Sint Maarten - A Small Island In The Middle Of The Ocean

This year I was there approximately 100 days for work. When you go somewhere that long and if you are curious enough you became semi-local and your knowledge of the area becomes competitive with the locals 🤩Thanks to my expat friends there🖤🖤🖤

You are entering to the island from the airport that I worked for, a small but well functioning airport. 2 phases are finished and opened, so if you go in a near future you can smell the new buildig materials:)

The island consist of two regions because it belongs to two countries; Netherlands & France. You can go with any schengen visa.

Big planes comes to this airport on the Netherlands side as the airport on the French side is so small that only jets can come there. If you are going by a jet, that’s another story..

Princess Juliana International Airport

@denizc

Add to

Details

The view while plane is landing is a really promising one for guaranteeing that you will have good time there;

Here we go..

So this became a really long content, it could be a few different boards. However, I am confident that I categorized well. Use to subheadings for jumping to what you are looking for😌

Main character of the island: Beaches

First things first,

I experienced all the beaches listed below🫠 And have never seen a shark or any weird sea animal 🦈🦈 So I can suggest to be feel free, but ofcourse it is up to you. At least I am not anxious when I swim there as you can see the experienced beaches below🖤

Mullet Bay Beach

@denizc

This one is the one that I went the most. first I went there for the sunset the next day that I landed to the island. It was very exceptional feeling. It was my first time nearby the ocean and that close to the equator. Then the second and thirg time on the island, my house was so close to this beach and I experienced at different time periods. See some tips below: ✔️Facilities the beach is mostly public there is just one private beach at the middle (you can see the details at the following parts of the page) ⛱️⛱️there are plenty of chairs&umbrellas on the public side (10 euro for 1) 🍹🍸🍻there are two bars on the beach one in the middle one at the end, you can find from variety of beers to the frozen tropic coctails😋 (coctails app. 12-15 euro, beers app 5 euro) I always go for the frozen tropic coctails (but be careful, as there is no tax on the island the alcohol is cheap and coctails really contain top much alcohol. You will get drunk under the carib sun so easy😅🌸) 🍔🌭🌮you can also find snack at these bars (snacks app 8-15 euro) 👙🩳🏊‍♀️🏊 If you want to swim, I suggest the right side of the beach as it is just used by locals of the area and not crowded. But you should take your chair and umbrella or just lay on your towel on the sand, no facilities on this side. If you want to be in the crowd and nearby the bar, then you can chplae the left side where all the rentable chairs and bars located. At the sunset time, the beach is gprgeous but just at the time that sun went away and darkness started all the sand crabs go out of the sand. 🦀🦀🦀 It is a bit weird feeling, so if you are afraid ofthem or just do not like them; leave the beach in parallel to the sun loop🌞

Add to

Details

Baie Rouge beach

@denizc

Bay Rouge is on the French side and kinda Cote D’azure vibes with chilling French people around. I went there just after a very hard hangover afternoon, it was really calm and the water was cold (which you cannot find at any other part of the island🤩) ✖️ No Facilities You should bring your own chair umbrella or just let it go as we did and put your towel on the golden sand. Do not forget to bring your hat at least; you are nearby the equator🔥 There is a nice colorful entrance then it is just the nature

Add to

Details

Rainbow Café

@denizc

Rainbow is located in Gran Case area on the French side. This is exactly a beach club with happy hour, nice coctails, well dressed people rather than just chilling ones. They even have a boutique. On the island, music type is defining the places for selection as there is a wide range. This one is one of my favorites as it is mostly playing house & electronic music. They have bistro tables in the sea where you can dance in the sea while you sip from your coctail, actually I couldn’t get this fantasy but appaerently the locals love it🤭 There are some other beach clubs nearby so you shouldn’t sit at the edge otherwise very different kind of music attacks you from your right and left ear🫣 ✔️Facilities There are main meals in addition to any snacks you will want and very delicious coctails🍹 Happy hour is on Friday-Saturday -Sunday starting approximately around 5pm as the sun sets early🎶🕺🏼

