9 Reasons To Visit St Maarten and St Martin (SXM)
Have you ever heard of St. Maarten and St. Martin? After living on the island in 2023, we have nine reasons you should visit St Maarten/Martin on your next tropical vacation!
Who are we? At Bordersology we aim to create authentic travel content & advice based on our own experiences living abroad. We share a Canadian expat perspective.
*Updated February 2024*
1. Two Nations, One Island
The Island of Saint Martin, located in the Caribbean Leeward Islands, is home to two independent nations. Dutch Sint Maarten makes up the southern part of the island and French Saint Martin the north.
These two nations share the small island, which measures only 87 sq km, peacefully and co-operatively. Both sides share an Open Borders Agreement allowing citizens to drive freely across the island with No Customs Checkpoints.
Visitors can travel freely between both of Saint Martin’s nations when they >rent a vehicle< or >take a tour<of the island!
Click each city to view hotel, resort, and rental options!
Dutch Sint Maarten - Where To Stay
>Philipsburg< - Dutch Capitol & Cruise Ship Terminal
>Simpson Bay< - Food, Entertainment, Nightlife, Marina
>Maho<- Resorts, Food, Beaches
>Cupecoy< - Marina, Beaches, Food
French Saint Martin - Where To Stay
>Orient Bay< - Beach Resorts
>Grand Case< - Food, Entertainment, Beaches
>Nettle Bay< - Gated Condos, Private Beaches
>Marigot< - French Capitol, Marina
>Les Terres Basses< - Villa Rentals
2. “Culinary Capital Of The Caribbean”
> Prints Inspire Photography: Caribbean Portfolio <
Try Locally Caught Lobster From The Sea
Sint Maarten & Saint Martin locals are proud to argue that their island is the “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean”. From our experiences living on the island, we strongly agree! Talented chefs from Europe and around the world come to the island to work in high-quality restaurants across the island. The Culinary Capital of the Caribbean is truly a Foodie Destination.
Visitors can choose from Afro-Caribbean classics to fresh seafood, or whatever international cuisines their hearts desire.
Check Out Our Blog Posts For More Info
Best Restaurants - Quick Picks:
Overall - Bamboo in Cole Bay
Best Gluten Free - Roma + Mr. Chow Combo in Maho
Food + Beach - Rainbow Cafe in Grand Case
Food + Entertainment - ROXXY in Simpson Bay
French Cuisine - Le Telegraph in Orient Bay
Mexican - La Patrona in Simpson Bay
Italian - Mezza Luna in Nettle Bay
Cafe - Mr. Papaya in Maho
Fine/Upscale Dining - Salt in Simpson Bay
Budget/Best Service - Lazy Lizard in Philipsburg
*British Anguilla (neighbouring island) also claims the title “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean”. Come judge yourself!
3. “The Friendly Island”
Credit Tourism Saint Martin
Tourism Sint Maarten and Saint Martin frequently use “The Friendly Island” to advertise the island. The island’s 70,000+ residents welcome up to 1 million visitors per year.
We lived on the French side of the island and worked on the Dutch side of the island in 2023. Both sides were welcoming, safe, and full of friendly locals! The island was friendly to us!
St. Maarten and St. Martin is an all-ages destination with family-friendly activities, adventure tourism, and everything in between. Come experience the island with family or friends!
The Friendly Island extends to nightlife and entertainment options like festivals, clubs, events, etc. Check out Rainbow Cafe or ROXXY for weekly events and world-class DJs.
Experience The Friendly Island by >booking a local guide< or >booking a local tour<
4. Caribbean Paradise with 37 Beaches
Mullet Bay Beach Sunrise
Visitors can visit over thirty beaches spread across the Dutch and French sides of the island. With so many options it can be difficult to choose, which is why we are making a Best Beaches Blog that is coming soon!
The best time of the year to visit St. Maarten and St. Martin is the dry season between December and April of each year.
Beach options range from very public to completely private, some beaches have private sections and chair rentals, and others are completely public use.
This interactive map will help you plan your visit. It contains recommendations for our favourite beaches, restaurants, activities, and much more!
5. Set Sail
> Prints Inspire Photography: Caribbean Portfolio <
Orient Bay
The island of St. Maarten and St. Martin is a regional hub for boats of all sizes. Visit the port of Marigot, Philipsburg, or Simpson Bay to see sailboats, yachts, cruise ships, and super yachts from around the world. Some experiences include:
6. Visit During Carnival Season
Carnival is celebrated in the Caribbean to remember the end of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and celebrate Afro-Caribbean Culture. We were privileged to experience Carnival 2023 in Sint Maarten and it was one of the most authentic celebrations of community and identity we have ever experienced!
Carnival runs from Feb until March in French Saint Martin
>Check out your flight options at Trip.com<
Carnival runs from Mid-April to May in Dutch Sint Maarten
7. Practice Speaking Multiple Languages
English is the most spoken language on the island of Sint Maarten and Saint Martin alongside the official languages of French and Dutch. English-speaking visitors can request to receive service in English on both sides of the island.
Signs and paperwork are printed in English on the Dutch side of the island and in both French + English on the French Side.
>Tour Guides & Activities< on the island can be booked in English or sometimes in French.
8. Explore The Entire Island By Car
> Prints Inspire Photography: Caribbean Portfolio <
Orient Bay Surf Shack
One of the most exciting things to do when visiting St Martin & St Maarten is to >rent a vehicle< and drive around the entire island!
>Rentals< are available at the airport and in various towns. Visitors can complete a loop of the island in around 2 hours depending on # of stops and traffic
Avoid rush hour traffic between 3-6 pm! Traffic jams always form at the various roundabouts on the island during this time.
Generally, it is a developed, safe location for tourists to explore by vehicle. Some areas with a reputation to be mindful of are Sandy Ground, Cul-de-Sac, French Quarters, and Dutch Quarters. Use common sense and avoid leaving valuables in the car.
9. Nature, wildlife, & Volunteering
The final reason you should visit Saint Martin and Sint Maarten is to make a positive impact on the island community.
Many tourists have a negative impact on the island, creating litter, using resources, or bothering locals. Local environmentalists call it “The Trash Island” and “The Plastic Island” referring to inadequate waste management systems and littering issues. The island also has serious issues with stray cats and dogs, invasive species, and invasive monkeys.
We connected with two not-for-profits on the island trying to mitigate these problems. We highly recommend getting involved with Nature Foundation SXM which organizes beach cleanups and community sustainability projects. Animal lovers should get in contact with SXM Paws to help volunteer at their dog shelter, foster a dog, or adopt a dog.
We fostered three puppies while living on the island and helped them find new homes in Canada. It was one of the most rewarding travel experiences we have ever experienced and highly recommend that you get involved!
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