What are the best places to shop in St. Maarten?

St. Maarten is a well-known island in the Caribbean for many reasons. St. Maarten has delicious cuisine, stunning terrain, a friendly culture, and amazing shopping. The island of St. Maarten has a vast array of high-end shops with quality products for sale as well as unique and locally made items for sale in the markets on the island. St. Maarten is truly a shopper’s paradise for any type of shopper. However, the best part about shopping in St. Maarten is experiencing duty-free shopping.

Tourists that visit St. Martin can shop without paying added taxes or any other kind of extra costs with their purchases. Tourists can buy a huge variety of local products in St. Martin such as high-quality liqueur, cheese, designer clothes, luxury jewelry, electronics, and more. The best places to shop in St. Maarten are listed below.

  1. Front Street
  2. The Marigot Market
  3. Captain’s Duty-Free Shop
  4. Gingerbread Gallerie
  5. Toppers Restaurant & Rhum Shops
  6. Sint Rose Shopping Mall
  7. Jewels & Linens
  8. Rue Royale Mansion

1. Front Street

Front Street in Philipsburg

Front Street is located in the bustling town of Philipsburg, Sint Maarten. Front street is a very popular shopping plaza that is 1 mile (1.6 km) long in length. Front Street is 1.7 miles (2.8 km) from the Port of St. Maarten, and 6.1 miles (9.8 km) from Princess Juliana International Airport. At Front Street, tourists can buy precious stones and jewelry such as emeralds, platinum, diamonds, gold, and more at over 20 different jewelry stores. Tourists also can find items from internationally known designers such as Gucci, Versace, Cartier, and Chopard.

Front Street also has different shops that offer a wide array of products such as fine china, crystal products, watches, t-shirts, liquor, perfumes, cigars, and more. All of these items can be purchased duty-free. Larger stores accept credit cards, but it is important to note that smaller vendors may require cash. There is an ATM available on Front Street for tourists to use.

2. The Marigot Market

Marigot Market

The Marigot Market is a waterfront market in the town of Marigot. Marigot is the capital of the French side of Saint Martin. The Marigot Market is located 3.5 miles (5.7 km) away from Princess Juliana International Airport and 7.8 miles (12.5 km) from the Port of St. Maarten.

The Marigot Market offers a wide array of products such as souvenirs, crafts, art, local rum, clothes, etc. Locals can also visit the Marigot Market to buy fresh meat, fruit, and vegetables. The Marigot Market is open Sunday through Saturday between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Prices at the Marigot Market can vary depending on the product being purchased. However, the products sold at the Marigot Market are not considered expensive because there is no tax charged on the items.

3. Captain’s Duty-Free Shop

The Captain’s Duty-Free Shop is the principal location for duty-free products in St. Martin. There are many chains of the Captain’s Duty-Free shop that can be found throughout the island of St. Maarten in towns like Philipsburg and Marigot. The Captain’s Duty-Free shop is the largest liquor and beer wholesaler on the island of St. Maarten. Tourists can also purchase items such as tobacco, liquor, sunglasses, souvenirs, and more.

The Captain’s Duty-Free shop offers outstanding products at rates cheaper than can be found in other countries in the world. The products sold here are tax-free. The prices at The Captain’s Duty-Free Shop may vary depending on the item.

4. Gingerbread Galerie

Gingerbread Galerie is a shop that specializes in high-quality arts and crafts. Gingerbread Galerie is located in the town of Marigot in French Saint Martin. Gingerbread Gallerie is located 3.1 miles (5.1 km) away from Princess Juliana International Airport. This gallery has a wide variety of paintings and souvenirs for everyone that depicts the local Caribbean culture. They offer a wide range of products in a variety of sizes and prices.

Gingerbread Galerie opened its doors in Saint Martin back in the early 1970s, and the gallery is still open today. Their website gingerbread-gallery.com shows some of the art pieces that they offer. Shipping is available, as well as payments through PayPal.

