We love St. Maarten! We’ve been three times (8 weeks total!) Today I’m sharing 11 Observations about St. Maarten/St. Martin.
I’m the type of traveler who researches the heck out of a place before I go. So, once there, I know all the “supposedly” greatest places to visit, eat, etc.
We took a guided tour of the entire island (33.59 square miles)! These days, we just rent a car and do our own thing.
11 Random Observations About St. Maarten/St. Martin
1. St. Martin (French) has much stricter laws than St. Maarten (Dutch).
There is no speed limit in St. Maarten. No DUI’s. Crazy!
2. St. Martin (French) also has Orient Beach and part of that beach is clothing optional.
No, we didn’t visit that end of Orient Beach. I did, however, steal a glance as we passed by (JK). We are on the dutch side – no nude beaches.
However, my observation has always been that some guys should just say no to speedos. I know it’s a European thing. I’ve seen it countless times. These are just my observations.
Sorry, the photo below is blurry. I was snapping photos as we drove past the sign.
3. When out shopping, sightseeing, etc., it cost $1.00 to use the toilet on the French side.
It’s free on the Dutch side.
4. French supermarkets and most french restaurants accept euros only.
Not so on the Dutch side. On the Dutch side, prices are in dollars, as well as guilders. A gallon of gas (4.5 liters) is about $8.00 at the time of this post. A gallon of water is $4.00. Just about everything has to be imported, so prices are pretty high.
5. A trip to the dentist is oh, so cheap.
And French dentists are oh, so sweet! Ask me how I know! (more about that in a different post).
6. Pot is legal – on both sides.
I don’t smoke it. I just report it Is it even called pot anymore?
7. An ambulance or police officer can’t cross the borders.
So, if you live on the Dutch side and get hurt on the French side, you will be taken to the French hospital by French ambulance.
8. Macarons, eclairs, and apricot filled croissants are my new favorite foods.
It was awesome!
9. My clothes fit tighter in St. Maarten.
Could it be the salty sea air? 🙂
10. A Carib Grackle (bird) dive-bombs me every day as I’m walking on the beach.
He has nipped me twice! I’m about to go Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon on him! I had to research to find out what kind of bird it was.
I was convinced it was a Raven, which made me think of Edgar Allen Poe. So, then I had that poem going through my mind all day, “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,” You get the picture.
11. Sunset Beach (Sunset Bar & Grill) is listed as the number 3 hot spot in the world.
Have I mentioned how much I love St. Maarten? I do!
Sunset Beach is situated at the end of the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport. It’s as if the planes are right on top of the beachgoers as they take off and land.
We stopped by on our tour and a plane did go over during our stop. The plane was loud and the fumes from the fuel were foul-smelling. Check.
Sadly, people ignore the signs that warn against standing in the area where the plane goes over you when it’s about to land at the airport. Several people have died because they didn’t heed the signs.
I always enjoy sightseeing around the island.
I never tire of the views on St. Maarten.
I may never go home!
I really do love St. Maarten/St. Martin
These are just my very personal observations. If you love the Caribbean as much as I do, you’ll love the following posts:
- Three Weeks In St. Maarten
- Top 5 Kid-Friendly Restaurants In St. Maarten
- Where to Eat in South Caicos
- Bay Gardens Beach Resort Review (St. Lucia)
- Eat Bay Resort Review (South Caicos Island)
- Alexandra Resort Review (Turks & Caicos)
P.S. We always stay at the Royal Palm Beach Resort. All of the suites are oceanfront and we stay on the 3rd floor. It’s a great view and the mosquitoes aren’t a problem unless you’re on the first floor.
