More about St. Martin
Why go to St. Martin?
St. Martin is home to the famous Maho Beach, where cruisers can watch planes land and take off
The port's myriad high rises and casinos can make it feel tacky and overdeveloped
While beaches and shopping are the main draws, there are still plenty of hidden gems
St. Martin Cruise Port Facilities?
If you're debarking in Marigot, you'll be within a few steps of the Marigot Market, restaurants and several attractions. Serious shoppers could spend a half day just poking around the downtown.
Good to Know?
Tourists tend to be robbery targets, so don't flash valuables or cash, and don't leave anything of value in a car or on the beach.
Getting Around?
By Taxi: Cabs wait at the port to take you where you'd like to go.
On Two Wheels: For the visitor who has been to St. Martin before and wants to explore at a slower, more in-depth pace, consider a bicycle or moped (although you need to watch out for Marigot's sometimes heavy traffic). You can rent one from Eugene Moto in Sandy Ground (Route de Sandy, Marigot; 590-87-13-97). Be sure to ask for maps and suggested routes.
On Foot: Everything you could possibly want is within a few feet of the terminal, including shopping, a market, dining, ATMs and Internet services.
Renting a Car: The Port of Marigot features several rental car agencies, including Lucky's Car Rental (luckys.car.rental@wanadoo.fr), Keith's Car Rental (keithcarrental.reservations@orange.fr), United with Claude Car Rental (ucr@sxmtrans.com), A&K Car Rental (ak.carrental@gmail.com) and other local companies.
Currency & Best Way to Get Money?
The euro is the main currency on St. Martin and is the only one dispensed by ATM machines on this side of the island. This is one stop where it pays to keep your dollars, however, as many vendors and restaurants offer a 1:1 conversion ratio for U.S. cash. (The banks in St. Maarten, the Dutch side, will give you a choice of dollars or Netherland Antilles guilders.)
Language?
On this side of the island, the locals speak French as their main language, although most people in the tourist industry are fluent in English. (As in most French Caribbean islands, a friendly "bon jour" goes a long way.)
Where You're Docked?
The Port of Marigot is right in the heart of Marigot, so the terminal contains few services. This is also where ferries to Anguilla depart, so there is a place to stash your luggage, if you are on one of the few cruises that embark/debark in Marigot. Most larger cruise ships call in Philipsburg, on the Dutch side.