Add to

Details

Captain Frenchy SXM

@denizc

This is the neighbour of Rainbow, and it was fav point of my friend so we tried at my second time at Gran Case. All the seyting is the same as two are just nearby. This one has a wide range of coctails and I guess I will prefer this one. Coctails were delicious. There is a shop inside where you can buy some local bracelets etc, I bought one with a tortuga 🐢🐢 ✔️Facilities You can find delicious coctails, any kind of beer and snacks but the kitvhen closes around 4pm

Add to

Details

Anse Marcel

@denizc

A hidden miracle over the other side of the hill. Just the ones who knows comesherr. Actually mostly the people nearby use this area. But I have the very best friends that wanna show me each inch of the island so we sure went this part, as well. The hill is so steep that it is better if you go with a strıng car as we were very ancious if we would turn back home afterwards by passing from that hill. Actually here is kind of a luxury village with villas, a resort, chic beach restaurant.. Apart from the restaurant and the chairs &umbrellas of it ✖️no facilities can be found. It is worth going as the colour of the ocean is at its best and it is also deep 🫠

Add to

Details

Orient Beach

@denizc

Unique spot for the water sports on the island🤸🏿‍♀️🏄‍♂️ Also, other beaches have some spots for water sports but this one is the biggest one with a wide range of activities. The problem of this location is, (if you are not surfing. It is really so windy!🌬️ I went there in three different seasons all were the same, I do not have a bormal picture in which my hair seems as it is 🤭 So, I couldn’t swim here I walked, watched the parasails and surfing people. That was also so enjoyable. But I guess at the season (December-February), this part of the island can also be a less windy place. ✔️Facilities There are chairs&umbrellas on the beach Also there are places where you can get your drinks&snacks

Add to

Details

Cupecoy Beach

@denizc

This is one of the best photo spots in St. Maarten beaches. But in my experience I coyldn’t reach there. I just saw the little pool kimd natural stone&sea junction, then I left. For the main part you should take the pathway within the bush but it was too hot for that. ✔️Facilities there are chairs&umbrellas and a small bar at the smaller oart which I can gi😅 ✖️No favilities on the main beach as I heard from the locals This beach is mostly for having nıce photos within the stones rather than enjoyimg the beach while there are other much crowded and nicer beaches🤩

Add to

Details

Pinel Island

@denizc

The cutest beach on the island, actually it is a teeny tiny beach island just nearby Sint Maarten. You can take a reddish boat for going to this island from the French side. It takes 15-20 minutes. You are travelling on the safe waters but from far you can see the gorgeous ocean waves.

Add to

Details

Pelican Key

@denizc

One of the best beaches, a long and liveşy one, mostly public. But there are bars that you can get food and drinks at the back side. We had one whole day here enjoying the ocean and the beach. Actually, this was the best place for swimming as there was no wave and the sea was calm🏊‍♀️🏊‍♀️

Add to

Details

Maho Beach

@denizc

First things first.. Everybody knows this island with these plane photos✈️🛩️ I experienced it a few times apart from taking photo the experience is very nice and threatening at the same time. Imagine you are sitting on the beach and a Boeing 777 passing just 20meters above you as it will just land 50-100 metrrs behind you🤩🤩🤩 a gorgeous experience. However, the problem is, it becomes such a touristic activity that you cannot enjoy it, there many people around running, taking photo, jumping etc😂 Suggestions There is a guy there who has a aschedule of the flights, when you go there he warns you a few minutes before the arroplane comes so you can set your pose, ypur angle.. The action is about the big arroplanes such as Boeing 777&787 etc. There are 3 companes flying to island from long distance by passing ocean. American Airlines, Blue Jet, KLM & my fav Air France. These are always coming around the same hours between 2.30 pm -4.30pm. First you should check the days (each flight has a spesific date, it is bot everyday) then you can go at this hour period. There is a bar at the end, the best activityis taking your beer and watch the big big toys flying just over your head🤩 The landing aeroplane experience is nice but be careful about the taking off ones. Based on a true story… There are also warnings about it but I havent seen it and while I was just enjoying my beer at a Saturday afternoon, I had a nearly sand storm experience🙈🙈 a long one.. The thing is, the aeroplanes going to USA, they are takimg off in direction opşosite to the beach and there is nothing between the airport and beach as a protective thing(I don’t know why). So, if you are sitting at the beach and the biggest USA aeroplane decides to take off, the party starts🎉🎉 Because you are at the back side of the biggest motors you can see from this distance🙈 And it creates a kimd of storm behind. And as you can imagine it is not just like seconds… I was sitting facing the ocean and my back was facing the airport, there was sand every mişimeter of my back, it just like bit me😂😂😂 But it was also enjoyable .. Once in a lifetime experience 😌