5. Topper’s Restaurant & Bar

Topper’s Restaurant & Bar

Topper’s Restaurant & Bar is a local spot known for live music and karaoke on the island of St. Maarten. Topper’s Restaurant & Bar is located in Philipsburg on the Dutch side of the island just 2.3 miles (3.6 km) from Princess Juliana International Airport. Meals at Topper’s Restaurant & Bar can cost between $5 to $21 (€4.75 to €20) per entree. Visitors can buy a bottle of Topper’s Rhum for $8 to $25 (€7.60 to €23.76).

Visitors can also take a tour of the famous Topper’s Rhum Distillery and try some of their award-winning rums. Tourists can learn all about the history of rhum and how it’s made, bottled, and sold. Tourists can buy Topper’s Rhum, gifts, t-shirts, rum-infused sauces, and other items at the gift shop inside the distillery.

6. Sint Rose Shopping Mall

The Sint Rose Shopping Mall, also known as the Sint Rose Arcade, is a shopping mall with luxury outlets, galleries, and fashion boutiques with high brand names such as Cartier, Tommy Hilfiger, Façonnable, Tag Heuer, Swarovski, Lalique, and Beach Avenue.

The Sint Rose Shopping Mall is located on Philipsburg’s Front Street just 7.3 miles (11.7 km) from the Princess Juliana International Airport and 1 mile (1.6 km) from the Port of St. Maarten. Cruise ship tourists often visit The Sint Rose Shopping Mall because of its proximity to the port. The Sint Rose Shopping Mall is open from 7 AM to 8 PM daily.

7. Jewels & Linens

Jewels & Linens, previously known as Jewels & Beyond, is a jewelry store that is located in Maho Beach just 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from Princess Juliana International Airport and 14.2 miles (8.2 km) from the Port of St. Maarten.

Some of the products available at Jewel’s & Linens are jewelry with precious and semi-precious stones, certified loose stones, souvenirs, sunglasses, Cuban cigars, watches, and a selection of local and international alcohol. Jewels & Linens is open from Monday to Sunday from 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM.

8. Rue Royale

Rue Royale is a store in Philipsburg, St. Maarten that offers an amazing shopping experience where tourists can experience the combination of European luxury and the duty-free shopping of St. Martin. Rue Royale has a wonderful selection of high-end European brands such as Baccarat Christofle, Salvatore Ferragamo, Lalique, Paul & Shark, Bentley, and more.

Rue Royale is located 6.5 miles (10.5 km) away from Princess Juliana International Airport, and 1 mile (1.7 km) from Port of St. Maarten. Visitors to Rue Royale can purchase items such as luggage, shoes, handbags, and different Italian leather accessories.

Where are the shops concentrated in St. Martin?

The main concentration of stores in St. Martin is in the town of Phillipsburg. This is the most highly populated area in St. Maarten that is usually bustling with tourists.

In Philipsburg, there are options for shopping such as Shiva’s Gold and Gems, Royal Caribbean Store, Noble’s “Clothing and Souvenirs”, Shipwreck Shop, Desire Fashions, Klass Electronics, and so much more. All of these shops are located on the popular Front Street in Phillipsburg, where the majority of the most popular shops are located.

Is there a shopping district in St. Martin?

Yes, there are two shopping districts in St. Martin. The most popular places to shop in St. Maarten are in the towns of Philipsburg and Marigot. Tourists can find local products in the town of Marigot and more high-end products in the town of Philipsburg. St. Maarten truly provides a shopping experience that offers tourists the best of both worlds.

How to shop in St. Martin?

There are many ways to shop in St. Maarten depending on the type of shopping experience you would like. Tourists looking for high-end brands and items can go to the center of Philipsburg to shop in the stores that have high-end brands such as Baccarat Christofle, Salvatore Ferragamo, Lalique, Paul & Shark, Bentley, and more.

Those in St. Maarten looking for a more local shopping experience can go to the Marigot Market where there are local crafts, art, clothing, and more that have been made by local vendors for sale. Many of the bigger stores accept credit cards, however, many of the local markets only accept cash. ATMs can be found throughout the entire island of St. Maarten.

What currency is used while shopping in St. Martin?

The official currencies used in Saint Martin are the Euro, the Guilder (or Florin), and the American Dollar. The French side of Saint Martin uses the Euro, and the Dutch side uses the Florin (NAF) or Guilder. The economy of St. Martin is primarily a tourism-based economy. Many tourists come from America to St. Maarten, so the American Dollar is also a widely accepted form of currency on both sides of the island.

