St. Martin
In many ways the tiny Caribbean island of St. Martin perfectly represents your honeymoon - the marriage of two unique peoples enjoying tropical bliss in harmony. Just 87 square kilometers in size and located about 300 kilometers east of Puerto Rico, the island of St. Martin is split down the middle between The Netherlands (Sainte-Maarten) and France (Sainte-Martin) and has been shared by the two nations since 1648. For you, a honeymoon on St. Martin is the best of all worlds with wonderful French food, a laid-back Dutch attitude and the luxurious comforts and natural treasures of a Caribbean paradise.
Stay in St. Martin the way you desire. Spend evenings in a cozy Creole cottage or an extravagant beachside villa; then fill your days with snorkeling crystal clear waters or relaxing with exotic tropical cocktails on one of 39 sun-drenched beaches. In between, you can explore the old world Dutch city of Philipsburg or head up to the French side's Marigot with its beautiful harbor and hillside ruins. Pristine island beaches are everywhere beckoning you to wander together over lush soft sands or engage in more active pursuits such as parasailing, jet skiing or windsurfing.
There's so much packed into this incredibly gorgeous destination from world-class shopping at
duty free boutiques to non-stop partying and nightlife at
numerous clubs and 12 casinos. At any given moment you could flip a coin to visit
the Dutch side or the French side, but either way you win, because
St. Martin truly has it all!
WHERE TO STAY:
Coming soon!
HONEYMOON TRAVEL TIPS:
- DOCUMENTATION: A passport is required, but you should consult your
Dutch and French embassies to inquire if a Visa is needed as well.
- TIME ZONE: St. Martin is on Atlantic Standard Time, 4 hours behind
Greenwich Mean Time.
- AREA CODE: 599 (Dutch side) 590 (French Side)
- GETTING AROUND: Renting a car is the best way to get the most out
of St. Martin. Around the bigger towns of Philipsburg and
Marigot you'll drive on narrow roads and experience a bit of traffic
congestion occasionally, but it's nothing to deter you from having a great
time. Bike and moped rentals are also a good option for getting around.
- CURRENCY: The Dutch use the Netherlands Antilles florin (aka
guilder), while the French currency is the Euro. You most likely will not have to exchange money because all banks have ATMs that accept
international cards. Major credit cards are accepted most everywhere, too.
- LANGUAGE: English is the most widely spoken language yet the
official languages are French for St. Martin and Dutch and English for
St. Maarten. French based Creole will also be heard around the island as
well as a little Spanish and other Caribbean languages.
- ELECTRICITY: Like the island itself, electricity is split down the
middle with the Dutch side using 110-volts like North America and the
French side using 220-volts as is found in Europe.
DON’T MISS:
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EXPLORE ORIENT BAY: Whether you decide to take off your clothes or keep them on, there's no denying that the beach at Orient Bay is among the most fantastic in the Caribbean. In addition to the sun-bathing, this is a terrific spot for all sorts of water sports and mixing it up with the beach bar crowd.
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CLIMB FORT LOUIS: A highlight in the French side of the island is exploring the crumbled remains of Fort Louis. In addition to the great touch of history, a favorite pastime for visitors is walking all the way up to the top for incredible views of St. Martin and nearby Anguilla.
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GET LOST ON BAlE LONGUE: Stunningly beautiful Baie Longue is the island's longest sandy beach, affording you an excellent chance to enjoy the sun and each other in relative privacy. If sharing romantic moments on your St. Martin honeymoon is a must, than this is one of the best places to make it happen.
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RISE TO THE TOP: Hire a local guide to take you to the top of Pie du Paradis (Paradise Peak), St. Martin's highest point at 1,492 feet. Once at the top you'll be treated to magnificent views of the island and its tropical forest as well as its gorgeous island neighbor.
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SPEND TIME IN PHILIPSBURG: Front Street in Philipsburg, the capital city of Dutch St. Martin, is where you'll find a huge variety of duty-free shops, restaurants, stunning architecture and historical landmarks. The beautiful cobblestone streets are narrow and winding, and perfect for wandering, whether you have a specific destination in mind or just feel like stopping at a sidewalk cafe for a drink to enjoy people-watching.
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HEAD OFF SHORE: A wonderfully unique highlight of the island is taking a day trip to one of the many deserted offshore islands between St. Martin and Anguilla. You'll feel like the only people on earth as you snorkel sparkling waters, enjoy rum drinks or even have a barbecue picnic.
ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS:
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RARE, St. Maarten: Dino Jagtiani is the chef and owner of Temptation, one of the island's most popular restaurants. Rare, his other super-popular island restaurant, focuses on steak and offers equally spectacular cuisine, fun side dishes and a light, vibrant decor.
Address: Cupecoy.
Phone: (599) 545-2254
Website: http://www.rareandtemptation.com/EN/rare/ -
L'HIBISCUS, Grand Case: Classic French and Creole cuisine is yours for a wonderful dinner out on Grand Case Boulevard. The unassuming and quaint building may get passed by, but the locals know a gem when they see it.
Address: 15 Grand Case Boulevard.
Phone: (590) 29-17-91 -
LA CIGALE, St Martin: With gorgeous lagoon views from the dining room and the open-air patio, La Cigale is a family affair on Baie Nettle. The cuisine is a marvelous blend of French and tropical flavors all set in a wonderful casual atmosphere.
Address: 101 Laguna Beach.
Phone: (599) 87-90-23
Website: http://www.restaurant-lacigale.com/ -
SPIGA, Grand Case: One of the most popular restaurants on the island is also one the best Italian restaurants in the Caribbean. Everything is cooked to perfection using ingredients both hand-picked on the island and imported from Italy. The creative recipes are simply prepared and absolutely delightful.
Phone: (590) 52-47-83
Website: http://www.spiga-sxm.com/ -
TEMPTATION, St. Maarten: Intimate get-togethers are assured in Temptation's lovely dining room or out on the patio. You'll dine on sensationally creative cuisine that is equal parts French and Caribbean, and all sensational. The extensive wine list will complement your every taste, while the incredible cocktails including the one-of-a-kind St. Maartini is worth the reservation alone.
Address: Atlantis Casino Courtyard, Rhine Road. 106
Phone: (599) 545-5741
Website: http://www.chefdino.com/
DESTINATION WEDDINGS:
Coming soon!