Add to

Details

Breakfast after a long night

In Sint Maarten, I mostly eat at home if there is no special occasion as eating out is a bit expensive. However, the best occasion is the hangover breakfast before going to the French supermarket on Sunday for weekly shopping. Then you can spend all your Sunday laying on the beach.🍹🍸👙

REVEIL MATIN SXM BREAKFAST & LUNCH

@denizc

🇳🇱🇳🇱🇳🇱 You can admire being on the Dutch side of the island while enjoyimg your plate of egg benedict withh all that fruits and delicious coffee. They have a wide range of food in their menu; we always go for the dutch type of breakfast when we come here. However, ypu can have also pancakes, classical toasts, granola bowls, etc. 💸Prices are approximately 20-25$ per person

Add to

Details

Zee Best

@denizc

🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷 This place is kind of a representative of French at the Dutch side of the island. This is the stop by croissant place for all my collegues & even sometimes they go there for a croissant sandwich at lunch time🥐 They have two places, one is much more for stopping by, but the one at Simpsons Bay also serves as a place where you can enjoy your breakfast. 💸 depending on what you buy it changes between 5-15$

Add to

Details

Restaurants: “From buffet to Michelin kind”

🇫🇷🇳🇱🇺🇸🇮🇹

A combination of two countries and an addition of nearby sapors😋

Mama

@denizc

Best Italian on the island. As a person who lived in Italy for one year, I guess I can detect a good Italian restaurant 🤭 The atmosphere is so nice, it is in Cupecoy area where a few restaruant and a bar located around a courtyard which opens to sea at one end. It is spectacular at sunset time. My fav duo is gnocchi with four cheese and prosecco 🥂 Also pizzas are delicious but the portions are so big😌 Prices:💸💸 It is a quiet restaurant, I guess it is best for small friend circles or dates🌸 Bonus: I really loved their prosecco glasses that I asked if they can sell it to me but they refused 😂🙈

Add to

Details

Indigo Beach Bar and Restaurant

@denizc

This restaurant is in the Cole Bay area, nearby the ocean. Actually, this is a beach restaurant, but on the island mıst of the elegant restaurant are the beach restaurants. It is a bit shocking for me, because in Tukey, beach restaurants are mostly serving snacks etc. These are some kind of chef restaurants. Also there is an effect of French on this topic I guess. This is a French restaurant with a range of delicious food. I tried tuna tataki and we got some starters in the middle. All were really nice and the coctails were amazing (again with too much alcohol, so I could drink the half of it🙈). Tataki is my favorite thing to eat when find a nice restaurant and here it was really nice. I am not such dessert person, so may be because of this, I do not like the desserts that much. Other meals were really nice, the desserts were normal. So I can suggest to go for the food more than dessert. They also served very nice shot (some kind of tequila with ananas sapors) gratis🤩 Prices: 💸💸💸 Only bad thing about the restaurant is being so empty, may be it is because of the season because I was there on August and the season for the island is between Noveöber - February. There is no tourist on the island in August, mostly locals and expats. It is a nice place for a date during sunset, at night it is also nice but no view. Also good for big friend groups as the area is bıg and tables are not so close to each other. You can be noisy😂

