TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Favorite Activities and Favorite Market

Hi Again Everyone,

The wife is asking me to get your recommendations for your favorite activities outside of beach hopping. We plan on doing ziplining at Loterie and taking a day trip to Anguilla (which by the way I'm curious which ferry you all prefer and why?)? Also, what are your favorite places to buy supplies? My wife is only really thinking booze(my kind of girl) and breakfast items we can keep in our room. Again, we are staying in GC so more than likely Marigot is our best option for supplies but just need to know where.

Thanks all, you rock!

12 Meter Racing <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />Le Grand Marche's <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Super U for all those French delicacies and for wine wine wine Baccus in same shopping place.

Bacchus for amazing charcutterie as well, great foe gras pate and chocolate pastries. There is a small bakery in Grand Case up the side street across from the pirate bar that has great croissants and baguettes for the mornings.

Is the Super U at or near the turn from the main road going to Cul D Sac/Pinel Ferry?

The market near Baccus is called Simply, near the roundabout to pinel. Also Super U is in Marigot, where the old Match market was located

No, the Super U is where Match used to be, in Marigot. They accept dollars at 1 to 1. Great supermarket, with great bargains on french wines, as well as meats.

We shopped at the Simply Market in Hope Estate, just a few minutes from our place in Grand Case. Great selection, and much cheaper than the Grande Marche. In the shopping center cross the parking lot, Grape Wine has an awesome selection of wine and spirits and high end snacks.

Favorite market is Grande Marche Cole Bay. Very favorite activity is being with our mid-west / east coast friends at Beachside Villas every year, and a long leisurely day and lunch at Friars Bay Café.

I second the 12 metre regatta. Highly.. BUT I had great fun stumbling on to activities.. I found this site at the last minute, which led me to A Pan Revolution 8 and I Love My Ram... 2 local events that happened to be happening: This site is not comprehensive, and doesn't give enough info.. but it's a start and served me well. http://www.stmartinisland.org/st-martin-events/one-year-in-st-martin.html#sep

Favorite activities for me are a sail on the Passaat and a perfume-making class at Tijon.

I second Simply in Hope Estate. We often fall into the trap of referring to places without considering that not ereryone knows where things are. Hope Estate is on the main drag through Grand Case, at the end of the airport's main runway. If you go another 100 yards past Hope Estate, you'll be at the roundabout to Pinel/Anse Marcel/Orient Beach. Just ceck it out on Google Earth. If you go to Simply market, be prepared for a couple items of culture shock: if you buy a recyclable grocery bag, make sure the cashier initials it on the bottom. If not, you'll end up paying for it twice (as I did), or else explaining why you aren't a shoplifter. Also, be prepared for the best eggs and cheeses you've ever eaten (I travel with my own omelette pan and knives). Prices are on the high side but not unreasonable. For breakfast goodies, go to the bakery in Grand case that is just one block off the main drag, directly across from the Pirate's restaurant. Just park at Bistro Caraibes, and walk 1/2 block to your left off the main street. TTOL's Cruzer and Mrs. Cruzer walk down there every morning from GCBC, but that seems like too much work to me so I drive. I'll put maybe 100 km on our rental car over the six weeks of our visit. The rental guy loves us.

At least one day on the Celine with Neil, sometimes repeated days.
Garden Market, because it is next to The Atrium and handy.
One or more trips on the Lambada to where ever it is going.
Can you tell our best time on the Island is off Island on a boat...... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

As mentioned, 12 Meter Yachts for an great, unique experience. Another unique one is making your own cologne or perfume at Tijon.