Retail Therapy in St. Maarten/St. Martin

St. Maarten/St. Martin is a paradise, providing much needed respite from the rigors and stress of your daily obligations. Many divine pleasures abound to distract you and bring you to a more zen state of mind. At the top of that list: shopping!

Shopping is both a therapeutic and a social event. The very act of shopping enhances your well-being. It triggers the brain to release dopamine into your system, as it’s linked to the reward system of the brain, which triggers feelings of enjoyment. This makes it easy to justify that you are shopping on St. Maarten/St. Martin under doctor’s orders: It’s therapy. And with the very attractive tax-free and duty-free prices, it’s an affordable and fun therapy!

Humans also like shopping in urban environs that provide clear lines of vision; hence, the proliferation of malls and shopping streets with stores, boutiques and charming places to relax your tired feet endlessly line these stylish boulevards.

It is the same in St. Maarten/St. Martin. You have bustling areas of concentrated shopping dotted around the island, all designed to help you maximize the benefits of your shopping therapy experience. For complete therapeutic optimization, it is key to know exactly where the best shops and stores are located and to know exactly what you’ll find when you get there. You need a plan.

What to Buy
Like offerings in grand bazaars and along urban shopping streets, St. Maarten/St. Martin is filled with treasures in a wide range of prices. What should you buy here? The island is an important destination for lovers of watches, from funky and fun collectibles like Swatch, to the very luxe and complex timepieces of legendary Swiss watchmakers like Patek Philippe and Rolex. St. Maarten/St. Martin probably has the largest selection of watches in the Caribbean. Many shops have highly trained experts who can help you with your purchase.

The island is a major destination for luxury gems and jewelry. You can find almost anything that sparkles here, from the full spectrum of color diamonds (loose or in mounts), colored gemstones, pearls and designer precious metal jewelry, as well as exotic pieces by local designers.

With our stylish European connections, St. Maarten/St. Martin is also a fashion haven with top clothing and accessory brands from around the world, including MCM, Longchamp, Lacoste, MaxMara, Façonnable, Hermès, Burberry, Versace, Roberto Cavalli and more.

The island is a magnet for art collectors. Many world-renowned local artists draw inspiration for their painting and designs from the beauty of St. Maarten/St. Martin. You will also find a treasure trove of lifestyle products for the home and entertaining. Our gourmet roots mean we have incredible wine and liquor offerings, as well as specialty food and cheese products. You will also find electronics, cameras, linens and designs for the home. All of this and more at duty-free and tax-free prices.

Where to Shop
Now that you have your shopping therapy wish list, start in the Dutch capital of Philipsburg. Two main thoroughfares parallel the waterfront. Running along Great Bay is Front Street, which is filled with prestigious shops and stores, rather like New York’s Fifth Avenue. Just behind Front Street is Back Street, a more local and eclectic shopping experience.

Just before the start of Front Street, twisting toward A.C. Whatey Pier, is Bobby’s Marina, where you’ll discover the exotic, handcrafted jewelry of Zdenka Kiric from The Art Box Gallery. Returning to the top of Front Street, stop at the Guavaberry Emporium to sample their delicious beverages, custom rums and sauces, all locally made. The shop itself is worth the visit as it is a charming example of a Caribbean cottage. Once fortified, begin your shopping journey along this charming boulevard with all its luxurious goods and unique, charming must-haves.

The vast majority of visitors to St. Maarten/St. Martin come to buy a jewel or a fabulous watch. For one of the most extraordinary collection of fine Swiss watches in the world, you’ll want to head straight to Jewels by Love. Their list of collections reads like a Who’s Who of watchmaking, including Patek Philippe, Breguet, Vacheron Constantin and Jaeger-LeCoultre. Jewels by Love also carries exquisite jewelry, much of which is designed and crafted in house. They also have a shop in Marigot.

Just off Front Street is the Sint Rose Shopping Arcade, where you’ll discover shops filled with high-end brand names in jewelry, décor, clothing, cosmetics, souvenirs and accessories, plus formal and informal places to dine. Tucked inside the Sint Rose Shopping Arcade is Divine, specializing in the luxe crystal brand Swarovsky. Divine is also the official purveyor of Swatch.

Nestled next to the courthouse is Ballerina Jewelers, known for its fabulous selection of diamonds from .25 to 20 carats in a rainbow of colors, including brilliant white, pastels and even black, which we know goes with everything! They also carry beautiful, fine jewelry in gold, artistic enamels and other materials from such names as Tacori, Stefan Hafner and Hidalgo, as well as fine Swiss watches.