Add to

Details

Tortuga Maho

@denizc

It is just nearby the famous Maho beach. Actually, my first experience was having a drink at sunset while watching the planes, it is a very meditative activity if you are alone 😌😌 Afterwards, I also tried the kitchen on a Sunday early evening. Everybody was ordering pizza, so I ordered pizza. So, I do not know the other dishes as nobody ate anything other than pizza at our table. The pizza was delicious 😋 I can totally recommend. The tap beer was not good, go for a bottled one. 🍻 Most of the days (I am not sure which days, but Sunday for sure), there is live music. It is nice but if you want a intimate gathering with your friends or you are going for a date it is better not to choose a day with a live music. Prices:💸💸 modarate

Add to

Details

Bar Code

@denizc

A neighbourhood restaurant, mostly expats and studemts living in Jordan comes here. It is kind of a place you can find anything. Nice coctails and starters😋 Prices:💸

Add to

Details

In & Out

@denizc

Jordan’s take away survival point🤩 They are so fast, whrn you are so lazy to cook just go there give your order, have a 15mins of walk around (to lose some calories begore taking:) then get your pizza and go home. Buon appetite😋 Prices:💸

Add to

Details

Pizza Italy

@denizc

Pizza Italy is at Simpson Bay, main street of Dutch side after Maho. A guarantee place for eating nice food with a moderate price. Suggestions: Pizzas are delicious I wanted a healthy option that day, melanzane parmigiano is kind of a main meal rather than anti pasti and it was delicious😋 Prices:💸💸

Add to

Details

Kalatua Beach Restaurant

@denizc

This one is at Mullet Bay, my second home in SXM. Mostly I enjoyed all my weekends at Mullet Bay😌 Mostly I was on the public side, a few times when I want to do a favor to myself I spent the day at Kalatua😌 Suggestions Aperol & Shrimps🍤🍤 Prices:💸💸

Add to

Details

Karakter Beach Bar/Restaurant

@denizc

This restaurant is a beach restaurant again, an elegant one. We went there for a business dinner😌 It is hidden behimd the airport, it is nearby Simpson Bay but the road is from Maho side. Suggestions: If you like Rhum, coctail is a must try shrimp with coconut & tacos were the best meal is ok but the tapas or starter kind of things are worth trying😍 Prices:💸💸💸

Add to

Details

Cocky Turtle Beach Bar & Restaurant

@denizc

Actually this can also be evaluated under the beach section but the tale about this place is about the tacos.. 🌮 It is just at the back side of the beach, you should wnter here beyween the local barbeque party places and my fav spot Tap&Still. At the beach there is the rock placewhere you can see turtles swimming, I was not that lucky but it is said that most of the time they can be seen🐢🐢🐢 Enjoy at the beach, see & swim with the sea turtles and eat tacos as much as you can >>> enjoy😌

Add to

Details

Sunset Bar and Grill

@denizc

Just nearby the famous beach where you can feel like even touching AIRBUS sth. Just located nearby the airport and all the planes are landing towards this bar. As you can see from the name, the best time for here is the golden hour and sunset time. Not so special food and drinks; however so nice view and have parking area behind.

Add to

Details

3 Amigos

@denizc

Prices are a bit expensive as being at the center of Maho. But the middle round bar is so nice and go there for the nachos plate 🌟 It is so big and delicious. I guess 3 people can share. Nice for a chill Mexican evening.

Add to

Details

District to stay

Maho and Jordan area is best for newbies. I started from Cole Bay area, it was not a good experience but second and third time on the island makes me love the island as I stayed at Maho & Jordan🤎

Emerald saveurs

@denizc

Emerald is kimd of residence place, small flats to which you enter directly from the exterior corridor area. There is a gym below and a pool (but a very small one). I used the pool side more than the pool itself for reading book at sunset time after work or chilling with friends at night. Flats are nice but so small if you are staying long, it is much more like hotel room. As I heard there are different flats within the residence, I stayed at 310, it was small:)) There is one problem about staying here, if you don’t have a car even the market is not so close. There is a bakery below, they are also selling basic things, but not a market nearby. You should go to the Maho Market. The best thing about Emerald is the bakery below🖤 World of Baguettes & Croissants😋😋 Try all kind of croissants and also get baguette for your sandwich for lunch. I didn’t try the other things but they have many many desserts in addition to these. It is also one of the few spots where you can get a nice take away coffee on the island🤎

