Tips on how to spend 3 days in Sint Maarten, St-Martin and Anguilla

Nestled in a row of islands within the Caribbean Sea, the half-Dutch, half-French island of Sint Maarten and St-Martin is dwelling to numerous iguanas, lush inexperienced surroundings and miles of seashores alongside turquoise waters.

While you arrive on the island, you will discover the Dutch and French sides have two distinct personalities divided by an invisible line. Whereas the Dutch facet is dwelling to a thumping nightlife, glimmering casinos and a flurry of eating places, the French facet has a quieter and extra laid-back environment the place a slowcation actually prospers. Fortunately, it’s simple to expertise each, in addition to neighboring Anguilla, on a brief go to. I stayed on the Dutch facet of the island, hopping backwards and forwards between the territories, consuming fantastic meals and swimming the times away. Right here is my information to a three-day journey.

• When to reach: Arriving on a Thursday or Friday ensures it is possible for you to to participate within the nightlife on the Dutch facet whereas nonetheless having time to discover the entire island all through the weekend.

• Tips on how to get from the airport: The principle airport is Princess Juliana Worldwide Airport on the Dutch facet. The island is comparatively small, and taxis are a good way to get round. Licensed taxis can have a “T” on their license plates. This can be a surefire approach to know you might be getting a trip from a verified taxi service. 

• Getting round city: Whereas there isn’t a Uber or Lyft in Sint Maarten, the SXM Taxi App permits you to name a automobile when you should get someplace. 

• The place to remain: For an all-inclusive, family-friendly possibility, attempt Sonesta Maho Seashore, however for those who’re an adults-only group, the Sonesta Ocean Level is a quieter selection. For a secluded, design-forward keep, attempt Le Martin Boutique Lodge on the French facet. 

• What to pack: A swimsuit, sunscreen and a hat are at all times vital when having fun with the seashores.

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Day 1

Buggy rides and Carnival historical past

Morning: Seize breakfast to go earlier than heading out into the nice and cozy solar of Sint Maarten. Really feel the breeze in your hair whereas attending to know the vacation spot with a buggy trip across the island. The open-air, four-seat type vehicles make navigating the island simple and require a legitimate license. Resulting from its small dimension (19km/12-mile circumference), you can also make the complete loop and see each the French and Dutch sides in a few hours.

There are neighborhoods dotted across the island damaged up by undisturbed wildlife. As you discover, you will discover many value stopping in. My private favourite was Grand Case for its mix of European vitality and beachy vibes. Many corporations supply guides that will help you keep on observe and take you to the important sights. As you drive alongside Oyster Pond Rd, you’ll come throughout iguanas basking within the solar whereas guests marvel at their brilliant colours and supply lettuce; that is the right first cease.

As you proceed the trip, look to the towering inexperienced hills in your left, like Pic du Paradis and Flagstaff, and the brilliant blue water of Saint-Barthélemy Channel in your proper.

Cease at Pirate Hideout Seashore Bar and Restaurant on Orient Seashore for a refreshment and to observe the kitesurfers out on the water. This is a superb place for water actions because of the sturdy breeze and mid-size waves. When you’re inclined to reveal all, there’s additionally a nude part at this seashore.

Proceed within the buggy to the Marigot Market, open Monday to Saturday. You can spend hours exploring this bustling assortment of distributors. From recent fruit, greens and seafood to regionally made jewellery and clothes, it’s simple to stroll away with just a few goodies to take dwelling with you.

Afternoon: After the buggy trip, seize a meal (I had the grilled hen panini) alongside the water at Tortuga Maho on the Dutch facet. Sint Maarten is legendary for its heart-racing airplane landings, which are available in low over Maho Seashore earlier than gracefully touchdown just a few hundred ft alongside the runway. Right here you’ll be able to watch the unbelievable landings with a meal with out the plane-spotting crowds that collect alongside the seashore. 

After lunch, stroll over to the We Tradition Museum. This one is for lovers of Carnival and people seeking to perceive the historical past behind the beloved annual celebration. In Sint Maarten, Carnival is in February on the French facet and April on the Dutch. Over the course of weeks, parades run via the island, and locals and guests put collectively colourful adventurous outfits and take to the streets to rejoice. Initially Carnival was a celebration within the lead-up to Ash Wednesday, however now it’s not at all times tied to these dates, permitting the totally different islands to rejoice exterior a time constraint.

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We Tradition Museum was based by Gerald Hart – a lifelong attendee of Carnival who was born right into a household of main figures within the Trinidad Carnival scene – whose major objective is to protect the historical past of the Caribbean Carnival. On the finish of your tour, you’ll have the prospect to attempt on one of many iconic headdresses and wings. 