Diamonds International and its sister stores, Diamonds International Watch & Design and Tanzanite International, enjoy the status of having the largest diamond inventory and the most important tanzanite offerings on island, as well as providing an excellent selection of timepieces at a wide range of prices. DI is also the exclusive source for Crown of Light diamonds.

Renowned for color jewels, Kay’s Fine Jewelry offers unique colors and color combinations to complement any wardrobe and any style (think chocolate, yellow, blue, brilliant white and lush black diamonds). Exclusive to Kay’s is “Dream in Color,” the newest and rarest of color gems.

With three locations on the island, two in Philipsburg and one in Dawn Beach, Little Switzerland continues its 50-year reputation as one of the Caribbean’s major retailers of prestige watches including Breitling, Movado, Tag Heuer and Raymond Weil, as well as providing beautiful diamonds and jewelry. They are also the Tiffany & Co. resource for the Caribbean.

Jewels and Azura by Jewels delights in the finer things in life, especially luxury watches, jewelry, china, crystal and related accessories by such recognized names as David Yurman, Bulgari, Chopard, Roberto Coin and Movado.

A rare and unusual stone, black coral is embedded in the jewelry designs of Greek artist Stavros Eleftheriou, which are exclusively sold at Majesty Jewelers. If you are shopping for a perfect diamond, Majesty carries “Hearts on Fire,” the ultimate in brilliance and intensity. More color abounds in the natural color pearls of Yvel, like champagne and brown. Alongside the jewels sit watches from Raymond Weil, Maurice Lacroix and Fendi.

At Effy Jewelers, style combines with color and craftsmanship, all designed by the brand’s creator, designer and founder, Effy Hematian. Diamonds in a rich array of color, beautiful color gems and luxury metals work in harmony. With a wide range of prices, you’ll find something beautiful within your budget.

Caribbean Gems specializes in diamonds with a very large selection of loose diamonds from the classic to the unusual. You can purchase a loose diamond or choose a mount from their collection of settings. You can also create your own custom design. Caribbean Gems carries a wide range of well-known watch brands, as well as fine 14-karat and 18-karat gold jewelry.

Shopping for your home? Unique Galleries is the destination for lovers of movies, art and Star Wars. This unusual store is founded on the magical creations of “That Yoda Guy,” Nick Maley, an internationally renowned artist and former Hollywood creature effects wizard, whose works include collaboration on Yoda. This art studio/movie museum features Nick’s paintings as well as movie memorabilia and art.

Finish your Philipsburg shopping at Linen Galore, filled floor to ceiling with linens from around the world — tablecloths, place mats, napkins, towels, fine lace and runners from Europe and Turkey. You’ll also find great holiday linens and charming embroidered napkins.

Next shopping stop: Simpson Bay. Along Welfare and Airport Road are several great places to shop and dine. Two new additions to the landscape are the Carousel and Puerta de Sol. The Carousel is an ideal respite for kids and kids at heart. Indulge in a huge selection of Italian-style gelatos and sorbets made on premises, plus a wine and espresso bar. On the water’s edge is an authentic Venetian carousel to entertain the kids.

Puerta de Sol features very stylish places to shop and to eat. You’ll also find Italian and French prestige fashion, beautiful cosmetics, children’s clothes, jewelry, shoes and even a yacht. Artistic sisters Norma and Corinna Trimborn show their work at CIN Gallery and at their NOCA studio in the French Lowlands.

Closer to the airport, MCM offers stylish leather goods from Germany. For decades, MCM has been supplying celebrities and fashionable people with luxurious leather goods from wallets and handbags to amazing golf bags.

The Shops at Princess Juliana International Airport provides a convenient place to do last-minute shopping prior to boarding your plane. Pick up hot sauces, wines, rums, Guavaberry, cosmetics and fragrances, as well as local souvenirs, jewels or a box of Belgian chocolates. No need to worry about TSA; you’ve already passed that gauntlet.

On the way to Marigot, you’ll have three more shopping opportunities! First stop is the Sonesta Maho, where you can load up on great swimwear at Hip Up and tropical clothing at Blanc du Nil. Maho also has many restaurants with great food, from barbecue and sushi to steak and haute cuisine.

The newest shopping additions are at the French/Dutch border. The Blue Mall is a spectacular mall sitting atop a hill overlooking the lagoon and the sea. Luxury condos on top and high-end retail and fine dining are on the lower floors. Tenants are a mix of fashion and food, including Bacchus, one of the top wine purveyors in the Caribbean and a great dining experience.

