TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Recommendations Please!

Great info. I'm almost set on not doing my shopping in Philipsburg. I'm not a big shopper anyway. I have no want for things I can get in the States (for the most part), duty free or otherwise.

Thank you for the One by K recommendation. We'll definitely check that out. And I'll hunt down the Marigot Market hand painted goodies. This is what I'm looking for in bringing back home.

The Lotterie Farm is pretty cool.

You are over planning your trip. Most people have discovered St. Maarten/ St. Martin without this flood of where to go and where to eat. You seem like you want to discover SXM the way many have. Relax!

Etang aux Poissons, closer to Quarter d'Orleans

I also feel the need to chime in on this one. I totally encourage you to visit, as we have repeatedly for decades, you will love it! But it matters where you stay and where and when you are out and about. Especially if traveling only as a mother/daughter pair.

Others may have more info about the French Quarter area, but I honestly have never known it as a tourist area, and that concerns me a bit for you if you don’t know much about it yourself. We typically stay in any of Grand Case, Anse Marcel, Cul de Sac, and Orient, and travel between those areas at night by car without concern.

That aside, I’ll recommend the Orient Village restaurant area as a great place to go at night. You can safely walk around and pick from various restaurants depending on your mood! Orient village overall has a lot to offer IMHO.

HI Annie,

Here area few suggestions:

You might enjoy spending an afternoon at Loterie Farm on the French side. Its on Rue de Pic Paradis, which intersects the main road between Marigot and Grand Case. It has a private pool, rain forest nature hikes, zip lines and dining. Check it out at www.loteriefarm.com.

Pic Paradis, which the highest point on the island, has great views and is a nice hike but there used to be security issues there. It's been a while since we did that hike, and I have no idea what the situation is now - someone else can probably chime in. If it can be done safely, it is a unique and fun experience.

Cupecoy beach (on the Dutch side past Maho near the border) is a series of small, unique beaches surrounded by beautiful low cliffs. There's a beach bar at the entrance run by a local named Dany who takes good care of everyone. Just FYI - you may encounter some nudity at Cupecoy, but people there tend to be very chill.

Harmony Nights should be going on in Grand Case while you are there (it runs January through April). It is a street festival that happens every Tuesday evening and has lots of food, vendors, and entertainers. Parking can be a bit of an adventure, but there are lots of people and lots of security around. We usually park on Route de l'Esperance, which is the road to the Grand Case airport on the north side of town, and walk into town.

Have fun!