TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Which way?

We arrive Friday at noon. Would like to stop at a market (water, soda, juice and things to get us started) on our way to Orient Bay. Which market would be the best bet to stop at on the way? Thank you...

Lots of options, but the easiest might be just to drive straight to Orient village, and pick up your basics at Ocean Star, the oriental grocery in the Orange strip development on Avenue des Plages.

If you go via Cupecoy, you have the Chinese in Cupecoy ( next to Medical school), Carrefour (small, fairly well stocked) market at Porto Cupecoy, Super U in Marigot (large store, good produce and meats). Less traffic than going through Simpson Bay direction.

If it were me doing it, I would do Super U, which, along with the Carrefour at the roundabout (which used to be Grand Marche), are what I consider to be the two best markets on SXM. Go across the causeway and hang a left at the other end, and you're basically almost at Marigot.

I think I would take the route through Cupecoy and pick up the essentials there, though truth be known - (if it was really me I’d be ordering them from Jeannie at Shopndrop to have them in my room when I got there) - because it seems like we’ve gotten stuck every trip in very heavy traffic around the Howell Plaza around midday. Someone told us it was because the schools let out around lunchtime and parents are picking up kids in the area....... I don’t know if that’s fact or not!

We prefer the route through Cupecoy to Marigot even allowing for the market traffic, because while the traffic can still be heavy, our experiences are that it is always moving. Just remember to turn left and hug the water coming into Marigot and go through town via the water route.......

But you know what, you’ll be in St. Martin so wherever and whatever, it will all be good.

Definitely ordering from Jeannie next time. What about Lider Price? Is it still open? Last trip we got everything we needed from Petit Casino and Lider Price. We prefer the Super U, but we were content being stuck in a loop between Club O and Mt.Vernon our entire trip. Only 240 days until our next trip, but who's counting.

Super U is very french so you won't find many of the staples you are used to in the US. But it is the best place to buy wine and spirits. And as Carol said, it is great for meat, cheese, butter, bread, etc. And you may find yourself trying a few new things.

Super U is very french so you won't find many of the staples you are used to in the US. But it is the best place to buy wine and spirits. And as Carol said, it is great for meat, cheese, butter, bread, etc. And you may find yourself trying a few new things.

I should also say, it has a great variety---but it helps if you can read french

Thank you for the advice. We used to go to the market next to Marks place. Not sure if they are still open and what the traffic would be like with the carnival.

The market next to Mark's Place is now called Carrefour and I think it's the best Dutch side market. They are definitely still open and have been renovated since the hurricane, in fact. Don't know about the traffic with carnival.

The traffic situation right now is very heavy and finding parking can be a problem at Carrefour next to Mark's Place.

Thanks for the info. Hope it clears out some before June!

It will but this week-end is five Holidays for Carnival and Labour Day . hence the heavy traffic situation.

ok thanks

We use Jeannie every time (pre Hurricane 2x per year) and would recommend her service.

Leader Price and Petite Casino are both closed.

We used Super U when we were on SXM a couple of weeks ago. Great selection.. Live a little, get out of your comfort zone. In Marigot, so you should not have the crowds to deal with.

Things are posted in French and English

I'm replying with tongue in cheek here. Super U in Marigot you will find a loaf of bread is the same loaf of bread in French & English, the same roll of toilet paper in French & English, same pound of butter in French & English, same bunch of bananas French & English & so on. On the serious side the check out people are efficient & speak English as easily as French & take dollars as easily as euros. Also bring quarter to unlock grocery cart.
I know very few words in French but have had no problem getting everything there.
😊

I believe the Carrefour Markets are closed, beginning today (Friday) for Carnival and the other holidays.

Actually, Carrefour is open but with adjusted hours.

Make sure one of you stays in the car with luggage while the other shops.

KINGS DAY APRIL 27
CARNIVAL APRIL 30
LABOUR DAY MAY 1

are public holidays: many businesses must close except pharmacies, bars and restaurants, stores located in hotels, funeral parlours, gas stations and bakeries selling bread and milk.

I just checked and saw they are open!

Carrefour Express at Porto Cupecoy hours through Tuesday:

Saturday 8-8
Sunday 9-6
Monday 9-2
Tuesday 9-2

Just shopped there and took a pic of their posted hours at the register