St. Maarten/St. Martin is an island in the northeast Caribbean close to Puerto Rico. It is the smallest island occupied by two sovereign nations with distinct identities. The Dutch side (St. Maarten) is a 15 minute water taxi ride to the seafront city of Philsburg is the main city and capital of St. Maarten with large beachfront resorts, at least 6 casinos, tons of both international and local finds, and a mile long beachfront with powder like white sand and turquoise colored waters. This island offers cosmopolitan culture, international shopping, world-class crusine with a laid-back Caribbean atmosphere. There are no sales taxes and shopping is duty free. The stores barter prices and offer chilled champagne, wine, beer and other drinks. This is one of my favorite islands, and I have visited this island many times as a cruise destination. The cruise ships dock at the AC Wathey Cruise Port which is located in area called Great Bay.
On the Dutch side (St. Maarten) in downtown Philisburg is is a five minute water taxi across the Great Bay. An amazing beach with turquoise blue colored water and white powder like sand, boutiques and stores, casinos, restaurants and beachside cafes are along the waterfront of downtown Philisburg.
Philisburg is the main town and capital of the country of St. Maarten. It is situated on a narrow stretch of Land between Great Bay and the Great Salt Pond. They have tons of shopping including both of cheap local finds and duty free upscale shopping. On the beach at St. Maarten $10 will secure you a full days’ use of a beach umbrella and chair, and two drinks. We ate fresh fish tacos, lobster and ribs on the beach. I had an 40 minute Aloe Vera sand free massage while laying on the beach.
St. Maarten is known as the “Gastronomic Capital of the Caribbean”. They offer the widest variety of dining experiences of any other island in the world. They have over 350 restaurants with international crusines. The food is simply amazingly cooked with a cimbination of spicy and sweet Caribbean flavors. My favorite place to eat in St. Maarten was the first restaurant you see “Barefoot Restaurant. This restaurant was located on the boardwalk across from the beach. It was a mom and pop restaurant that is closed in July 2016. The red snapper and grill lobster platters were amazing.
We also ate at the Original Jerk and Roti House. The jerk pork, stewed chicken and chicken patties were amazingly good. The Jamaican food is authentic and fabulously delicious. The casino are my favorite becausehe slots are loose; they offer a free luncheon meat with/without cheese sandwich, mayo and a drinks.
They have 50 unique dive locations full of colorful sea life.
We took a 20 minute taxi ride to the St. Martin, the French side of the island. We visited the French bakery “La Sucriere” for crossiants. This bakery had a wide selection of open-faced French sandwiches, quiches, cakes, breads and other goods. Everything was freshly made daily. It was directly across from the ocean with a view of yachts and sailboats. We shopped in the open-air waterfront markets. The boutiques had upscale imports from France.
This island truly offers a shop until you drop experience for all.