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St. Martin/Maarten Day Trip

Take the ferry to Marigot for a day of shopping, dining and gambling. It is only about a 20 minute ride from Blowing Point and the ferry leaves every 30 minutes.

Marigot, St. Martin
When you arrive in Marigot from Anguilla on the ferry:

Car Rental

Norris Thomas of Twin Car Rental Will rent you a car right on the dock. Just use your credit card and bring the car right back to the ferry when you are through for the day. It's easy and a great way to see the island and store all your goodies while you shop. Make sure to keep items in the trunk and lock your car.
Tel: 011 590 690 58 98 82
"Fatso" will be waiting as you get off the ferry and provide you with a rental car for about $ 25.00 US for the day.
Tel. 011 590 590 87 97 97
Cell. 011 690 690 56 50 28
Art Lovers
Artist Roland Richardson's outstanding new gallery is in a lovely old restored building on Marigot's rue de la Republique. In the Marina, don't miss Gingerbread Gallery for an excellent collection of Haitian art and handicrafts.

Hair Stylist

If you need a haircut or style visit Vincent at Le Salon in Marigot. Vincent and his talented staff will perform magic the French way.
Location: rue Felix Eboue in Marigot town center within walking distance from the ferry.
Tel: 0590 29 60 78

St. Martin, different to Anguilla is made up of hills and valleys.

Casino Lovers
Try a few rolls of the dice in one of the Dutch sides's 10 casinos.
Naturists, Sunlovers and Surfers
Spend a day at Orient Beach on the French side. Good, typically French Rivera style seaside restaurants abound all down the long sandy strand, but waves are bigger and better at the Boo Boo Jam end.
Shoppers, Sightseers and Gourmets
Walk up rue de la Re'publique to one branch of Lipstick, which carries the largest assortment of duty and tax free, world-famous cosmetics and skin care products on St. Martin.

Harbour at Marigot is full of private yachts.

In the Marina, several shops specialize in Cuban cigars of every imaginable shape, size and price while others feature fancy foodstuffs and expensive French fashions, still at a saving over Paris or the Rivera.

Restaurants

Tropicana The Anguilla restauranteurs restaurant is Tropicana. Located right on the Marina Port La Royale in Marigot, this restaurant serves lunch and dinner with style. Ask the friendly waiters for the daily specials. Great wine, good prices. It is a must if you visit St. Martin. Make a reservation when you arrive in St. Martin.
Tel: 100 590 590 05 90 87 79 07

AG found a lovely little spot on the walk over to Match Supermarket. Down a small alley is Bistro Nu a small cozy place on Rue de L'ancienne geole, famous in Marigot for late night dining. During the off-season, Bistro Nu opens for lunch and the food is fantastic. If you are lucky enough to visit Anguilla in the summer season make sure to visit this out of the way little spot. The prices are great too.
Tel: 100 590 590 05 90 87 97 09

There are over a dozen little terrace restaurants for a leisurely lunch on the marina.

Telephone French St. Martin

Although not always successful, the proper way to call French St. Martin from Anguilla is to first press 011 590 590 and then the number you are calling.

Tropicana Restaurant in the Marina Port La Royale, Marigot. Christophe will make you feel so welcome you will visit him again and again. Tel. 011 590 590 87 79 07

French Bread

Don't forget to pick up a loaf of freshly baked French bread and some pastry from the bakery opposite the Post Office in Marigot before heading back to Anguilla.

Souvenir Shopping

After lunch most of the businesses in Marigot close until 3:00. But some of the smaller shops run by the local Indian population stay open all day. The shops are loaded with all sorts of merchandise, stuff to the rafters you might say. It is worth it just to have a look around but the prices are right and the owners are always willing to bargain. We like Super Baargain on Rue de la Liberte. The owner is always pleasant and willing to make a deal. He also owns Super Paradise and Super Line in Phillipsburg.

Grocery Shopping

Visitors doing their own cooking, don't miss Gourmet in Marigot town center. This well stocked gocery is loaded with French gourmet items and a full deli. Good wine selection too. Or take a walk to Match Supermarket in Howell Centre on the French side. Within walking distance from the ferry, about a 1/2 mile.

Have a sunset drink in one of Marigot's harbour restaurants and take the last ferry home. Be at the ferry dock before 7:00 PM, this boat usually leaves on time.

Traveling Tips
Remember proof of citizenship and Anguilla immigration form. Forget driving at rush hours, traffic is horrendous. Count on Philipsburg being unbearable when there are more than two large cruise ships in port or a giant like the Norway.

US dollars are accepted everywhere, but prices are usually quoted in French Francs and Euros on the French side, Guilders on the Dutch.

Bus System

In Marigot most stores close from around noon till 3:00 pm. Philipsburg is open all day. You can catch a bus in Marigot and go just about anywhere in St. Martin/Maarten. The bus system stops are regular stops and will also stop if you call out to the driver and ask to be let off. The bus will also stop at any point along the route and pick up passengers that hail from the side of the road. The price is right, about $3.00 from Marigot to Phillipsburg.

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