St. Maarten/St. Martin is the smallest island in the world to be divided between two different nations. The island is split between the Dutch and French, and the two cultures live very peacefully together on 37 sq. miles. In fact, the island's inhabitants are quite proud of their nearly 350-year history of peaceful co-existence. The island's two sides offer you the culture and lifestyle of both the Dutch and the French.

St. Maarten/St. Martin has 37 beaches that are secluded areas of beautiful white sand. All kinds of water sports are available including; windsurfing,  swimming, sailing, jet skiing, diving and snorkeling. Half-day or full-day sailing excursions to undeveloped beaches nearby are also available.

St. Maarten/St. Martin's  climate and natural beauty make it a perfect place  for other sports and recreation. Golf, tennis, biking, hiking and horseback riding are other  activities that allow you to explore the island's natural splendor. 

St. Maarten/St. Martin has the best of  nightlife on both sides of the island. Casinos (on the Dutch side), nightclubs  and dance bars are just some of the attractions available on the island. In addition, there are literally hundreds of fine restaurants to choose from.

January

Tuesdays, from 6pm

Harmony Nights in Grand Case

Music, food, community entertainment.

February

French Side Carnival

Two weeks of celebrations and parades based around the carnival village. Starts on the first Sunday after Epiphany,  finishes on Ash Wednesday.

Arrowroot Festival, Colombier

Celebration of the local ingredient that nurtured this charming village.

March

First week of March:  St. Maarten Heineken Regatta           

Third week of March …….

Art Lovers open door weekend

April

Dutch Side Carnival

Two weeks of ‘jump-ups’ at all hours of the night, concerts at Carnival village, Calypso competitions, Queen shows and stunning closing parades

Easter weekend, Le Galion beach

Barbeque, party, revelry

May

Cule De Sac Fish Day

Pescatorial fun for gourmets at the Pinel Ferry Port.

May 15-16.

Racing out of Oyster Pond followed by great parties.

June

St. Maarten Billfish Tournament

Held around the full moon period.

Summer Heat Music Festival

Top talent on the Marigot Waterfront

July

First weekend of july:

I love my ram contest in Columbier

July 4: Independence Day

July 14th

Bastille day

Celebrations across the Fench side.

Grand Case Festival

Traditional entertainment and cultural activities.

August

1st Monday of the month: Anguilla Monday

Boat racing, parties and all round fun for Sandy Ground, Anguilla.

Throughout August: Open Air cinema in Marigot and Grand Case

Sandy Ground Village Festival

August: Golf Month

September

Sept 27: World Tourism Day

October

Oct 31: Halloween

Fancy dress party all over.

November

Nov 11:  St. Maarten Day

National Holiday.

Round the Island Race

Third Thursday of November: Beaujolais Nouveau

Gourmet soirees to mark the arrival of the new Beaujolais on the island.

Nov 26-28: 7th course de l’Alliance, racing between French Side, Anguilla and St. Barths.

December

1st week of december: MYBA Charter Show

Big yachts show off their wares in Simpson Bay Lagoon.

Miss Caraibes Hibiscus beauty pageant

Dec 31: New Year’s Eve

Parties on the Boardwalk, Philipsburg and Maho

St. Maarten/St. Martin is definitely an explorer’s paradise, but no matter how adventurous you are, the following contains some general information and a few guidelines you will need to make your vacation one to remember.

HISTORY

As brief history, St. Maarten was discovered by Christopher Columbus on November 11, 1493.  The island was named after St. Martin of Tours, as the date of its discovery coincided with the feast of St. Martin.  He never actually landed here, but rather claimed it for Spain and kept sailing.  Still, to this day, islanders continue to celebrate November 11 as St. Maarten / St. Martin day. 

The Dutch & French nationalities have co-existed happily in St. Maarten/St. Martin for more than three centuries.  In the 1630’s, the French & Dutch both settled on the island.  According to legend, the boundaries were established in a walking contest in 1648 in which a Dutchman landed up with the southern portion of the island comprising of 16 square miles and a Frenchman landed up with the northern portion of the island comprising of 21 square miles. 

 In the early days, the island was a pirates’ haven; they found the coves & bays to be good hiding places.

LOCATION/SIZE

The island is in the Caribbean Sea, 18.02 latitude and 63.07 longitude, located 150 miles southeast of Puerto Rico.  The island is 37 square miles, with Dutch St. Maarten to the South covering 16 square miles and French St. Martin to the North covering 21 square miles.  It is the smallest landmass to be shared by two separate Governments.

CAPITAL

Dutch Side, Sint Maarten – Philipsburg

French Side, Saint Martin – Marigot

POPULATION

Sint Maarten – Estimated 41,000

Saint Martin – Estimated 36,000

CLIMATE

The island offers a year-round, warm and sunny tropical climate with some cooling trade winds.  Average temperature during the Winter season is 80°F (27°C) and a few degrees warmer and a little more humid in the Summer with an annual rainfall of about 45 inches.

TOPOGRAPHY

There are many bays and creeks along the shores of the island and some salt ponds on the lands by the coast.  Pic Paradis, the highest summit, is 1,392 feet high in the center of the island.  Simpson Bay Lagoon, located in the western part of the island, is one of the largest lagoons in the Caribbean.

LANGUAGE

St. Maarten / St. Martin is home to 140 different nationalalities from every part of the world…Dutch is the official language of St. Maarten and French of St. Martin.  St. Maarten / St. Martin’s unique local dialects are Creole and Papiamento.  The most commonly used languages are English, French, Dutch & Spanish.  You will hear English spoken everywhere and all tourist services are staffed with bi-lingual personnel.  Street signs on the Dutch side are all in English and it is easy to make your way around, guided by signs, all over the island.

BANKS

Both sides of the island have a number of banks and ATM machines.  Dutch side - Typical banking hours are from 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM Monday through Friday.  Most banks offer 24 hour cash point facilities for Cirrus, MasterCard or Visa cards. French side – There are several banks on the French side.  Banking hours are varied from each institution.  There are many change points to change money during the day.

CREDIT CARDS

Major credit cards are accepted in most places to include American Express, MasterCard and VISA.  You will need to check with individual merchants as some establishments may not accept credit cards.  U.S. dollar traveler’s checks are accepted everywhere with identification.

CURRENCY

One island with two Governments and three Currencies.  The official currency of Dutch St. Maarten is the Netherlands Antilles Guilder or ‘Florin’ (Naf); the official currency of French St. Martin is the euro.  The main hotels, shops, restaurants & activity centers on both sides of the island accept US Dollars.  It is usually better to spend dollar on the Dutch side.  On the French side, look out for stores and restaurants that take €1 - $1 to make the most of your dollar.  NA guilders are not accepted on the French side.  Both travelers checks and major credit cards are widely accepted all over the island.

CUSTOMS

St. Maarten is the only completely duty-free port in the Caribbean. No vaccination certificates are required unless arriving from an area experiencing an epidemic.

DEPARTURE TAX

When you depart from St. Maarten / St. Martin there is a departure tax to pay…Those leaving on an international flight must pay US$30.00 per person, unless the arrival and departure are on the same day.  If you are traveling to another island within the Netherlands Antilles, the departure tax is US$10.00 per person.  Payment is required before boarding and they will only accept cash or traveler’s checks.  Certain airlines have already incorporated the departure tax into the price of the ticket to include American Airlines, Air France, Continental Airlines, CorsAir, Delta Airlines and KLM.  If you are not sure, check with the individual carrier.

DRESS CODE

Daytime attire is casual, but keep bathing suits and bikinis for the beach.  Light cottons, linens and a good sun hat are your best options.  In the evening, the island’s finer restaurants and nightlife spots gives you the opportunity to wear something a little more special with a tropical flair.

DRINKING WATER

Tap water on the island comes from desalinated seawater and is drinkable.  We do recommend drinking bottled water which is readily available throughout the island.

ELECTRICITY

On the Dutch side, the current is 110 volts AC, like the United States.  On the French side, the current is 220 volts, according to the European standard.  Converters are available at some of the electronic stores in Marigot and Philipsburg.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

U.S. citizens require one of the following:

• A valid passport and a return/continuing ticket.
• Naturalized citizens must show an original naturalization certificate with photo identification and a return/continuing ticket.
• Green Card holders must have a valid passport and a return/continuing ticket.

Canadian citizens require one of the following:

• A valid passport and a return/continuing ticket.
• Canadian residents require a "Landing permit" with valid passport and return/continuing ticket.

European Community citizens require:

• A valid passport and a return/continuing ticket.

