Beaches: With much more unspoiled shoreline than Sint Maarten,
the French side
definitely has the advantage for beaches, with popular Orient Bay Beach drawing crowds, and the peaceful Friar's Bay and appropriately named Happy Bay providing all the white sands and blue waters you'd expect on a Caribbean visit.
Where should we stay in St. Martin?
- La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel, St. Martin. …
- Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Spa, St. Maarten. …
- Le Petit Hotel, St. Martin. …
- Sonesta Ocean Point Resort, St. Maarten. …
- Hotel L'Esplanade, St. Martin. …
- Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, St. Maarten. …
- Oyster Bay Beach Resort, St. …
- Esmeralda Resort, St.
Which side of the island is best St. Maarten?
Orient Beach – the biggest and best beach on the island is on the
French side
. The Dutch side has all the casinos, but the Princess Port de Pleasance is right over the border. Its a very nice casino and the closest to the French side.
What is the nicest beach in St. Maarten?
- Dawn Beach – Spectacular Sunrises & Primo Snorkeling. Description. …
- Mullet Bay Beach – Powdery Sand & Surf Breaks. Description. …
- Simpson Bay Beach – Lengthy & Scenic. Description. …
- Kim Sha Beach – Sunsets, Watersports, & Family Beachgoing. …
- Cupecoy Beach – Pinnacle of Beachfront Scenery.
Which side of St. Martin has better beaches?
Head to
St. Martin
, the French side of St. Maarten, where you'll find a peaceful environment. The uncrowded shore of Grand Case Beach, one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, will lure you in with its clear turquoise seas and long, expansive coastline.
Is St Maarten or St Thomas better?
As a general rule,
St Thomas is better for travelers who are interested in beaches, snorkeling, island hopping and duty free shopping
. Alternatively, St Maarten is ideal for a visitor who is looking for a bubbling nightlife atmosphere, gourmet cuisine and to experience jet blast at Maho beach.
Is St Maarten walkable?
Is Sint Maarten walkable?
Yes, most of the roads in Saint Martin are suitable for walking
. Saint Martin's roads are paved very well. However, it is not recommended to walk in areas outside of Simpson Bay, Grand Case, Maho, or Orient bay or far away from your resort.
What is the best time to go to St. Martin?
The best time to visit St. Martin and St. Maarten is
May and June or between November and mid-December
. These select weeks are times when hotels advertise their best rates.
Do you need a car in St Maarten?
Martin and St. Maarten is in a rental car
. But really, outside of walking, just about any means of navigating between the French and Dutch sides of the island is manageable. Having a car will allow you more mobility and you'll find reasonable rental rates.
How many days do you need in St Maarten?
St. Maarten (and its French counterpart, St. Martin) is considered the melting pot of the Caribbean.
Three days
are enough time to experience the island's rich diversity of cultures and activities, and even venture farther afield in the Lesser Antilles.
Do you tip in St. Martin?
How much to tip in St Martin? On the Dutch side, tipping is similar to how it's done in the U.S. —
about 15-18 percent for good service, 20 percent for excellent service
. On the French side, your bill will include a service charge of about 15 percent.
Whats the difference between St. Martin and St Maarten?
Maarten (Sint Maarten) is the Dutch half, and St. Martin is French
.
Does St. Martin have white sand beaches?
Ranging from tranquil coves to white-sandy strands backed by glitzy casinos and bars or limestone cliffs,
St Martins in the Caribbean is home to some 37 beaches
– so there's a lot to choose from. Watersports are available in abundance and all beaches are accessible by yacht.
Is the water clear in St Maarten?
Water is clear and calm
for the most part, the beach is really long and you can see Anguilla in the distance on a good day. If you swim around the rocks on the right side of the beach there is a private secluded beach surrounded by high cliffs.
Can you swim in Simpson Bay Lagoon?
And now, Sint Maarten Nature Foundation has declared that
parts of Simpson Bay are safe again for swimming
.
Is St. Martin or St Lucia better?
It is probably the most beautiful island in the Caribbean. That said, SXM has nicer beaches and a more international flavor and definitely better restaurants. If you love beaches and great food, then
St Maarten is the choice for you
.
Can you drink the water in St Maarten?
Water —
The water on St. Maarten/St. Martin is safe to drink
. In fact, most hotels serve desalinated water.
Are there dolphins in St Maarten?
Dolphins can also be seen in the waters around Saint Martin
. They often travel in dense groups and sometimes swim at the bow end of vessels. Their curiosity is legend and they are very friendly. More than twenty species of marine mammals are present around Saint Martin.
Do I need a passport to go to St Maarten?
Martin.
U.S. and Canadian citizens must have a passport or a combination of a birth certificate and photo ID, plus a return or ongoing ticket
, to enter St. Maarten/St.
Is St Maarten a British Virgin island?
Maarten is not part of the Virgin Islands
, you should still give it a chance and visit this lovely island at least once in your life. Not only you will be in the heart of the Caribbean, but you will also enjoy a laid-back atmosphere with beautiful sunsets.
What is St Martin known for?
St. Martin's Dutch side is known for its
festive nightlife, beaches, jewellery, drinks made with native rum-based guavaberry liquors, and casinos
. The island's French side is known for its nude beaches, clothes, shopping (including outdoor markets), and French and Indian Caribbean cuisine.
How long does it take to drive around St. Martin?
If you're looking to explore the island of St. Martin in a day or two, you can easily do so by driving around its circumference. The drive around the island is only about
1.5 hours with no traffic but if there is traffic it can take around 2 hours
.
What side of the road do you drive on in St Maarten?
Maarten/St. Martin follows continental European laws and signs. We drive on the
right side
of the road, like in the US and Canada. An important rule: traffic coming from the right has the right-of-way!
What is the difference between the French and Dutch side of St Maarten?
Along with its selection of bars and nightclubs,
the Dutch side of Sint Maarten has a more animated vibe than its French counterpart
, as a result of the number of nightlife options and amount of tourists consistently flowing into Philipsburg.
Is Saint Martin safe?
St. Maarten is
generally considered a safe place to visit
, but as with any tourist destination there are some general safety precautions you should take. St. Martin is one of the safest warm weather climate (outside US) locations to visit.
Is the water warm in St. Martin?
In Saint Martin,
the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round, although it is a bit warmer in the summer months
, as we can see in the following table.
Is there a rainy season in St. Martin?
Rainy season runs from late May to mid-November
. This doesn't mean it rains for days at a time or even every day. But this also roughly corresponds to the official Atlantic hurricane season, June 1 to November 30.
