A few years ago, Dan surprised me with a trip. "Guess where I'm taking you for your birthday weekend?"
He smiled at my clueless look. "Here's a hint: It's in the Caribbean."
"Cuba?"
"No, but that's a good guess. We have been wanting to visit."
"Aruba?"
"Nope, further north. Here's another hint: They speak two languages there and you've been to both of their mother countries."
"Oh, we're going to spend a weekend in Sint Maarten and Saint Martin! That'll be fun, thank you!"
"You're welcome. Maybe you'll get to use your French while we're there."
"I'd like that, and maybe I can even use the three Dutch words I know."
Here's our loosely planned St. Maarten itinerary. There are a lot of reasons to visit Saint Martin, so maybe it will inspire you to plan a weekend getaway of your own!
Noontime arrival in St Maarten
We left on Friday morning, arriving at Princess Juliana International Airport before it was time for lunch. The sun teased us as we rode to the hotel, making the ocean sparkle and creating assorted luminous green and blue hues that Crayola will never be able to duplicate.
Never.
Checking out the hotel and surrounds
Dan booked a very nice room at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, with a balcony that overlooked a beautiful white-sand beach and offered a panoramic view of the water. Cliffs rose to the left and right and down on the sand, a row of lounge chairs and umbrellas awaited guests.
Whenever we check into a hotel, the first thing we do is walk around the property. It's always fun to see what a hotel has to offer. As soon as I saw they had an assortment of restaurants, three pools, a swim-up bar, and free wi-fi, I was one happy birthday girl.
First on the itinerary: lunch at the beachside bar. The better to admire the view with, my dear.
As we ate, Dan noticed a nearby hill. "I want to hike up there before we leave," he said, "just to see what's on the other side." I laughed and told him that he'd probably just see more ocean.
But first, sightseeing in St Maarten.
Afternoon: Check out Philipsburg
My thoughtful husband had planned an afternoon surprise: a Segway tour of Philipsburg. I was thrilled! Little did he know that I had wanted to ride a Segway for a long time.
I figured it couldn't be too hard to learn, because the security guards ride them around our local malls effortlessly. I was right: After only a few minutes of instruction, we were both riding like pros.
Our segway route was limited to the expansive, paved boardwalk, which is chock full of hotels, restaurants, pubs, and quirky souvenir shops. We rode all the way to the end, where there's a wide, sandy beach, then headed back the way we came. The other end of the boardwalk terminates at a beautiful marina and shopping area. It's conveniently close to the cruise port.
The tour was super fun, but learning to ride a Segway was even better. Now I want one!
St. Maarten's capital, Philipsburg, is little more than three parallel roads, all connected by a few side streets that tourists flock to.
You have the Boardwalk, Front Street, and Back Street. They may not be the most creative names, but they certainly make sense.
- Front Street is closer to the beach and tourist area. With restaurants, boutiques and jewelry stores, this is the "higher rent" district.
- Back Street is set "back" from the beach. This is where most of the local needs can be found (think household goods and food markets, for instance).
We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring shops and side streets, and people watching.
Beachside drinks and a beautiful sunset
Philipsburg seemed to wind down as soon as the sun started to set. Don't get me wrong, there are some very nice places to grab a drink, but we were craving something a little more adventurous.
Locals know all the good places, so we hopped in a cab and asked the driver to take us to a spot with a killer sunset view. The driver, bless his heart, suggested Simpson Bay.
Good call. The sandy beach was lined with bars and eateries, all packed with people enjoying the view.
We claimed a spot on a breezy terrace for a pre-dinner drink and watched a group of teens, who were having a blast practicing flips with a bosu ball. Their energy was contagious.
A couple of little boys, lost in their own world, were pretending to be pirates, complete with sword fights and treasure hunts.
And all the while, a persistent hawker kept promising a "free giveaway" that never seemed to materialize, leaving us and others wondering what all the fuss was all about.
I watched the sailboats bobbing on the calm waves, while Dan captured the moment with a few birthday photos of me.
As the sun sank toward the horizon, igniting the sky and water in a palette of colors, we couldn't help but feel a million miles away from our ordinary lives.
Fresh seafood at a waterside restaurant
Drinks are all well and good, but few things can get us as excited as the opportunity to try local food. Rather than stay where we were, we headed out in search of a real restaurant and soon found the Gingerbread Cafe. The menu did not disappoint, with lots of fresh seafood to showcase the ocean's bounty.