Night: For dinner, go to the elegant and scrumptious Emilio’s on the Dutch facet of the island. While you’re in Sint Maarten, don’t miss the chance to get pleasure from some Creole curry. Emilio’s additionally serves a unbelievable brief rib that I nonetheless take into consideration. 

Professional tip: If you end up on the French facet, look out for poulet de Colombo, which is an area staple. The dish options potatoes, hen, carrots and an array of spices. It may be discovered round each nook, and it’s typically unbelievable.

Day 2

Native recipes and smoky barbecue

Morning: When I’m this near a physique of water, I like to begin my day by swimming within the ocean. Nevertheless it’s additionally the right time to discover round your close by neighborhood, which for me was Maho Reef, or get pleasure from breakfast in your balcony. Both means, begin off slowly to savor the tempo of Sint Maarten.

Spend your morning within the kitchen at Creole Culinary Classroom, the place you’ll be able to be taught the artwork of cooking a few of the island’s regional favorites. Throughout my go to, I had a two-hour lesson, throughout which I discovered to make fish fritters and rhum baba, a raised cake soaked in rum. The classroom teaches a spread of menus in numerous languages, however everybody will be taught recipes to recreate time and time once more. 

Afternoon: Take pleasure in your afternoon at Balaou, a floating restaurant off the coast of the French facet of the island. With mountains within the distance and the shore crammed with guests having lunch on the seashore bars, the little floating barge feels separate from the remainder of the world. Balaou will ship a dinghy to choose you up from a close-by dock earlier than driving you to a floating platform, dwelling to a full-service bar and traditional meals choices, like burgers and nachos. Take a second to get your sea legs. The very best time to be out on the Balaou is on a calmer day, however a delicate rocking ought to at all times be anticipated. The toughest half is getting from the transferring boat to the transferring platform, so for those who battle with stability or movement illness, this one is not for you!

The bar has numerous floating units tied to it. You’ll discover blown-up couches, walkways and coated floating seating (for many who choose to remain out of the solar). You’ll be able to attempt to stroll out to the seats and have your ft within the water, however I choose swimming out to the floaties. 

Spend the remaining sunlight hours hopping from floaty to floaty at Balaou, cooling off within the temperate water, and getting your tan on. This was one in all my favourite actions from the journey, and like nothing I had ever achieved earlier than.

Night: After your day on the water, cease at The Captain’s Rib Shack for an off-the-cuff but fabulous barbecue. Clearly, the ribs are a should, however the jerk hen additionally packs a scrumptious punch. If you’re up for it, get a pattern of an area favourite, guavaberry. Usually discovered fused in rums, guavaberry cocktails are a staple. 

After darkish: The Dutch facet of Sint Maarten has an abundance of bars and nightlife choices, however Nowhere Particular, only a brief distance from Captain’s, is ideal after dinner. This outside bar is beloved for its inexpensive drinks and packed dance ground. 

Day 3 

Island hopping

Morning: Take a 30-minute boat trip to the gorgeous island of Anguilla. There are alternatives to constitution your individual boat, which you might use to sail across the island, or you’ll be able to take the ferry and spend your time exploring the island itself. 

Afternoon: Anguilla is dotted with pristine seashores to spend your afternoon on. Shoal Bay Seashore and Crocus Bay Seashore are amongst Anguilla’s finest seashores. Mix your lunch with beachfront views at Leon’s at Meads Bay, serving a Caribbean-Asian fusion of recent ceviche, sushi and boa buns, simply steps away from the clear water. Benefit from the boating and snorkeling alternatives simply offshore, or guide a sundown cruise with Calypso.

For many guests, a visit to the well-known Anguilla Arch – a picture-perfect pure stone archway within the cliffside – is a should. You’ll be able to drive to a view of the arch (and stand on high of it), or for those who would reasonably see it from the water, go for a ship tour across the island. 

Night: When you’re solely planning on a day journey to Anguilla, the final ferry to Sint Maarten leaves at 4:30pm. Nevertheless, if you wish to keep in a single day, seize dinner at Veya for grilled octopus and lobster bisque. Quintessence is a shocking lodging worthy of a splurge, or go for the 4 Seasons Anguilla, one other island favourite.

After darkish: Spend the night at Bankie Banx’s Dune Protect. Get to know the locals whereas dancing the night time away to a DJ set at Bankie Banx, proper on the seashore. 

Chamidae traveled to Sint Maarten by invitation of the SXM Tourism Board. Lonely Planet doesn’t settle for freebies in trade for optimistic protection.