Turquoise blue beaches and the steepest zipline in the world await you here.
GoogleSint Maartenand you ’ll be greeted with a couple different spelling . There ’s an excellent reason for that : There are really two freestanding countries on this singular form , 37 - square - mi island , with as many variations of the name . Just a hop and a omission ( or a ferrying ride ) from poshSt . Barts , to the north is the French side , Saint Martin . And to the south — comprise just about 45 % of the island ’s total mass — is the Dutch dominion of Sint Maarten .
There is so much to explore in this tropical mountains - meets - ocean destination . And the smaller Dutch side carries a memorable punch , with the abundant friendliness of its topical anaesthetic as attraction number one . It ’s no surprisal that its slogan is “ The Friendly Island . ”
Beyond chats with a Saint Maartener over sips of the country ’s signatureguavaberry liqueur , every corner is fill with joy in this slice of theWest Indies . Fromplopping on a beachas monolithic aircrafts soar a few twelve foot above your caput to ridingthe existence ’s steepest zipline , to noshing on all thejohnnycakesyou can maybe manage , here ’s how to experience the Sint Maarten magic .
Big plane, little people.|Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
Enjoy the best planespotting in the world at Maho Beach
Perhaps you ’ve see the photos oralmost - alarming YouTube videosof vacationist on a beach , blazon outstretched , as mega - planes float just over their headland to a tarmac landing literally animal foot aside . That ’s St. Maarten ’s Maho Beach , which butts up toPrincess Juliana International Airport . For your own uniqueplanespotting escapade , make a day of it and get there on the early side as the larger external planes typically arrive before mid - afternoon . There ’s a bar off to the side where you may snap up a can and see all the action , but for the most thrills , you ’re gon na require to get cozy on the guts . vendor rent out chaise and chairs , making it promiscuous .
Beyond Maho Beach , Sint Maarten has 36 other beaches and , yes , much quieter alternative . Long Bay Beach(you’ll see sign for Baie Longue ) in the southwest lives up to its name as the largest beach on the island . Its secluded , turquoise - H2O coastline is bordered to the north and south by rock ‘n’ roll structures and is primed for bodyboarding and surfing . For sailing dangerous undertaking — many of which encircle the entirety of the island — Simpson Bayis a hotspot for options , including the likes ofNo1SXM SailingandSail Arawak SXM .
The Best Caribbean Destinations for an Easy Beach Getaway
Beach. Rum. Repeat.
Brave the world’s steepest zipline. Plus, parrots
Sure , Sint Maarten ’s beaches get the bulk of the ecological love . But there is a zipline and a bird sanctuary that will make outdoorsy hearts flutter equally so . The Flying Dutchman Ziplinestarts at the top of the most 1,200 - foot - tallSentry HillonRockland Estate , one of the highest points on the island . On your zipline ride down to near - sea grade , you accomplish tiptop speeds of almost 60 miles per time of day , taking in bird’s-eye woodland , ocean , and beach landscape along the way . For the most seamless experience , Rainforest Adventuresoffers parcel with chairlift ride up to Sentry Hill , in plus to other zipline escapade .
Near the Gallic / Dutch molding in the town of Belvedere , you ’ll findParotte Ville Bird Sanctuary . open in 2015 by aptly - named local George Parotte , here you ’ll find 140 birds representing 26 unlike species to gawk at and helping hand provender . The star topology of the show are parrots in the most intense of vividness combinations , plus some coinage that can only be found at this location . The berth is also an avian rehabilitation centre which you may study all about via tours and within its quaint museum set - up , too .
Spot the pineapple-shaped bell tower in Philipsburg
Amid the nature and rural options , Sint Maarten has a thriving city , too . Philipsburgis the capital of St. Maarten and is the state ’s urban core . Its overarching architectural vibe — believe definitive Dutch , pastel buildings — is as alluring as the businesses you ’ll saunter by .
