Caribbean - Stuck several hours at St. Maarten / Martin / SXM airport - what's to do? [merged]

So this Sunday, I have an 8 hour layover at Princess Juliana International Airport, Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles.

Does anybody have any suggestions on some fun things to do if I'm willing to leave the airport? Good wireless internet equipped coffeeshops / beaches / restaurants?

Thanks!
Ben

So this Sunday, I have an 8 hour layover at Princess Juliana International Airport, Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles.

Does anybody have any suggestions on some fun things to do if I'm willing to leave the airport? Good wireless internet equipped coffeeshops / beaches / restaurants?

Thanks!
Ben

YEah, walk to the end of the runway (along the road lol) and sit at the beach bar and watch planes land over your head.

Taxi to Maho Beach.

Definitely the Sunset Beach Bar. There's even a live webcam streaming somewhere on the net

pacificfit, welcome to FlyerTalk! Please follow as the thread moves to the Travel->Caribbean forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

What's the name of the bar where the airplanes fly over your head?

http://www.sunsetbeachbar.com/
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13F

With 8 hours, you should rent a car ($50) and drive around the island. You could actually drive around three or four times in 8 hours. But you might want to stop at Orient Beach for a swim and a gawk, or Grand Case for lunch, or Philipsburg for Duty Free, or...
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13F

According to their website, Sunset Beach Bar shut down...any other good places near the airport?

According to their website, Sunset Beach Bar shut down...any other good places near the airport?Might be a case of domain name subterfuge, which I fell for. I also found this one:
http://sunsetsxm.com/
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13F

Sunset Beach Bar is a lot of fun.

If you rent a car, just be careful with your time. Traffic can be bad, and you don't want to be caught on the wrong side when they open the bridges to let the boats out of Simpson Bay.

According to their website, Sunset Beach Bar shut down...any other good places near the airport?

IT did get hit last year by a hurricane, but I thought it was rebuilt by now?

Might be a case of domain name subterfuge, which I fell for. I also found this one:
http://sunsetsxm.com/
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13F

I too fell for it ... good to know the real place is still very much running..!!

Hi

I arrive in Saint Martin (SXM) at 9am and leave at 4pm. So I have a pretty long wait. The problem is that my luggage can't be checked through to my final destination (different airline, different ticket).

How can I get rid of my bag until check in opens at 2pm? I really don't want to carry it around with me, stuck in a tiny airport with nothing to do. I want to get rid of the bag and go airside for the lounge.

Can I ask them to check me in early? Is there a luggage drop?

Zach

I think if I had 7 hours in St Martin, I don't think o would be asking how to hang out at the airport ... I think it would be "which beach has the best umbrella drink"

Well I have a long haul flight afterwards, a huge bag to carry around.. it's not that easy. I can't go swimming as I'll be covered in salt and won't have a comfortable flight after, can't leave my bag on the beach.. best to stay at the airport..

you should be able to find a guide at the airport that will do a tour for a few hours & take the bag[s] along.....is this on the outbound?

For more discussion, please follow the thread to its new home: Travel->Caribbean forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

It is a boring airport. I would not like to stay there for seven hours. With so much time to spare, you could probably get a day pass to a hotel on the beach (like cruise ship passengers), or take a cab to Marigot on the French side for lunch. Have alook at this recent thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1200804-stuck-st-maarten-airport-whats-fun-do.html).
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13F

Considering that you are willing to sit at the airport and maybe aren't interested in sightseeing, here's a simple suggestion. Assuming you are stuck with your luggage, I'd take a taxi to one of the nearby beaches that has lounge chairs, food and beverage. One that comes to mind, but I have not been to, is Karacters (I think they have a website). It's on the water and about a 10 minute ride from the terminal (actually very close to the end of the runway). It looked nice, a bit off the beaten path and my guess is that you could safely put your luggage at the bar. Either arrange for a return taxi or I'm sure they could get you one.

Got married in SXM. I go to the Sunset Beach Bar, which is about a half mile from the airport. Got Drink specials and you can see one of the coolest beaches in the world. Just bring your bags or do an early check in at your connecting flight. Its a cheap cab ride.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvNONncieu0

The planes seem to land on top of you.

There is a great bar at the south just outside the end of the airport, right next to the beach where the jets come in at about 100 feet altitude. The beer there is VERY cold.

A 2 minute cab ride, or a 10 minute walk.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g147346-d1510272-Reviews-or10-Sunset_Beach_Bar-St_Maarten_St_Martin.html#REVIEWS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55NHf5QInt0

Enjoy.

Merged threads on SXM for several hours. Because Queen Juliana International Airport in Sint Maarten also serves the French side of the island, St. Martin, for longhaul flights the title includes both.

JDiver, Senior Moderator