St Martin Shopping Guide
Two Cultural Regions; Two Great St Martin/St Maarten Shopping Experiences
| | | | Find great bargains on luxury items while shopping in St Martin/St Maarten. |
There are two distinct shopping regions on the island which are Marigot on the French Side (St Martin) and Philipsburg on the Dutch side (St Maarten). Where as the cultures of the French and Dutch are different, so are the shopping experiences in these two areas of the island.
Shopping in St. Martin (The French Side)
The Capital is the charming city of Marigot and this is where most of the great shopping in St Martin can be found. Many of Marigot's shopping opportunities are concentrated around the city's two marinas; Marina Royale and Marina Fort-Louis. In Marina Royale you will find a shopping center of the same name and in Marina Fort-Louis you will enjoy shopping at the beautiful Le West Indies Mall. Both Malls feature popular designer goods sold at great prices. On Wednesdays and Saturdays the open air markets are set up on the wharves of Blvd. de France selling everything from homegrown produce to freshly caught fish. Shopping in Marigot is almost like shopping in the French Riviera.
Shopping in St Maarten (The Dutch Side)
Philipsburg may only be four streets deep and one mile long, but it contains everything that anyone could possibly need or want while vacationing in St Martin especially when it comes to jewelry. Front Street and Back Street are where most of the St Maarten shopping is concentrated and you will see shop after shop selling luxury items at a cost you are likely not to see anywhere else. The shops on the Dutch side tend to stay open a little later than the French side due to the traffic that comes from the casinos' late night hours and the cruise ships that port here.
Enjoy Tax Free/Duty Free St Martin/St Maarten Shopping
Thanks to the island's exemption from import and export taxes St. Martin and Sint Maarten have become known as a "shoppers' paradise". Both sides of the island provide for great shopping opportunities where luxury items cost up to 50 percent less than in other countries, it's no wonder shoppers and cruise ships from around the world travel here to buy jewelry, electronics, perfume, crystal, and other expensive goods.
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Gingerbread & Mahogani Galerie • Marigot
Marina Port La Royale 590-87-73-21
Although high-quality arts and crafts aren't as easy to find on the island as some would hope, this terrific gallery is an exception. Specializing in Haitian art, it offers large- and small-scale pieces in a wide range of prices. From impressive paintings to souvenir-style items, the gallery carries something for everyone. Look for it at the marina.
Lipstick • Marigot
rue de la République 590-87-53-92
With a name like "Lipstick," you can be certain that this shop specializes in cosmetics. In fact, they sell some of the world's best-known designer brands of toiletries and also carry a host of intoxicating French perfumes. Best of all, since the island's duty-free, everything is an amazing bargain. Make sure to stock up on your favorite scents. Another location can be found on Front Street in Philipsburg.
Lancel boutique • Marigot
Located in the Le West Indies Mall
Sells a variety of designer luggage and handbags, briefcases and more.
Little Switzerland • Marigot
rue de la République 590-590-87-50-03
This is a chain store were the focus is more on French products with designer French perfumes leading the way, in addition to leather goods, gifts and souvenirs.
Manek's • Marigot
rue de la République 590-87-54-91
The delights of duty-free shopping abound at this two-level store, which seems to stock just about anything you might choose for a souvenir. Liquor, cigars, jewelry, electronic goods, perfume, luggage, and even tee-shirts can be had. The one-stop-shopping venue also helps you maximize your time by letting you browse through a single store. There's never enough beach time, after all.
Marigot Marketplace • Marigot
Located on the waterfront near Le West Indies
Don't leave the city without visiting this outdoor Marketplace because it is a great place for purchasing tie-dyed clothing, souvenirs, exotic island seasonings and more.
Vanity First • Marigot
Located in the Le West Indies Mall
Stop and purchase a bottle of Eau de St Martin perfume. With its soft and fresh notes of Guavaberry, this fresh and invigorating fragrance exemplifies the spirit of the island and is designed for both men and women.
Vinissimo • Marigot
Located at the corner of Rue President Kennedy and Rue Low Tow
Offers one of the island's largest selections of wines and Champagnes and voted the island's best wine shop by the readers of the Daily Herald. Vinissimo stocks more than 400,000 bottles and offers delivery to villas, hotels, and yachts. There's a sommelier on duty and free wine tastings on Thursday afternoons.
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Endless Summer Swimwear • Simpson Bay
27 Front Street 599 545 2618
Located in the designer shopping district of Philipsburg, Endless Summer offers swimwear and resort-wear for the entire family. The shop boasts a very classy, affordable collection of swimwear with designs from Germany, Italy, Isreal, and France, as well as the US and Canada, by renowned designers La Perla, Roidal, Sunflair, Viva, Gideon Oberson, Tara Guinna, and more.
Guavaberry Company • Philipsburg
8-10 Front St 599-542-2965
For authentic island flavor, look no further than this shop, which sells St. Maarten's national liqueur. Crafted of cane sugar, oak-aged rum, and the elusive guavaberries that grow in the island's central hills, this signature spirit boasts an addictive flavor that visitors come to love. Previously made only in individual homes, the liqueur is now produced in larger quantities for the growing market. Several formulations are available, along with hot sauces, clothing, and colognes.
Jewels by Love • Philipsburg
3 Frontstreet 599-542-6806
Fourth generation family-owned business. Exquisite jewels and rare timepieces. Exclusive Agent for the world's finest timepieces viz. Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, A. Lange & Sohne, I.W.C. Schaffhausen, Ulysse Nardin, Ebel, Oris, Hublot. Largest inventory of GIA Certified Diamonds of all shapes and sizes from the everyday to the incomparable. Exquisite Hand-crafted jewelry designed in-house.
Lucky Too Gift Shop • Philipsburg
Next to Courthouse Town Pier 599-542-3866
The Lucky Too Gift Shop next to the historic courthouse in Philipsburg offers a great variety of liquors - Johnnie Walker, Baileys, Tanqueray, Crown Royal and Smirnoff - as well as cigars (including the world-famous Habanos), T-shirts and souvenirs.
Planet Paradise • Philipsburg
19A Front Street 559-542 4009
For lovers of vibrant art and Star Wars, Planet Paradise is a must see. Described by many as the most unique store in the Caribbean, you'll browse superb artwork by "that Yoda Guy", Nick Maley, a key contributor to the creation of Yoda for the classic trilogy. Here you'll find terrific deals and be able to examine rare movie memorabilia.
Plantation Furniture & Antiques • Cole Bay
Orange Grove Shopping Center #19 599-544-4597
Plantation Furniture has a wide selection of Asian Antique as modern furniture and accessories. Small handcrafted items are displayed throughout the store.
Rima Beach World • Philipsburg
95 W.J. Nisbeth Road 599-542-1425
Fourth generation family-owned business. Exquisite jewels and rare timepieces. Exclusive Agent for the world's finest timepieces viz. Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, A. Lange & Sohne, I.W.C. Schaffhausen, Ulysse Nardin, Ebel, Oris, Hublot. Largest inventory of GIA Certified Diamonds of all shapes and sizes from the everyday to the incomparable. Exquisite Hand-crafted jewelry designed in-house.
Shipwreck Shop • Philipsburg
42 Front St 599-542-2962
Were a ship to wreck, this treasure trove of gifts is just what you could expect to salvage. Goods are characteristically Caribbean and include guavaberry liqueur, local spices and seasonings, and crafts of all sorts. Other great discoveries include artwork, clothing, jewelry, books, an array of delightful domestic goods, and reminders of your time in the Caribbean. An ideal stop for souvenir-seekers.
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