Front Streetis a pedestrian - well-disposed shopping thoroughfare featuring designer clothing boutiques , jewellery shops with locally sourced tanzanite creations , and the township ’s compound - esque courthousewith a pineapple - shaped bell tower on top . Parallel to Front Street is an expansive , seaboard boardwalk for when you need a scenic reprieve from shopping .
On the artistry front , Philipsburg ’s street have latterly morph thanks to modern murals courtesy of theBe The Change Foundation’sColorMeSXM Project . The introduction partner with more than a dozen local artists to make an artistry - walk experience through township , with landscape painting spanning aureate iguanas to chat up wings . They are all gram - worthy and conveniently map out .
Don’t forget to cover your ears. Plane engines are loud.|Skycolors/Shutterstock
Bring some costume changes to Carnival
Whereas mostCarnival celebrationsare confined to a few day and hyper - focus on its host country , Sint Maarten party on another level . Its annual Carnival stretches through April , with a funfair village as its anchor . With stadium sit it ’s open round the clock and feature 79 stall , including more than 30 culinary seller from throughout the entire Caribbean region .
Multiculturalism is celebrate in another upshot , Flagfest , which chew over the diverse population on the island . The Night of the Hitmakers showcases musical talent , and in 2024 they added the St. Maarten Carnival Caribbean Queen Pageant to the card .
And then there ’s the Jouvert Morning Jump Up . arouse up at 4 am on a Thursday , dress in group costumes ( like maids and butlers or law officers ) , and party on the streets through the rupture of morning . Then take the balance of the year to recoup .
Go from sweet to spicy and back
You could easily expend your total hitch in Sint Maarten eating . Among the delicacies are johnny cake ( cornmeal pancakes),callaloo(a thick , vegetable - filled soup named after a leafy vegetable),lokri(a simmered Elmer Rice stunner resembling paella ) , andspareribs . Oh , the brilliant barbecued spareribs that come in such sweet and goosey multifariousness . Head to the no - frillsCaptain ’s Rib Shackfor arguably the beneficial on the island , striking just the good balance .
On the booze front , Sint Maarten is expectedly loaded with cozy , beachside haunts . A preferent isDutch Blond Beach Barfor its ice - cold , homemade craftsmanship brews . Juggie ’s Placeis as charming as it bring , with a signal reading “ The Smallest Bar in the earth ” above its front door . The owner will donate money toward a local white meat cancer awareness nonprofit for anyone who donates one of their own bra . If you ’re seem to take a bottleful of Sint Maarten rummy home , make itGuavaberry . It ’s everywhere , fromthe Philipsburg cruise portto the duty - free section of the airport .
Wade in your hotel’s swim-up bar
Most mass get acquaint with Sint Maarten through a Caribbean sail . But those in the know stay a while . And for them there ’s just one question : Dreamy , all - inclusive resort or breezy villa ?
In early 2024 the firstJW Mariottopened on the island in a former hotel property demolish by 2017 ’s Hurricane Irma . The first step signaled not just a recovery , but reflected a new luxe mindset for Sint Maarten . For resort , Divi Little Bay Beach Resortopened its newest annexe in 2022 and has three oceanview pools , a swimming - up ginmill , and on - site piss sports center . Six miles western United States , Sonesta Maho Beach Resortis a top all - inclusive , family - friendly alternative with 10 acres of oceanfront dimension to explore , a kids golf-club , aquamarine ballpark , and on - site gambling casino . For villas , the superintendent - privateCoral Beach Clubis tuck in the northeast corner of the state onOyster Pondand has 24 luxurious Doroteo Arango with sea and mountain views .
Ziplining in the Caribbean, not a care in the world. Sign us up.|Rainforest Adventures St Maarten
When in Sint Maarten you must try guavaberry. Ideally in booze form.|Wangkun Jia/Shutterstock
Carnival in Sint Maarten is a multicultural experience.|timsimages.uk/Shutterstock
Find us seated right here.|The Captain’s Rib Shack
No need to leave the pool to refresh your cocktail.|Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa
