Points of Interest in St Martin

If only in St Martin briefly, try your best to visit:

The appropriately named Sunset Beach Bar at Maho Beach. If the frozen cocktails, beautiful beach and picturesque sunset doesn’t wow you, the thrill (and roar) of planes passing directly over head as they arrive and depart from Juliana International Airport will.

Marigot, the capital of the French side of bi-national St Maarten / St Martin is home to a famous open-air Public Market open most days until 2pm, but Wednesday and Saturday are the main market days and the best time to go. Vendors come from nearby islands with local spices, produce, fresh fish and crafts. I found the market to have the best selection and prices for locally made gifts and souvenirs.

Grand Case, located at the northern tip of St Martin, is a charming French Caribbean seaside village famous for its restaurants and distinctive small wooden houses painted in pastels.

Philipsburg, the capital of Dutch St. Maarten is four streets deep and one mile long. Best known for its variety of duty free shops (all of the island is duty free) including electronics, jewelry, perfume, linens and alcohol. If you are a fan of fine spirits, I encourage you to visit Gulmohar’s at 76 Front Street where you will find a superb selection and many bottles open for taste testing, including hard-to-find single malts and rums.