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DISCOVER ST. MAARTEN – ST. MAARTEN world famously know for Maho Beach and its proximity to the Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), where massive commercial jets land just feet directly over sunbathers. Sint Maarten, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is a country on the southern part of a Caribbean island shared with Saint Martin, a French overseas collectivity. Its natural features span lagoons, beaches and salt pans. The capital, Philipsburg, has cobblestone streets and colorful, colonial-style buildings. Also, Sint Maarten remains famous for its open border with the French territory of Saint-Martin, the island offers world-class beaches, vibrant nightlife, and a unique blend of Dutch, French, and Caribbean cultures.

DISCOVER ST. MAARTEN

“The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination, and brings eternal joy to the soul.” ~THE END OF THE OCEAN

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Sint Maarten/Saint Martin’s major attractions feature the world-famous plane spotting at Maho Beach, duty-free shopping in Philipsburg, and lively beaches like Orient Bay. The island offers unique experiences such as the steep Flying Dutchman zip line at Rainforest Adventures, snorkeling at Pinel Island, and exploring French culinary delights in Grand Case.

DISCOVER ST. MAARTEN

TRAVEL THERE

Travel to St. Maarten is highly accessible, with the island serving as a premier Caribbean hub known for its unique blend of Dutch and French cultures. Divided into two distinct territories—Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint-Martin—the 37-square-mile island offers open borders, allowing visitors to move freely between the electric, nightlife-heavy southern side and the chic, quiet culinary havens of the north.

Best Time to Visit:

May to June: Ideal weather windows with pleasant temperatures, a lower likelihood of rain, and optimal hotel rates.
November to Mid-December: Perfect pre-winter getaway window boasting excellent resort pricing before the peak season rush.
December to April: Peak travel season featuring famous island events like Carnival and the Heineken Regatta, though prices spike significantly.
June to November: The regional hurricane season; expects fewer crowds and cheaper flights, though some businesses close for the off-season.

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO LEARN MORE

DISCOVER ST. MAARTEN

EXPLORE MAHO BEACH

We packed our own SNORKEL GEAR and WATERPROOF VALUABLES POUCH/WALLET and UNDERWATER WATERPROOF CAMERA, towel, book, and sunscreen so we were well prepared! Beach days are golden! Love a beach day! God’s creation is on full display at the ocean!

“In attempting to have it all, never forget that if we don’t have love, joy, peace, tranquility and an ability to be truly present in our lives that we don’t have it all anyway. We really don’t have anything.”

~Carolyn Anderson

Soaking up the rays is just one of our favorite relaxing activities when we travel to the ocean along with lazing in the sunshine!

The beaches, sunshine, and ocean provide the backdrop for many other adventures! Do you have a personal BUCKET LIST for travel dreams? You too can DAYDREAM YOUR NEXT TRAVEL ADVENTURE! We did on our last visit in Punta Cana! We enjoyed exploration!

DISCOVER ST. MAARTEN

HISTORY OF SINT MAARTEN/ST. MAARTEN

Indigenous Roots & European Discovery

Pre-Columbian Era: The island was originally settled by Arawak Indians around 800 A.D., who called it Soualiga, meaning “Land of Salt”.
Columbus’s Arrival: Christopher Columbus sighted the island on his second voyage in 1493. Though traditionally said to have named it after Saint Martin of Tours on November 11 (the saint’s feast day), the Spanish actually misidentified the island and claimed it as Spanish territory.

Salt, Conflict, and the Treaty of Concordia

Because the island possessed valuable natural salt ponds—a crucial resource for curing meat and preserving fish—it became highly sought after by European powers.

1631: The Dutch established a settlement and built Fort Amsterdam to secure the salt ponds.
The Division (1648): After decades of warring over the land, Spain abandoned the island in 1648. The same year, the Dutch and French signed the Treaty of Concordia, dividing the island into two territories.
The Border Dispute: Due to ongoing wars across Europe, the island changed hands between the British, French, and Dutch a staggering 16 times before the final border was established.

The Rise of Modern Tourism

After the abolition of slavery, the plantation economy collapsed, leading to a long period of decline. The island’s fortunes changed dramatically in the 20th century. [1]

1939: St. Maarten was declared a duty-free port, stimulating trade.
World War II & Airports: The Allies occupied the island and built an airfield, which eventually became the famous Princess Juliana International Airport.
Tourism Boom: In the 1950s and 1960s, the island began to develop into a premier Caribbean travel destination.

If you remember to pack the TOP 10 THINGS YOU NEED TO PACK, you will be ready to dive into the ocean for this adventure right along with us!

DISCOVER ST. MAARTEN

LOCAL RESTAURANTS

The SUNSET BAR & GRILL is a favorite spot to relax and watch planes and people on the ocean with a great breeze!

WHAT ACTIVITIES CAN I EXPLORE ON ST. MAARTEN?

ATV rentals on St. Maarten are a thrilling way to explore the island’s beaches, jungles, and hilly terrain. Pricing generally ranges from $129 to $300 per day, depending on whether you rent an ATV or a multi-passenger UTV, and most agencies require drivers to be at least 21–25 years old with a valid driver’s license.

ENJOY THE STEEPEST ZIPLINE IN THE WORLD! ROCKLAND ESTATE, ST. MAARTEN.

TAKE IN THE ISLAND ON HORSEBACK. SEASIDE NATURE PARK.

There are so many other outdoor adventures available here!

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WHAT IS THE CLIMATE?

The warm Caribbean breeze and sunny skies is a treasure that St. Maarten gets to experience 365 days of the year. St. Maarten has a tropical climate, which is usually hot and humid, with temperatures that are cooled down by trade winds. The average temperature on the Friendly Island of St. Maarten is 80 °F (27 °C). From December to April you can expect a temperate climate, rarely exceeding 90°F (32°C), and never dipping below 68°F (20°C), with a lower humidity and cooling trade winds blowing in from the northeast. It’s ideal beach weather, with the occasional cloudy day, with some rain showers, which are relatively brief.

DISCOVER ST. MAARTEN

SPEND TIME WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE!

What a great place to slow life down for a minute and rest and relax with someone special! This is a great island retreat for reconnecting. There were so many fun activities and leisure moments to enjoy! We highly recommend St. Maarten as a favorite island destination.

God’s magnificent creation is on full display here in ST. MAARTEN! We were just in awe of it’s raw beauty and humid tropical breezes. The culture was so very warm and inviting! WHAT a beautiful island to explore and enjoy! Take time out of your normal routine and go explore! My husband I really enjoy taking adventures together and exploring new interesting places. God’s wonderful creations abound and the joy shining within the people we meet reflects through their eyes when we can engage a conversation. It is our joy to find local color to share their culture and history with us when we are visiting new places! So many interesting people to meet on these journeys!

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Inspirationally Yours,

Barbara

BIO: https://www.inspirationaltraveladventures.com/about-us/

About Me

A 1993 graduate of Michigan State University, Barbara earned a BS in Social Science Pre-Law. She is a CFO for a light manufacturing company in Northwest Lower Peninsula Michigan. Her passion is travel, discovering new places, experiences, cuisine, cultures while enjoying temperate climates. Barbara is an “empty-nester” who became a travel blogger. She’s a great photographer and talented writer.

WEBSITE: www.inspirationaltraveladventures.com

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