*Special Notice on Passports

The Department of State and Homeland Security have announced a "Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative" in which they are proposing to require all U.S. Citizens, Canadians, citizens of Bermuda and citizens of Mexico to have a passport or other accepted secure document to enter or re-enter the U.S. by January 1, 2008.

Nationals of the following countries listed below require a visa for entry into the Netherlands Antilles for a maximum stay of 3 months (effective January 1, 2005):

• Afghanistan
• Albania
• Algeria
• Angola
• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Bahrain
• Bangladesh
• Belarus
• Benin
• Bhutan
• Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Botswana
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Cambodia
• Cameroon
• Cape Verde
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• China, the Peoples Republic, with the exception of Hong Kong SAR en BNO document holders
• Colombia
• Comoros
• Congo-Brazzaville
• Congo-Democratic Republic (formerly Zaire)
• Cuba
• Djibouti
• Dominican Republic
• East Timor
• Egypt
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Ethiopia
• Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
• Fiji
• Gabon
• Gambia
• Georgia
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Haiti
• India
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Iraq
• Ivory Coast
• Jordan
• Kazakhstan
• Kenya
• Kiribati
• Kuwait
• Kyrgyzstan
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Lesotho
• Liberia
• Libya
• Macedonia (formerly the Republic of Yugoslavia)
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Maldives
• Mali
• Marshall Islands
• Mauritania
• Mauritius
• Micronesia
• Moldova
• Mongolia
• Morocco
• Mozambique
• Myanmar (formerly Burma)
• Namibia
• Nauru
• Nepal
• Niger
• Nigeria
• North Korea
• Northern Marianne
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Palau
• Palestinian Authority
• Papua New Guinea
• Peru
• Philippines
• Qatar
• Russian Federation
• Rwanda
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Senegal
• Serbia and Montenegro (Yugoslavia)
• Seychelles
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Island
• Somalia
• South Africa
• Sri Lanka
• Sudan
• Swaziland
• Syria
• Taiwan
• Tajikistan
• Tanzania
• Thailand
• Togo
• Tonga
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• Turkmenistan
• Tuvalu
• Uganda
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• Uzbekistan
• Vanuatu
• Vietnam
• West Samoa
• Yemen
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

For other countries, kindly contact your closest Dutch Embassy or a St. Maarten Tourist Office. 

MEDICAL FACILITIES

In a medical emergency, the hospital in the Dutch side is the St. Maarten Medical Center located on Cay Hill (Telephone +1721 543 1110) and the hospital on the French side is L.C. Fleming Hospital located in Concordia (Telephone 00 590 590 29 57 57).  The island also has numerous private doctors and specialists.  Pharmacies carry prescription drugs and the over-the-counter variety.

POST OFFICES

Of course each side of the island has a Post Office…On the Dutch side, the main post office is located on Walter Nisbeth Road, Philipsburg and on the French side, the main post office is located in Marigot and there are branches in Nettle Bay and the Howell Center (next to Match supermarket).

PRINT MEDIA

The main island newspapers are:

The Daily Herald  - This paper is printed daily, except Sundays and Holidays, on the Dutch side and is printed in English.  It features news about St. Maarten / St. Martin, the neighboring Caribbean islands and international news.  On Thursday, it comes out with a handy supplement, Out & About which lists information about restaurants & bars as well as entertainment & live music schedules for the upcoming week.

The Miami Herald – This paper is printed daily, except Sundays and Holidays, by The Daily Herald on the Dutch side of the island.  It is an extension of The Miami Herald featuring international news.  This particular newspaper is mainly distributed to Hotels.

St. Martin’s Week – The main French side newspaper (printed in French) is printed every Monday, Wednesday & Friday.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES

St. Maarten / St. Martin offers a number of churches with many denominations represented including Catholic, Baptist, Anglican, Methodist and Adventist.  There is also a mosque on the Dutch side of the island next to BelAir.

SHOPPING HOURS

Hours of operations do vary between the two sides of the island.  On the Dutch side, in Philipsburg, stores are typically open from 9:00 or 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Monday through Saturday.  Some of the stores also open for a few hours on Sunday morning if there is a cruise ship in town.  On the French side, in Marigot, stores are generally open from 9:00 or 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Monday through Saturday.  The Maho Shopping District, located at Maho Beach Resort & Casino, is open late into the evening seven days a week.

