Thursday, January 29, 2015

What To Do When You Visit St Maarten

By Janine Hughes


When considering taking a holiday in the paradise that is the Caribbean, there is definitely one island that needs to be a contender. St Maarten lies east of Puerto Rico towards the northeastern part of the Caribbean sea and is a real jewel. It is also called Saint Martin, which is its French counterpart name, as the island is roughly split into 60:40 France and the Netherlands.

Obviously, Dutch and French are the official language of this island, but English is actually the most commonly heard language hear. Visitors will also hear a variety of local dialects based on creole French and another language known as Papiamento, which is a language spoken by those hailing from fellow Caribbean islands Aruba and Curacao. Because of this mix of languages, the island undoubtedly has many names and those names are spelled in many different ways. It is commonly referred to as SXM as well.

It is an extremely popular tourist destination and there is lots to do when visiting either part of the island, no matter what kind of holiday visitors are looking for. On the French side of the island, there are a number of nude beaches, outdoor markets and a host of Indian Caribbean and French cuisine, all of which this part of SXM is well known for. Meanwhile, the Dutch side of SXM boasts nightlife, casinos, jewelry, beaches and native rum.

Accommodation here ranges from guesthouses and hotels to timeshares and private villas. Visitors can book any of these options through their preferred travel agent when booking flight plans or they can book separately online. The top luxury resort in SXM is The Belmond La Samanna, known simpy as La Samanna locally. It is a five-star accommodation worthy of its accolades.

One can find many activities to indulge in, but the beaches must be included. Visitors can choose from horseback riding on the shore, to snorkeling, scuba diving and deep sea fishing in the water. Otherwise, relax and take in the marvel of the Saint Martin sunset. After all, there are nearly forty different beaches to choose from to experience a sunset!

Several day trips are available during a visit to this island. Prickly Pear Cay is the sister isle of Anguilla, and both of these gorgeous islands can easily be accessed. A package, which can cost upwards of one hundred US dollars, usually includes transportation by water, plus lunch, refreshments and snorkeling. Port fees are also included.

To visit Anguilla by catamaran, and then swim with the dolphins and experience one of three dolphin-related activities, costs upwards of two hundred US dollars. Seeing these breathtaking creatures up close is unforgettable. Included in this package is the trip to and from the island, and a BBQ lunch.

For less expensive day trips, tourists can take a shore excursion package. Young people will enjoy a pirate excursion, which includes unlimited beverages for the entire trip. Visitors can take shore excursions around the island to go sightseeing and visit some of its top spots. The trips take around five hours. Often, there is the option to do some sort of water activity like snorkeling as well.




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