TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Ma Doudou Rhum shack

Has anyone been to the Ma Doudou shop in Cul de Sac? Is it worth a visit?

Yes, it is definitely worth a visit. You can also try the different rum flavors before you make your purchase.

Absolutely worth a visit! In addition to the sampling opportunity that Islandgem mentioned, there are also many products there that you can't find in stores.

Lois, if you like to bake you might like the vanilla that they carry!

Yes! My wife always buys some vanilla and I try a different Rhum every trip

The shack is definitely a neat spot for a visit. Keep in mind that its in a residential area with a gated entry. I've always been lucky to enter when someone else is going through and the owner will gladly give you the code to enter/exit when needed.

I just looked at SXM map for directions to Ma DouDou rum Shack. Now that I know how to get there can anyone say if they have set hours and days that they are open?

I want to say Mon-Fri, at least 9-3. They might be open sooner and stay open later....just can't remember what the sign says.....

Thanks Sammy,
I was thinking along those lines but it never hurts to get better info. Thanks again

Sometimes they open at 10 and close at 2. If you go around noon, they should be open! Remember island time can be very interesting sometimes.

Where is Cul de Sac?

Road going to Pineal Ferry.

Even though we know when Ma Dou Dou is located, we always miss the turn so we go down to the ferry turn around and then take the left. After many years one would think we'd know where we're going <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

So its on the french side?

Yes, French Cul de Sac. There is also a Dutch Cul de Sac, but the Ma DouDou shack is on the French side.

Is there a very good selection of MaDouDou at the liquor store in the departure terminal at the airport? We're thinking of loading up an empty carry on there rather than putting it in our checked luggage.

Yes, a fairly good selection, but a bit more expensive. If placing it in your carry on, it would be best to purchase the plastic bottles.Remember you must have a direct flight or you will have to reclaim your luggage and repack in your checked luggage for the next flight.

..unless they have those new TSA compliant alcohol containers in SXM Airport stores, which I don't know, do they?? I've never really seen them myself or really know how they work.

[quote]GaKaye said:
Yes, French Cul de Sac. There is also a Dutch Cul de Sac, but the Ma DouDou shack is on the French side. [/quote

Thank you

Gracie, don't know where you're staying but if you were to come from Grand Case follow road toward Orient (not toward Marigot). Go past SIMPLY Market (on right side) look for PINEL FERRY sign.

Left onto Rue de Cul de Sac. This is the road that also goes toward Anse Marcel. Don't take the left to Anse Marcel go straight toward Ferry.

Your turn is on the right before road ends at dock. It almost looks like you're entering a private road. It winds right and just before slight hill Ma Dou Dou is a small colorful old caribbean style building on the left.

After stopping take that road further, staying right, It loops around and back to the junction where Ma Dou is. Beautiful residential area great view.

Great directions! Just to clarify, the entrance to the road is gated, and the entry code is on the tiny Ma DouDou sign on the left as you're facing the gate. Unless it's changed, it's 123.

And, a good tip from their website: "Be sure to pack the bottles in your checked luggage ! You can NOT carry it on in your hand luggage. Put the sealed bottles in large zip-loc bags and then wrap it in bubble wrap. Extra care will help insure it arrives home without leakage/breakage !"

Yes it's worth the visit.
Here is a Map to the Ma Doudou Factory

Here are directions from their web site as well. Directions from the Ma Doudou Website

Neat YouTube video on The Making of Ma Doudou

Great video (first time I have seen it)......cool to see it is a one person operation from start to finish (I would have thought others painted the bottles...there are so many).

When we were there last year we didn't try to make any offers or talk her down but she took it upon herself to take some money off the total because our order was so big....I thought that was so nice of her to do.

If you don't want to take a chance of getting lost, you can buy Ma Doudou at their store on Old Street in Philipsburg. It's the street that runs between Front and Back Streets and has the yellow car in the center of it. Also can now visit the marketplace in Marigot. A member of the family, Jamal, has a yellow Vespa wagon parked at the marketplace and has a selection for sale there. Doesn't have everything that they sell. Not sure what days he is there, but we saw him on a Saturday morning.

You can also buy Ma Doudou from Bernadine, next to Paradise View restaurant. She has a wide variety, and any profit she makes goes toward helping her and the island's animals.

They now have a little yellow cart at the market in Marigot on Wednesday....easier then heading to their shop.

But you'd miss the fun of seeing the actual store in all its glory!

Besides, no matter where you go on island you can not get lost---only create fond memories.