Hi! We are planning a trip to St. Maarten mid July (our first time going!). I was just curious how much food costs are compared to the US, as in, we are buying groceries and cooking ourselves. If I spent, say $100 in the US for groceries, what would be a good estimate of how much I would spend in St. Maarten. If anyone has any suggestions of what grocery stores are around that would be great too. We are staying at the Pelican and have a rental car so we can go about anywhere! Thanks!

Grocery prices are just a tad higher, but not so much as you would notice. Best place to shop on the Dutch side is Grand Marche.

If booze is on your shopping list, it's a LOT cheaper!

We have been going to St Maarten for 15 years. I usually bring meat from home. I freeze it, wrap it and put it in a small cooler. All other items we buy at the store on the Dutch side. I agree, prices are just a tad higher, but not bad at all. Enjoy your trip!!!!!!

I just shopped at Grand Marche on Saturday and here is what I paid
The prices are in Antillean Guilders where are 1.80 to USD

4 rolls 3.96
Loaf italian bread 5.00
Pancake mix 3.00
Buttermilk syrup 4.65
1/2 gal milk 2% 6.30
Parmesean cheese grated 2.99
Yoplait Yogurt .65
Herb/garlic cheese spread 4.60
3 chicken breasts 9.56
Rib eye Angus Beef 21.54
Strip sirloin Angus Beef 18.90
Libby's frozen corn 2.95
Low salt bacon 9.75
Rice a roni 3.15
Kraft Ranch Salad Dressing3.10
Kraft Zesty Ital Dressng 3.10
Kraft Mac & Cheese 1.25
Unsalted butter 3.25
Chiquita Org/Ban Drink-1qt5.25
Jumbo eggs 2.70
Cucumber .98
Yellow onion 1.12
4 potatoes 1.93
1 Red pepper 3.82
2 vine tomatoes 4.31
Bag Spinach salad 4.99
Cheeze its 8.80
Cheetoes 8.55
Carrs crackers sesame 3.35
2 liter diet coke 2.99
2 liter orange Fanta 2.99
Lindemands Cawarra Shiraz14.36
Rosemount Shirze wine 23.50

Hope that helps....not exactly the food conneseurs list but gives you an idea of prices of different things!

I wonder if you wouldn't mind converting the prices into dollars and cents and also put in the weights of the items in question to help in determining the comparison of like items in the U.S. ......thanks in advance. Prices in NYC, LA and midwestern towns might differ some and perhaps it would help to post how much those items cost in those regions for comparison. Come on everybody, get out those old grocery receipts and join in!

I don't know what size she bought but the prices? well, roughly, divide in half and then add 10%.
$5.00 = FLs9.00
$3.00 = FLS5.40
$4.00 = FLS7.20
$20.00 = FLS18.00

that is at a 1.80 exchange.. some grocery stores like Grand Marche have a 1.77 exchange I think.
if you have a calculator:
dollars to guilders, multiply x 1.8 or 1.77
guilders to dollars, divide by 1.8 or 1.77

I knew that was going to be the next question!!

The Cheeze it's are a 16oz box
Pancake mix 16 oz box
Syryp 12oz bottle
Carrs Table Water Crackers - 4 1/2oz box
Italian Bread fresh from deli- about 12 slices
Cheetoes is a 9 oz bag.
Already ate the steaks so don't have the weight
Chicken is in the oven now (3 decent size skinless breasts)
Onion .245/kg
Potatoes .920/kg
Pepper .225/kg
Tomoato .240/kg
Kraft Parm Cheese 3oz.
Kraft Ranch Dressing 8 oz
Chiquita drink 64 oz


My bill in naf was 215.45....in USD it was 120.25 if that helps. Exahnge was at 1.80

Hope this helps. If I buy anything else I'll keep the receipts and post....but it's off to Temptations tomorrow night...........YUM!

I don't think the exchange at Grand marche is 1.80
I tghink it is 1.78 or 1.79

We will be arriving next saturday, can you tell me how the weather is?

The exchange is 1.80 at Grand Marche....it's on my receipt.

weather is beautiful today....last few days beautiful as well but rain on and off...but island rain....comes for about 15 minutes and then goes away...off and on. But it's still paradise here!!

yea, I know
it's on my receipts too
but it's not 1.80
it's actually 1.79
or somewhere in between
1.79 would be $120.36
1,80 would be $119.69
it's only pennies difference though.





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/06/2006 01:34PM by Barbara1.

I did not know that they allowed one to bring food into St. Maarten. While in transit, do you check the cooler or carry it on? Purchasing meat is our concern since the last island we visited had a very limited selection, but if we can bring meat with us it would alleviate that worry.

I imagine they would only let you bring frozen meat. But St. Maarten has a very good meat selection. You can get Angus Beef in Grand Marche, chicken breasts, pretty much everything. I wouldn't take the time and headache to bring it from home.

I think the meat sold in SXM is of good quality and it's not really necessary to freeze food to bring along but this is just my opinion

Here's a little helpful hint if you are planning on cooking in a lot. I bring ziplock bags containing spices I would need for the time I'm there - red pepper, garlic powder, oregano, etc. It doesn't take up any room, and you certainly save by not having to purchase them there. Just pack enough to get you through your stay.

Heloise, Oops, I mean Pauline!