm planning a solo trip to Saint Martin for my birthday around New Year's and currently have an Airbnb booked at Nettle Bay Beach Club.

I was originally hoping to stay in Grand Case or Orient Bay, but there aren't many options left for the holiday. One of the things I love about my current Airbnb is that it's right on the water. I keep picturing waking up on my birthday with an ocean view, and that sounds perfect.

I've also been told the French side is probably a better fit for me since I'm not much of a partier. I don't mind visiting busier areas during the day, but I'd rather have a quieter home base to come back to.

My only hesitation is safety. I've read older posts saying to avoid Sandy Ground, even driving through it, but I've also seen people say that's outdated and the area has changed.

For anyone who's visited recently or lives on the island:

• Would you feel comfortable staying at Nettle Bay Beach Club as a solo female traveler?
• Is the area generally safe during the day and at night?(I expect to come back to the Airbnb after dark at least 2 times during my stay)
• Has Sandy Ground improved, or is it still somewhere you'd avoid?
• If you were in my shoes, would you keep the booking or try to find something else?

I'd really appreciate recent experiences or local advice. Safety is my top priority, but I'd also love to keep that peaceful waterfront birthday experience if it's a reasonable choice. Thanks!

Hi everyone! I’m from the Philippines and recently received a job offer in Sint Maarten as an Accountant with a gross salary of USD 5,000 per month. The company doesn’t provide housing, so I’ll be paying for my own accommodation (I’m open to sharing an apartment or renting a room).

I’d love to hear from locals or expats:
* What are your average monthly expenses for rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and other daily costs?

* What would you estimate my monthly take-home pay to be after taxes and mandatory deductions?

* Would this salary allow me to live comfortably and still save?

Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

This was our 10th visit to the island since our first in 2015. We skipped 2020 for the same reasons everyone else did, and we had to skip last year personal reasons. This was our first time going in June. We usually travel late July / early August, and once in November. We travelled with some first timers who arrived a few day later than we did. We are coming from California, so travel involves red-eye flights, time (about 12-15 hrs gate to gate) and just a bit of jet lag.

Arrived June 18, left Jun 28. Friends arrived June 21, left on the 28th. with us.

Stayed in Orient Village for the first three days, then moved to Maho where our friend were staying.

Weather - Drier than usual. It was still humid, but there was very little in the way of rain. Heat was standard, but we're fine with that.

Sargassum - not really an issue, except in Oyster Pond where it smelled bad.

New restaurants for us - Maison Mere in Orient Village, Rancho Del Sol in Orient, Los Pollos Hermanos in Simpson Bay, some rib place in the Fish Market.

Other Restaurants/food - Gutside, Jai's Contemporary Fusion, Krave SXM, Blue Bitch Cafe, Ocean 82, Chez Leandra, Orange Fever, Greenhouse (Simpson Bay), Driftwood, Le P'Tit Bistro, Burger Bar SXM, Chez Yvette's, probably at least one other place I can't remember.

Beaches - Orient (3x), Little Bay, Lover's Beach, Pinel (briefly)

Outings - Hike to the Natural Pool in Point Blanche, short hike to Lover's Beach, Moses Walk at Coralita, Boomerang 3 Island tour, Fort Louis.

Rum Punches drank - Lost count.

Caribs drank - about 12?

Stops at Juggies Place - 2. 4 small beers, 2 small cigars, 2 Chocolate milk shakes without any milk.

Injuries - Tore up my toe a bit on a rock while snorkeling. Almost a blister on one foot from sandals. Tore a bathing suit on sharp rocks. Scraped my knee. Friend may have broken a toe after hitting an umbrella stand barefoot on Pinel.

We also had a mod meet-up at an undisclosed location.

Things left on my list to do - still a lot.

All in all we had a great time and our friends seemed to have a great time too. I did spend a lot more time taking newbies around than I would have preferred, but I knew what I was getting in to. I wish we had more more beach day, but we opted for the Boomerang trip for the first timers.

Next trip - ???

We have been the sxm one time in February and loved it. When does everyone like to visit the island? And why?

First time going to island. I’ll be diving but would like some recommendations for things to do (food, beach, party, play). Staying on Dutch side but will have rental car. I’m a corporate attorney and really need this vacation so drop your best recs! TIA 😌🙏

Super excited for my first time in SXM this weekend. We will be chartering a boat and the captain asked for some suggestions on where we should stop
Hop off the boat and swim.

Would love to go to a really beautiful beach with white sand and crystal clear blue water. Any suggestions?

Hoping it’s not too crowded. Don’t mind people, but don’t want a huge party.

I really want to go to SXM for my birthday at the end of Sept (27-oct4th) but I was just made aware it’s hurricane season… is it really bad?

Are there any beach clubs (preferably on Dutch side) with live music/ fun vibes during the day on Saturday or Sunday? Trying to decide which area to hang out today!