Saint Martin Travel Guide

  Baie Rouge
by lovesxm
  • Baie Rouge
      Baie Rouge
    by lovesxm
  •   Saint Martin
    by Jawnuta
  • great green!
      great green!
    by dustmon
  • Beach by Oyster Bay Resort
      Beach by Oyster Bay Resort
    by Kjoyhans
  •   Saint Martin
    by fishing4jetlag

Pro

BigBlueOne profile photo

 One of the sides (Dutch or French) will have whatever it is you're looking for 


Con

melissa_bel profile photo

 The Dutch side is really too touristy and the French side might be a bit sedate for some. 


In a nutshell

frir profile photo

 Just get there take a deep breath and enjoy your visit!!! 

 

Explore Saint Martin

Things to Do  

Orient Beach

Orient Beach, Saint Martin

 Dabs Says:  Orient Beach is the most well known spot on the island of St. Martin/St. Maarten, it is located on the French side of the island and is well known, I assume, because it has a nude beach. We were dropped off right at the entrance to the Club Orient which is the resort behind... 

FORT ST. LOUIS

FORT ST. LOUIS, Saint Martin

 DAO Says:  This small fort is actually largest historical monument in St.Martin. It is also the best viewing vistas on the whole of the shared island. This includes the absolute best place to view sunsets. It would also be the most likely place to build a fort. It was erected in 1767... 

Orient Beach

Orient Beach, Saint Martin

 garridogal Says:  This gorgeous beach is, in my opinion, ruined by the extraordinary amount of peddlers that are allowed to swarm people who are just trying to enjoy the place. It's set-up is very European with a series of individual clusters of beach chairs that are accompanied by a... 

Roland Richardson gallery

Roland Richardson gallery, Saint Martin

 shohman Says:  World famous Caribbean artist Roland Richardson has a gallery in Marigot. In fact, he wSee my comments on the main page for more info. in fact, he was born right next door. Original Paintings are for sale and Mr. Richardson will even do a portrait of you if you want. Ot you... 

Grand Case

Grand Case, Saint Martin

 Suzanne123 Says:  Grand Case is the gourmet capitol of the world, second to Paris. Located in the north on the French side of the island. Le petite favorite is a small shopping centre, restaurant, and more. Beautiful to look at with all the gingerbread trim. 

Butterfly Farm at entrance to Orient Bay Resort

Butterfly Farm at entrance to Orient Bay Resort, Saint Martin

 dustmon Says:  While staying at Orient Bay, this was a natural visit for me--I love animals and stuff like that, so my next door lady friend and I went up the driveway to the Butterfly Farm---a huge tented area full of beautiful butterflies, and folk who are willing to take the time to... 

Hotels  

Grand Case Beach Club

 1 Review and 802 Opinions  We stayed here in 1999 and it was the best vacation we ever had. Grand Case Beach Club was clean,... 

Club Orient Hotel

 2 Reviews and 141 Opinions  I stayed here not too long ago and had some great experiences. I went alone, and wanted to write a... 

Restaurants  

The sky's the limit: Cheap eats

The sky's the limit: Cheap eats, Saint Martin

 Suzanne123 Says:  The lolo's (locally owned and locally operated) is at the north end of the beach between the beach and the main rd. Here there are some outdoor restaurants that have barbeques. Really yummy. Fish, Ribs, Plantain, Rice and Peas (actually red beans), Spaghetti, and more. 

Sarafina's: Neighborhood bakery, and much more.

Sarafina's: Neighborhood bakery, and much more., Saint Martin

 shohman Says:  We were at an art gallery and asked the curator for a suggestion of a good place to grab a light bite and a coffee. She directed us a few blocks away to Sarafini's. It's on the water near some very scenic sights, but has the feel of a local favorite. Residents stopped by to... 

