As promised here is our information on what it took to get here. If you are coming soon (We arrived on December 3rd) this is probably going to help you.
We used our state FREE PCR testing and scheduled our appointment 122 hours ahead of departure because it was the time we could get. We were traveling on 12/2 with an overnight layover in Miami with a MIA to SXM departure on 12/3. We received our negative results the morning of 12/2 and there were not the original lab form required by SXM so the were useless. Fortunately we had already put plan be in motion and paid for an antigen rapid test on 12/1 and had been working to upload our results. I was rejected 4 times and my wife 5 times. On my fourth time I was approved but with my wife still denied I was panicked. If you find yourself in a similar situation call: 721-542-3003 and ask for Nikisha. One call and 3 minutes later we had approval for her also.
Traveling:
1. If you are traveling out of Miami: Allow 3.5 hours at least to get boarding passes and through security. ALL international flights have to go through an additional prescreening in terminal D. Fortunately, our Lyft driver dropped us off at the D instead of E or we would have had to back track. You CANNOT use the self serve kiosks or check in on-line. This takes a long time. Fortunately, as our flight approached they called us by destination and we were able to get through a little quicker. 2. We departed out of Terminal E in Miami and their were NO food outlets open after security, so do not travel hungry. This is why I suggest getting there 3.5 hour early. Get through security in Gate D, find something to eat and then make your way to E if neccessary. 3. In SXM, everyone is in the same line until you get to medical screening. They initially didn't want to take our antigen test. It appears that the word hasn't spread that these are acceptable but a supervisor told her to let us go. (you have to show your results at both the screening and at customs). 4. Good news: if you checked bags (we didn't) they were coming off the belt faster then we got through customs. I have never seen that happen.
Once we are here: ALL IS GREAT!! We are camped at an AirBnB in Orient Bay for the next 12 days and plan to be on the beach. There is a lot of seaweed coming in and less of the beach bars currently cleaning it up. But considering that up until now there hasn't been very many people to clean it up for I am not surprised by that. There has been a lot of work along Orient and there are many choices for restaurants and chair rental just like normal, but with fewer people. Of course the most crowded portion is down at Club O. If you are coming in I will be there! Most likely you can find me with a Bright Yellow hat.
Thank you to all who have posted over the last month with their trip reports. It encouraged us to keep trying. The Islanders are VERY appreciative. If you are coming and this helped you get here, I like rumrunners and beer as a thank you!!!!
If you’re looking for a alternative to Club O for a slight change of scenery, you might want to try Orange Fever. It’s just a couple of blocks down from Club O and Jerome rakes the seaweed every morning. Half the chairs have cushions and half don’t but they’re free if you eat lunch. They’re also the only place we found on Orient Bay that is offering $1= 1Euro if you pay cash. Great food, friendly service and popular with locals for lunch!
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