St Martin/St Maarten / Shopping

Being a popular cruise ship destination, there are plenty of shopping opportunities in St Martin/St Maarten. The main centres are the two capitals, Marigot and Philipsburg, where there are rows of duty-free outlets and souvenir markets geared to passing tourists. There are also shops of interest in Grand-Case (St Martin) and Maho (St Maarten).

Shopping Tips

Opening hours vary – in St Martin most shops close for a two-hour lunch break and some are shut on Sunday. In St Maarten stores tend to open longer and in response to the number of cruise ships in port.

If you plan to buy a lot, you can arrange shopping tours with local taxis for around $30 an hour.

Goods can always be bought in US dollars across the island. In St Martin prices are always displayed in euros, and in St Maarten they may be additionally quoted in Netherlands Antilles guilders. What vendors prefer, and the exchange rates offered, will vary from place to place so work out what will suit you best. There is no sales tax in St Maarten.

Credit cards are accepted widely but you'll need cash for markets and beach boutiques – make sure you have some small notes available as it's funny how vendors never seem to have the right change.

If you plan to buy high-value jewellery, watches or electrical items do some prior research so you know the going rate for such goods. “Duty-free” sounds attractive, but the sale price is only relative to that back home or at another destination. Get a receipt and consider how easy it will be to return any faulty purchases - there may also be a customs limit on what you can take into your homeland without paying duty there.

We recommend:

St Martin

Busco, Grand-Case - An enterprising store devoted to “Produits Antillais” such as spiced rum, mango jam, Caribbean honey and Creole mustard – great for gifts to take home. Closed Sunday.

La Casa del Cigarro, Marigot - A small, refreshingly cool store in Marina Port La Royale where the owner has been selling top class Cuban cigars over 25 years. Also stocks fine panama hats.

Optijon, Grand-Case - An American-run boutique perfumerie that manufactures scents and sun creams for men and women. Appreciation classes are also available.

Sinéquanone, Marigot - "So chic! So French!” goes the apt slogan for this Paris-based womenswear store.

Waikiki, Orient Beach - Need something stylish to wear on the beach? This is one of the best shops on Orient Bay, stocking Vilebrequin, Haviana, Molotov and Blue Glue swimwear from Bali.

St Maarten

African Royalty, Philipsburg - No Caribbean holiday is complete unless you go home with some rastawear, reggae CDs and a Bob Marley poster. Stock up now...

Caribbean Kites, Philipsburg - Add some fun to your time on the beach with a kite – the east coast gets the best winds.

Hip Up, Maho - The shops in Maho Plaza are a mixed bag - make a beeline for this outlet selling stylish French swimwear, bags, shoes and accessories.

Little Switzerland, Philipsburg - Looking for a good deal on a watch or some jewellery? This reputable retailer has a large showroom stocking top brands and includes the only Tiffany boutique in the Caribbean.

Princess Juliana International Airport, Maho - Still got some money left? Need to buy a gift for the dog-sitter? Don't worry, there's some useful shops once you get airside, including Swatch, L'Occitane en Provence, Jeff de Bruges (chocolates) and Last Mango in Paradise (T-shirts).