Hello!
I have been to St. Maarten while on a cruise in Jan. of 2007. I was only there for half of a day and loved it. I think its the most beautiful place in the world.
I will be going with my girlfriend in August, we are both 25 and will be staying in the villa Agave.
I have noticed on this forum about the crime. I would really like to know what that is all about, I mean I noticed that street guys selling weed on the side of the road but never witnessed any robberies. I am worried that something might happen at night time. I would like to take a taxi most of the nights because we are both drinkers and do not want to drive at night, however I would like to know if someone knows a trustworthy cab company/recommended driver, etc.

Also, what are the nice clubs and bars to go to that are close to the Agave?

I am getting kind of hesitant worrying about if I am going to get robbed or not. I mean do you dress like you have no money down there or something?

Really looking forward to going, need some advice on if I am staying in the right area of the island, etc.

Thanks!!

Be scared, be very, very scared.

You want a vaca that is really a vaca - don't go to SXM. If you are already so concerned about the crime and safety issue, what kind of vacation is that? Half the enjoyment of a vacation is it's anticipation and already you are stressing before even being there.

Crime has gotten really bad, from gay bashing to a missing american tourist to ..... the normal crAp.

Find somewhere else.

I don't think the above post is particularly helpful.
Telling people not to go to St. Maarten when the OP says she loves it here.
Many people do love it here. The island is not for everyone but it's not a place to avoid at all costs either.
Crime is a problem on the island.... what the above post mentions though..gay bashing... happened 2 years ago..
a missing tourist?..she lived here and there is no indication that she was the victim of foul play.
Be careful. watch where you go at night, don't wear a lot of flashy jewelery or carry a lot of money with you..and you, like most of our visitors, will have a good time here.
I would recommend that you rent a car.. Have one of you each night be the designated drinker.
Cabs will be quite expensive. it is hard to get them late at night..and if you arrange for one to come back or wait for you, it will cost you.

Your villa is in Terres Basse, right?
That area is nearest to Marigot and I do not know much about night life in Margiot.
The area with the greatest night life is on the Dutch sdie in the Maho and Simpson Bay area.
here are some places:
The main clubs on the Dutch side are Bliss - it's very classy. And Bamboo Bernie's esp. on Wed. nights. They are right next to each other at Caravanserai Hotel.
Mansion is new and very nice inside...it's located above the Dolphin Casino in Simpson Bay...

Soggy Dollar Bar - Simpson Bay...good fun bar with good crowd.

Sopranos.....piano bar...Maho
Red Piano Bar...Pelican Resort

Buccaneer Beach Bar..Simpson Bay....behind the Atrium Hotel..Simpson Bay..... great location...some nights they have live music.
Green House (Tuesday nights - play local and American rap music) ...Philipsburg.
Also there is a more local spot called BooBoo Jam....French side at Orient Beach. They play reggae & soca music.
Bikini Beach Bar on Orient also has live music several nights.
The Alley...next to Pineapple Pete's.. a great restaurant by the way... they have late night music at the Alley. and the restaurant itself also has live music some nights.
Sunset Beach Bar..next to Caravanserai..by the airport..watch the planes come in low over the beach.. live music many nights.. good hang out place.
Pick up a copy of K-Pasa when you arrive. It will list all the happenings for the week. Comes out on Thursdays. Also the Out and About section of the Dutch side paper, The Daily Herald - on Thursday too. and St. Maartn Nights.

well i live in a town ridden with crime, but it is also much larger than the island. So we should rent a car? Is the villa we are staying at on the French or Dutch side?
How far away are we from these clubs and bars, I have heard of Bliss and will spend many nights there I am sure.
I am wondering if we are staying too far away from these places to where driving will be an issue.
We both like to drink, but how much would a cab be from our place to downtown usually?

I would like to get one driver who knows the island and is responsible and courtious and fair. Is there a taxi service that someone recommends?

Thanks for the answers!
Travis

These posts are not fair. there is crime on EVERY island and in EVERY city in the US. you take the same precautions that you would anywhere else and you will have no problems. i have been going there for 20 years and personally like it better than any other island i have visited which is quite a few,. enjoy and be safe.

yea thats kind of what I was thinking, I mean, for the half day that I was there I didnt experience any real crime (drug dealing, etc. does not bother me) but I know how to handle myself in urban cities, I grew up downtown Indianapolis, Indiana so I can handle it, I just dont want to get shot or worry about not going out at night.

Does anyone have a cab company, personal driver, etc. They can recommend?

I would not mind paying someone, a local, or whoever, to be my personal driver while I am there. Call them and have them come and get me.

As far as one of us drinking and one of us driving?? That works here but not while on vacation. lol

Any other couples or locals going to be there that would like to meet up with us?

savannah
try asking over on TTOL
[www.traveltalkonline.com]

That is a very active St. Maarten forum and I seem to recall people talking over there about using personal drivers.
Ask your question and I am sure you will get a lot of answers I think

i checked that forum and there was only like 10 total posts, must not be that active anymore.

Is the villa we are staying at too far away from everything?

no no
that is a very active forum click on my link
maybe you went to the old forum but my link will take you to the correct place and it is a very busy forum.
I am not sure exaclty where your villa is but Terres Basses is an area that runs from La Samanna Hotel to Marigot basically. There are any villas over there. Nothing is in walking distance such as bars and restaurants. it is all residential. A 5 minute drive though and you are in either Marigot or the Maho hotel area which has a lot of activity.

Barbara,

Is this the RESIDENT you referrred to:

[sxmprivateeye.com]

The gay bashing may have been 2 years ago, but it still happened. And what about Angelique. You must remember the chick on Orient, brutally raped (with a tree log) and killed near Oyster Bay?

It is so sad to see where the island is going - so very sad indeed for all that has loved her and tried to make a difference with their support.

God speed SXM, I will always cherish the good memories and no longer look out for your destruction.

Well I think we might stay in the moho area in a villa there so we can be a little closer to everything.

that sounds like a better idea since you aren't going to be renting a car.
much easier.

well i think that we will rent one for day trips, etc. but I think that at night when we go out and drink I dont want to have to worry about getting home, safe, or legal.

IF we rent a car on the island, how is insurance covered? If someone breaks in a steals the car or tears it up, who pays for that?

You or your insurance does.

I can't believe some of the answers you got!!! My husband and I go to SXM for at least 10 days every year and so do a lot of repeat visitors. We rent a car every year and we have a BLAST! The crime in SXM is no worse than anywhere in the U.S. My only advice is to not go to Phillipsburg at night. At night, go to the bars and clubs in the tourist areas. In the day, go and do whatever you want and don't even think twice about it. The best nightclub is Bliss which is in the Maho area, especially for people in their 20's. You will love it. Once you vacation in St. Martin, you won't go anywhere else. Just promise not to tell any more people about it! LOL We don't want too many people to find out the secret. People who live there are SO NICE! Like anywhere, there is the bad element, but you won't have a problem. We have made so many great friends there. Don't miss Orient Beach. Rent chairs from our friends, Ray and John at Le String on Orient Beach. Be sure to eat at Pineapple Pete's and Peg Leg Pub and Steak House, and Topper's Restaurant(Tue & Wed for prime rib). It's hard to find a bad meal on the island, so enjoy! Don't miss going to the Sunset Beach Bar at the end of the runway in the afternoon to see the planes land and take off and meet a lot of great people. Pick up the free brochure called K-Pasa that comes out every Thursday so you know where the action is every night.