TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Philipsburg

Trying to decide when to go to Philipsburg for shopping . Are the shops open every day or only when the ships are in port? Whats better weekday or weekend ? And where to park there. Thanks

Personally I would go when there are ships in port. More stores will be open and at this point there may only be one or two ships at a time which doesn't make things crowded at all. Even pre pandemic the local merchants where disappointed with the amount of cruisers coming into town to buy things. Spend some money, they will appreciate the business. We plan to if we can get there. 22 days and counting!

These days who’s to say but theoretically, most shops are open every day except SUNDAY unless there is a ship in town, in which event they’d be open on Sunday, too. We used to park at Chesterfields, have breakfast and walk up or at the in town parking lot off Cannegieter/Back Street area across from KFC.. Many park on Pondfill Road and walk in to the area they want to get to. Just DON’T park on Front Street as your car could get towed. Not saying it would as they seem to be more lax these days but it has happened in the past too many times to too many people.

Thank you Pat .