Next door is the Orient Express’ Porto Cupecoy, a mix of luxury residences, yacht moorage and a Venetian-inspired shopping gallery. Stores include Blooming Baskets by Lisa, divine floral creations for fashion or the table, and one of the multiple locations of Shipwreck Shops, which offers gifts and great hot sauces. Restaurants in Porto Cupecoy range from causal to elegant. For quick gourmet shopping, try local favorite Le Grande Marché at the entrance to the shops.

Next shopping stop is Marigot, capital on the French side. On Wednesday and Saturday, the Marigot Market is filled with vendors and artists showcasing a wide range of wares including souvenirs, local foods and spices (check out Khalil), locally designed and crafted clothing, accessories and art. For a more sophisticated shopping experience head to West Indies Mall where you can buy Lacoste, Paul & Shark, Façonnable, Christian Lacroix, New Man and many others.

On Rue de Charles de Gaulle are stylish shops for fashion, accessories and the home. At Plaza Caraïbes you’ll find some of the top French luxury brands, including Longchamp, Hermès and Cartier.

Marigot is also filled with galleries showcasing work of local and Caribbean artists. Across from the market is Escale des Îles, which features a rotating selection of local artwork. Atypique is the shop of Florence Poirier Nkpa, who creates one-of-a-kind jewelry by blending materials from exotic locales. Roland Richardson, perhaps the best-known local painter, has a studio and gallery on Rue de la Republique. Antoine Chapon’s gallery is in the Marina Royale, as is the Gingerbread Gallery for Haitian art. Francis Eck’s gallery is in Concordia, just above Marigot, on Rue de Soliel Levant.

Depart Marigot for Grand Case and Oyster Pond. At Rambaud Hill visit Minguet Gallery featuring the work of Alexandre Minguet. The iconic Caribbean façades of Paul Elliot Thuleau and other local artists are on display at Thuleau’s gallery, Tropismes, in Grand Case. For lovers of decorative ceramics, Les Exotiques in Oyster Pond is the workshop of Marie Moine, who paints charming local scenes onto plates.

Last shopping stop? At The Friendly Island Pharmacy on Union Road you can purchase something to pamper your feet after all that shopping. The Pharmacy has a wide selection of American, Caribbean and European beauty products and over-the-counter medications, and you can even fill U.S. prescriptions.

We hope that you have received full benefit from your island shopping therapy and that you are in a perfect state of well-being. Remember that St. Maarten/St. Martin’s shopping experiences get better every year. Please do return for your next treatment!

Shopping Listings

Ballerina Jewelers
Front Street 53A, 56, Philipsburg
6 Harbour Point Village
Tel: 721-542-4399
U.S. Direct: 213-291-8247
E-mail: balerina@sintmaarten.net
Web: www.ballerina-jewelers.com
Designer jewelry: Tacori (bridal), Stefan Hafner, Leo Pizzo, Hidalgo, Soho, Rodney Rayner and more. Watch brands: Roger Dubuis, Franck Muller, Bell & Ross, Perrelet, Oris, Bertolucci, and more.

Caribbean Gems
22 & 40 Front Street 
Tel: 721-542-2176
Fax: 721-542-5862
E-mail: sales@caribbeangems.com
Web: www.caribbeangems.com
Voted consistently as St. Maarten’s #1 jewelry store. From fine GIA-certified diamonds to designer jewelry, world-class Swiss watches, lifetime upgrade policy, certified appraisals and more, you won’t be disappointed!

Diamonds International, Tanzanite International, Diamonds International Watch & Design
Wathey Square
Tel: 721-542-7992
35 Front Street
Tel: 721-542-1977
68 Front Street, Philipsburg
Tel: 721-542-6230
As the Caribbean’s most celebrated jewelry retailer, Diamonds International offers luxury jewelry, elegant timepieces, and the highest-quality gemstone jewelry all at unbeatable prices. Diamonds International Watch & Design customers are dazzled by the phenomenal array of designer jewelry and fine watch brands. As the Caribbean’s #1 retailer for top-notch tanzanite, at Tanzanite International you’re assured of an extraordinary selection that might otherwise be available only at the mine.

Divine
St. Rose Arcade #4
Frontstreet, Philipsburg
Tel: 721-542-9955
E-mail: divine@sintmaarten.net
Offers a wide selection of Swarovski, Swatch and Misaki. Professional and informative staff satisfies  customer needs and guarantees they will have an exceptional shopping experience.

