This is my first trip to St Martin and am having to go through a learning curve with regards to how to plan for it. Are payments in Euros or are US Dollars accepted? Are there ATM machines available or credit cards and traveller's checks the common means of payments. Are there any local farmer's markets for local fruits and vegetables? What do the local stores and markets carry? Are they produce and products from Europe? Thanks for your help in advance.

US dollars are accepted everywhere. Credit cards are sccepted but be careful for the international excahnge charges added by some companies. There are ATM machines around also. I used travellers checks on my last trip to the island and will probably be my choice for the future. There is a market in Marigot that has fruit and vegetables and I believe fish also. I cant remember the days it is open, but I am sure one of the island residents can help ( Barb or Phillipe). The local grocery stores carry products from the US and Europe. It is great to find products from all over the world when shopping there. I try to get my Fleur de Sel, from France, at the grocery store on the island. You will find cookies from Italy, chocolates from Switzerland, french yogurts, dutch cheeses, etc....

Deepa,

To add to what cuznvin has already stated, the market has some people there almost every day but often they're there selling souveniers and knick-knacks but the prime Marigot market days are Wednesdays and Saturdays and these are the days you're more apt to find the fresh fish and vegetables moreso than other times of the week.

We have always used Traveler's Checks and have no difficulty cashing them or having them accepted all over the island. And obviously, if lost or stolen.....they can be replaced. If you need to cash them this can be done at the larger grocery stores such as LeGrandMarche or you can go to the casinos and do so there, too, but note the casinos will want proof of ID to cash them.

Don't know where you're coming from but the accepted currency island wide is dollars but this is accepted. The legal currency on the French side is the Euro but if its not your normal currency there's no good reason to exchange for it.

Respectfully,

pat

Hey!

Vinnie has answered most of your queries and I'll add a few tidbits.

Some of the exciting things to shop for at the markets are European, South American and Caribbean brands you seldom see in the U.S. If you like fine coffee you may want to try some Jamaican or Cuban varieties.

The cheeses, cooked meats and pate products from France are extensive in some of the Marigot markets. Lots of Caribbean spices are also available at the Marigot marketplace.

In the liquor stores you may choose from some exotic rums from Cuba, Guyana and
Trinidad. European wines are also abundant and a number of local beers may also be new to you including the popular CARIBE.

We find prices to be reasonable considering you are on an island 1000 miles away from Miami. Prices on the Dutch side are in NAF guilders as well as dollars. Everything is clearly labeled. Weights are in kilos or grams on a lot of products. As a rough estimate I take 1 kilo to be a little over 2 pounds. 500 grams to be a little over a pound.

A few of the things I like to pack are spare batteries for cameras etc. Sunscreen and other lotions in packed luggage. Some of these items are pricey on Island.

French side....Dutch side...you won't get bored shopping on SXM, the variety is great!

Denis

Denis,

Where do you find the beer called CARIBE? I've tried CARIB, but never seen the other!

mc

Hey CM,



"I know alot of people here are owners and like the property. At the risk of hurting someone's feelings, we didn't like it. We had an Interval exchange for our second week of vacation this Decemeber."

Sound familiar?

Bought the CARIBE in DECEMEBER when they were giving out free E's with a 6 pack.

Denis

Denis,

I'm familiar with the quote, although I missed the Decemeber part!

Thanks for the tip on the beer. We'll look for the "E" sale when we're back in July!

mc



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/20/2008 03:12PM by mcinnamon.

St.Maarten used to have it's own beer: Soca. I still have a bottle (empty ), it has a nice label. Maybe I'll take a picture of it and post it.

I remember that beer, gert

I think we may have an empty bottle here too.

[barcann.livejournal.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/21/2008 07:59AM by Barbara1.

Was it really made in SXM? or was it made somewhere else for SXM and imported? I remember that beer, but I am not sure where it was made. I remember the water Fondor thought, it was even labelled "Spring water" (in French...) and they had to change the label at one time by law because there is no spring here, and it was just bottled tap water LOL... They labled the bottle "Table water" (I guess in comparison to "table wine"...LOL)

Kind Regards,
Philippe



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they really made it here, I think.
they hd a little factory in Sucker Garden I think.
business didn't last long though. and it really wasnt a very good beer.

[barcann.livejournal.com]

gert Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> St.Maarten used to have it's own beer: Soca. I
> still have a bottle (empty ), it has a nice
> label. Maybe I'll take a picture of it and post
> it.

St. Maarten used to have it's own rum as well...

Pott Rum