Description
By: St. Maarten Presidential Tours
You’ll love this unforgettable shopping experience on both sides of the island. Take full advantage of our duty-free and tax-free status, and feel free to bargain with stores and vendors—this combination gives you some of the best prices in the world. Browse everything from high-end designer clothing to charming souvenirs, jewelry, perfumes, artwork, paintings, authentic Cuban cigars, and the lowest prices you’ll find anywhere on alcohol, plus much more.
On the Dutch side, the official currency is the Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG), and on the French side it is the Euro (€). Exchange rates vary, but generally $1 USD ≈ ANG 1.80 and €1 ≈ $1.20 USD. Both sides accept US Dollars and credit cards. Please note that a small service fee may apply to credit card purchases, and it’s best to notify your bank before traveling. Your chauffeur will point out the top places to shop, drop you off, and arrange convenient pick-up times.
Shopping on the French side gives you the elegance of Paris-style boutiques, where you can explore chic fashion and enjoy irresistible French pastries that will have you saying “ooooh la la.” Stop by local art galleries to find unique island paintings, and if you like, climb the nearby fort to capture amazing pictures you’ll treasure forever.
Shopping in Philipsburg is second to none.
There’s nowhere else in the world that delivers the same atmosphere as Front Street and Back Street. These two one‑way streets are a shopper’s paradise—where locals and visitors mingle, and shopping feels like a favorite pastime.
Highlights you won’t want to miss
- Front Street shopping is famous for its lively vibe and wide variety of stores, from jewelry houses to specialty shops—right behind the Great Bay boardwalk.
- Unique stops such as museums and movie exhibits add extra flavor to your stroll. The nearby movie exhibit is a popular draw for fans and sightseers.
- Amsterdam cheese and liquor store where you can sample free cheese, plus other specialty shops.
- Guavaberry Emporium on Front Street, the home of the national drink, where you can buy bottles as gifts and souvenirs.
- After shopping, choose to relax at Great Bay Beach along the boardwalk—favored by locals and visitors for its calm waters and bustling beachfront scene.
What to do next
- Take a swim or enjoy lunch at any beachfront restaurant.
- Try your luck at a casino to win more money for even more shopping.
- Capture the views of the Caribbean and passing cruise ships while you soak in the island’s energy.
This is truly a one‑of‑a‑kind shopping experience—bustling streets, great food and drinks, iconic sights, and a beachside retreat all in one place.
Highlights
- Shop on Front Street and Back Street, the island’s top shopping area.
- Duty-free bargains on jewelry, electronics, clothing and souvenir.
- Sample free cheese at The American Cheese & Liquor Store
- Visit the Star Wars gallery with original movie suits.
- Explore the local museum and history.
- Try the island’s national drink at the Guavaberry Emporium.
- Relax on Great Bay Beach right beside the boardwalk.
- Choose from tons of beach bars and restaurants with ocean view.
- Swim, sunbath or enjoy a delicious lunch at the beach.
- Try your luck in nearby casinos for even more shopping money!
Includes
- 1. VIP Treatment (red carpet and rum punch)
- 2. Pick up and drop off
- 3. Round trip transportation for cruise ship guests
- 4. A fully air-conditioned vehicle.
- 5. Cooler on board with free ice cold drinks (water, soda, beer, and our secret rum punch).
Excludes
- 1. Shopping
- 2. Foods and drinks at the local bar and restaurants
- 3. Watersports activities
All tours include a trained tour guide, a fully air-conditioned vehicle and a cooler filled with free drinks (water, soda, beers and rum punch).
Duration: 5 hours
Time: 9AM – 2PM
Disclaimer
- Tour departs from cruise facility at 9am or 10am if the ship docks late. Please be five minutes early and always check time difference between cruise ship and island time.
- Your ship arrival time, traffic, weather conditions and other uncontrolled forces of nature can cause some itinerary changes or even cause tours to be cancelled and fully refunded. In the event of such, we reserve the right to substitute all stops with other stops to guarantee you a fun fill time and experience.
- Things to consider bringing along with you; beach bag or back pack, beach towel, sneakers, slippers, dry clothing to change, camera, sun screen, umbrella and a face full of smiles.
- Stops will be rearrange depending on pick up location for those who are staying on the island.
