We've stayed at Maho a few times. Most recently in March. We feel extremely safe there and I believe you would, also. We padlock the door, but anybody who wanted to get into one of the tent cottages could. But it's never been a concern for us, although we use common sense and take normal precautions. There is a safe available at the office for seriously valuable stuff. STJ is a very safe island, which is not to say that you don't need to take normal care. As an example, I haven't picked up a hitchiker in the US for 20 years, but do it routinely on STJ. I believe that you'd be fine hiking alone anywhere on the island.

I've hiked solo quite a bit on STJ, only once did I feel a little apprehensive... the Johnny Horn from Waterlemon to Coral Bay. There were quite a few bags, clothing, and personal items strewn about, probably the donkeys getting into things the illegals brought with them. It didn't ruin my hike, just made me think of the migration onto STJ, I'm sure they wouldn't do harm if you came across them (the immigrants, not the donkeys). I tended to turn around when I'd come across the donkeys!

We were on the Johnny Horn several years ago and also saw clothing strewn about in a few areas. It creeped us out because you really are in the middle of nowhere and none of the explanations we could come up with were pleasant. We later did learn that it was likely left by illegal immigrants coming ashore and changing into the dry clothing they'd brought along in plastic bags. We were much happier with that explanation. In March we came upon a couple similar piles of clothing along the path to Haulover.