Our group of 4 couples will visit St Martin in early November (low season) and want to feel safe going to dinner in the evenings and to beaches during the days. In the past we enjoyed dinner at the Marina in Marigot. We also liked the less crowded beaches like Friar's Bay. Question? What are the current recommendations of where not to go to avoid trouble?

Night time is the only issue and almost all dining options are not in high risk areas. Don't end up in Dutch Quarter or Middle Region as a tourist at night. Marigot at night, park close and enjoy without wearing excessive valuables. Simpson Bay, Grand Case, Maho, etc. are all fine at night.

I agree that I have never personally heard of any problems during the day but I will be surprised if someone doesn't correct me. I should not really comment on the Dutch side as I don't stay there often but my sense is that it generally safer largely because it is more "urban" especially in the areas around the airport. The French side is much more "rural" and generally more "spooky" at night. I don't personally agree that Grand Case is safe. If it was the restaurant owners would not have to band together and hire private security...just saying. We find Orient Village is a nice compromise on the French side with many options in a compact, well lighted area. My sense is that Oyster pond is somewhat similar. Same for Marigot marina Just MHOs.

Simpson Bay area near the bridge we felt very safe and never uncomfortable walking the beach or streets at night. Lots of people around and lots of establishments.

Congrats on your first post! Be careful in Marigot at night. Avoid flashy jewelry, leave no valuables in your car or trunk, don't leave valuables on the beach -- same advice I'd give at home. We've been visiting SXM since 1978 - it's paradise but not Utopia, a difference to remember. Enjoy your trip!

We will be first time visitors to SXM next month however we have been yearly visitors to the USVI/BVI for the last 30+ years. Crime has always been here and there and the reports are always concerning but knowledge is power and watch your surroundings. I appreciate the honest advice about Marigot and we'll take your warnings seriously! Thanks <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

A friend of ours who lives here said there's been a lot of incidents in Grand Case. Nothing, however in the papers. We've been coming also since 1987 and spend about 4-5 months here. Like other posters said, no flashy jewelry, valuables and don't let your guard down.

There had been a lot of stuff happening in Grand Case, but it appears that the private security and gendarme presence has been very helpful there. Personally I will continue to avoid Marigot at night though.

As a group of 4 couples...you'd be safe wherever you go (safety in numbers). Marigot has some fine restaurants that should not be missed.

A news story to reenforce tgis statement.

SXM??? Wendell

Yes, I heard about the robbery in Marigot, not good. However, we have one of the best dinners in a while at O Plongeoir on the waterfront, in Marigot
last evening.

Well lite, very busy, local French clientele.

The lady who was robbed in Marigot last week was one of a group of 4, so sometimes there is no safety in numbers.

I see this posted frequently, and while I love the island and am not fearful there, I have to disagree with this comment. I often leave things in the trunk of my car here at home, and often clearly visible in the back seat. In fact, I often leave my purse in the car if I'm going into a store with my husband and won't need it. I wear my diamond rings and earrings without fear of being assaulted. On the island, I don't carry a purse, don't wear my good jewelry, and would never consider leaving even a grocery bag in the locked trunk of my rental car. The precautions I take there are definitely not the same as I take at home.

Why in the WORLD would you leave your purse in the car ANYWHERE on earth? That is just asking for trouble. You might get away with it for years, but the first time it goes bad, it is disastrous. That makes no sense to take such a chance, anywhere..

Rural areas tend to be safer than urban ones. Most people around here don't lock their doors, although we do.

While I don't leave my purse in the car while going into stores, I do not take the same precautions here at home either, at least not on an everyday basis. I wear my jewelry when going out for a special occasion, leave 'stuff' in my car all the time, and certainly don't worry when I go into the grocery store to shop. I guess it all depends where one lives, and crime can happen anywhere, of course, but overall we take much stronger precautions in SXM. I think it's a given that one is more cautious when out of their comfort zone while traveling.

Same for me, very rural here and can leave things in car, wear jewelry, carry purse, etc. Never leave anything in car in SXM, no purse, no jewelry, etc.

The caution about wearing jewelry always stands out for me when people say that is the same advice as when at home. We live in NYC and my wife is very comfortable wearing her jewelry wherever and whenever she wants. We have lived here our entire lives and never had any problems. Although there are tourists that are told not to wear their jewelry in NYC or think it's unsafe to do it. I think it comes down to standing out as a tourist aka target and your own level of comfort in your surroundings.

I grew up about 30 minutes outside of NYC and always wore my best jewelry when going into the 'city' for an evening of fun. Never had a problem either. I do think standing out as a tourist has a lot to do with it.

I leave SOME things in the car here. No way would I EVER leave my purse in the car.

In the daytime it is important NOT to leave any valuables in your car, i.e. your passport, jewelry, phone etc in your car or trunk. I've heard of car's being emptied out from places like Loterie Farm to Mullet Bay.

My advice is to 1) never leave anything in the car (visible money, phones, portable speakers, passports 2) if you must leave something in the car, try to do so discreetly and not visible to any potential thieves 3) be careful of what you leave on the beach as well, as even my local friends have had their stuff ransacked while out for a swim

Some people are just very desperate, unfortunately, but the best way to avoid any of this is to be smart and a few steps ahead