Carolinas is your best bet
Head to Carolinas. If you are staying in Maho and taking a cab, get a jump on the traffic and the draw bridge opening and leave an hour early. Negotiate a round trip fare with the cabbie and pay him when he picks you back up and drops you off at Maho. If he drops you and leaves, you will have to rely on the guys hanging out in front of Carolinas which usually are gypsy cab drivers and you may pay dearly since they have to get you all the way out to Maho and then come back with an empty vehicle. If the bar appears empty duck into the Chinese restaurant next door and see who is up having breakfast. If cruise ships are in port the place will be jumping by 11:30 or 12 noon.
[QUOTE=BPV33;2872816]I'm in Sint Maartens this week and was hoping to visit one of the establishments tomorrow (Wednesday) but I can only go late morning / early after noon (like 11-1). Was wondering what if anything would be open during this time Fran and where you would recommend someone new to the scene to go. I don't really speak any Spanish unfortunately.[/QUOTE]
After thinking about this a bit more.
So if you are staying in Maho with no car, I am guessing you are either with wife and or family and have taken the hotel provided shuttle from the airport to whatever property you are staying at. Hopefully you get to read this in time. You are looking at about an hour ride to Carolinas, purely because it's a week day and the traffic that it presents. Factor in the schedule for the draw bridge opening and you can be sitting for a bit. You're looking at the same on your return. You may be able to google Simpson Bay drawbridge schedule to help with the planning but seems like you have a short window to duck out. You need to be on the road around 10 am And get back in the cab no later than 1 pm To get back to Maho by 2. Tell the wife you want to go to Philipsburg alone to buy her something and then buy something at one of the shops at Maho. But you will pay more at Maho.
And on the subject of paying. I don't know the pricing structure but since it's an hour out and an hour back. You may be looking at at least 50 bucks for the cab fare. Maybe more. I would get a legitimate guy. This way he can hang out in Philipsburg and do some work from the taxi stand in front of the courthouse, while he's waiting to pick you up at one. Make sure you get a plan in place with the driver. And don't worry about directions. Every guy knows where Carolinas is in SXM!
[QUOTE=BPV33;2872751]I'm on the island for a few days and was thinking of visiting one of the establishments on Wednesday. The catch is I can really only go in the late morning / early afternoon so I was wondering what if anything is open that early (11 am-1 pm) and what my best bet is? Don't have a vehicle so will likely be trying to take a cab from one of the maho resorts. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated![/QUOTE]