{"id":1665,"date":"2022-09-08T07:57:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-08T07:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/?p=1665"},"modified":"2023-01-13T17:05:20","modified_gmt":"2023-01-13T17:05:20","slug":"sunday-manifest-st-martin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/2022\/09\/sunday-manifest-st-martin\/","title":{"rendered":"Sunday Manifest: St. Martin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The small but stunning island of St. Martin, set between the Atlantic Ocean and the blue green Caribbean Sea, is known for its soft-sand beaches, world-class resorts, and high-end shopping districts. It\u2019s both sophisticated and serene, with just the right blend of spectacular natural beauty and cosmopolitan flair\u2014perfect for a romantic getaway, family vacation, or special occasion trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The southern half of the island is a Dutch territory known for its vibrant nightlife and casinos, while the northern half\u2014an Overseas Collectivity of France\u2014is renowned for its quiet (sometimes clothing-optional) beaches, rolling green hills, and incredible restaurants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This combination of European influence and Caribbean culture, along with the year-round warm weather and stunning coastline you\u2019d expect from an island paradise, makes St. Martin a one-of-a-kind vacation destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the French side of the island<\/strong><\/a>, be sure to visit the bustling waterfront capital city of Marigot to explore the town\u2019s historic landmarks, iconic Creole and colonial-era architecture, and French-inspired shopping centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Stroll rue de Charles de Gaulle and rue de la Libert\u00e9 to find small boutiques from several well-known French brands alongside cozy cafes and a variety of locally owned businesses. Visit the elegant Le West Indies Mall<\/strong><\/a> for designer goods and gourmet food items. And explore the shops along the alleys of Marina Port la Royale<\/strong><\/a> in search of deals on designer clothes, home goods, and jewelry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you\u2019re out, stop for lunch at one of the local \u201clolos<\/a><\/strong>\u201d next to the ferry terminal and enjoy incredible, authentic Caribbean Creole seafood and barbecue cuisine. And make time to walk through the colorful Marigot Market<\/strong><\/a>, the largest in the Caribbean, with over 100 stalls selling everything from fish and fresh tropical fruits to spices, clothing, and other local products. The market is open from 8am to 1pm every day except Sunday and is a great place to shop and pick up souvenirs or just immerse yourself in friendly St. Martin culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also visit the ruins of Fort Louis<\/strong><\/a> for expansive views of the city below. Look for the art murals on buildings throughout the city. And tour the Roland Richardson Gallery Museum<\/strong><\/a>, located in a beautifully restored 19thcentury Creole townhouse\u2014complete with hidden courtyard garden\u2014to view the inspired work of \u201cthe father of Caribbean impressionism.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outside of the city, check out Loterie Farm<\/strong><\/a>, an incredible nature reserve set on over 100 lush acres near the center of the island, with hiking trails, outdoor tours and activities, a kid\u2019s adventure park<\/strong><\/a> playground, swimming pool, and more. Guests can reserve cozy, private treehouses for a day of hanging out, have lunch or dinner at the chic Jungle Room Restaurant<\/a><\/strong>, take guided hikes through the surrounding forest or to the top of Pic Paradis<\/strong><\/a>, or go ziplining over a canopy of mango and mahogany trees. It\u2019s a unique, outdoor-adventure-meets-luxury experience in an unforgettable location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On Sint Maarten, the Dutch side of St. Martin<\/strong><\/a> (easily accessible since visitors can travel freely between the two territories), be sure to spend some time in the capital city of Philipsburg, where you can browse the luxury shops along Front Street<\/strong><\/a>, take a self-guided Philipsburg Art Walk<\/strong><\/a>, tour the Parotte Ville Bird Sanctuary<\/strong><\/a>, dine at the amazing restaurants throughout the city (the elegant Ocean Lounge<\/strong><\/a> at Holland House Beach Hotel is a top pick), and enjoy the city\u2019s party scene<\/strong><\/a> after the sun goes down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outside of Philipsburg, consider heading to Cole Bay for a tour and tasting at Topper\u2019s Rhum Distillery<\/strong><\/a> or have fun ziplining, exploring Sentry Hill, and visiting the Emilio Wilson Museum at Rainforest Adventures<\/strong><\/a> in Rockland Estate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The biggest draw on St. Martin, of course, are the stunning beaches, and there are 37 to choose from across the Dutch and French parts of the island\u2014ranging from quiet, remote shoreline to seaside recreation areas to the white sand and cabanas of the private resorts\u2014meaning you\u2019re sure to find the perfect spot for your own blissful days soaking up the sun, lounging on shore, or spending time on (or under) the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In French St. Martin, consider Galisbay Beach<\/strong><\/a>, a small roadside stretch of sand located next to the bustle of the city\u2019s retail district; the popular (and pretty) Grand Case Beach<\/strong><\/a> next to the famed \u201cgourmet boulevard,\u201d and an ideal spot for swimming, dining, and watching the sunset; or the lovely Anse Marcel<\/strong><\/a>, a remote bay beach at the top of the island, tucked within a quiet cove, surrounded by lush green hills, that\u2019s perfect for a day of sunning, swimming, and watersports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Sint Maarten, on the island\u2019s southern coast, don\u2019t miss the lively two-mile Great Bay Beach<\/a><\/strong>, where you can enjoy cocktails and lunch from nearby restaurants, stroll along the boardwalk promenade, go for a swim, or watch the cruise ships just offshore. Or the less crowded, picture-perfect Cay Bay<\/a><\/strong> (sometimes referred to as Indigo Bay), on the Caribbean Sea between Philipsburg and Simpson Bay, where swimming and snorkeling are two of the popular pastimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, if you\u2019re looking for a truly spectacular beach experience, consider going beyond St. Martin for an exhilarating day trip to Tintamarre<\/strong><\/a>. Several tour companies offer excursions to this small, uninhabited island, with most heading out in the early hours of the morning. On these trips, a pre-dawn boat ride will deliver you to the shores of Tintamarre\u2014a former mid-century airstrip, now part of the National Nature Reserve of St. Martin<\/strong><\/a>\u2014where you can snorkel with turtles, learn more about the area\u2019s rich marine life from a local conservationist, and explore the ruins and quiet beauty of this wild, natural place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We have a luxurious St. Martin Getaway<\/strong><\/a> on our Experiences<\/a><\/strong> page, ready to be booked. But if this Caribbean island paradise isn\u2019t on your travel wish list, let us know. We\u2019d be happy to curate a custom trip for you wherever you\u2019d like to go.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The small but stunning island of St. Martin, set between the Atlantic Ocean and the blue green Caribbean Sea, is known for its soft-sand beaches, world-class resorts, and high-end shopping districts. It\u2019s both sophisticated and serene, with just the right blend of spectacular natural beauty and cosmopolitan flair\u2014perfect for a romantic getaway, family vacation, or…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":1674,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[75,76,93,47,94,77,106,54,46,16],"tags":[78,79,14,38,80,130,35,13,114,15,36,12],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/StMartinBeach-Steve-HeapShutterstock.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1665"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1665"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1665\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2571,"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1665\/revisions\/2571"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1674"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1665"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1665"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1665"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}