TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Grand Case Safe?

We've seen a few posts indicating that GC was safe for dinner and parking on side streets was okay (except for parking on GC Blvd. due to being sideswiped). Does anybody have anything to add? We've not had dinner in Grand Case in a few years and are strongly thinking of going to our favorite restaurant; named Bistro Caribe!!

There is a free lot same side of street as Bistro Caribes. It's near the bridge after airport. Unless you're thinking of being on the Blvd on Tuesdays when the Blvd will be closed to traffic for Mardi Gras Parade, music , vendors. Then I heard that people park on the road near airport.

RonDon--I have heard that free lot is not very safe. Many of the larger restaurants will comp you if you park at the lot that costs $5 or so. We always park there in the pay lot.

A few years back we where hanging out with some local French friends in a bar in Grand Case. As the hour was late and the place we were in started to close it was around 11pm. A suggestion was made to go to Camus Café. I happened to walk out first with a local woman and she noticed that the street was deserted turned to me and said lets go back in and wait for the others so we can walk down the street together. It struck me as good common sense for all. that being said feeling safe is a personal thing what makes me feel unsafe is very different from what is other peoples comfort zone. We have had friends we have brought to Grand Case who were nervous because local young people were playing basketball on the court by the free lot. There is nothing I can do about that but i guess my advice if you are concerned about safety don't be out late and or travel in a group

John--I had heard reports of locals breaking in to cars in the free lot. I do agree that 'safety' is also somewhat related to the time of day. We are old farts, and I wouldn't personally feel safe walking the streets of Grand Case (or a lot of other places on island) at 11 PM. On the subject of safety in general, I personally very rarely carry a purse on island. Not so much recently, but in the past, there have been a lot of reports of purse snatching by lowlifes on scooters.

Last time I was there (2023) there were gendarmes armed with machine guns patrolling the main street of Grand Case. Never used to be that way.

Sign of the times.

I have never felt unsafe in that free lot. It's well lit. But then again, we are usually done with dinner by 7:30 and on our way home!

Carol, We parked in the $5 lot a few times in January & no one was ever there to collect.

jeepers--huh, that's weird. I actually don't mind the $5, as at least that means someone is there in the lot to watch it.

Yeah I parked just north of the 'bridge' in the free lot near the sports field area. I had some guy try to charge me to park there once. I laughed him off and kept walking.
I tend not to carry a wallet. I typically carry a theft packet. My rear pocket is ready for theft. they'll get an non-function credit card and 4 bucks. i just hope they don't want my cellphone.
with that said. I never had a problem but I never stay there too late. I never liked the drive back past the airport on the road that is above the airport. plus the turn into the neighborhood one way road (rue des Ecoles) to grand case doesn't give me the warm and fuzy feeling.
Super U has some good prices with 1 to 1 dollar purchase. Pick up the jam to take home.
Chen Enzo has good pizza if you are interest (and google has the pin point on the wrong side of the road)

Yes Carol that's the lot we use .

Where is the best lot you speak of?

Is this the same $5 lot from years back? It's been a while since we've been there..
The free one was opposite Calmos??

Can you use both if going to the festivities on Tuesday nights?

RonDon--Sorry "best lot"?? The $5 one? We use the one between the lolos and Bistrot Cariabes. The free one is opposite Calmos. I don't think either one is available on Tuesday nights, not sure.

I've used the lot near the bridge, across from Le Pressoir but I don't know where the other lot is. Would that be further down GC Blvd near where L"Estimenet restaurant used to be?

The $5 lot is just past Blue Martini. The one further down is just a bit past the Catholic church, near where L'Estaminet used to be.

on Tuesday night when main road is closed you can only access the $5 lot from the Rue des Ecoles the middle road. we have parked behind the Catholic Church but some may not like because its not very well lit