Guavaberry Emporium
8–10 Front Street
Philipsburg
Tel: 721-542-2965
Fax: 721-542-4598
Web: www.guavaberry.com
Island folk liqueur, Republic Vintage Rum, Fabulous Guavaberry Coladas, gourmet hot pepper sauces and charming Old World hospitality.

Jewels by Love
7 Rue du General de Gaulle Marigot
Tel: 00-590-590-87-25-50
Front Street, Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Tel: 721-542-6808
U.S. Tel: 917-546-0902 
E-mail: sales@jewelsbylove.com
Web: www.jewelsbylove.com
Spearheaded by Love Mahtani, master horologist, gemologist and jeweler extraordinaire, Jewels by Love is the official agent for the world’s most prestigious and exclusive timepieces: Patek Philippe, Breguet, Vacheron Constantin, A. Lange & Sohne, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre & Ulysse Nardin. 

Jimbo’s Rock & Blues Café
Simpson Bay Marina
(Behind Scotia Bank)
Tel: 721-544-3600
Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.,
Sundays: 5:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Happy Hour: 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Web: www.jimboscafe.com
Jimbo’s open-air dining and sunken bar offers a great fare of “CaribMex” cuisine, this year introducing Chipotle Barbecue Shrimp. Jimbo’s surrounds a beautiful swim-up bar with waterfalls and palm trees.

Kay’s Fine Jewelry
“Luxury with a Family Touch”
65A Front Street, Philipsburg
(Downtown)
#7 Harbor Pointe Village
(At Cruise Ship Terminal)
Tel: 721-543-0356
E-mail: kays@caribserve.net
Web: www.kaysfinejewelry.com
Bringing ultra luxury to St. Maarten – family owned and operated for 23 years. Proud to launch Investment Jewels: Jewelry of the highest quality that serve as an investment for future generations.

Linen Galore
45D Front Street
Holland House Beach Hotel
Philipsburg
Tel: 721-542-2533
Fax: 721-542-3963
97 Front Street
Tel: 721-543-0099
Exquisite linen and no-iron tablecloths, pillowcases, napkins and table accessories.

Little Switzerland
52 Front Street, Philipsburg
Tel: 721-542-2523
Harbor Village Point Blanche
Tel: 721-542-7785
Lagos, Tiffany & Co., Roberto Coin, Ippolita, Cartier, Citizen, Longines, Michael Kors, Movado, Rado, TAG Heuer, John Hardy, Omega Watches, Breitling and Breitling for Bentley.

Majesty Jewelers
#46 Front Street, Philipsburg
Tel: 721-542-2473
Toll-free: 877-358-9679
Fax: 721-542-2953
Email: sales@majestyjewelers.com
Web: www.majestyjewelers.com
Hearts on Fire, Kabana, Charriol, Yvel, Mark Henry, Marah Lago, Trollbeads, Parazul handbags, Maurice Lacroix, Raymond Weil, Fendi, Fruitz, Seiko.

MCM
34A Airport Road
Simpson Bay
Tel: 721-545-5470
Designer purses, handbags, wallets, dog carriers, luggage and accessories.

Shipwreck Shops
Sixteen locations on the island: Front Street, Cruise Pier, Great Bay Hotel, Little Divi Resort, Oyster Bay Beach Resort, Pelican, Flamingo, Royal Palm, Airport Road, Maho, Port Cupecoy, Le West Indies Mall and the airport. 
Tel: 721-542-2737
E-mail: info@shipwreckshops.com
Web: www.shipwreckshops.com 
Shipwreck Shops is St. Maarten’s #1 gift and souvenir store. Our 16 stores island-wide have offered unique gift  and souvenir items since 1972. You will find almost anything you might be looking for, including Caribbean handcrafts, hot sauces, coffees and teas, T-shirts, hats, towels and pirate items.

Simpson Bay Pharmacy
Simpson Bay Marina
68 Welfare Road
Simpson Bay, St. Maarten
Tel: 721-544-3653
E-mail: sbp@caribserve.net
Pharmacy items; hair-, skin- and nail-care products from France, Holland and the U.S.; reading glasses; 100% pure aloe from Bonaire.

Don't shop in St. Maarten/St. Martin until you get the scoop on:
Shopper's Paradise

You can spend days shopping in St. Maarten/St. Martin and not visit the same store twice! So much to buy - so little time... visit our Shopping Guide and get full details about each merchant before you go. Print our shopping maps and take them with you.