Add to

Details

Palm Court

@denizc

This place was my home for 2.5 months, I really loved it. It is in Jordan, with bana trees view when you open your door in the morning. Flats are also big and comfortable, mine was also so spiritual with all statues and atmosphere🤩 There is a security door at the entrance, supermarket just nearby, a walkablre area (you cannot find it everywhere on the island) and dog park nearby. Definitely recommended🤩

Add to

Details

Ice cream weather

GUSTO it's a matter of taste

@denizc

Best ice cream on the island. But you have to swim afterwards. Because it is melting top fast and every inch of you shows that you just ate an ice cream like a child. We mostly changed our way to the longer road to eat ice cream here with my friend. It worths. Prices:💸💸

Add to

Details

Gamble ♠️♣️♥️♦️

For me it was a story of losing my money, and then losing the money that my friend just won there😂

But there are many casinos and worth trying. If you are not a lucky type, just watch, don’t touch🤦🏻‍♀️

Paradise Casino

@denizc

Add to

Details

Tropicana Princess Casino

@denizc

Add to

Details

Action

Worth trying actions below.

Apart from the below listed ones, there is one thing I couldn’t try. Trekking is so popular on the island, there are some trekking paths etc. If you like trekking, check before going. But it is too hot so I couldn’t be sure about it and never tried.

Rainforest Adventures St Maarten

@denizc

Spot for the adventurers🥳 I wanted to try the zipline but it was hurricane season and it was closed because there was the hurricane warning for that weekend🤭😢 As I know, this one is one of the steepest amd longest ziplines in the world. If I go again it will be at the top of my to do list🤩 UPDATE I have experienced it, it was awesome💙 the view was beautiful, the feeling was amazing. after a slow slooow teleferic with a nice ciew for 20 öinutes, you reach the top part. You can jump back at that moment, but I suggest you to have some time at the top. There is also a bar over there which has great coctails🍹 If you do not have any fear about height, you should definitely try it. It is one of the best things that you can spend yout 100 $ on🌸 Also there are some other areas, a smaller zipline, a trekking area, etc. Also there is a club nearby called Elev8, they are organizing sunset parties with the gorgeous view at the top of the mountain. I bought the tickets before I bought my plane ticket but it was also cancelled because of the hurricane warning. Will be item two for my to do list next time🗒️

Add to

Details

Mullet Bay Golf

@denizc

The place I stayed for 2 months was in the golf course ⛳️ I wanted to try it and two of my friends came with me we have the golf lessons dor 5 weeks. It was so enjoyable learning that kind of sport in such a real surrounding. I was seeing iguanas when I went for collecting the balls after hitting🦎 Adter 5 weeks we were able to have a small competive game. Time at the golf course was so meditative and enjoyable. You can have lessons directly without having an equipment. If you know playing golf, you can also rent equipment there. Golf car can be rented as well. Sometimes the security guy comes and teases you during lessons, nobody can understand this but that’s not a big deal you can continue at the beginning part of the golf course.

Add to

Details

Country Club at Port de Plaisance

@denizc

Most chosen club on the Dutch side. It is just nearby the big Supermarket and Princess Casino (kinda landmarks:) They have spa, fitness center, crossfit area and the most important for me: tennis courts. If you want to take lessons it is same rate as the monthly membership. But if you have any partner to play it is very economic. You can pay around 70 dollars for month and pay nothing else and just reserve your court and play. If you don't have a partner, that will be an issue because most of the people are playing padel here; a bit hard to find someone playing tennis. If you do not have your racket with you, you can rent for 5 dollars. No lights; so you should play before the sunset; and golden hour is the best for tennis <3

Add to

Details

Baie Lucas

@denizc

One of the best places that you can feel you are just nearby the ocean. All the wawe sounds as there is a different kind of wave on this side of the island and view🌸 There is also a small island nearby and ypu can walk there through thw sea “Moser’s Walk”.

Add to

Details

Party Island

All type of music and venues, everybody can find something on the island nightlife.

