Markets for authentic and artisanal products
The most emblematic of the markets is Marigot's waterfront market. It's colorful and lively, especially when the cruise ships dock in Philipsburg. It's customary to haggle at the market. You'll find multi-fruit arranged rums packaged in painted plastic bottles, which will lighten your suitcases considerably! You'll also find stalls selling spice blends to season dishes such as accras. Among the spices to bring back are colombo and madras. Tropical fruits such as pineapple and local mango. If you're a fan of tropical shirts, flowery pareos and costume jewelry, you'll be delighted. However, you should be aware that textile products rarely come from the island itself! Local handicrafts can be summed up in just a few products. The St. Martin Doll, with its shimmering colors, is an idea for a handcrafted souvenir. Or Nicole's colorful paintings, made from coconut fibers. Otherwise, be alert if you're looking for a purely authentic souvenir. Tuesdays in Grand Case are also an opportunity to discover the island's array of local artisans.
Luxury products
If you want to buy luxury brand jewelry, you'll have to go to Front Street in Philipsburg. The whole street is alive with jewelers. Prices are fairly, if not very, attractive, but you'll need to negotiate and have some time to spare. Gold is rarely 24-carat. Watches from the big Swiss brands are outrageously expensive, but in Saint-Martin they may be cheaper than anywhere else. Philipsburg welcomes up to six cruise liners, representing some 25,000 visitors to the island! The island's dynamic tourist industry has also led to a boom in luxury boutiques. On the French side, all the major brands made in France are represented, minus TVA. Cartier, Hermès, Lancel, Longchamp, Vuitton... It's also customary to shop for cosmetics (perfumes, beauty creams...). But times have changed, as the difference is no longer as great and, frankly, you don't gain much compared with metropolitan France.
Artistic Island
Paintings à la Gauguin, enamored of freedom, guaranteeing escape and memories of the islands, will adorn your interiors in exquisite style! In Saint-Martin, you'll find many art galleries: visual artists, painters and ceramists. Living in the tropics inspires many artists. Painters come in search of the play of light and the varying intensity of the blue sky and sea. The influences are varied: Haitian art naively highlights scenes of popular life, island animals... Landscape paintings are also widely favored. To discover the island in an artistic way, you'll find a list of Art Galleries. The artists are very open-minded and happy to pass on their passion as you visit. You could even take an internship there. It's also possible to find unique pieces such as Cacao Kanel. The artist highlights island fruits through ceramic art and concrete molding. Jewelry is another creative outlet. Saint-Martin is not as much marked by the wave of pearl jewelry designers as Saint-Barth, but you'll find some very fine confections at Lili des îles. Her made-to-measure pieces identify you with the Caribbean.
Rum and local drinks
There is no distillery on Saint-Martin, apart from a miniature one in operation at La part des Anges, which shows you how it's made under the guidance of an enthusiast. Sugar cane is grown in the surrounding islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique. There are several categories of rum, but the one that's best enjoyed after a good meal is rhum arrangé. This digestif is made in Saint-Martin from imported rum. The Busco house in Grand-Case and Ma Doudou rum are household names. The banana-orange, cinnamon, coconut and passion fruit flavors will brighten up your aperitifs as soon as you return home, leaving you with a sweet, soft taste of Saint-Martin.
There are, however, rums with the colors of Saint-Martin. In other words, the spirit is aged and blended on the island: Rhum Island St Martin at Hope Estate, for example. You'll find plenty of stores where you can taste it, get good advice and adopt it, as in Hope Estate, Totem Wine and Grappewine, which offer a fine range of Caribbean rums. In addition to rum, the island's traditional drink is Guavaberry liqueur. Made from rum and wild berries known as guavaberries, it has been crafted by the island's inhabitants for generations. You can taste it at the friendly Sint Maarteen Guavaberry store in Philipsburg and at Guavaberry Colombier Tradition in Marigot.
And since 2017, a local craft beer, La Pelikaan, has taken a considerable place ahead of Caribbean beers and the famous Dutch brand Heineken (known here as HK). The names and flavors of these beers reflect the different characteristics of Saint-Martin.
Perfumes
A large number of perfume shops offer duty-free access to all cosmetics brands. Original ready-to-wear boutiques can be found around the Port-la-Royale marina and in the West Indies shopping center. Or maybe you're feeling creative and want to create your own scent? In Grand-Case, Tijon Parfumerie offers a workshop where you can compose your own perfume. On the Dutch side, St Maarten Nectar draws its inspiration from the scents of the island's flowers to create creams using natural products and essential oils.
High-tech products
On the Dutch side, duty-free shopping for hi-fi, video and electronic games enthusiasts. The models sold are not necessarily the latest generation, and haggling is de rigueur. The advantage is tempting, with up to 20% off mainland prices. Indian salespeople are well versed in this art.
Shopping malls and commercial places
When it comes to clothing, Marigot is home to all the big-name brands. The three streets of La Liberté, Kennedy and Général de Gaulle offer a great shopping escape! The West Indies Shopping Mall, on the waterfront, is home to a number of major names: Lancel, Diesel, Lacoste, Façonnable, to name but a few, and the prices charged are not necessarily mind-blowing. And don't miss the August braderie in the city center! Howell Center offers many stores and services you might need. And since 2018, Hope Estate has become a magnet for clothing and home furnishings boutiques. On the Dutch side, Philipsburg is the kingdom of shopping of all kinds. The famous Front Street is a veritable window-shopping Eden: jewelers, hi-fi and electronics stores where you'll sometimes find the latest digital camera, but often unsold items that can't be sold in mainland France. It's up to you to keep your eyes peeled.
The Sint Rose Shopping Mall is located between the main street and Great Bay beach. Restaurants, bars, stores selling men's and women's clothing and accessories, cosmetics... Maho Plazza, an area ideal for a night out, is also home to a wide range of boutiques (swimwear, cosmetics, ready-to-wear and accessories). They all stay open until at least 11pm. This is very practical, because, frankly, shopping is much more pleasant at dusk when the temperature is cooler.
When Christmas is on fire..
During the Christmas season, ephemeral stores spring up on the Dutch side of the border. Often located in large spaces, they are open only to receive large consignments of garlands, baubles and other gaudy, colorful decorations. The people of Saint-Martin are crazy about them! The prices are very attractive, and you could quickly fill up too.
A few precautions for the avid shopper
Certainly, with a TGCA of 4% applied throughout the French part of the island, true duty free is not a lure. Be careful not to overload yourself, however, as the island has a reputation for duty free, and customs officials are the first to know. If, from Saint-Martin, you intend to travel to other French islands such as Guadeloupe or Martinique, goods imported or acquired on the island are subject to the taxes normally due on arrival: VAT, dock dues, etc. Checks on arrival are frequent. Checks on arrival are frequent. In the event of significant fraud, the offender risks a fine of up to €3,000. The same regulations also apply on arrival in mainland France.
What is forbidden to report!
Don't be tempted to decorate your living room with a large shell, like a lambi for example. Granted, it's beautiful, and so is coral, but it's strictly forbidden to bring marine animal shells in your luggage. Always remember that nature is beautiful in its environment..
