Travel around SXM after hurricane

I’m going to be in SXM for a day on a cruise. I would like to spend the day at Orient Beach, and at Grand Case. What is the best way to do this? Is there enough “traffic” going on, yet, to rely on cabs for each of the pieces of our trip (Phillipsburg to Orient Beach. Orient Beach to Grand Case. Grand Case to Orient Beach. Orient Beach back to Phillipsburg).

What do people recommend? And if cabs aren’t really running, yet, can I hire a driver for the day? And if so, does anyone know some good ones? And approximately what would that cost?

Thank you very much!

Jared

If there is a ship or multiple ships in port, there will be taxis running. If you have a group of several people, I would try to negotiate a deal with the same driver for your entire day. I know WIlfred Brooks is highly recommended so you might try him. WILFRED BROOKS. His van sustained damage but perhaps he is back up and running. Cost is negotiable and will vary depending on the number of people in your group.

You can also try to negotiate your deal with the driver in line or the dispatcher. Make it clear what you want, agree on a price and make it clear that payment and tip will be made upon completion of your tour.

Good luck.

Back in the day , Orient was must visit ...Today not so much . Unless you are a diehard nudist ...there are better beaches to visit .

Actually, Orient Beach is absolutely beautiful and big, quiet and unspoiled. Best I've ever seen it.

Not much open in Grand Case. Horrible reviews of Rainbow, about the only place on the beach there

Hi Jared,
We were in St. Maarten last week and drove around the island ourselves. We met a lot of cruisers during our week in St. Maarten that rented cars and did it themselves as well. As the other posters said, Orient and Grand Case are pretty damaged with not a lot of services. Could I suggest you try Mullet Beach (it was stunning and Rosie'sRibs is back up and running) with a trip through Maho and then Simpson Bay - maybe KimSha beach? We found those beaches to have lots of services, restaurants ,washrooms etc. (There's even a porta potty on Mullet) If you must go to Orient and Grand Case here is what you will find.

Orient Beach - head down towards Club O. Chez Leandra is operating out of an old container. The bathrooms are located within another container closer to Club O. You have to pay 1 dollar and can't flush. The small boy attendant says he only flushes when "it is full". Quite rustic.

Grand Case - The LoLos are open and some of the restaurants and a few stores. We just drove through and didn't stop.

Have fun on your day trip!

Sounds like Orient ‘back in the day.....’ and the Orient we loved into the late 80s and very early 90s - the days of sand and seagrape. Maybe it’s time to return before it redevelops back into the busy oasis it’s become over the past 20 to 25 years.

I do not know about taxis. We had a cruise ship stop in St Martin in January and rented a car. We drove around the island in a clock wise direction to check out the damages. Things were hopping at Maho Beach, but we just drove by. Also, there was only the North gate open to Orient Beach, and even then you could not get through to the Club Orient section. We had to drive back out and use the main road to Club Orient. Going for a week on Sunday, so I will have a better idea. I am sure Orient Beach will look a lot different in a year. It was easy to get around, but many of the directional signs were down, so we had to go by memory. When I stopped to fill up the gas tank, I had to get directions to the cruise ship dock from the attendant.

The south gate to Orient has been closed for years, open only to residents with the clicker. At this time, the only way to Club O thru Le String section of the beach is still along the Le Galion Road past the stinky salt pond as the gate next to Kon Tiki remains closed.

Like someone mentioned earlier there should be plenty of taxi's around when the cruise ships are in port. Just hang a right after leaving the port area and you'll see the area frequented by the taxi drivers. Last time my wife I did this I believe it was $25 USD one way to Orient Bay. But, as noted if you get another couple to ride along with you the rate will be reduced. The trick will be getting to Grand Case from Orient Bay. It's too far to walk, so I would suggest carrying with you the phone numbers of two or three local taxi services when you want to leave the Orient Bay area. Once in Grand Case, if you decide to have dinner there, the restaurant can usually arrange for a taxi for you to return to the dock. This is a lot to do on just a cruise ship stop so it will be necessary to manage your time carefully. But, my best estimate for these three taxi rides would be roughly around $75. Hope this helps.

I know of a very reliable driver that we have used many times each trip. Like most tourist based small businesses, he has suffered greatly. I just received the news that he finally got his van back on Saturday. He can accommodate 1 to 11 passengers with luggage. Very prompt, courteous and knowledgeable. He is from Marigot but will service the entire island. I would gladly pass along his contact information to anyone interested. I won’t post it here out of respect for paying advertisers.