If you are looking for the perfect getaway for you and your besties, Sint Maarten has everything you need to have the best trip ever. It can be overwhelming with so much to choose from when looking for activities for your group to do. In this blog, we highlight some of the best spots to make a trip to Sint Maarten a truly unforgettable one.
No matter what your vibe is, the “Friendly Island” has what you’re looking for!
Restaurants and Bars
Sint Maarten is home to so many fantastic restaurants that it can be hard to experience them all in just one trip. No matter what you’re looking for when it comes to food and drinks, Sint Maarten has it. Of course, a big perk of the island is that the drinking age is 18. Whether you’re looking for a full meal, a casual cocktail hour or a night out, here are some of the most fun and beautiful places on the island to enjoy with your girls.
Ocean Lounge at Holland House
The Ocean Lounge at the Holland House Beach Hotel is a perfect place to enjoy a drink and a meal with a beautiful view of the water. Located on the boardwalk area in Philipsburg, this location is a breath of fresh air. Everything here is light and airy in a way that feels almost Mediterranean. Enjoy a refreshing Coconut Mojito and a satisfying meal as you look out on the beautiful blue Caribbean water, then head to the beach where you can rent beach chairs from the hotel for only $25 including drinks and towels. This is a location you definitely won’t want to miss. Just be sure to check the cruise ship schedule; while the Ocean Lounge is fantastic no matter what, it is best enjoyed when it can be fully appreciated.
Rainbow Cafe
Rainbow Cafe is the perfect place to spend the whole day. The restaurant serves breakfast at the rooftop lounge from 8 am to 2 pm as well as lunch and dinner in the restaurant downstairs. At night, the restaurant turns into a club with DJs, lights, and dancing. During the day there are also beach chairs available for rent. Lastly, there is a boutique located above the restaurant where you can do a little bit of shopping. There is a model who walks around the restaurant and beach area to model the clothing sold in the store. In addition to all this, there are weekly events held throughout the week that include live music, various DJs, and even a beach party.
Moonbar
Sint Maarten is known for its incredible nightlife, so you’ll definitely want to check it out while you’re here. Our personal favorite is Moonbar, a rooftop bar decorated in neon lights with cool photo ops everywhere. The ceiling of the dance floor features galaxy lights and a huge moon dangling from the ceiling. They bring in different DJs every night, so you’ll experience a wide variety of dance music. The bartenders are very friendly and may even give you a free shot. Moonbar opens at 10 p.m., but we would recommend getting there around midnight when the party livens up and more people start to arrive.
Activities
There’s so much to choose from when looking for activities to enjoy in Sint Maarten. We have selected just a few of the many activities available to you to enjoy when visiting the island. Whether you have a group of 2 or 20, these activities are the perfect addition to your trip.
Catamaran Tour
One thing you definitely don’t want to miss during your time in Sint Maarten is sailing around the island on a beautiful catamaran! While there are many companies to choose from when booking a catamaran tour, we recommend Aqua Mania Adventures which sails from Simpson Bay in Sint Maarten. There are a variety of different trips to choose from depending on the amount of time and amount of money you wish to spend. Day trips sail either around Sint Maarten or to neighboring islands and feature an open bar, lunch, and opportunities to swim and snorkel in the beautiful Caribbean ocean. Evening Cruises allow you to enjoy the lovely sunset along with drinks, snacks, and music.
Toppers Rhum Tour
One of Sint Maarten’s most popular brands is Topper’s Rhum, so you’ll definitely want to tour their distillery while you’re here. Topper’s Rhum tour is the perfect afternoon activity for you and your friends. On the tour, you’ll get to learn about the history of rhum, sample 18+ flavors, try some incredible food made with Topper’s Rhum in the kitchen, and see their bottling process. After the tour, you can head over to the restaurant to enjoy a delicious meal and the perfect cocktail made with Topper’s. Don’t forget to grab a bottle of your favorite specialty flavor on the way out, because you won’t find them anywhere else.
Loterie Farm
Want to enjoy a day by the pool? Visit the natural spring-fed, Jungle Pool at Loterie Farm. Surrounded by luscious plants, this pool is one of the most relaxing and beautiful places to be on the island. Children are allowed at the pool Monday through Friday, however, if you’re looking for more of an adult vibe, the pool is open to adults only on the weekend. There are so many options to choose from when selecting how to spend your day at Loterie Farm. Choose from Cabanas that hold 10, or Daybeds that are rented on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you’re lucky enough to schedule your trip during the last Saturday of the month, you can also attend the Jungle Pool Party held from noon to 8 pm. Enjoy music from numerous DJs, drinks, food, and more at the monthly party that brings everyone on the island together.
Maho Beach
Something you can’t miss while you’re in Sint Maarten is watching the planes fly in from Maho Beach. This beautiful beach, located right by the airport, gives you the perfect view of planes as they are coming in, and you can get some really cool pics. If you’re a daredevil, you can stand over on the edge of the beach furthest from Sunset Bar and Grill and catch some jet blast as planes are taking off. Speaking of Sunset, make sure to stop by for some delicious food and a cocktail while you’re there. They make the best BBC on Sint Maarten.
Shopping
Philipsburg
If you’re looking for the perfect souvenir, you have to stop by Philipsburg. The Dutch capital is lined with cute souvenir shops where you can find incredible deals, as well as jewelry, sunglasses, and beauty stores. If you get hungry during your day of shopping, you’re right by the boardwalk, which has a plethora of delicious restaurants. This is a great place to eat some really fresh fish and grab a delicious cocktail. If you get hot and need to cool off along your Philipsburg journey, stop by Zee Zee’s for the best frozen mojito around.
Grand Case
If you’re looking for high-end shopping, Grand Case is the place to go. There are many shops along the main street that sell beautiful clothing, bathing suits, jewelry, and more. Here you can find beautiful handmade pieces and high-quality products that you can’t find anywhere else on the island. If you want to take home a token to represent your time on the friendly island but don’t like knick-knacks or souvenirs, Grand Case is the perfect place to look.
Marigot
The French capital is also a great hub for shopping. By the pier, you’ll find multiple tents with local vendors selling a variety of Saint Martin souvenirs, from hats to purses to shot glasses. Across the street, there is a luxury mall, where you can find nice dresses, swimsuits, and beauty products. Marigot also has a delicious French bakery and lots of little restaurants and huts for you to enjoy while you’re there. Shop ‘til you drop!