TELEPHONE & INTERNET ACCESS

Since we are two nations on one island, telephoning from one side to the other may be a bit complicated! When calling within the same side of the island, it is pretty simple. On the Dutch side, dial the 7 digits of the number and on the French side; dial the 10 digits of the number. If you want to call from one side of the island to the other, you have to dial the full international code. From the Dutch to French side, dial (00 590) followed by nine digits dropping the 0 and from the French to Dutch side, dial (1 721) and then the seven-digit number. 

Cellular phones can be rented from a number of locations. Some of the villas are equipped with Internet Access and, if not, there are also some Cyber Cafes around the island. We will be happy to assist you with your needs while on island. 

To dial the Dutch side from USA, Canada or Europe dial (1 721) followed by the number. To dial the French side from USA or Canada dial (011 590) followed by nine digits dropping the first 0 from the number and from Europe dial (00 590) followed by nine digits dropping the first 0 from the number.

TIPPING

When dining out, it is normal to tip on St. Maarten/St. Martin.  Before you leave a tip, check the bottom of the menu or your bill as some establishments automatically add on a 15% Service Charge.  Additional tipping for fine service is appreciated.

TIME

St. Maarten is on Atlantic (Eastern) Standard Time year round.  During the fall and winter months, daylight savings time, noon on the East Coast of the U.S. is 1 PM on the island.  During the summer months when daylight savings time is not in effect, the island is on the same time as the East Coast of the U.S.

TOURISM OFFICES

There is a tourism office on each side of the island.

Dutch Side

St. Maarten:

St. Maarten Tourist Bureau
Vineyard Office Park
WG Buncamper Rd. #33
St. Maarten 
Tel: 721-542-2337
Fax: 721-542-2734

French Side – St. Martin

Office de Tourisme
Rte de Sandy Ground – Marigot
97150 Saint Martin – FWI
Tel:  (590) 590 87 57 21
Fax:  (590) 590 87 56 43
E-mail:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web:  www.st-martin.org

On the Dutch side, there is also an information desk on the cruise ship pier as well as a booth at Princess Juliana International Airport.

TRANSPORTATION

There are various forms of transportation available while on island.  The two forms that we recommend to our visitors are as follows:

Car Rentals

This is the most convenient and cost effective way to move around St. Maarten/St. Martin.  Rates are reasonable and offer unlimited mileage, pick up, delivery, emergency services and additional insurances.  In order to rent a car, you will need a valid driver’s license and a major credit card.  Once you have driven around the island for one day, you find driving her is easy to pick up.  

Taxis

Rates from Oyster Pond to the airport start at $30 for up to 2 people. Rates to Grand Case from Oyster Pond start at $25 for up to 2 people. These rates are subject to change. 

TRAVEL TO ST. MAARTEN/ST. MAARTEN

You may come to St. Maarten/St. Martin via major airlines and cruise lines.  The first phase of the new airport with a new terminal is going to be finalized this Summer 2006 and we have a major Port facility for the large cruise ships.  To get an idea of the various airlines and cruise lines coming to the island, click here.

U.S. SHOPPING REGULATIONS

Visitors from the United States who travel to St. Maarten/St. Martin are allowed to take back up to $600.00 worth of items, per person, without paying duty when going through customs.  You can also include up to two liters of alcohol with the $600.00 exemption.

Imagine a beautiful sun setting over the Caribbean sea as you both walk hand in hand, your shadows making one as the sea washes over your first foot prints… If this sounds divine, Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten is the island of dream weddings. Divided between two countries for 350 years now; St. Martin/St. Maarten is harmoniously shared by the French and the Dutch. With a nearly invisible border, St. Martin/St. Maarten is simply a strikingly beautiful neighborhood with an exceptional blend of different cultures.

The Caribbean is an exquisite place to exchange your vows not to mention an escape from an expensive traditional formal wedding. You’ve promised each other the stars and the moon, why not add a few grains of our golden sand, a touch of our sunshine and a splash of our turquoise water? When you and your loved ones will reminisce about the past, this is the day you want everyone to remember with a smile.

Getting married on St. Maarten is almost hassle free, and you do not even need to worry about planning it yourself!  In order to simplify this special time and insure a seamless event, it is highly recommended that you contact one of the island’s professional wedding planners.  They can take care of almost everything for you, from the legal paper work to making all the arrangements for a memorable day!  We highly recommend, Sint Maarten Marry-me.com.

