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Headed back after long absence #198678
06/26/2019 04:10 PM
06/26/2019 04:10 PM
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 157
Arlen, TX
BillDauterive Offline OP
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BillDauterive  Offline OP
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 157
Arlen, TX
We are headed back to SXM later this year. We've visited the island about a half dozen times in the past. However, these visits were in the 1990's (we went to Dawn Beach and saw the post-Luis devastation of the timeshare resort.... it's a Westin now, I think). Also, there was no McDonalds (I think BK was there). And pre-Euro ....

Anyhow, here are our questions:
- I remember having trouble getting gas. I recall pulling into the station and the guy spotted us as tourists, jumped up, put gas in, and took my money... and overcharged me. Are all stations full-service? Or do I pump myself?

- Are US dollars still accepted at a fair exchange rate? At restaurants, bars, grocery, etc?

- When departing the island, will we clear customs/immigration on the island, or at my arrival airport?

That's all for now. More to come later. ... Thanks in advance

SXM Sponsors
Re: Headed back after long absence [Re: BillDauterive] #198679
06/26/2019 04:16 PM
06/26/2019 04:16 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,567
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,567
Auburn, WA
I pumped my own gas this last May
Us dollars were at the current exchange rates on Dutch side. Not so much on French side
Clear customs at first US entry point

Re: Headed back after long absence [Re: BillDauterive] #198680
06/26/2019 04:18 PM
06/26/2019 04:18 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Regarding gas, it is priced in guilders & litres so you have to do the conversion. The price on the pump is roughly double what you will pay in USD. There may be some self service but there is usually an attendant to pump the gas and I do not know of any price difference. 18.40 NAF is roughly $10USD.

USD are accepted everywhere and without much exchange problem on the Dutch side. On the French side they often set their own exchange rate with the euro and it is not always the going or current published rate.

When departing you will go through 2-3 security checks but you clear C/I at your first port of US entry.


J.D.
Re: Headed back after long absence [Re: BillDauterive] #198687
06/26/2019 06:57 PM
06/26/2019 06:57 PM
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 157
Arlen, TX
BillDauterive Offline OP
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BillDauterive  Offline OP
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 157
Arlen, TX
Thanks for the info....

Here's another question:
If I rent a car in St Maarten, how do I get liability insurance? My Visa card offers coverage for the vehicle that I rent. I have that covered. But how do I get LIABILITY insurance?

What do you all do about this? I mean, besides drive VERY carefully....

Re: Headed back after long absence [Re: BillDauterive] #198688
06/26/2019 07:00 PM
06/26/2019 07:00 PM
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 157
Arlen, TX
BillDauterive Offline OP
Traveler
BillDauterive  Offline OP
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 157
Arlen, TX
Ya know what... I just answered my own question.

I'll get it through the rental company. Disregard ....

duh

Re: Headed back after long absence [Re: BillDauterive] #198691
06/26/2019 07:24 PM
06/26/2019 07:24 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,567
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Posts: 18,567
Auburn, WA
If you rent through Hertz it's included in the quote. Other places you buy it for 5-10 a day.

Re: Headed back after long absence [Re: BillDauterive] #198723
06/27/2019 09:16 AM
06/27/2019 09:16 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
As others have said, some places you pump your own gas now. Most places they do pump it for you, but as JD said, just watch the exchange rate, but gas will be twice what it is at home, and priced by the liter.

On the Dutch side, all prices are a fixed exchange rate against the dollar. Exchange rates against the Euro can fluctuate. A FEW places will give you 1 to 1 on the dollar on the French side, but not many. The only place I recall getting 1 for 1 this trip was at Hope Market.

Enjoy your trip!


Carol Hill
Re: Headed back after long absence [Re: BillDauterive] #198734
06/27/2019 09:57 AM
06/27/2019 09:57 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,567
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Posts: 18,567
Auburn, WA
Yellow Beach at Pinel was 1 to 1 cash.

Re: Headed back after long absence [Re: Carol_Hill] #198737
06/27/2019 10:08 AM
06/27/2019 10:08 AM
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 363
The Villages, FL
deputydog1157 Offline
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deputydog1157  Offline
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Posts: 363
The Villages, FL
I used the Cadisco station on the way from Orient Village to the airport and the attendant said they charge 1 for 1 when paying in cash. Very nice young man, polite and helpful.



[Linked Image]
Re: Headed back after long absence [Re: deputydog1157] #198741
06/27/2019 11:09 AM
06/27/2019 11:09 AM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 721
B
bran Offline
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bran  Offline
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Originally Posted by deputydog1157
I used the Cadisco station on the way from Orient Village to the airport and the attendant said they charge 1 for 1 when paying in cash. Very nice young man, polite and helpful.


