Road Construction - Simpson Bay to Maho Beach

We were in St. Martin a few years ago. Took the local bus from town to Maho Beach. There was a lot of road construction around Simpson Bay. Traffic was pretty bad around this area. Will be going to St. Martin in November and would like to get out to Mullet Beach via Maho. Not sure if they have finished with the road work as of yet. They were to make a by-pass around Simpson Bay area. Not sure if it is completed.

If you are referring to the road work in Cole Bay (which is the area after the hill and before the bridge) to repair/replace drainage systems, that was four years ago, and yes, even on Island Time, that was completed long ago.

There is also the 'new' Causeway Bridge, that bypasses that entire area

gary

We were in St. Martin a few years ago. Took the local bus from town to Maho Beach. There was a lot of road construction around Simpson Bay. Traffic was pretty bad around this area. Will be going to St. Martin in November and would like to get out to Mullet Beach via Maho. Not sure if they have finished with the road work as of yet. They were to make a by-pass around Simpson Bay area. Not sure if it is completed.

As Gary said this construction is long over and now this area can be completely bypassed via the Causeway bridge.

There are reasons why the old route is still advantageous. It goes through the Simpson Bay Area of the island and at least 3 bakery's, one amazing gelato shop, the most direct route to Karakter beach bar on Simpson Bay, a marina where excursions leave from, the Boathouse boat rentals to putt-putt around the lagoon and other excursions leave from various places on the lagoon. A half day excursion from these areas leaves you very close via taxi, car or bus to Simpson bay, Mullet and Maho beaches. Also there is a very popular lookout for photos on the hill near the sea which is accessed easier on the way back to the ship.

Do you know what route the bus from downtown would take - Causeway Bridge or through the Simpson Bay area? We like the local bus. I think it was $2 each way. Thanks for the info.

The bus will go through the Cole Bay/Simpson Bay areas.

It is, after all, a local bus.

gary

Do you know what route the bus from downtown would take - Causeway Bridge or through the Simpson Bay area? We like the local bus. I think it was $2 each way. Thanks for the info.

I am not sure of the cost but $2.00-$2.50 sounds about right. My girls went to the Stars Casino just beyond Mullet and I remember that it was no more than $3 each for them.

Here's the deal on buses.

I believe that all this information is current, but I keep hearing about

raising the bus fares.

From Philipsburg to Marigot is $2, each way.

From Philipsburg to Mullet Bay (including Maho) is $2 each way.

There is not a direct bus from Marigot to Mullet, and you have to change

busses in Cole Bay. There is not a transfer privilage, and you have to pay

the fare again. This fare may be less than $2, but it is not an official

published rate that I have ever found. Perhaps it's only a dollar.

I'm uncertain about a Mullet - Marigot ride, as you'd also have to change

busses in the same general location and pay two fares.

The rate from Philipsburg to CostULess (Costco junior and they sell some

Kirkland products) is only $1, but I suspect few cruisers go there.

Past CostULess, over the hill, it is $1.50 until you cross the bridge, then

it is the $2.

Going the other direction from Philipsburg, the fare to Amsterdam Shopping

Center (near the Zoo) is $1.

Into the residential district beyond Amsterdam is $1.50 until you pass Dutch

Quarter, then it is $2 for the ride as far as French Quarter.

The ride from Philipsburg to Point Blanche (Cruise Facility, Residential and

Prison) is $2.

There is a Ring Shuttle that loops around Fort William Hill from CostULess to

the Medical Center, Little Bay and back that is only $1.

Children pay half price.

Infants and seniors (65+) ride for free.

Rates go up after midnight.

gary