Where to shop in St. Maarten?

[Guest difrntdrummer]

I know there are two sides to the island, but which is best for shopping? How do you get to the different sides and how long does it take?

 

Thanks!

[nanfromatlanta]

The Dutch side, where all of the cruise ships dock, is the very best IMHO for jewelry shopping. We have found the best prices and selection in all of the Caribbean there. The French side is very quaint with small shops and cafe's. The shops there carry mostly clothing and accessories. It is about a half hour cab ride from the Dutch to French side.

[just4cruisin]

When you get off the ship you can walk over to a water taxi that will take you to the shopping district (on the Dutch side). It's $5 for an all day pass, so you can shop, go back for lunch and unload you new valuables, then go back for some more shopping. I found things on the French side to be more expensive and the people to be rude.

[CruisinCouple]

The dutch side is far better. As stated above the French side tends to be more expensive and traffic seems to be worse if you rent a car. We have a few jewelry stores that we like. Every one has their favorite, but ours is Grand Jewelers. The are very friendly and we have been there many times. My wife bought some jewelry one time. We went back to St Martin about a year later on the next cruise and as soon as we walked in they said how are you Al and Marilyn. They remembered our names. Thats impressive one year later and all the cruise people they see in a year. We go in there every time we are on the island. We do not always buy though.

[Guest difrntdrummer]

Thanks so much everybody!

[I LOVE TO GO CRUISING]

I would recomend BALLERINA. JEWLERS. They have stores in both St Martin and St Thomas. In St Martin ask for Tony and tell him that the fellow that lives in Arizona sent you.