St. Maarten
/Miles
St. Maarten is a small Caribbean island of 37 sq miles.
The island is divided into two sides (French and Dutch) with the Dutch side occuping 16 sq miles and the French side covering the remainder of the island.
The French side of the island is Saint Martin and the Dutch side is Sint Maarten.
The island has an accumulated population of about 120,000-130,000 people.
Peak season for travel in St. Maarten is Nov – June.
The national dish for the French side is creole shrimp while BBQ and Johnny cake are on the Dutch side.
All the casinos are on the Dutch side but the French side is known for the food.
Tourism is the main source of income for this island.
Fun Fact: the pelican is the national bird.
Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino
Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino in St. Maarten is located minutes away from the airport and the nightlife strip of the island. Sonesta Maho is an all inclusive resort that sits directly on Maho Beach— the "airport beach". I really enjoyed this resort and give it 4.5 stars. The staff was friendly, the establishment was very clean, and the rooms were nice and spacious. The resort has a variety of restaurants and bars included in the all-inclusive package. This makes it was easy to mix things up and try somewhere new to eat daily. There is also a casino for those who like to gamble. For families traveling with children, kids can enjoy the kids club program. If you’re looking for some R&R, they have a spa; and to make sure you maintain your workout routine you can head to their onsite gym. Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino has a huge pool with a waterfall and a pool bar in addition to the beautiful beach. This resort is a one stop shop and I absolutely recommend it!
This was truly an aquatic trip for me, and it was the perfect way to relax before my birthday celebration. I spent 95% of my time on the beach and in the water. I watched as the planes flew in and out of the airport over the beach! It’s just one of those things you have to experience in person. Most of my time spent at the resort but I did get to paint the town a bit. I also enjoyed a couple of day trips to other islands. The main sources of transportation are the bus, taxis, or walking. It is only $1 to get on the bus. I made friends with one of the taxi drivers so I used him whenever I needed a taxi. Taxis are in abundance so there is no need to lock one down but it is nice to see a familiar face.
Memories
Island Hopping
One of my fondest memories of St. Maarten is island hopping! A huge bonus to St. Maarten is that its ideal location grants ease to island hop and explore its sister islands. I took two day trips, one to Anguilla and one to St. Barths.
Anguilla
Anguilla is a British island 16 miles long with a population of about 14,000 people. The island is flat with 213 ft. being the highest level above sea level, but Anguilla gets its name because of its length. Tourism is the main source of income for the island and everything must be imported. At one time, salt minding was the main source of income but that industry is now obsolete. Upon arrival, I did a small tour of Anguilla then went to Blanchard Beach. I have to say Anguilla has some of the softest sand I've ever felt. I ate lunch at a little shack on the beach called Blanchard Beach Shack. They serve burgers, seafood, salads, ice cream, and tropical drinks. I had a pulled pork bowl with rice and beans. It was delicious! The ferry from Saint Martin to Anguilla was about $50-$60. You catch the ferry on Saint Martin (the French side of the island), and the commute is about 30-45 minutes from one island to the other. Of course, because you're traveling from country to country, you will need your passport.
St. Barths
St. Barths is a French island that is 9 sq. miles with a population of 10,000 people from January – March. The population fluctuates because many people come and stay part of the year then leave. French is the main language and the island is mostly Catholic. St. Barths was Swedish for 100 years until retrieved by the French. Gustavia is the main strip and tourism is the main source of income.
I took a high-speed ferry ($80 per person on Expedia) that took about 45 minutes to get to St. Barths from Saint Martin. Since this is a French owned island, the currency is in euros. Be prepared to spend a little extra. Once again, you will need your passport to travel between islands. I got to the island and instantly found a taxi to take us to the best beach. There were a few good beach options but I chose Saint Jones Beach because there was a shopping center and great places to find food in that area. Saint Jones Beach was a good choice with a nice view BUT there are absolutely no beach chairs. Most people that had chairs brought them themselves. The famous Nikki Beach sits on Saint Jones beach so it is possible to rent a canopy but they are very expensive.
Make sure to bring your bug spray! I had about 20 mosquito bites by the time I left lol.
After the beach, I found a creperie and ate the yummiest crepe!
Sunset Sail Party
I'm infatuated with all things to do with the sky so I knew that this would be the perfect birthday gift to myself. The party takes place on a catamaran that sails across the ocean as the sun sets. There is an open bar and snacks are provided as you dance the evening away. The tickets for this party can cost anywhere from $40-$60 per person. If you're a sky lover like myself, who likes to dance and have a good time, this party at sea is totally for you!
They even sung me happy birthday!
Meals
One of the great aspects of staying at an all-inclusive resort is that food and alcohol are included. I enjoyed several restaurants at the resort. The Ocean Terrace restaurant, The Point, Pizzeria Napoli, Ascot Pub and Sports Bar, and Palms Grill and Bar. Some of the restaurants you need reservations for but they are free of charge. Pictured below are a few of the meals I had.
