Posted By: PMagistro
Trip Report during travel of new regs - 02/01/2021 01:38 PM
My wife & I just returned from SXM. We left on Tues 1/26 and returned yesterday.
We were so close to cancelling the trip at the last minute as we were concerned about traveling with the COVID restrictions.
To anyone that has the same concerns, my advise is just go. It really isn't a big deal.
I would tell you that we almost didn't make the flight. When I completed the online EHAS Form, my fingers got a little fat and I mis-typed my wife's passport number (it was off by one digit). The United rep wouldn't let me on the flight as a consequence. I asked for speak to a supervisor, and they said Sint Maarten had strict rules and there was nothing they could do. As a last resort, I emailed the contact email on the EHAS and they emailed me back quickly saying it was fine to come. This email response ultimately appeased the United folks to let us on the flight.
We stayed at Adam et Eve in Orient. The bad thing was we were the only people in the hotel and Caroline explained she only has one room booked the entire month of February. There were very few people at the beach. However, surprisingly the Square was packed every night, mainly with locals. In fact, never have I seen it this busy!
We got our COVID test at St Marteen Laboratory which wasn't deal. I do have a little advise though IF you and going to use this facility: (1) make sure to make a reservation and don't just show up; (2) they have several locations but make sure you go to the one across the street from the hospital on Hamster Drive; and try and avoid making an early reservation as although you may have an early reservation it's really a first come first serve deal. We had friends that went in the afternoon and the were in and out in 15 min - it took us 2 hours!
We're so glad we went. The locals need the tourists badly and I'm booking another trip now for April.
We were so close to cancelling the trip at the last minute as we were concerned about traveling with the COVID restrictions.
To anyone that has the same concerns, my advise is just go. It really isn't a big deal.
I would tell you that we almost didn't make the flight. When I completed the online EHAS Form, my fingers got a little fat and I mis-typed my wife's passport number (it was off by one digit). The United rep wouldn't let me on the flight as a consequence. I asked for speak to a supervisor, and they said Sint Maarten had strict rules and there was nothing they could do. As a last resort, I emailed the contact email on the EHAS and they emailed me back quickly saying it was fine to come. This email response ultimately appeased the United folks to let us on the flight.
We stayed at Adam et Eve in Orient. The bad thing was we were the only people in the hotel and Caroline explained she only has one room booked the entire month of February. There were very few people at the beach. However, surprisingly the Square was packed every night, mainly with locals. In fact, never have I seen it this busy!
We got our COVID test at St Marteen Laboratory which wasn't deal. I do have a little advise though IF you and going to use this facility: (1) make sure to make a reservation and don't just show up; (2) they have several locations but make sure you go to the one across the street from the hospital on Hamster Drive; and try and avoid making an early reservation as although you may have an early reservation it's really a first come first serve deal. We had friends that went in the afternoon and the were in and out in 15 min - it took us 2 hours!
We're so glad we went. The locals need the tourists badly and I'm booking another trip now for April.