TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Day to Day Costs

Hi everyone:

So I'm planning my first trip to SXM, and I'm doing it as cost effectively as possible. I'll have a kitchenette, so I'll try to do basic cooking there (breakfast, perhaps lunch).

Things are more expensive on islands, but how do things compare with the US? How much is a loaf of bread or a liter of milk as a reference point? Are basic provisions easy enough to come by from local stores?

Price of bread and milk are regulated on the Dutch side by the government as I understand.

https://www.facebook.com/LGMSXM/

An ad, you can literally survive on like $10 a day if you eat a baguette and some cold cuts I guess.

There is a delivery service--Shop and Drop--that has prices listed for various grocery items. I seem to remember them being a somewhat higher than the stores, but that's because it's a delivery service. It should give you an idea of what various items run, and you just may want to avail yourself to the service.

ETA they have a web site that I'm too lazy to look for. right now.

Yes. Average about 20% up charge for the service.

As far as a loaf of bread, if you're talking HOLSUM bread, figure around $3 a loaf. You can get locally baked bread, substantially cheaper. However, they don't have any preservatives. So, for ME, I just buy US bread, as otherwise, the bread molds before your week or 10 days is up. Not worth it, to me.

As far as basic provisions, in general, grocery stores like Super U and Carrefour stack up well beside any grocery store in the US, or in many cases, better than your state-side store. You should not have any problem buying anything you need at the grocery store.

So I can figure that things will cost *roughly* what they cost in the US, for the most part.
Just what I needed, Carol. Thank you!

Wahnfried--not exactly the same, but not enough for a week or 10 days, that it will make that much difference in your budget.

I think the french baguettes are much better tasting than "white bread" . I buy 3 or 4 loaves at a time, cut them in thirds and freeze them in gallon storage bags. Then about 20 -30 seconds in microwave restores bread to fresh condition.

Yes, the supermarkets have average prices similar to the US. Just watch it because some items are much more expensive and some much less.

I assume you will be going out for lunch and dinner quite often as well. Where we spend most money is on dinners and drinks. The prices at bars and restaurants are all over the place just like in the US. Happy hours on food and drinks seem to be mostly on the Dutch side and it does help the expenses if you can catch them.

Some places with decent food and prices or happy hours to the best of my knowledge:

Sublime HH
Bamboo House HH
Sint Maarten Yacht Club
Dingy Dock Bar HH
Dingy Beach Bar HH
Greenhouse (Simpson Bay & Philipsburg) HH
Hubble the Pub
Rembrandt's Marie Estates
Driftwood
Perch Orient Beach HH
Buchaneer's Beach Bar

Any others or corrections ?

Hi! Last time we were here, we stayed at the marina in a condo at Porto Cupecoy, which I found to be very convenient, being able to walk to the restaurants and Carrefour supermarket. One of the small gems there was a restaurant called Altro, along with their regular menu, have a three course fixed price option with good choices. IIRC, between $32 and $40 depending on what was on offer. The plaza there is very nice place to sit with a drink or coffee and watch the boats bob around and the people come and go.

Altro

https://maps.app.goo.gl/nFmuEY42Ww9ZPZ8YA

Also there in that plaza is Mama (Pizza and Italian food) reasonably priced and take out

https://maps.app.goo.gl/9tgsL2MHmytD6Uhn9