TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Maho at night

We are renting a condo in the old Caravanserai and wondering if it will be safe to walk to dinner into Maho from there( next door to Algeria).. at night and back to condo around 9 or 10 pm?

Not a good idea .

We've done it many times.

We've done to too. Just be aware of your surroundings and walk in the road, facing on-coming traffic.

There was a time, once upon a time, when we wouldn't have thought twice about walking there, but today? Not so much. Kenny (Lesley....) lives in the general area and I'm with him. People who live in a given area generally know what they're talking about with regard to their own neighborhood and I'm pretty certain Lesley, of all people, does. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Pat--you know, I'm with you. I actually would have thought it would have been safe to walk there at night, but Lesley knows that area a whole lot better than we do and I would defer to him.

We have been to Maho three nights this week. Slower than usual in restaurants. But, zero issues. Be aware like any where. We have coming here for 15 years and have never once felt threatened.

Is it careless drivers or hoodlums? Why do so many just accept living in fear? It is only a couple of blocks.

We have walked from the Royal Islander to the Dunes and Taco Macho many times at night. While it is very dark along the beach, we have never had any issues.

While I can't speak for Lesley (Kenny's), I would trust his judgement since he lives in the area and traverses it many times a day. My guess would be it is a combination of both "careless drivers and hoodlums".

Living in fear is one thing, being astute and heeding warnings is another.

Might not be a great idea but I would not hesitate to do it and have done it many times. Pay attention, the only section that would be in question is between Sunset and Royal Islander.

Cheers,
Todd

We have walked it many times in past years but would never try it now. Be prepared that it's VERY dark with no one around. I would heed Kennys advice.

.....the only section that would be in question is between Sunset and Royal Islander.

And that is the area I'd be most concerned with. As I said earlier, there was a time when I wouldn't have thought twice about doing this but today, not so much. Well, maybe if I was with a group or perhaps Todd was walking with us........ Nobody would mess with Todd! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

There will be 3 couples, we will be renting a car but only seats 5! We were hoping to use the car during day and venture to Maho for dinners at night minus one or two nights out in grand case but just trying not to drink and drive! What about swishing 6 in a car just to go to dinner and back to villa?

Either that, or rent two cars. Two cars will allow you more flexibility for the entire vacation.

I don't live there, but another option is walking out to Maho and just taking a taxi back. But if your three couples, and the Refuge at sunset is open is walking the short strip of beach between the Driftwood and Sunset an issue? You can always get a taxi back from the Sonesta or the casino. Several times I have walked from Cupecoy Beach club to Maho prior to dusk and then taxied back.

Lol! Pat, I am not bad, but the bad don't mess with me. I just tell them I know Sharon Harris and they run as they should!

Three couples equals 3 cars! Our rule number one when inviting friends to SXM is that each couple has their own car.

I get that the walk is about 100 yards or so, but you can see lights on each side and you can see what to expect in between. This then becomes a personal decision on how you feel about that walk as a couple but if with three couples, go for it. On the way back, take off your shoes and walk the sand with your feet in a bit of the water.

Cheers,
Todd

LOL, Todd!!

But really, that was my point - certainly not that you're BAD because I know you're one of the good guys, but someone would have to be blind or nuts or most likely BOTH to mess with you. Besides, I have it on good authority, you're a lover and not a fighter. But I'm betting if called upon..........in almost any confrontation, I'd want you on my side!!

We have the same rule about the car thing - we always ask our guests to have their own car, too, if for no other reason than freedom for each couple to do their own thing at their own speed.

But to the heart of the post, and to the OP, I guess you've gotten enough responses to draw your own conclusions. Truthfully,, in a group of three couples you'd most likely be okay. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

I would think 3 couples would make it much safer. We usually walked it when we were 2 couples.

I agree with all the responses above, however...

We walked Maho Beach all the time having once owned at Caravanserai and then later on, exchanging into Royal Islander. We love the Maho area and the restaurants on the new Alegria side. I always felt uncomfortable but we weren't much later than 10p.m. when we would make our trek across the sand and did we ever move fast. We stuck close to the road and HOOFED IT!
There was also a lot of road traffic that time of night so that was a bit of comfort.

Like anywhere in the world, when you travel you have to be aware when you are out and about.

Would I walk the stretch of sand in Maho again at 9 or 10p.m. at night? I have to say, Yes...but not any later. No way.

Hope that info helps along with the other posters on this issue. There is safety in numbers but the final decision on your safety is up to you.

I agree. Not a good idea.

Forewarned is forearmed! If you know about a problem or situation in advance, you will be able to deal with it when you need to. I've been there so many times, but I stop being careless in that area.

I've owned at the RI for twenty years and often make that walk. Except for the traffic, I don't see a problem. If you walk the beach, or are very careful walking in the street facing traffic I expect you'd be fine.

A few things to keep in mind.

Th initial question in this thread was from Feb. 2017, prior to Irma. Things are a little different on the island now

You have a long-time local resident and business owner who traverses the area multiple times a day offer sound advice.

You have tourists offering conflicting advice.

Just my 2 cents worth. Post Irma on the island is different in a lot of ways. With Kenny living in the area advising against it, I would personally go with that. It's not about fear but about reality right now. I have looked at the maho beach cam at night. It's black out there & very quiet area right now.
Enjoy your stay on the island, I know we did!

Make 2 trips. It's not that far.

Being cautious is not living in fear, it's just common sense about your safety. When I was a search-and-rescue crewman in the USCG we often heard "...we've been doing it for years and we never had a problem!" from people we rescued. It only takes one bad time to be sorry you did it.

Always, better safe than sorry!!

Again, since the original post was Feb. 2017, I am sure the trip is over by now.

Yes, this person posted several times leading up to their trip on Saturday, March 25th 2017. They asked questions and received answers but did not come back to share any information regarding their trip.

How did it get "Beamed up" to July 2018?

Necroposting. LOL. Back in Jan 2016, it was still dark once the SBB closed and driftwood was the only “late” gig in town.

It was dark then and probably as dark now. Give the post IRMA damage as well as the runway fence riding idiots ( and there was at least 1 death right?) perhaps a sidewalk o the beach side would be a consideration behind the huge blocks? But with erosion, probably not likely.

Someone responded to it, for whatever reason.

Yep, one death and a lot of rumors. I don't know about now (I live in another state now), but it was real dark then.

Very confused here. I am planning to roam around Moho beach at night as well, but judging from the mix reactions I am re-thinking it.

You can roam Maho streets, shopping, casino, restaurants safely at night. But the beach is pitch black dark! I would not do it.

NEVER roam any beach at night! Stay safe and enjoy the beaches in the daytime. Many years ago the SXM beaches were safe at night but definitely not anymore!

I would not do it alone...but having said that, we are never alone, we travel in a minimum of 4 plus. But, honestly,,,I have never felt threatened anywhere on SXM...and Alegria to Maho is a hop skip and jump. Be aware, don't travel alone and you should be fine,.

if you mean "direcctly on the beach", what would be the reason.? Walk along the road,,keep your eyes open for cars,,it is so short,,,I must be missing something. We stayed at the Caravansarai and we walked over to Maho for night life all the time. We were a group of 4.

We are a group of 4 as well, 2 couples. I guess we will check it out, Hopefully it will be a fun trip. Thanks Everyone, for your feedbacks.