Trip to Saint-Martin
Part of the Lesser Antilles, the island of Saint-Martin is a unique destination of its kind. Indeed, separated into two distinct parts, either the French side, belonging to France, and the Dutch side, belonging to the Netherlands, this small Caribbean island will charm you both with its tasty gastronomic offer and its 37 sandy beaches. breathtaking white, mountainous landscapes, numerous entertainment venues and abundant cultural venues. Here is some practical information as well as some essential not to be missed if you are planning a trip to Saint-Martin.
93 square kilometers of pure beauty
Stretching over 93 square kilometers from east to west, the destination of Saint-Martin is easily accessible by car. In fact, in just a few hours, you can get around this island with its many treasures of unique beauty. If you're planning a trip to Saint-Martin, be sure to hire a car so you don't miss out on all of its charms.
The Sunset Beach Bar and Grill at Maho Beach
On the Dutch side, we are charmed by many attractions, starting with the bar at the Sunset Beach Bar and Grill, on Maho Beach, which offers tourists the opportunity to admire a sunset over the sea while sipping a delicious cocktail, but also to witness the landing of planes of various airlines at very low altitude, which offers a breathtaking spectacle that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world.
Spectacular landings
The landing strip at Princess Juliana International Airport is known to be one of the most difficult to approach, so planes have very little space to land and have to practically land their gear on the beach a few meters from the heads of tourists. A plane landing schedule is even available at the bar so that we don't miss any of these shows. To see: a landing of one of the behemoths of the KLM company!
Contrary to what many believe, seeing these planes land on the beach does not spoil the vacation of tourists; on the contrary, it improves them. So don't hesitate to rent a room at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino for this reason. The hotel is a short walk from this bar.
Maho Beach and Mullet Bay
Besides Maho beach, which is spectacular and very pretty, but small, another seaside resort located a few minutes walk away is worth seeing. This is Mullet Bay, a beach with turquoise waters and white sand that is surrounded by an idyllic setting. The beach offers breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea. Other beaches are worth a visit in Saint-Martin. This is the case with the beaches of Baie Rouge and Baie Longue, to name but a few.
Philipsburg, the capital
Always on the Dutch side, one is captivated by the beauty of Philipsburg, the capital, and its thousand duty-free shops lined up on the edge of a turquoise sea surrounded by mountains and carpeted with pretty small sailboats and other pleasure boats.
On the Front Street promenade, you can stop for a bite to eat in a restaurant or sip a good cocktail under the blazing sun.
In Philipsburg, there are also other tourist spots worth a visit, such as the Sint-Marteen Museum, which offers an insight into the history of the island, and The Courthouse, one of the country's most famous monuments. .
It is also in Philipsburg that the cruise ships that stop in Saint-Martin anchor, so if you are lucky, you will have the opportunity to see one dock and mingle with the large crowd of cruise passengers who will disembark in large numbers to storm the shops on the promenade.
The wonders of the French side
On the French side, many wonders await tourists in search of sublime ocean views and gourmet dinners dominated by stunning sunsets.
Grand Case
The village of Grand-Case, erected northeast of the town of Marigot, alone is worth the trip to Saint-Martin. Indeed, with its turquoise beach and dream villas, pretty sailboats and gourmet restaurants run by internationally renowned French chefs, Grand-Case is the perfect place to treat yourself to a romantic dinner. No doubt you will remember it for the rest of your life if you go!
The Old House
If you pass through Grand-Case, do not miss to visit The Old House, an old house still furnished with period furniture, and its famous rum museum. You will also have the opportunity to taste rum in a former plantation and see photos from the time of Christopher Columbus's journey when he landed on the island. Lovers of rum and history, this is the place to go if you are planning a trip to Saint-Martin!
Marigot
Also on the French side, the largest city of Saint-Martin, Marigot, is a must-see. Dominated by the ruins of Fort Louis, the destination is full of terraces, restaurants and luxurious boutiques where you can stop for a bite to eat or shop.
There are boutiques in Marigot that sell some of the most luxurious jewelry in the Caribbean. There is no doubt that you will find the diamond of your dreams if you wish to ask your lover or your lover in marriage!
The forts
Besides Fort Louis, other forts such as Amsterdam and Willem 1 are also worth seeing if you are planning a trip to St. Martin.
Among the other must-see attractions in Saint-Martin, we find the Pic Paradis, the highest mountain in the country. Its summit rises to 424 meters and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea and the surrounding mountains.
Excursions to other islands
As Saint-Martin is located near other islands, several tour operators offer excursions to other destinations for tourists. This is the case with Anguilla, which can be explored from Saint Martin by boat. Have a nice trip !