Moonbar Rooftop

@denizc

This is again a first things first item for the island…This is the only place that all the people on the Dutch side passes bu at least once a week. Some are coming to dance all night, some just for a drink, some come here to see some other familiar people as everybody will come at some point 😂 The atmosphere is enjoyable but not my type. The music is mostly as of my erasmus time which was 10+ years ago🙈 so a bir old fashioned and pop vibes. But nice for big groups as being central as location and not being overcrowded and ypu can see your friends around for sure:)

Add to

Details

Boho Beach Bar

@denizc

I didn’t go there at a day time so I do not know how it is for a beach day. But it was really good for a beach party. The music style was house electronic🖤 (it is difficult to find this kind of music on the island). Actually the party I went was kind of a substitution of a cancelled party at Elev8, maybe that was the reason that it was so good. Whatever, the atmosphere is very nice with all the lightings and the decorations. It was not so big not so small and the number of the people were just matching with the place. You can dance freely but also there are people around, you are waitimg just 2 minutes at the bar, etc. Music was finished around 1 am, but that party was started at 7pm when the sun just went down. I do not know if they have a time limit at night. Definitely recommended for beach parties🥰

Add to

Details

Loterie Farm

@denizc

This one is an exact Sunday exit. This is a complex within the mountains😌 The weather and the atmosphere is nice up there. They also have a pool, entrance fee was 25euro last year. You can chill at the swimming pool under the tropical trees with nice coctails and food. Also, you can just use the cafe & restaurant side. I have a big anouncement: this is the only place where you can find an Ice Latte 🥳🥳 (and yes, I am a starbucks fan) We didn’t eat lunch here, we had ice latte and cheesecake. A bird shared the cheesecake with us actually but the ice latte worth it. The view is gorgeous and the atmosphere is so different from other places of the island. Worth visiting🌸 Prices: 💸💸

Add to

Details

Mimosa Skylounge

@denizc

This one is the elegant face of island. It is for drinks and chilling at the warnm weather at the terrace. Actually it is mice but prices are higher than many other place on the island. It is best if you are on the island but it is not the season (the season is between November-February). Because most of the places are closed or there are just a few events around at the off season. So you can give a chance to this place. Their coctails are nice, the atmosphere is nice. If you do not like partying or you just need a predrink you can give chance here. But I can say I went there just one time in 3 months🙈🤭 They have a wide range of gins and the barmens are so friendly. You can discover your favorite gin there:) Prices:💸💸💸

Add to

Details

Soggy Dollar Bar

@denizc

Tuesday night is the latin night. This place is in Simpson Bay. It is a cosy place where you can dance with anybody you want in the club. On the island each day there is an event in a selected bar and it continues all year. So you are seeing familiar faces everywhere after you spend some time on the island. Tuesday, most of the people are here, it is just nearby the lagoon and the atmosphere is nıce with all the games around, bar in the middle and dancing people arıund. And also it is really cheap😌 If you can go earky, they also have a small workshop. They are teaching you basic latin moves so you can practice during the party afterwards😍 Prices: 💸

Add to

Details

After (for your stomach😋)

The Tap&Still

@denizc

MY FAV PLACE on the island. A dutch bar at Simpson Bay. I was kind of local there, the owner greets me after coming back one month later🤩🤩 It is the after place after a long night, their kitchen is open after midnight and they have the best burger and fries on the island (I am so sure about this)😋 Each night out finishes here🤩 Also we went there for watching box matches on Saturday evenings. The atmosphere is so nice. 🥊 The first time I drop by here was a beach day while walking home back. We sat at the road side at the bar for a few beers, totally recommended 🍻 The front part is as I told above. There is also a back garden, that part is totally different, it is a bit isolated, you can have a crowded friend gathering there. And also you can enter from that side, if you don’t want to see the familiar faces sitting at the front part, it is like a back door:) Because as the island is small, you are seeing familiar faces everywhere.

