Hey y'all, I'm new to this forum. I'm going to St Maarten for the New Year's Holiday for the first time, and will be staying between Simpson Bay and Maho.

It's a shame it looks like it's been cast aside for a while, but I hope some kind soul would answer me:

1 - is FritsBike (bike rental) still active? I was about to book a bike rental but they cannot be reached via whatsapp so I became afraid they may have ceased operations.

2 - In St Maarten safe to travel around by bike, in terms of traffic safety and steepness? For example, is going from Maho to Philipsburg too much of a stretch by bike? How about all the way to the French side?

3 - Can anybody recommend a place where I can rent beach chair and umbrella? I just wanna chill by the beach side during the day with a book, away from beach clubs.

Any useful and up-to-date tips are welcome!

Hope you enjoyed your holiday in St. Maarten!

1 - It's always a good idea to double-check with FritsBike directly. They might still be active despite the WhatsApp issue. 2 - St. Maarten is generally bike-friendly, but consider renting a bike with gears for steep areas. Going from Maho to Philipsburg might be a bit of a stretch, but definitely doable. Just be cautious with traffic! 3 - For beach chair and umbrella rentals, you can try contacting local beachfront hotels or resorts. They often offer rental services to non-guests too.
And if you're still planning your travel, have you thought about looking into cheap business class tickets? They can make your journey more comfortable and luxurious without breaking the bank.