St. Maarten: Two Countries, One Incredible Island
“Travel brings power and love back into your life.” Rumi
4/9/20265 min read
St. Maarten delivered a completely different energy and quickly became one of our favorite stops. We have been to St. Maarten twice and loved it both times.
The island is uniquely divided between two countries, the Dutch side, Sint Maarten, and the French side, Saint Martin. It is one of the smallest landmasses in the world shared by two nations. This division dates back to 1648, when the Dutch and French signed the Treaty of Concordia and peacefully split the island. Today, the Dutch side is known for its vibrant cruise port, nightlife, and duty free shopping, while the French side leans more toward a relaxed, European feel with beaches and cuisine to match. It is also a duty free shopping paradise, which becomes apparent the moment you arrive.
Getting around was easy. A water taxi from the ship to town cost $7 roundtrip per person and ran continuously throughout the day, playing music to get you into the mood. As soon as you step off the boat, beach chair rentals and umbrella setups are right in front of you.
Great Bay Beach is the main stretch near Philipsburg and offers a long boardwalk lined with shops, bars, and restaurants. We paid $25 for chairs and an umbrella. If you want to coordinate transportation or beach logistics, Jean is a well known local driver who can accommodate up to eight passengers and makes the process simple. He can be contacted via WhatsApp at +1 721 553 3683. The prices on this list are fairly standard with all of the drivers and taxis.
We split our day between Great Bay and Maho Beach. Maho is IG famous for planes landing just overhead at Princess Juliana Airport, and it absolutely lives up to the hype. Tracking arrivals using the FlightAware app adds to the fun and helps you time your visit. A taxi ride between the boardwalk and Maho Beach cost us about $25 for two people each way, with prices decreasing for larger groups.
Back in Philipsburg, we spent time walking the boardwalk and browsing souvenir shops. For lunch and a break from the sun, we recommend the Blue Bitch Bar. The Gouda balls are excellent, and if you can snag a seat upstairs, the view and live music make it even better.
Many beach clubs offer package deals that include chairs, an umbrella, drinks, WiFi, and bathroom access, which is worth considering for a full beach day. For authentic European cheeses, skip the souvenir shops and head to local markets or the Armstrong Cheese Factory.
For bourbon lovers, Lux Bar is a fun stop, especially if spotting a bottle of Blanton’s makes you smile. All types of Blanton’s can be purchased here and are cheaper than in the United States. You are able to bring them back onto the cruise ship, but they will hold them for you until the day prior to your disembarkation.
It is recommended, and a local tradition, that if you buy one of these bottles, you must also buy one for me.
St. Maarten delivered a completely different energy and quickly became one of our favorite stops. We have been to St. Maarten twice and loved it both times.
The island is uniquely divided between two countries, the Dutch side, Sint Maarten, and the French side, Saint Martin. It is one of the smallest landmasses in the world shared by two nations. This division dates back to 1648, when the Dutch and French signed the Treaty of Concordia and peacefully split the island. Today, the Dutch side is known for its vibrant cruise port, nightlife, and duty free shopping, while the French side leans more toward a relaxed, European feel with beaches and cuisine to match. It is also a duty free shopping paradise, which becomes apparent the moment you arrive.
Getting around was easy. A water taxi from the ship to town cost $7 roundtrip per person and ran continuously throughout the day, playing music to get you into the mood. As soon as you step off the boat, beach chair rentals and umbrella setups are right in front of you.
Great Bay Beach is the main stretch near Philipsburg and offers a long boardwalk lined with shops, bars, and restaurants. We paid $25 for chairs and an umbrella. If you want to coordinate transportation or beach logistics, Jean is a well known local driver who can accommodate up to eight passengers and makes the process simple. He can be contacted via WhatsApp at +1 721 553 3683. The prices on this list are fairly standard with all of the drivers and taxis.
We split our day between Great Bay and Maho Beach. Maho is IG famous for planes landing just overhead at Princess Juliana Airport, and it absolutely lives up to the hype. Tracking arrivals using the FlightAware app adds to the fun and helps you time your visit. A taxi ride between the boardwalk and Maho Beach cost us about $25 for two people each way, with prices decreasing for larger groups.
Back in Philipsburg, we spent time walking the boardwalk and browsing souvenir shops. For lunch and a break from the sun, we recommend the Blue Bitch Bar. The Gouda balls are excellent, and if you can snag a seat upstairs, the view and live music make it even better.
Many beach clubs offer package deals that include chairs, an umbrella, drinks, WiFi, and bathroom access, which is worth considering for a full beach day. For authentic European cheeses, skip the souvenir shops and head to local markets or the Armstrong Cheese Factory.
For bourbon lovers, Lux Bar is a fun stop, especially if spotting a bottle of Blanton’s makes you smile. All types of Blanton’s can be purchased here and are cheaper than in the United States. You are able to bring them back onto the cruise ship, but they will hold them for you until the day prior to your disembarkation.
It is recommended, and a local tradition, that if you buy one of these bottles, you must also buy one for me.
info@allinglobaltravel.com