Philipsburg might be one of the Caribbean's leading shopping destinations, but this is only true as long as cruise ships are docked. As soon as the passengers retreat to their floating cities, our small town becomes deserted, and shops close before 6 PM.
Relaxed nighttime shopping in Maho Village
There is a pleasant alternative to avoid a) looking for parking space and walking long distances, b) shopping in the tropical heat of the day, and c) having to navigate crowded stores; this alternative is the shopping district of Maho Village! There is a good selection of jewelry shops, souvenirs and gift shops, boutiques, perfume and cosmetics, and even a very competent pharmacy. Part of the mix are several great restaurants, bars, a full-service supermarket, even an ice cream parlor. And not to forget: the glamorous Casino Royale.
Maho Village stores stay open until late, usually 11 PM. Especially when shopping for jewelry, the experience is very different compared to Philipsburg: here in Maho, there is clearly less sales pressure. Try it out. The salespersons are aware that you are not a passenger leaving the island within a few hours. (A Philipsburg jeweler needs to close a deal on the day the customer enters the store.) Not so in Maho: patience is the winning strategy, the resident jewelers have told me. And they all insist that they can offer similar or better deals than the stores 'in town', mostly due to lower overhead.
Maho Village has become a viable alternative for all shopping needs. With the bonus of having some of St. Maarten's best entertainment spots right there as well. The Driftwood Boat Bar at the end of the airport runway has now become the primary spot for watching planes land and take off; they offer cocktails made with fresh fruit, the food tastes great with some of the best pizza on the menu - and all this at reasonable prices. This might be the reason that the Driftwood Boat Bar has a loyal following among the locals, even though it is in the most 'touristy' location.
At the Driftwood Boat Bar at Maho Beach
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