Can anyone give me advise on getting around and the night life around Grand Case Beach. We are considering a trip in November and would prefer to take taxi's for night life.

Denis, most of the night life is on the Dutch side, not much around Grande Case. I don't think I've ever seen a taxi in Grande Case......though you can call one. If you visit the Maho area (Dutch side) for your night life, there's usually a taxi near the Maho hotel.

Gerry

You are really better off getting a rental car - the cost is reasonable and much more convenient.

On my first visit to SXM I relied on cabs and got stranded just trying to get back from Grand Case to OB

The bar I was at called for a cab but after waiting for over one and a half hours the owner of the bar pursueded one of the other people at the bar to drive us back

DB - Gotta agree with okc - the cost of the rental car is minimal that time of year and when you start putting a price tag on the inconvenience of waiting for taxis you will be way ahead of the game. There really isn't any nightlife to speak of in GC besides the fine dining options and if nightlife is important, you'll spend a lot of money on cabs and a lot of your valuable vacation time in wait mode. On the other hand, if you want to be able to party freely and not concern yourself with the long drive back to GC you might still want to consider the car rental for just day-trips and sightseeing and utilize cabs for a few casino and bar runs.

Denis
definitely get a rental car
there is no night life in grand case except for the fabulous restaurants
you can go to Marigot for some night life but the casinos are all on the Dutch side
Taxis will cost you a lot of money.

I'm sure they are thinking of having a few cocktails & who wants to drive & drink?

In March when we are there for 3 wks we never rent a car ~ call the same cab driver for all our needs.

If that's what works for you then fine - the problem is it's expensive and can be inconvenient when you have to set a time for pick up ( and then not ready to leave ) or have to wait extra tiem for pick up ( when you really want to go somewhere else......now )

Whatever rings your bell

Are there any buses that stop in Grand Case? Why do they expect the natives of St. Martin to all drive?

Lucy,

They do have buses for anyone who chooses to use them.

Why wouldn't anyone choose to use them? Do they not follow a schedule and sometimes don't show up? Does the bus driver have the potential to raise the fare if he thinks you're dumb and it's past midnight? A taxi driver has that potential and it has happened. He then threatened to bring me back where I started and the security guard at my resort opened the door and sat in while I got out.

I don't think the bus/vans run at night, so using them to get to the "night life" wouldn't necessarily work, especially because the clubs don't really get going until late.

If there's a schedule, it's on Island Time. I've never seen anything official, like a printed schedule.

The buses basically stay on the main ring roads, so if you're staying in Orient Beach near the water, you have to hike up to the main road and then wait in the sun until one comes along.

They used to charge either $1 or $1.50 (my memory isn't what it used to be). I can't remember if the fare charged was dependent on how far we were going, but I'm convinced that the driver charged everybody who got on the same as we were charged. The van had a sign in the front that said where it was going and that's where it went. It is a great place to chat with folks.

Lucy
Do they not follow a schedule and sometimes don't show up? Does the bus driver have the potential to raise the fare if he thinks you're dumb and it's past midnight?
the answer is YES! especially no bus schedule

sorry. let me clairfy that. I don't think the bus drivers would try to rip you off but they don't run much at night and you could easily get stranded.

Barbara1: Do you know what the fare is and if it's dependent on how far you're going (like a cab)?
Do you know how late the buses that run at night run?

I'm not sure what the fare is. I know on the Dutch side it runs $1.00 0r $1.50 dependng on how far you are going
I really m not sure about french side buses.
I know in general it is hard to find buses going to certian areas that are not highly traveled areas.
I also know that people sometimes have to take 2 or 3 buses to get to work because each bus has its regular little run
the buses are all run by private people, not government. that's why there is no regular schedule.
I think it is hard to find a bus much later than maybe 9:00 PM. ..maybe 10:00 PM
and by the way for visitors. be advised that there are designated bus stops throughout the island but believe me when I tell you that if you see a bus, just wave him down and he will stop anywhere for you LOL