Sint Maarten Marry-me.com is the premier “Event” planning company in the Region. We specialize in wedding planning and renewal of vows. They provide the utmost services for a perfect mix of fun and sophistication. Sint-Maarten Marry-Me has built its reputation on listening to their customers and managing every detail of their special day to perfection. Every couple has unique ideas and values, all of which they embrace in order to tailor and achieve their dreams and aspirations. Their knowledgeable staff will provide you with superior venues, catering as well as entertainment choices and much more.

Since every wedding is unique and every couple‘s needs are different, they are able to customize our services to your needs; thus leaving you the opportunity to upgrade any special requests that you may have. What happens next should be memorable…

Legal requirements for getting married on Dutch Sint-Maarten

• Persons wishing to be married must be 18 years or older.
• A full length, un-abridged Original birth certificate of both parties. These documents should be provided with an “Apostille Stamp”.
• Unmarried persons must present a declaration of marital status not older than 3 months accompanied by an “Apostille Stamp” as well. If divorced, an Original divorce certificate along with an “Apostille Stamp”.
• Six witnesses must be provided if married outside of Marriage hall and must be 18 years or older. These must provide copies of passports and profession. Sint-Maarten Marry-Me can provide witnesses if needed.
• Both parties must provide physical address, duration of stay on the Island of Sint-Maarten, Date and birth place of parents as well as their profession and legal status.

For additional information please visit their website at www.sintmaartenmarry-me.com.

St. Maarten/St. Martin is known for its sizzling nightlife.  From the glittery casinos, choice of nightclubs, beach bars and intimate lounges, St. Maarten/St. Martin’s nightlife has something to offer everyone every night of the week.  If you are looking for a place for a nice cozy after dinner drink or dancing until sunrise, it is all here.  The following will give you a guideline of some of the entertainment spots located on St. Maarten/St. Martin.

Dutch side Night Clubs

Dutch Side Beach Bars and Other Spots

There are a variety of Beach Bars to choose from…Sunset Beach Bar at Maho Beach is a favorite all throughout the week.  On Sunday afternoons, this bar offers live music as the sun sets and usually closes at 11:00 PM.  This is the spot where you see the jumbo jets landing right in front of you!

The Buccaneer Bar located on Kim Sha Beach next to the Atrium Hotel in Simpson Bay is also a great spot to see the sun set over the ocean.  This is a popular spot for American visitors.

Taloula Mango’s at the St. Rose Arcade on the boardwalk in Philipsburg offers lunch, dinner, drinks and live jazz on Friday and Saturday evenings.  Actually, the boardwalk is always nice for an early evening stroll any night of the week.  Friday evenings are great at the boardwalk in Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side. 

Sopranos Piano Bar located at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino, or The Red Piano Bar, located at Pelican Resort & Casino, are the perfect spots to enjoy an after dinner drink and listen to a live entertainer.  These two spots are open every evening starting at 10:00 PM.

Cheri’s café located at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino, has long been a favorite for locals and visitors alike.  Cheri’s offers live music and features performances by Souliga Capoeria, a group of St. Maarten youngsters familiar with Copoeria (an acrobatic Brazilian martial art and dance form).

Don’t forget that the Maho area is a great place with a casino, nightclub, piano bar, ice cream parlor, restaurants and a variety of shops that are open late into the evening.

 If you enjoy calypso and reggae music along with the island’s freshest seafood at very reasonable prices, head over to Lee’s Deep Sea Fishing and Roadside Grill, located before the Simpson Bay Bridge.  Live music is offered here every night!

French Side Fun

Grand Case – Tuesday nights, during the winter months, is a great cultural experience.  The street is closed off to traffic and  open to arts & crafts, food vendors and live music.  It is a great way to spend the evening to get to view the unique Creole heritage of St. Martin’s oldest fishing village.

Casinos

Of course, we can not forget the casinos...The island’s 12 casinos are all located on the Dutch side and offer gaming in the European mode.  The following are a few that we recommend

Jump Up Casino and Diamond Casino are located in Philipsburg on Front Street. 

Hollywood Casino is located at the Pelican Resort, just up the hill from Simpson Bay. 

The two more popular casinos are Casino Royale, located at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino, and Starz City Casino, located in Cupecoy. 

In addition, by the Starz City Casino, there is a concentration of some very nice restaurants.