Why is shopping profitable in St. Maarten?

Shopping is considered profitable in St. Maarten because all stores are duty-free. This means that since there is no additional tax added to items when shopping, this allows tourists to pay only for the product and avoid additional costs.

Is shopping in St. Martin duty-free?

Yes, shopping in St. Martin is Duty-Free. A duty-free shop is a retail outlet where the products are exempt from taxes and duties. This is the case if the products are sold to tourists who will take the goods from St. Maarten to another country.

Are there hotels near the stores in St. Martin?

Yes, there are hotels that are located near the stores in St. Maarten. Many traveling to St. Maarten may wonder where the top-rated hotels are to stay in St. Maarten if they want to be near many of the shopping centers. Many of these hotels are located in towns such as Phillipsburg, Marigot, and Grand Case. Many of these hotels are located near stores such as the Shipwreck Shop, Longchamp, Majesty Jewelers, Kay’s Fine Jewelry, Little Europe, Royal Caribbean Store, Big and Beautiful, Gulmohar’s, Eye2Eye, Max Mara Marigot, Celio, Verso, Royal Glam, Rainbow Boutique by Rose, Busco, Arnell Alain Alphonse, Tijon, Nirvana Distributors, and others. Some of the hotels that are located near stores in St. Martin are listed below.

  1. Holland House Beach Hotel
  2. Horizon View Beach Front Hotel
  3. Sea View beach hotel
  4. Centr’hotel
  5. LTC Boutique-Hôtel
  6. Grand Case Beach Club
  7. Hotel L’Esplanade

Do any of the tours in Sint Maarten include stops at local stores?

Yes, there are some local tours in St. Maarten that include stops at local stores. Some of the top-rated tours in St. Maarten includes stops at local stores so that tourists can enjoy buying souvenirs for their trips. Walking tours give tourists the opportunity to discover the city and to visit some local shops. Some of the tours that tourists can take to visit local stores in St. Martin are listed below.

  1. The Calypso Tour
  2. St. Maarten Shore Excursion: Sights, Shopping & Sand Small Group Tour
  3. St Maarten French and Dutch Sightseeing and Grand Case Beach Tour
  4. St. Maarten Best Island Tour

Which souvenirs can you buy in St. Martin?

There are many souvenirs that are available on the island of St. Maarten for tourists to buy during their vacation. A souvenir can provide something tangible for tourists to have in their homes to remember their amazing trip to St. Maarten. Souvenirs can also provide a thoughtful gift for a friend or family member to let them know you were thinking of them while on vacation. Some of the best souvenirs that a tourist can buy in St. Martin are listed below.

  1. Dutch Porcelain
  2. Rum
  3. Perfume
  4. Cosmetics
  5. Hotsauce
  6. Wine
  7. Guavaberry Liqueur
  8. Jams
  9. Clothing
  10. Jewelry

Are there grocery stores in St. Martin?

Yes, there are many grocery stores located on the island of St. Martin. Many of the grocery stores are located in Philipsburg and Marigot which are the capitals of the French and Dutch sides of the island of St. Maarten. The most popular grocery stores in St. Maarten are listed below.

  1. Super U
  2. Waterfront Grocery
  3. Spring Supermarket
  4. Marina Royale Supermarket
  5. SXM Food Connection
  6. Carrefour Market
  7. Cost Pro
  8. Mr. K Grocery
  9. Cost U Less
  10. Le Grand Marché

Are there online shops in St. Martin?

Yes, there are online shops in St. Martin. Some of the online shops based in St. Maarten are listed below.

  1. SXM Les Halles: An online option for grocery shopping with a delivery service included for vacation villas and resorts. Their website is sxmleshalles.com.
  2. Gingerbread Gallerie: An online art gallery with a variety of paintings, crafts, and souvenirs perfect for travelers who want some memories of the island. Their website is gingerbread-gallery.com.
  3. SXM Posh: An online boutique that offers women’s clothes at an accessible price. Their website is sxmposh.com.