You could spend a whole week just in Grand Case and not see it all, but here are a few must-see spots as well as some of our favourite spots on the island:
There are many fantastic restaurants in Grand Case. It is the gourmet capital of the Caribbean after all! The local barbecues (lolos) are just past the old pier. Cheap eats and delicious. Great for lunch! Look for the smoke rising from the grills.
https://www.wearesxm.com/restaurants/orient-bay-grand-case/
Marigot, the French capital, is great for fashion-shopping. The Marina Royale and Rue de Général de Gaulle have the best European shops. A must for lunch is Tropicana in the Marina Royale. Bon appetite!
http://sxmcooks.com/le-tropicana/
Simpson Bay is the best beach on the Dutch side. Check out Karakter Beach. It’s an old bus converted to a bar. Cool place to hang out for lunch.
www.karakterbeach.com
Some other places worth seeing on St Martin are Happy Bay (20 minute walk around Smith Hill at the western end of our beach), Anse Marcel, Pinel island (great day trip), Orient beach (water sports and the all-over tan), and Maho beach (airplanes!).
www.uncommoncaribbean.com/st-martin-st-maarten/happy-bay-st-martin/
www.ansemarcelbeach.com/beach.html
www.caribbeanpaddling.com/pinel-island
The official currency is the euro on the French side (it is France), and the NA florin on the Dutch side. Both sides readily accept the US$. Credit cards accepted just about everywhere, but at times cash will give you a better deal. There are ATM’s everywhere on both sides of the island.
If you have any questions let us know.
oceansoundsxm@gmail.com
www.needabeach.com
www.facebook.com/oceansoundssxm
MORE ISLAND INFO:
www.st-martin.org/us/
www.vacationstmaarten.com