Sainte Marie would be a good alternative. The fictional island is actually Basse Terre in Guadeloupe and Sainte Marie is actually Des Hais..just north of Pointe Noire on the west coast of Basse Terre. The island is beautiful with mountains, beaches, tropical waterfalls and great roads. The people are friendly and helpful and acommodations range from B & Bs to high end.Speaking French
is really an asset but you could get by without it.Restaurants are plentiful from snack bars to haute cuisine and the island(s) local bus system is modern and extensive. Car rentals are available but if you rent at the airport make sure you reserve well in advance. The French atmosphere of Gaudeloupe is very different from the French atmosphere of SXM and while in Guadeloupe you feel you are in France.Guadeloupe also has a very low crime rate. SXM is small to explore compared to Guadeloupe and "GWADA" has many out islands with ferry service from the main islands and each out island has its own "flavour".
As for flights, Megamania, you would have to fly out of Montreal or fly/or drive to Miami where the flight is much cheaper. The Air France flight from Miami took us back to the old days when airlines treated their customers as VIPs and the only bummer for us was having to do a stop in Haiti.
Jimnjudy