I just wanted to hear some feedback from people that have been on the island for Christmas. My 55th birthday is just before Christmas and was thinking about spending 10 days in SXM to soften the blow. 😂. I’m looking at December 18 to 28.
I’m still crabby over not having my 50th in SXM due to Covid. We usually go in January and wondered if people think going in January is better and maybe less busy.
I've done both...spending the last four christmas' in sxm french and dutch side, and tobago too during covid.
Ive also been for the month of jan over the last decade.
Dec is a mashup of events and traffic and large crowds with a great festive spirit. I also paid extra for most everything.
January is much quieter, simpler experience. Kids are back in school and a refined crowd reappears. There's a lull between the first week of jan and say the 3rd week where the crowds and villa selection may be relevant. Service is more relaxed and the days carefree.
I support ur big bday xmas event...as i did the same every five years for my birthdays.. why not try something different?
As others have stated it’s quite busy but it’s amazingly festive. The supermarkets bring in more higher end items to purchase such as oysters and foie gras. A lot more families especially French families on the French side. Restaurants will have specials with more expensive options as well.
This photo if from Aloha Beach Bar on Christmas Day last year.
The restaurant prices generally go up for Christmas dinners and New Years Eve dinners and lodging prices are at their highest for the week of Christmas and New Years Eve week. Then you are into high season in January. We were there last Christmas and New Years and many restaurants use their regular menu prices other than those 2 special nights. This year we will be on island after Boxing day and will enjoy the fireworks on New Years Eve. It's a good time of the year to be on island, just don't plan on buying a Christmas Tree during your visit because they are way to expensive.
Is it just the restaurant prices that go up in general? Is it just Christmas Day or the whole time around the holidays?
Normally they have minimum number of nights required for rentals during XMas/NYE and the prices are 3-4x more. Restaurants will still have their year round a la carte menus for the most part. It is just they have specials that are higher price points and maybe some will opt for having a special pre-fixe menu. Reservations are a must as well. The island will be at capacity during this time frame along with tons of cruise ships arriving.
Have been going down for the last few years in Dec. and usually leave by the 25th or 26th. This year we arrive on the 11th and return on the 25th. Any where you go that falls between Xmas and NY is expensive. The rates for most places start to go up around the 18th and after that as stated most have a minimum 3 or 4 day requirement. This year we will spend the 1st 4 days at Karibuni then 5 days at L'Esplanade and the last 5 at Bleu Emeraude. We spent our 1st xmas on the French side last year and found it to be easier to navigate and less traffic since we enjoy eating in Grand case and Orient and I do make reservations. Love watching the Xmas boat parade/show along with Xmas parade in Grand Case cant remember the exact dates but they were around the 22nd or 23rd. We were able to watch both without having to drive which is now why I personally prefer the French side over the Dutch. I think the traffic now is terrible no matter when you go from all the reports on here. I would still stay in Cupecoy as it is close to nice restaurants and easier to park but driving from there to Grand case is a nightmare even going to back way thru Carols favorite place Sandy Ground. I still work and Dec. is when I usually am not busy so it is the main reason why we go then instead of Jan. if you are retired like most posters on here and can go when you like you definitely have more options and when to travel.
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