SXM Taxi and Currency

Hello, it’s been 10 years since our last visit and I cannot remember how we handled currency there. We are traveling from the US and I think USD’s are pretty well accepted but what about the taxis? We will be taking a taxi from the airport to GCBC in Grand Case. How much should that cost and will they accept USD’s? Are Bank ATM’s readily available in Grand Case? That’s how we have gotten Euros in Europe.

Thanks,
John

You don't need Euros, EVER. Dollars are fine everywhere, including for taxis. As far as the cost for the taxi to GCBC, depending on time of day, I would guess around $30-$35, plus bags, unless it's late in the evening. Confirm the cost with the driver before you get in the car. Don't know about ATMs. Never used them in SXM.

There will be a line of taxis and there should be a dispatcher as well. Ask the price but as Carol suggested, confirm it with the driver prior to departure.

Thanks Carol! There’s a separate bag charge?

go to taxistmaarten.com/zones-rates

Thanks JD! Thanks Ron!

Usually the bag charge is $1 per bag. Just confirm the price before you get in the cab and you're good to go!

Apparently they are working on the rate page for the website - no info on line today.

There used to be an ATM in Hope Estate, but we didn't use it last year, so I can't confirm it being there still. Does anyone know?

Carol...meant to bring this up before. You state "don't need Euros ever" Perhaps you were just referring to Taxis? However, wanted to ask this question, perhaps stupid, I don't know so here goes. I very rarely use credit cards and just spend cash in dollars. However, most of the restaurants I visit are usually based on the french side as have my favs and all of them charge in Euros and then convert to dollars. (never managed to get 1 for 1.) Some are fairer than others. So today's rate is around 1.12 and lets say that they mark it up to 1.20. I sometimes have wondered if its invoiced in Euros, why not pay in Euro's or by the time I have been charged the exchange rate mark up, would I technically be no better of? I do recall buying a top for my wife last year in Euros that they marked up to 1.25 when the rate was about 1.14. So I was interested to hear your comment of never needing Euros and appreciate yours and others comments, keeping in mind I am just not a CC guy.

Bran, I’m from a similar position, I like paying in cash. I always have cash € and $ with me, and a zero-foreign exchange rate card in my wallet. I do the math, and pay in the manner month advantageous to me. Sometimes, it’s not why I expect.

Sometimes that’s cash €, which at a 1.12 exchange rate, and a 3% surcharge would cost me $1.15 out of an island ATM. NEVER buy € in an airport.
Sometimes that’s cash $, when there’s a 1:1 , or if the restaurant’s exchange rate favors $.
Sometimes I just pay with no-fee plastic.

Keep in mind that businesses, other than currency exchanges, aren’t in the currency exchange business. If they accept $ then they are actually doing you a favor, so the current market exchange rate shouldn’t be expected.

Example: Current rate 1.12. Restaurant rate 1.20. ATM/Credit card 3% fee. ATM/Credit card 0% fee. €100 restaurant check (Easy number to work with.)

€ $115 € from € in your pocket from an ATM
$ $120 $ from the $ in your pocket
$ $112 $ on your credit card with a 0% international fee
$ $115 $ on your credit card with a 3% international fee

For some, the small difference doesn’t matter. For others, budgets are tight, and every $ matters,

PS - Never trust my math, 😝, double check it yourself.

As I said, you never NEED Euros. Sometimes you pay more, yes. To me, it's not enough more to worry about.

As for ATM's, there is a Credit Mutuel in Hope Estate which is just down from Grand Case. They also have locations in Marigot and in Sint Maaten on Union Road. Their ATMs dispense either Euro or US$ in SXM. They charge no fees, but your bank might charge you a fee. I use them all the time when visiting SXM and in France.

Thx Bahston and Wilsonck....very useful info.

Agree with all above. My general rules for the French side:

1) If the place accepts credit cards, and doesn't do 1:1 cash, use the card and charge to the local currency (euros) to get the best exchange rate.

2) If the place does 1:1 pay cash, use dollars (Beach chairs at Orient, and Super U sometimes offers this!).

3) If the place is cash only without 1:1 exchange, pay in euros to get best deal, but I don't sweat it if I only have dollars since I don't mind paying a bit more for convenience; Friar's Bay Beach Cafe is about the only place I can think of where this might come up among the places I frequent.

Of course I use cards without foreign transaction fees. And I keep euros from trip to trip so I don't worry as much about the ATM fees.
Our group typically takes turns paying with credit cards when rule #1 applies (most restaurants) so most of our dollars end up circulating between us during the week, which keeps things pretty balanced for us between using cards and cash.

Having Credit Mutuel back online in Hope Estate with the choice of dollars or euros makes life a lot easier now, the post office on the other side of Grand Case only does Euros.

Same here. That is the way we do it too.

sounds good.......will try it all. debit, credit, cash.....going to look up Credit Mutuel in Marigot and see where they are, if no info...roughly where in Marigot please?

just found it.....Saint Martin

Marigot
5 Rue de la République

Phone: 0590 295-490
Fax: 0590 294-682

Marigot is the main town of French St Martin.