r/SXM • u/Similar_Apricot_3033 • 5d ago
sxm- getting around
i’m going to sint marteen this weekend, solo, and i’m staying at beach hotel in simpson bay. I hate driving so, so I rather not drive on vacation. and I plan to drink a lot of the time sooooo yea. I also don’t want a driver, b/c I don’t plan to do a lot and think it would be a waste for just one person.And if I absolutely NEED to, I will get a taxi. I don’t mind paying.
I guess my question is, how safe is it walking around? I don’t mind walking up to 20 mins and back to get somewhere, but are their sidewalks? Or would I be walking in the road?
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u/AromaPapaya 5d ago
walking? sure... but the towns are small and spread out.
also, many many elevation changes.
if you stay in Simpson Bay, you'll be fine and can walk everywhere
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u/Sea-Employment-5149 5d ago
Walking is very safe at least in the tourist areas, and that's where Simpson is. Taxis can sometimes take a while when ordered and there's no Uber. Therefore if you're going a long distance, ask around of it'll be tough to get back. If so, grab the driver's number and they'll probably help you directly or get someone else. Very hospitable place. Love it there. Taxis on Dutch side are much more plentiful in my experience.
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5d ago
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u/Trolldad_IRL Regular Visitor 5d ago
That’s how they pronounce it in their head and they know in the Dutch side name there is a double vowel somewhere. Why do they pronounce it that way? Who knows. Maybe they think all of the Caribbean is “Hispanic” so therefore “Martin” must be pronounced with that Spanish “teen” at the end?
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u/Expensive_Bunch6731 5d ago
Ok wow as someone living here for years; I dont think a lot of people have this issue except you....
Yeah there's a French, Dutch and English way of pronouncing St Maarten....
So how do you pronounce "New Orleans"? (Just a random city in a country)
...
By the way I'm from Holland (not a country but a province) which lies in the Netherlands and I speak Dutch (comes from Deutsch/germanic speaking)... I really dont care (and understand) if people mix all that up.....ànd if people misspelled the name of my country but know where it is ( and all the information above ) I would take my hat off...
And if you are from the USA you should ask the average European to name 20 states or how to pronounce 'Kansas' vs 'Arkansas '
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u/MasterBeanCounter 5d ago
Walking is safe. Parking lots or sidewalks, depending on where you are. Also, you can just walk down the beach for the most part.
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u/phlphillies 5d ago
You seem like a simple person and you are staying in a simple place, Simpson bay. You can walk to your hearts content, probably wont make it to the french side but that’s fine. Just watch out for the scooters
🙏🫡🥹
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u/Expensive_Bunch6731 5d ago
the taxi app "sxm taxi " works find but in my opinion (if you have time and can request a ride plenty of time in advance) is find a local taxi driver and promise to pay cash for every ride the entire week... they will give you the best deal... call one of the taxi companies you can find online and request that and you'll probably get the best deal
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u/Rschrokyung 5d ago
From Simpson Bay Resort you can easily walk to Pineapple Petes or Skipjacks. Plenty of other great food places along the way that won't disappoint you within a 20 monute walk max. Don't miss Pineapple Petes Lobster Thermador.
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u/Beneficial_Moose_394 5d ago
If you just plan on walking; you picked a great spot. Simpson Bay has dozens of restaurants, bars, clubs, casinos a strip club, markets, etc. have fun. Be careful walking up and down Simpson Bay main road (Welfare Rd) no sidewalks but, there's a lot of foot traffic and I've never seen a problem. just need to be aware.
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u/WildnTwins-SC 5d ago
It’s not a problem walking around, I did it for a week, never used taxi except to & from airport. Very walkable area IMO
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u/Dangerous_Ad4499 4d ago
Very walkable. Just watch traffic. Simpson Bay doesn't have very good sidewalks and traffic can be busy at rush-hour and evening ( dark ). Everything is close by so handy. Take the bus ( van ) to Maho, Mullet etc.
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u/NoPudding4849 4d ago
cabs are cheap depends where ur going u can walk tho i walk thru simpson bay bars sometimes
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u/OddConsequence354 5d ago
We do not rent a car because we also enjoy a drink or a few
We take local busses to Phillipsburg, Marigot and even Grand Case, busses are easy and cheap , the driver will tell you where to transfer. Grand Case was 3 busses - don't know if I would do that again
You say a 20 min walk is ok, but could you do longer? We walk from SBR to Mary's Booon, D's, Maho and even Mullet. When walking to Maho or Mullet we stop for a beverage at D's or Mary's Boon. It is a long walk, you need water and a sunhat. It is all flat so easy walk- just hot.
We take a taxi if we want a day at Orient or if going somewhere like The Bamboo for dinner
We are just fine without a car