St. Maarten/St. Martin is known as the Gastronomic paradise in the entire Caribbean boasting over 300 restaurants.  

Food takes on a whole new meaning on our island…The food is a multicultural blend of ethnic traditions.  The variety is truly amazing along with the creative and evocative cuisine that is offered at the higher end restaurants.  During your visit to the island, do take the time out to wine and dine in order to experience the various delights the island has to offer.

Just to give you a taste of what is available on St. Maarten/St. Martin, we have compiled a list of some of the recommended restaurants:

Dutch Side – St. Maarten Restaurants

Starz City Casino, Cupecoy

Cupecoy

Escape – Chef Ian Lucas commands the kitchen of the restaurant/lounge and brings you amazing tapas plates, both big and small for any size appetite. VIP tables are available upon request.

Mario Bistrot  – October 2015, Mario’s Bistro moved from their long-time location in Sandy Ground on the French side of Saint-Martin to a chic location in Porto Cupecoy on the Dutch side, and changed the name to Mario Bistrot.The same blend of Asian, French and Caribbean cuisine that Chef Mario was so well-known and loved for, is served at their new location.

Ernest & Fidel Cafe – the taste of authentic Latin food on St. Maarten at Ernest & Fidel Cafe

Maho Area

La Rosa Too – Italian Cuisine, open for dinner only.  One of the more traditional Italian restaurants on the island serving some of your favorite Italian dishes.

Oyster Pond/Dawn Beach

Mr. Busby’s Beach Bar – International Cuisine, open for lunch and dinner.  Located right on Dawn Beach, this is a great hang-out while visiting Dawn Beach.  They have great burgers, ribs, chicken, fresh lobster, seafood and Italian dishes.

Big Fish – South Beach meets the Caribbean - just minutes from the Westin Hotel. Big Fish is a hip, modern and "upscale-casual" dining experience. The menu is diverse - with a focus on seafood. There are options for the non-seafood eater including steak, chicken, pasta, vegetarian options and a full Sushi Menu.

Canoa – presents International Cuisine fused with Caribbean Panache

Philipsburg

Shiv Sagar – Indian Cuisine, open for lunch and dinner.  Located right in Philipsburg, this restaurant is one of the better Indian restaurants on the island serving good food in a nice ambiance.

Taloula Mango’s – Creative Caribbean cuisine, open for lunch and dinner.  Located on the boardwalk, diners can choose from the open air terrace or the upstairs air conditioned dining balcony.  Great spot to have lunch or enjoy a drink while shopping in Philipsburg.

Simpson Bay

Pineapple Pete – Island & French Cuisine, open for lunch and dinner.  Casual place to hang out offering great food at reasonable prices.  Good place for the family.

Zee Best – Open for breakfast and lunch.  Zee Best has earned loyal breakfast fans for its incredibly fresh and wonderful pastries, croissants and other baked goods, extensive coffee selection and freshly squeezed juices.  Diners may also choose from crêpes, omelets, quiches and much more.  Established in 1983, Zee Best has its original location in Marigot’s Marina Royale.

French Side – St. Martin Restaurants

Grande Case

Bistro Caraibes – French-Caribbean Cuisine, open for dinner only.  A cozy and charming ambiance located on the main street in the center of Grand Case.

Le Cottage – Fine French Cuisine, open daily for dinner only.  This trendy restaurant with its unique setting will ravish your taste buds by a refined and innovating cuisine.

Le Pressoir – Fine French Cuisine, open for dinner only.  This restaurant is among the finest and famous restaurants of our island.  Enjoy an evening of authentic and gastronomic cooking in a traditional Creole house built in 1871.  Intimate and authentic, Le Pressoir will stay an unforgettable experience.

Le Tastevin – French Gourmet Cuisine, open for lunch and dinner.  This restaurant is known for its attentive and discreet service and gorgeous sunset views offering French cuisine seasoned with the flavors of the Caribbean. 

Rainbow – Caribbean-French Fusion Cuisine, open for dinner only.  This restaurant has been here for over 25 years offering superb food and excellent service.

Spiga Restaurant – Creative Italian cuisine, open for dinner only.  Spiga opened its doors in November 2002 and has gained a reputation as one of the finer Italian restaurants on the island.

Restaurant le Soleil – French and european cuisine.

L'Auberge Gourmande  –  French cuisine.

La Villa Restaurant  –  French cuisine.

