TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin A few questions on upcoming trip

Hello all,
I'm new to this forum and have traveled to most of the Caribbean Islands and will be arriving to St. Martin in April for the first time. I have a few questions on our upcoming trip that I'm hoping you all can help with.

#1 - With the uptick on crime recently, would it be advisable to take a taxi to a casino, rather than drive in the evening? There are 3 couples in our traveling group.
#2 - We are staying in the Villas on Orient Bay. Are there chairs/umbrellas to rent around Cocoa Beach?
#3 - Is there a main route we should take to Grand Case for a day?
#4 - If we take the ferry to Anquilla, are there taxis right there at disembarkment that can take us to a beach?

Thank you for any information.

#1 driving in the evening is always a problem with traffic so taxi would be a good idea.

#2. .?

#3. Leaving Orient area turn right follow road curves around, to roundabout, ahead toward GC airport, stay right road goes to end turn right, parking ahead on left.

This portion of road is two way for a bit then becomes one way in direction of Marigot. If you miss the right turn at airport you should turn around because of the one way you won’t be able to enter Grand Case Blvd.

As far as I know, there are no "Villas on Orient Beach" and no Cocoa Beach.

We are staying at the Marcassi Villas in Orient Bay Between the Coco Beach Restaurant/Bar and KKo Beach Bar and Restaurant.

Thank you so much! #2 - I should have said villas in Orient Bay between the Coco Beach restaurant and KKo Beach Bar. Sorry for confusion.

In reference to #2,there are many beach bar/restaurants along the beach that rent chairs. Chairs rent from $10-$60 per pair with an umbrella. Coming onto the beach from your villa I would tend to turn right heading south and try any number of places. No matter which you choose,you should have a good time.

#4 - If we take the ferry to Anguilla, are there taxis right there at disembarkment that can take us to a beach?
There are cabs in the mornings. Give the driver a few extra bucks, after he drops you off at Shoals bay west to have him/her pick you back up to the ferry!! And remember your passport!! Here is the link!! Have fun!!! https://www.stmartinbookings.com/an...bFbBQmVaY0SKvQk6hr8ayAW_QG8aArVfEALw_wcB

#1 - Not sure a taxi is required, the crime aspect is sometimes overblown, especially on online forums. If your taking a taxi from Orient I would at least have dinner near the casino otherwise it seems like quite a journey for an island casino.

#2 - As others have stated every beach bar/restaurant on Orient Beach will have their own chairs/umbrellas for rent. Some will discount or comp you the rentals if you eat/drink in their establishment, tons of choices with varying price ranges.

#3 - Airport route around SFG (Grand Case Airport) or through the little town, really hard to get lost getting to Grand Case from Orient.

#4 - For sure taxis exist when arriving at Blowing Point Ferry Terminal, staying a week on AXA a couple of years ago I really enjoyed Meads Bay Beach with lunch at Straw Hat or Shoal Bay with lunch at Madeariman. Anguilla is more expensive (tons of added taxes/auto gratiuitys) but can be an enjoyable day trip. Also check out some day trips via catamaran/boat, sometimes better for a first timer.

Yes, Coco Beach is one of the nicer, and more expensive, beach bars. I think I've read that their very comfortable chairs are now $60/pair, which is ridiculously high. Last time I was there, that included towel and bottle of water.

Colour1...Are you sure you mean Shoal Bay West? Shoal Bay East is the more popular and most often visited with restaurants, facilities, and such.

To question #4.

If the ferries are running, taxis will be available, or the dispatcher will call one. You can take the public ferry from Marigot, around $30 each way per person and departure taxes each way. Private ferries are available. We recently went to Anguilla and took GB Ferries LINK. They are located across from the main airport and provide fast and reliable service for a day trip. They also arranged a taxi van for our group, which worked out great. We did a 2 hour tour as I had 4 first time visitors to Anguilla, we were then dropped by Madeariman on Shoal Bay East, had lunch and enjoyed a couple of hours of beach time. You could eliminate the tour and go straight to a beach, but Anguilla has some fantastic resorts. It is a few more $$ than the public ferry but it has worked well for me in the past. Anguilla is much different than SXM and I think it is a nice diversion for a different pace, but it is not inexpensive.

Whale Tail did a report on the trip to Anguilla if you want to check it out. Several pages and many pictures.
https://www.traveltalkonline.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/331389/1.html

River Rat--I am familiar with where that villa is. Good choice! Enjoy your stay!