Enjoying Sint Maarten’s incredible activities doesn’t have to mean paying full price. With a strategic approach, you can unlock significant savings on excursions, tours, and adventures. Here are the top 10 strategies for finding discounts on St Martin Sint Maarten luxury villas, activities, and excursions in Sint Maarten.
1. Book Directly with Local Operators and Inquire About Discounts
The most effective strategy is to cut out the middleman. Large online travel agencies (OTAs) like Viator or Expedia take a commission, a cost that is often baked into the price you see.
How to Do It: Once you have an idea of an excursion you like (e.g., a specific snorkel tour or a private boat charter), find the operator’s official website or Facebook page. Contact them via phone, email, or direct message.
What to Ask: Inquire about their direct booking price and mention if you are a family, a large group, or booking multiple tours. Often, they will offer a “cash discount” or a lower rate for booking directly, as they save on commission fees. A simple question like, “Do you offer any discounts for booking with you directly?” can work wonders.
2. Leverage the Power of Travel Forums for “Local” Prices
Websites like TripAdvisor are not just for reviews; their forums are a goldmine of insider information from recent travelers and local experts.
How to Do It: Go to the Sint Maarten/St. Martin TripAdvisor Forum. Before you post, use the search function to look for your desired activity (e.g., “discount snorkel tour” or “best price ATV rental”).
Advanced Tactic: Create a post asking for recommendations for a specific tour, explicitly stating you’re looking for good value. You will often receive private messages or public replies from reputable operators or travelers sharing who they used and what they paid. This helps you establish a baseline for what a good price looks like.
3. Be Strategic with Your Timing: Walk-Up and Last-Minute Deals
While risky for must-do activities, this can yield deep discounts for flexible travelers. Tour operators would rather sell a seat at a reduced rate than have it go empty.
How to Do It: For non-private tours like group snorkel trips, sunset sails, or island tours, visit the main marinas (Simpson Bay, Philipsburg, Bobby’s Marina) in the afternoon for the next day’s tour. Ask if they have any last-minute availability or “standby” pricing.
Cruise Ship Strategy: Check the cruise ship schedule for the port in Philipsburg. On days with fewer ships in port, demand for activities is lower, and operators are more likely to negotiate.
4. Bundle Your Excursions for a Package Deal
If you plan on doing multiple activities, ask operators if they offer package deals. This is especially effective with adventure companies or marinas that offer a variety of tours.
How to Do It: Approach a watersports company in Simpson Bay or Orient Bay that offers, for instance, snorkel trips, jet ski rentals, and parasailing. Ask, “If we book a jet ski tour and a parasailing session, do you offer a package discount?”
Leverage Your Resort: Some larger resorts or tour desks on-site can create custom bundles for you, combining a rental car day with a boat tour or other activities for a better overall rate than booking separately.
5. Scour Social Media and Subscribe to Newsletters
Many local businesses use their social media pages as their primary marketing tool, announcing flash sales and exclusive promo codes.
How to Do It: Before your trip, follow potential tour operators, rental companies, and activity providers on Facebook and Instagram. Look for posts about “end-of-season sales,” “weekday specials,” or exclusive discounts for followers.
Newsletter Sign-Up: Check the website of operators you’re interested in for a newsletter sign-up. They often reward subscribers with a one-time discount code for their first booking.
6. Use a Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees and Cashback
This isn’t a direct discount on the activity, but it’s a critical financial strategy that puts money back in your pocket.
How to Do It: Use a credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees (typically 3% of every purchase) for all your online and on-island bookings. Furthermore, use a card that offers cashback or travel points on your “travel” or “entertainment” spending categories. This effectively creates a 1.5% – 5% discount on everything you book.
7. Inquire About “Off-Peak” or “Shoulder Season” Discounts
The time of year you visit plays a significant role in pricing. The island’s high season runs from mid-December to April.
How to Do It: If you’re traveling during the shoulder season (late April-June, November) or low season (late summer/fall), explicitly ask operators if they offer off-season pricing. Many do, but it may not be advertised online. The perceived “risk” of traveling during hurricane season is often rewarded with lower prices across the board.
8. Ask About “Kids Free” or Family-Specific Deals
Many family-oriented activities, particularly boat tours, have policies where young children can participate for free or at a heavily reduced rate.
How to Do It: When inquiring about a catamaran snorkel trip or similar group excursion, always ask, “What is your policy for children?” You might find that “Kids under 5 are free” or “Children 12 and under are 50% off.” This information is not always prominently displayed, so asking can lead to substantial savings.
9. Look for Discount Cards and Coupon Booklets
While less common than in some destinations, there are still resources for pre-packaged discounts.
How to Do It:
- Tourism Board Website: Check the official Sint Maarten Tourism website for any current promotions or partner offers.
- Airport & Rental Car Counters: Upon arrival, look for free tourist magazines or coupon booklets at the airport baggage claim or your rental car agency. These sometimes contain “2-for-1” drink coupons or a small percentage off certain activities.
- Travelzoo/Groupon: It’s worth checking these sites in the weeks leading up to your trip, though their offerings for Sint Maarten can be limited compared to larger destinations.
10. Simply Ask for the Best Available Rate
Never underestimate the power of a polite and direct question. The travel industry is built on relationships and sales, and a simple ask can be all it takes.
How to Do It: After you’ve gotten a quote, whether online or in person, follow up with: “Is that the very best rate you can offer?” or “Do you have any current promotions I might be eligible for?” This signals that you are a price-conscious consumer and gives the operator a chance to offer a discount they may have in their back pocket to secure your booking. The worst they can say is no.
By combining these strategies—starting with direct contact, leveraging local knowledge from forums, and being flexible with your timing—you can significantly reduce the cost of experiencing the best of St Martin Sint Maarten family getaways. The money you save can then be redirected towards more activities, a special meal, or simply extending your vacation bliss.
