More About St Maarten And What To Do There

By Janine Hughes


When considering taking a holiday in the paradise that is the Caribbean, there is definitely one island that needs to be a contender. St Maarten lies east of Puerto Rico towards the northeastern part of the Caribbean sea and is a real jewel. It is also called Saint Martin, which is its French counterpart name, as the island is roughly split into 60:40 France and the Netherlands.

As such, French and Dutch are spoken here, as well as English, which is, in fact, the island's most common language. This is also the reason for the various names of the country and spellings of those names. Another common name for the island is SXM. Local dialects and versions of creole French can be heard, as well as a language called Papiamento, which is primarily spoken by immigrants from the Caribbean islands of Curacao and Aruba.

SXM is one of the Caribbean's popular destinations for tourist. Indeed, on either side of the island there is much to do, regardless of a visitor's personal taste in activity. The French part of the island boasts a number of beaches targeted toward nudists, as well as many outdoor markets and places to try popular French and Indian Caribbean foods. The island's Dutch equivalent is well-known for its active nightlife, as well the many casinos where one can try his or her luck. Jewelry shopping is quite popular here too, and the beaches are a must. There is also the locally made rum to try.

Accommodation here ranges from guesthouses and hotels to timeshares and private villas. Visitors can book any of these options through their preferred travel agent when booking flight plans or they can book separately online. The top luxury resort in SXM is The Belmond La Samanna, known simpy as La Samanna locally. It is a five-star accommodation worthy of its accolades.

There are many fun activities to do on any part of the island, but, being an island, the beaches are a must. From horseback riding to deep sea fishing to snorkeling and scuba diving, there is something for every taste here. Visitors can also just lay back, relax and enjoy the beautiful sunsets of Saint Martin on any of the thirty seven beaches on offer.

You should probably consider going on a day trip to Anguilla or Prickly Pear Cay whilst visiting SXM. Packages are easy to find and they generally cost around one hundred USD. For this cost, you will get your transportation to and from the island, plus something to eat and any refreshments for the day. Activities included in the package are often snorkeling or scuba diving if you choose.

To visit Anguilla by catamaran, and then swim with the dolphins and experience one of three dolphin-related activities, costs upwards of two hundred US dollars. Seeing these breathtaking creatures up close is unforgettable. Included in this package is the trip to and from the island, and a BBQ lunch.

For less than $80 USD, young adults will enjoy the pirate shore excursion package on offer, which includes unlimited drinks for the day. Other shore excursions cost even less, showing off some of Saint Martin's best sights and landmarks in a four- to five-hour trip around the island. These shore excursions include stops to visit local markets or indulge in snorkeling and scuba diving.




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