Hello,
My wife and I will be visiting St. Maarten from 2/6-2/13 staying at a place called Moondance near Dawn Beach. Can someone help us with where to get grocery items after we land preferably on our way to the villa? The flight is due in around 2:25PM. We need basics like coffee, cream, bread, butter, eggs, various canned goods and of course wine and beer.
Thanks!

Make your shopping list on the plane.
Stop at the Grande Marche. Large supermarket over the hill to Phillipsburg.
YOu will pass it on the way to Dawn Beach.
Someone stay with the car & luggage while the other goes in to purchase items.

Thanks for the info. I understand not leaving things in sight but won't the luggage be safe in the trunk?

Might be...but I wouldn't chance it.
Depends on the time of day and how busy it is.
We usually just pick up a few quick necessities and do a big shopping the next day...with an empty trunk!

Interesting. We are due to land at 2:45. Considering going thru customs and the car rental shuttle, any idea how long it will take before we are actually on the road? We aren't ones to be out late and will not be traveling to deserted beaches anytime during our stay. Should I be overly concerned about our safety or just avoid doing anything stupid? I live near Boston and wouldn't think of walking around some of the back streets after 11:00 PM.
Thanks

It depends on the number of other plans landing the same time your plane lands and which rental car agency you use.
My wife and I always arrive mid afternoon and are usually in the rental and on our way to Grand Marche in Cole Bay half an hour after touching down.

We use Unity Car Rental. Their lot is five minutes from Juliana and their shuttle is at the curb when we walk out of the terminal. It takes two minutes to sign for the car and Sharon's cell phone, check the car for dings and we're off.

Thanks again. Is crime a big issue? Are we safe in our villa?

There are many things you can to do be safe.
Don't leave anything in your car, unattended!
We close our hurricane shutters whenever we leave the condo and also at night.
We don't stop for anyone at night on dark roads.
We don't venture up to Pic Paradise--there are many other gorgeous vistas in safer areas on the island.
We only carry enough cash for the day. Leave money & passports in the room safe.
We don't leave valuables in our beach bag. If we do bring a camera, or whatever, someone stays nearby to watch it.
We don't flash a lot of cash or jewelry.
We use common sense and try not to make ourselves easy targets.
That said, we always enjoy our time on the island and look forward to returning.

In other words be as smart on vacation as you would be at home and the odds are your gonna have a great time. Stuff can happen any time any where without warning but the odds are usually against it happening to you if your taking the usual good sense precautions all ready given here. what a nice time of year to be on de ilon.

Thanks again. Can you suggest some of the safer vistas?

Realize that coming from the airport in your long pants with no tan broadcasts that you just arrived. If crooks are watching, they will know that your luggage is probably in the trunk, and can pop it open in minutes and be gone with your stuff. Don't take the chance.

Hi,
Thanks for the tips. I get an electric tan before I go and always change into shorts, sandals and a tank top on the plane. But it's still better to be safe than sorry. Are there problems with car break-ins at super market parking lots in the middle of the day?

We most likely won't stray to far from the Dawn and Orient Beach side. Our villa faces east so we will be relaxing in the sun during the first part of the day. Probably head out for lunch and the beach for snorkeling in the afternoon. Any suggestions for good snorkeling beaches in that area?

Vistas? Looking over Orient Baie as you drive over from Dawn before you proceed down the hill to the beach.
Fort Louis in Marigot.
Sunset from the Sunset Beach bar & Grill.
Snorkling? I like Pinel Isle, Green Cay at Orient.

Vista- From the top of hill overlooking Anse Marcel where the Raddison is located. 360 degrees of beauty.