Scotch Bonnet peppers (aka habaneros) are part of the island's cuisine, so Dan took advantage of it by ordering a West Indian chicken curry. Not having an asbestos tongue, I steered clear of the spicy creole but still, it smelled heavenly.
Morning: Snorkeling in St. Martin
There's nothing like seeing a beautiful Caribbean island from the water, right? Saturday morning was all about snorkeling and sightseeing around Sint Maarten.
Captain Alan had warned us at the outset that our snorkeling sites would depend on water and weather conditions. We only got to snorkel in St. Maarten that day, but all the locations were excellent. The boat took us to some wonderful spots, with reefs, a sand bar to wade on, and lonely beaches to explore.
As we went from place to place, we enjoyed sandwiches on fresh baguettes, chips and salsa, fruit salad, and a delicious homemade rum punch. I regret not asking for the recipe.
Our skipper was an expert at maximizing our time in each location; he gladly gave us his recommendations for where to go and what to see. The best part for me was when we ventured to a deeper spot where sea turtles are known to swim. He couldn't guarantee it, but we went anyway. I'd been wanting to see turtles in the open water for years.
We did it! We saw turtles! We also saw an octopus, conch, a stingray, and many of the fish and corals that we had in our saltwater aquarium at home.
Tour tips. If snorkeling in Sint Maarten sounds like fun to you, you can't go wrong with either Captain Alan or Captain Bob. Both have excellent reviews.
Everything is arranged: transportation to and from the dock, snorkeling equipment, food, drinks, everything. All you'll need to bring is a towel and sunscreen.
ⓘTIP: You'll run less chance of a sunburn if you book a morning tour. The afternoon sun can be especially strong.
Afternoon: Hiking and exploring
When we got back to the hotel, Dan finally got his chance to climb that nearby hill. I'd had enough sun with my super-fair skin, so I slathered on more sunscreen and waved him goodbye from a shady spot.
A few hours later, Dan came back happy, with a camera full of photos of local wildlife, incredible views, and stories of a semi-forgotten cannon that he discovered on the hilltop.
Other things to do in St. Martin
Sint Maarten and Saint Martin have countless things to do and enjoy. I regret not having enough time to enjoy the French side like I'd hoped. Other things I want to include on my next St. Maarten itinerary are:
- Stay on the Dutch side (Sint Maarten) and eat on the French side (Saint Martin)
- Take the high-speed ferry to St. Barth's
- Visit the St. Martin museum, which covers the culture and history of the island
- Go to Maho Beach to watch the planes fly only a few feet overhead and see people get blown into the water by the intense jet blasts.
Top Travel Tips for Visiting St. Maarten
Excited about your upcoming visit to St. Maarten? Here are some friendly tips to help you navigate the island and enjoy all it has to offer!
- Currency and Payments: The official currency is the Netherlands Antillean Florin, but the US Dollar is widely accepted on both the Dutch and French sides. Carry some cash for smaller establishments that may not accept credit cards.
- Best Time to Visit: Ideal seasons are from May to June and from November to mid-December for pleasant weather and fewer crowds, avoiding the peak tourist season and hurricane season.
- Getting Around: Renting a car is recommended for exploring the island, as driving is straightforward. You can easily travel between the Dutch and French sides without passport checks.
- Electricity: St. Maarten uses US electricity standards (110/120 volts), while St. Martin uses European standards (220 volts). Bring an adapter if necessary.
- Safety: St. Maarten is generally safe, but take the normal precautions, such as not displaying flashy belongings in public areas.
- Activities and Attractions: Must-see spots include Maho Beach for plane watching, Mullet Bay for a more secluded beach experience, and Pinel Island for fresh seafood. Consider a sailboat tour to enjoy the island from the water.
- Food Tours: Participating in a food tour is a great way to experience the local culture and cuisine, allowing you to sample a variety of traditional dishes and learn about their significance.
- Dining Reservations: Make reservations at popular restaurants in advance to secure a table, especially during peak tourist seasons.
- Try Local Specialties: Don't miss out on trying Johnny Cakes, Callaloo Soup, and salted cod. They reflect the island's rich culinary heritage.
- Transportation Tips: If you'll be enjoying a food tour with alcohol, arrange transportation in advance. Many tours offer this service, or you can use taxis or rideshare apps.
- Cultural Events: Check for local food festivals or culinary events during your visit to taste a variety of dishes and experience the best of St. Maarten's food scene.
- Hydration: Keep hydrated, especially while indulging in rich foods and drinks, as the tropical climate can be intense.