TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Route to Orient

I'm having problems getting things to post so hopefully this won't post 5 times! What is the quickest route to Orient from Royal Palm?? Thanks!

We found it bes to drive over the bridge back around by the airport and out over Terres Basses through Marigot and just keep following the main road. Relatively flat this way. Going the other way through Phillipsburg involves traffic and large steep hills to go up. Have not been there since the new causeway was put in by the airport roundabout but that may make it even quicker going that way instead of out the Terres Basses route.

The causeway would definitely be faster than through Terres Basses. Then take the Galisbay route around the outside of Marigot.

The other way is over the hill through the outskirts of Philipsburg, and is probably about the same timewise as going through Marigot. The hills really aren't a problem, and the traffic going that way isn't any worse than through Marigot, at least in the morning, when I presume one would be heading to Orient.

This map shows both routes. According to Google Maps, the causeway route is five minutes faster.

It's hard to tell here, but I think the causeway route has you going through the center of Marigot. I would take the outside route through Galisbay. The traffic is usually lighter, and the view is definitely better.

THANK YOU!

I went causeway, Rue de Hollande at 8:30 a.m. and it was a piece of cake. Did it for seven days in a row. However, from the Royal Palm I think the route via Dutch Quarter would be a little quicker.

We've done it both ways, as I'm sure others have. From RP area, we prefer the route through Dutch Quarter because we don't like the traffic that normally presents itself by Marigot. The hills are not a problem. If you do go the causeway route, I also would recommend driving the outside Galisway route.

GaKaye.

OK after 20 plus years going to the island you have me stumped on this one? I have never heard of Galisbay, never mind to go to it.....can u give me a hint?? What do you bypass going this way?? inquiring minds would love to know. thanks

Going into Marigot you will see Home Tool Store on right, take the main road until u come to crossroad in the middle of town take a left BDF Bank go to waterfront, continue to curve to right by water front pass the Mall on right. Continue down the road back side of Marigot waterside, Will come to another roundabout to left on main road towards Grand Case pass Airport then a. Roundabout see car wash on left to right of road towards .....Orient Beach entrance on Left side of road...." Go before 9:30 am Hope that helps

Ed,

Not GaKaye, but I believe Galisbay is the area in Marigot just beyond the new waterfront marina that many will refer to as 'the water route' through Marigot when heading towards the Cripple Gate/La Savane area. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Yes, as Pat explained, Galisbay is the waterfront route through Marigot. A bit longer distance, but less traffic and much more scenic.

This might help to visualize it:

Thank you! I tried to write a description of how to do it, but couldn't figure it out exactly. My husband drives, I just look at the view.

To the op, those arrows show the route coming from Grand Case; if you're going to Orient, it would be reversed.

Thanks. I just learned something new as well.

Oops - guess I read the original question wrong! Yes - the arrows show the route from Orient. I'm not sure if it would be as simple as reversing the arrows when going north because of all the one-way streets in Marigot. I usually just stay on the main strip (Rue de Hollande) when going north, and it seems to move OK, albeit slowly.

One side benefit of the southbound Galisbay route is that it takes you by Jeffrey's Fantastic Guest House and Auto Parts Store <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

Should we take the same route if we are driving through that area just after five on Saturday Feb. 14th? I wasn't sure what might be going on for Carnival at that time, and where the festivities take place. Thanks!

Galisbay is the area that is marked Marigot on the map above. Again I say that I used Rue de Hollande for seven straight days going north in the morning and south in the afternoon and zipped right through. By the way the last time I took the Galisbay route I along with everyone else traveling that way was stopped by the garndarmes and had to blow.

We have often noticed the gendarmes there later in the afternoon, but have never had to stop.

ed, you are bypassing the main road and typically more traffic, while getting the benefits of a scenic route.