Also in Nettles Bay a Cadisco station, 1 for 1 and they are cheaper than the dutch side plus have a very good supermarket albeit in French. Found the green Pic Mosquito coils there and not the black ones they sell for $1.00. Cheap yes, but they don't work, the Pic ones do. Amazon also sell them, so taking a few with me next time.

Re: Headed back after long absence [Re: bran] #198763
06/27/2019 03:25 PM
06/27/2019 03:25 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten Offline
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BeachKitten  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
Originally Posted by bran
Originally Posted by deputydog1157
I used the Cadisco station on the way from Orient Village to the airport and the attendant said they charge 1 for 1 when paying in cash. Very nice young man, polite and helpful.


Also in Nettles Bay a Cadisco station, 1 for 1 and they are cheaper than the dutch side plus have a very good supermarket albeit in French. Found the green Pic Mosquito coils there and not the black ones they sell for $1.00. Cheap yes, but they don't work, the Pic ones do. Amazon also sell them, so taking a few with me next time.


Do those things really work for you? Do you use the terra cotta holder?


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: Headed back after long absence [Re: bran] #198764
06/27/2019 03:44 PM
06/27/2019 03:44 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,561
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,561
St Maarten
1:1 in Nettle Bay? That's new! We go to Cadisco Marigot also 1 for 1.

I meant the 1:1 is now, there's been a Cadisco there for a long time! Newly rebuilt post Irma with a really nice little grocery store on site.

Last edited by BillandElaine; 06/27/2019 03:45 PM.

Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Headed back after long absence [Re: BeachKitten] #198768
06/27/2019 04:40 PM
06/27/2019 04:40 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,567
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,567
Auburn, WA
Originally Posted by BeachKitten
Originally Posted by bran
Originally Posted by deputydog1157
I used the Cadisco station on the way from Orient Village to the airport and the attendant said they charge 1 for 1 when paying in cash. Very nice young man, polite and helpful.


Also in Nettles Bay a Cadisco station, 1 for 1 and they are cheaper than the dutch side plus have a very good supermarket albeit in French. Found the green Pic Mosquito coils there and not the black ones they sell for $1.00. Cheap yes, but they don't work, the Pic ones do. Amazon also sell them, so taking a few with me next time.


Do those things really work for you? Do you use the terra cotta holder?

We use those green coils up in Alaska fishing. Work great. I'll be using them starting tomorrow for my twice annual salmon fishing trip.

Re: Headed back after long absence [Re: BeachKitten] #198772
06/27/2019 06:35 PM
06/27/2019 06:35 PM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 721
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bran Offline
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bran  Offline
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Originally Posted by BillandElaine
1:1 in Nettle Bay? That's new! We go to Cadisco Marigot also 1 for 1.

I meant the 1:1 is now, there's been a Cadisco there for a long time! Newly rebuilt post Irma with a really nice little grocery store on site.


I don't think its new. Opposite Meza Luna in Nettles Baie
Originally Posted by BeachKitten
Originally Posted by bran
[quote=deputydog1157]I used the Cadisco station on the way from Orient Village to the airport and the attendant said they charge 1 for 1 when paying in cash. Very nice young man, polite and helpful.



Do those things really work for you? Do you use the terra cotta holder?


No dont use the terra cotta holder. The trick is to get them going about 20 minutes before you sit where you place them.

Re: Headed back after long absence [Re: BillandElaine] #198779
06/27/2019 07:06 PM
06/27/2019 07:06 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,772
So. Shore MA.
jollymonsrv Offline
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jollymonsrv  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,772
So. Shore MA.
Went to nettle bay twice last April. Stayed in Terre Basse. Easy and great attendant. Always tip a buck and they remembered me 2nd trip

Re: Headed back after long absence [Re: BillDauterive] #198795
06/27/2019 10:31 PM
06/27/2019 10:31 PM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 37
lee614 Offline
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lee614  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 37
I always wondered if I was being ripped off at the full service gas station. I usually filled up on the Dutch side to avoid the euro conversion hassle. I think closer to the airport I found self-service pre-pay.

Re: Headed back after long absence [Re: BillDauterive] #198796
06/28/2019 02:12 AM
06/28/2019 02:12 AM
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 518
SW Florida
Jerry_R Offline
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Jerry_R  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 518
SW Florida
Do yourself a favor & double check with your CC company about collision insurance and how it works. Many offer coverage but some are "unique" in how it works. Sometimes the car agency coverage is a better deal for a reasonable price. If I use my card's policy, I pay the entire bill for repairs and I then have to request reimbursement. One of the rental agencies that I use frequently offers coverage that basically allows me to pay the deductible & walk away.


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