Piazza Pascal – Italian cuisine.

Villa Royale – French, caribbean, cajun and creole cuisine.

Marigot

Le Tropicana – Parisian Bistro, open for lunch and dinner.  The restaurant is on Marina Royale in Marigot overlooking Marigot Marina.  Le Tropicana provides gutsy, rootsy cooking tempered with a light, modern touch.

Nettle Bay

La Cigale – French cuisine, open for dinner only.  Directly located on the beach of Laguna Beach, this restaurant offers a Terrace on the Lagoon and an air conditioned room.  The team will make you discover mixtures of unforgettable flavors.

Orient Bay

Bikini Beach Tapas Bar & Grill – Tapas, Thai Seafood & More, open daily for breakfast and lunch.  Located in the heart of Orient Bay, this restaurant serves a huge variety of tapas (appetizers) and a variety of entrees with a Thai influence.  A full American breakfast is also served daily.

Kakao Beach – International Cuisine, open daily for lunch.  Located right on Orient Bay, this restaurant serves a wonderful menu.

Waikiki Beach – International Cuisine, open daily for lunch.  Located on Orient Bay, this restaurant serves a fabulous menu.  Slightly higher in price than the other restaurants on Orient Bay, but well worth it!

Sandy Ground

Le Santal – Gastronomic restaurant, open daily for dinner only.  A five star gourmet restaurant according to the most outstanding critics.  For 2006, Le Santal has been honored the coveted AAA Four Diamonds Awards for creative cuisine, excellent service and upscale surroundings.  This charming restaurant is one of the longest established and most acclaimed restaurants on the island.  The restaurant is located in a beachside villa with a very romantic ambiance and fabulous view…Enjoy your dinner with the sound of the waves right in front of you.

The duty free status of St. Maarten/St. Martin offers many possibilities for the visitors to the island.  The following are the island’s main shopping districts.

Philipsburg

Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side is the unavoidable shopping paradise, of course at Duty Free prices!  Front Street, Back Street, Old Street represent a wonderful shopping world to spend a day for your pleasure.  Prestigious jewelers, electronic stores and the latest trends fashion boutique are all located in Philipsburg.  The stores are typically open from 9:00 or 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Monday through Saturday.  Some of the stores also open for a few hours on Sunday morning if there is a cruise ship in town. 

Front Street is still the main shopping area.  It is a treasure chest overflowing with diamonds of every size, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, tanzanites and any other gemstone you can think of!, pearls, engagement rings, wedding bands, gold, platinum and all of the world’s largest and most recognized watch brands.  Do not forget the variety of electronic goods such as cameras, camcorders, laptops, PDAs and more in addition to designer brands such as Liz Claiborne, Coach, Furla and a lot more!

 

Old Street, with is Creole style facades, offers some inspiring boutiques and is a pleasant stroll to explore the unique shops or indulge in some French delicacies or Belgian chocolates.  You can take some great pictures here. And you can not miss the trip to Sint Rose Arcade and the Boardwalk for both shopping and dining.  TheBoardwalk is located on Great Bay Beach and is scattered with a selection of restaurants.  It is the perfect spot to take a break from your shopping spree and grab a bite to each or enjoy a tropical cocktail while looking out over Great Bay. 

Marigot 

Who needs to go to Europe to shop when all the top European Fashion houses are located in Marigot, the capital of the French side…Designer clothes, name brand handbags & accessories, jewels, watches, electronics, cigars and liquors just to name a few. Stores are generally open from 9:00 or 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. 

Front de Mer (Port Road) offers a colorful open air local craft market for some authentic souvenirs and clothing.  Located close to the craft market is Le West Indies shopping mall – air conditioned mall with high end items.  And of course do not forget to go into the heart of Marigot to visit Rue du General de Gaulle and the exquisite little plaza marina, Marina Royale.  This whole area has wonderful ‘haute couture’ boutiques, jewelry, fine wine stores, French ‘epiceries’ and great restaurants located along the waterfront.  Marina Royale is always the perfect ending to a day of shopping in Marigot so that you may enjoy a gastronomic treat after a day of shopping.

Maho

The Maho shopping area located at Maho Beach Resort is open late into the evenings seven days a week.  You will find a fine selection of designer items, fine jewelry, beach wear and gift items.

While on island, your rental specialist will be happy to assist with recommendations and suggestions based on what you are looking to buy.