Transportation  

Next level Car Rental

Next level Car Rental, Saint Martin

 TriniTraveler Says:  I usually use reviews to make my bookings and Susan,s review was used in my selection. So to assist others I too will put a review out there.I recently visited St Marteen in June 2012 and rented a car from Next Level Car Rental, they are the best. The agent Vicky was very... 

Next Level Car Rental

Next Level Car Rental, Saint Martin

 Sunsan34 Says:  Hello everyone,I don't usually write reviews but I had to tell you about my newest discovery.I recommend anyone to rent at Next Level Car Rental agencies located on both the french and Dutch part of the island. My friends and I have been coming to the island for the past 8... 

buses

buses, Saint Martin

 shohman Says:  Buses run on both sides of the island and are easy enough to spot. They are actually mini vans and trips cost anywhere from $1.50 to 3.00. Destinations are posted on the front window. Please note, most buses stop running around dusk so if you miss one, you'll need to get a... 

Bus

Bus, Saint Martin

 Suzanne123 Says:  There is bus service from: 1. Marigot to Bay rouge, 2. Marigot to Cole bay KFC (maho-Philisburg bus/dutch side), 3. Marigot through A// Quarter D'orleans (pass 1 mile to Lotterie Farm and continues to B// Grand Case then 1 mile away to C//Orient Beach Buses cost $1.00 or... 

Shopping  

several: West Indies Mall

several: West Indies Mall, Saint Martin

 shohman Says:  This is a small, but beautiful mall. Mostly clothing and jewelry. Prices are in Euros but they do take US $ as well. Everything from Italian shoes, jeans, lotions, etc. One store had great deal on shoes that I really wish I took advantage of. 

Local Customs  

Bananaquits/sugarbirds

Bananaquits/sugarbirds, Saint Martin

 dustmon Says:  There are birds in St Martin called Bananaquits or locally sugarbirds, because if you put out a dish or small plate of sugar out on your deck or patio they will come by to feast---gorgeous golden birds similar to our goldfinches but bigger....also sometimes if you put out a... 

Lolo's

Lolo's, Saint Martin

 shohman Says:  All over the island you will see roadside street food, Lolo's. Don't worry, it is perfectly safe and delicious. Really, it's hard to get a bad meal on either side, but lolo's offer a true sense of local food. From ribs to stews to saltfish and johnny cakes. Give it a try and... 

Warnings and Dangers  

stray dogs

stray dogs, Saint Martin

 shohman Says:  one thing about this island, there are stray dogs galore. Most are harmless, but use common sense. This one was getting some shade under the table next to us. another one crawled under my wife's beach chair while we were laying out. 

Beware of Unlicensed Taxis

Beware of Unlicensed Taxis, Saint Martin

 markbohan Says:  It appears to be national pastime in both part of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten to masquerade as a taxi driver as a way of making a fast buck. They are known locally as "Gypsy Taxis". Because of the lack of any public transportation after 6pm, tourists will often later in the... 

Tourist Traps  

Avoid Thrifty Car Rental at St. Maarten

Avoid Thrifty Car Rental at St. Maarten, Saint Martin

 amorrissette Says:  What the Thrifty sales staff won't tell you is that some St. Mateen's thieves check to see if some rental cars are unlocked by jimmying the passenger lock. You may not notice the lock is damaged till much later, or not at all if you never use the key to enter from the... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Anguilla or Bust!

Anguilla or Bust!, Saint Martin

 otrlady Says:  On a return trip to St. Maarten in 2005, two of our tablemates took a local ferry from Marigot to the island of Anguilla, spending most of the day driving the island. Not much excitement there, but some nice beaches if you're looking for sun and sand. The ferry to Anguilla... 

Favorites  

getting dark inside strike up the band lounge

getting dark inside strike up the band lounge, Saint Martin

 rw-bigfoot Says:  Inside the strike up the band lounge we watched one of the shows here awful more than one person talked about the chubby girl dancers they had. One of the young men couldn't even start to left his partner off the groundand most only lifted them a foot off the floor just... 

Comments

Map of Saint Martin