Add to

Details

Basic Needs

Carrefour Market, Colebay

@denizc

A saturday tadition for us, going to Carrefour at midday after work. It is one of the biggest markets on the island. You can find anything here. It took me one hour for shopping, I was mostly looking each shelf:) Also, if you want to buy sone alcohol to take back home, this is the best place as they have a wide range of drinks. On the third week of each month, it is the sales time for this market they are making packages like avocafo plus apple is for apple price kind sales. It is the most crowded time of the market :)

Add to

Details

Super U

@denizc

My bestie was taking me here for buying cheese🧀 One of the best things I kove about the island is the markets as the island is combination of Dutch, French & American products🤩 I guess I tried most of the cheese at the market😋 Also you can find really nice wines at this market. I also bought espadrils for 8 euro amd I wore them all summer😌

Add to

Details

Greens Market

@denizc

Only big market in Cole Bay area, a neighbourhood market. Not so many choices but better than nothing.

Add to

Details

Maho Market

@denizc

This is the only market (apart from the small chinese markets) on the island that is open on Sundays. You can find anything here, but the best shelves are the fruit, alcohol and taco. I mostly go there for a lunch smoothie. They have a smoothie bar in the market, all smoothies are delicious and makes you full as a big neal. I think it is the best lunch choice for that very very hot weather.🍏

Add to

Details

Beautylicious

@denizc

A place for women who love self care products from hair to nails. You can find NYX lipsticks for 2-3 dollars🥳 Prices:💸 much better than the supermarkets and departments stores in your country and you can find many different things.

Add to

Details

Maho Pharmacy

@denizc

It is a big pharmacy. There are also vitamins etc from different companies. They also have a big cosmetic dermatology section. I bought a Biotin of an American brand, I liked it very much as my hair becomes much more stronger and healthier🧜🏻‍♀️ Prices: better than my country so I bought many things:)

Add to

Details

Souvenirs

SXM CIGARS

@denizc

I do not know anything about the cigarettes etc, but this shop makes you buy as there are many different kinds with different flavors, sizes, colors. I bought many many presents from here. If you have any hint about cigarettes, you will love this shop. Prices:💸

Add to

Details

Braid kind of world

I think it is a must if you go to such island as it is the main tradition there, you can feel like a local🤩

There are many types of it, firstly try the regular one.

Actually at my first I tried a few to see if it damages my hair. Nothing happened. At my second I tried partially (half of my hair was braided). At last, I got it for my whole hair with extensions and I used it approximately for 2 months🤩

There are many places you can get your hair braided but I was so lucky that my local friend did it for me 🌸🌸🌸

Some tips about seasons

I was there in February, April, August and October.

February was the end of season, the weather was so nice and also there were many events around.

April was good, actually better because there were just locals and expats around, no crowd as February. Also there were many events around. I couldn’t catch the date, but also the begınnıng of April is the carnaval time for SXM.

August is the hurricane season but it is kind of beginning so we haven’t experienced a major thing. Just one day, there was tropical storm and it was raining too much; nobody can move as the drainage system of the island is not that good and cars are drowning within the water at some poimts when it rains too much.

October, this was the worst experience. Actually I am neither coward nor anxious person so I was cool about the hırricane season. We had tropical storm 2 times in one month, I experienced in the previous time; so, it was okey. But categorized hurricane warning was a bit too much even for me👀

We had to stayed at home by closing all the hurricane rated shutters for 24 hours. It was a bit frightening, waiting something to come.

I even do not know what to buy as a stock etc. I bought candle as I thought electricity can be cut off. But then my friends warned me that candle cannot be used during hurricane if you do not want to cause a fire😂🤦🏻‍♀️

We were lucky that the hurricane that mapped as to hit us at night changed the direction at last minute and went through the ocean, just the tropical storm of it reached us. I said I was ok with that, the next day in the afternoon after the rain slowed down, I went to beach for just enjoying my beer while watching the waves🌊

The weather seemed ok and I even swam as it was my last Sunday there🥲

So, hurricane season is not also that bad. Just the thing is events etc are less than the season but if you have your small circle of friends, you can enjoy the island if it is not season, anyway. I have the bests 🤎 so my experience was good for all seasons🥳

Some tour suggestions:

For beaches:

French Side Beach Tour

Check Prices

For murals: there are lovely and colorfull mutals all around the island, I was using some of them as landmarks to find my way. Definitely suggest this tour.

Mural Tour

Check Prices