As you are probably aware, St. Maarten is an interesting island as it offers a unique combination of French and Dutch cultures.
If you are looking for a relaxed atmosphere, filled with white sand beaches and crystal clear waters then look no further, as I will assure you, you will fall in love with St. Maarten.
And here are my favorite things to do in St. Maarten, so if you happen to visit the island and do these things leave a comment below and let me know how much fun you had!
Continue reading and join me on my adventures in the Caribbean.
Visiting the zoo
I know what you are probably thinking. Why should I go to the zoo when a beautiful beach is waiting for me? Well, it turns out that going to this zoo is a great activity and an amazing place to visit, as you will see lots of different animals.
But I liked going to the zoo because I was able to see macaws and iguanas everywhere! This is a fun place to visit with your children, but I went there myself too, so it is also a good option to consider even if you are visiting the island alone.
Go to Maho Beach
I have recently written an article about going to Maho Beach (you can read it here). Maho Beach is an interesting and unique place to visit whenever you are in St. Maarten as you will be able to see airplanes flying on top of your head.
As in, they are literally just a few yards from where you are on this beach. Even though this isn’t the most beautiful beach in St. Maarten, Maho Beach still gets crowded every day as tourists from all over the world want to take a picture from below the airplane.
St. Maarten’s Natural Reserve
Another great plan is to go to St. Maarten’s Natual Reserve, which covers around 3060 hectares. Around 2900 of the total hectares is offshore, but you also have a natural reserve of the coast and the water.
Here you will be able to find lush plants, beautiful marine life, and many interesting-looking birds. There is immense biodiversity that you will be shown throughout the day if you decide to go to this place. You will also realize how lucky you are, being in St. Maarten and its tropical weather.
Go to local restaurants
This doesn’t mean you can’t go to the most famous restaurants on the island. What I suggest though, if you truly want to experience the local cuisine, then get off the tourist bus and discover where the locals dine.
The St. Maarten cuisine will not disappoint you, as it is influenced by French, Dutch and Creole cooking, you can expect you will be amazingly surprised by the wide range of options.
Some of the few local plates are callaloo, fish fritters, lobster, and Johnny cakes. But you can also ask the waitress to recommend you something completely new. Have fun, and remember, eating local is also an adventure!
The best part is that eating out in St Maarten is really affordable!
Culture is also important
I always recommend those who are going to travel to the Caribbean, to do some research beforehand and discover whether or not that island has a museum or something similar where cultural aspects can be displayed and looked at, in order to understand how civilizations have evolved throughout the years.
Learning the island’s history will also allow you to have something to talk to with the locals, or to bring interesting stories for your family or friends who happen to be back home. There is the St. Maarten museum in the capital Philipsburg, right on the Front Street.
There you will see artifacts and items from the Arawaks, the indigenous people who lived on the island many years ago. You will also be able to see old photographs and memorabilia that dates the colonial governments that the island has had.
Go to the Casino
And try your luck! Did you know that St. Maarten is known for the number of casinos there are? In fact, there are 12 casinos where you can try your luck and see whether or not you win something.
And even if you don’t win anything, it is always fun to try something different at least once. I’m not a big fan of casinos, I must admit, but I loved going to a Caribbean casino as it gave me a different experience from the ones I have had before.
Don’t tell this to anybody
I’m about to reveal one of St. Maarten’s best-kept secret, so if you are going to this Caribbean island any time soon, or you know someone else that is going, send them this article, as they will find everything they need to know about this place here.
Well, without further ado, I would like to introduce you to Pinel Island, one of the most beautiful islands on earth. This lesser-known island is located on Orient Bay and you can only get there by bout.
Even though it is on the French side of the island, it is quite accessible to get there in no time. Are you looking forward to great hiking paths? Or are you looking forward to soft white beaches? Or perhaps you are only thinking about snorkeling?
Either way, it is true that you can do all of these activities in St. Maarten, especially in a place like Pinel island. So don’t hesitate to go, you will have a great time exploring this island.
If you like guava coladas…
Wait, what? Guava coladas? And oh my God, if you haven’t tried this yet you will absolutely go crazy in love once you order one in St. Maarten. Move over piña coladas, it is time to introduce the new fabulous drink Guava coladas….sorry not sorry!
But St. Maarten is so special that they don’t offer just regular guava fruits. In fact, they have their own type of guava berries that grow like wildfire in the central hills of the island. So, what they do is that they mix this fruit with the Caribbean’s favorite liquor (you guessed it, rum), and do a type of cocktail that is to die for.
So if you are looking for an interesting adventure, you can go to the St. Maarten Guavaberry Company and in there you will be able to do a tasting of this drink (you will also receive shots of rum). You have been warned!
You can also buy a bottle (or two!) of your favorite rum and you can take it home as a souvenir or as your new favorite drink.
Have a walk on the Philipsburg Boardwalk
If you go to the Great Bay Beach you will be able to scroll through the Philipsburg Boardwalk. It is a beautiful place where this city and the Caribbean sea come together, and it boasts very lively energies.
From hot dog stands to Jamaican restaurants, there are many eateries for you to try out and there are many more terraces for you to have a drink…or two.
If you are looking for buying souvenirs then this is the place to go to as well, as you have an enormous bazaar filled with arts, crafts, and many other things.
You will also be able to capture the beautiful sunsets and sunrises of the island, as this boardwalk is filled with places that are Instaworthy!
