Enjoy Local
Restaurants
Our culture is deep-rooted in practices of jollification and the main element in that is food. Luckily, St. Maarten has become home to over 80 nationalities that have also brought their cuisine along with them creating a real melting pot of dishes for you to try on your stay here. A short drive from Simpson Bay to Philipsburg can take you from the smell of seafood grilling along the beachside to the aromatic fragrances of Indian food being seasoned with cumin and coriander. From local Caribbean dishes to international cuisine, our 16 square miles cater to your craving, and may even create some new ones you didn’t even know you had.

Local Cuisine
The sight of billowing smoke from a barbecue is a good sign that you’re near a local St. Maarten restaurant. The comfort of eating a grilled locally caught Red Snapper with a side of rice & peas and plantain is hard to beat. Whether you decide on getting ribs, chicken, or lobster, make sure to order a Johnnycake on the side. The island’s large Caribbean diaspora also allows you to explore the many similarities and differences amongst the region’s traditional foods. Are you in to try some Jamaican jerk chicken or Surinamese roti? We’ve got a list of our favorite spots to go! Plan to try these delicacies during the daytime as most local restaurants are closed for dinner.

Beachfront Dining
Thinking about listening to the sweet sounds of the ocean while you enjoy your meal? St. Maarten’s beachfront has a variety of options for you. Restaurants on the shore offer a relaxed dining experience where shoes are optional, but a rum punch is necessary. The Boardwalk in Philipsburg offers a long stretch of restaurants offering local delicacies to laid-back fine dining. Over the hill in Simpson Bay and Maho, beachfront restaurants may also provide you with some entertainment featuring local bands or an international DJ. And if one day you find yourself on the long 20-minute journey from Philipsburg to Simpson Bay, Cay Bay is a great beachside pitstop to enjoy a bite and some drinks.
Beaches
Claim your very own piece of paradise! Our thirty-seven beaches stretch far and wide, ensuring you’re able to enjoy the year-round warm waters, the ocean waves, and the sandy shores when you visit St. Maarten. Keep your beach bag packed with your sunglasses, shades, and a towel throughout your stay since we have a beach for every square mile.
- Take In the Sights
- Take On The Action
- Eat and Sleep by the Beach
Discover Nature’s Wonders
Outdoor Adventures
There are so many different ways to explore the hills and valleys of the island and you will want to explore them all. Discover all 37 square miles at your own pace and your transportation of choice. Take in our picturesque beaches and lush hills on horseback at Seaside Nature Park or tour the island on Jeep and ATV tours where you can reach every corner of the island. For cycling enthusiasts, there are bike-guided tours available that will give you a unique perspective of the landscape.

Trek Through the Trails
For those willing to go off the beaten path, St. Maarten has many coastal and hiking trails offering unforgettable sights throughout her emerald hills. Though some of the trails can be harder to find, all listed trails are cleared and accessible and offer the most amazing views of the island that is more than a reward for its effort. Be sure to visit our natural wonders while you’re here. Hiking to the natural pool between Point Blanche and Guana Bay is a local favorite. It is a moderate 2.6 km hike that leads to a pristine natural pool great for photoshoots, picnics, or a private swim. South Reward Trail is another popular but challenging hike that ends with panoramic views of the island, leading to the highest peak on the Dutch Side.

Zip Down from the Peaks
Tours can lead up to Pic Paradis, the island’s highest peak, which is also home to the treetop lounge, Loterie Farm. Looking for more adventure, Loterie Farm offers zipline packages and access to trails to the peak of Pic Paradis. For the best panoramic views of the island, head up to Rainforest Adventure. Not only can you go on a 360 tour of the island from the top of Sentry Hill via the Soualiga Sky Explorer chairlift, but you can zoom down to the bottom with the Flying Dutchman zipline, the steepest zipline in the world. From the top, you can see neighboring islands Saba, St. Barths, St. Eustatius, and Anguilla. Before you leave the park be sure to check out Emilio Wilson Museum to learn more about the island’s colonial history.
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