TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Driving directions, help

Hi, this is our first post on this forum. we are arriving in sxm on sat,March 28. this is our third visit, but the first time renting a villa and not at a resort. There are 8 of us,all adults, renting two cars. we are wondering what the best route from the airport, at 2 pm, to our villa in orient bay area.Also along this route will we be passing, or close, to any of the La Marche Markets, just to do alittle stocking up. thanks.

From the airport just take the new causeway and take a left after you cross. Barring no accidents or other happenings you should be at Orient in about 20-30 minutes. Not sure about La Marche Market, but you will pass right by Simply and Hope Market just before you get to Orient. Also. Bruno's new Petit Casino is in the village and has a good selection

Maybe a little better directions (no offense to the previous poster) but turn right out of the airport onto airport road. At the end of the runway is a round-a-bout, if you turn right and go through two curves Gourmet Marche is on your left. Easy to see.

When leaving Gourmet Marche turn right and backtrack to the round-a-bout and turn right going over the causeway bridge. Take the left marked "To Marigot" at the round-a-bout just after the bridge and continue on that road straight through Marigot, do not turn anywhere (it will seem like a long way if it is your first time but isn't really). A few kilometers past Marigot after passing thru La Savane, Grand Case and the turn for Cul de Sac, Orient Bay will be on your left at a valley between two hills with stone walls that say "Parc de Orientale" or something similar.

Should take about 30 minutes, but first trip before moving to the island 16 years ago took me over two hours (yes I was lost a lot!) LOL You will do just fine.

Thank you all for your help, doesn't sound too hard, I hope

Actually even easier. Take the causeway from the end of the runway closest to Simpson Bay that crosses over to Cole Bay. At the Cole Bay end of the causeway turn right, and just a very short way after that turn you'll find one of the two large Grande Marches. That's the place to stock up. Just make sure one person stays with the car while someone else shops. When you exit the Grand Marche, turn left and follow that road to Marigot, on to Grand Case and then into Orient.

Google Maps view of Causeway

The big white building just south of the causeway terminus is the Grande Marche I'm talking about. And north on The Rue de Hollande, is the way to Marigot.

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I too agree with the directions that mscottc gave to you. Easy to fine the super market and then back again, going past the round-a-bout toward Marigot. When you enter Marigot stay to the right and this will take you past Marigot toward Grand Case and Orient. We too stay in Orient area an can make the trip from the villa to the airport in about 20 minutes. Busiest part of the trip is passing Marigot.