Dutch Side

My wife and I are visiting SXM for the fifth time next month and have always stayed on Orient Beach, where we pretty much remained except for excursions into Grand Case and Marigot for dinner or the market. Any recommendations for points of interest on the Dutch side? For example, would like to experience the famous spot along the beach at the end of the runway where the airplanes land...where to park, maybe have lunch or a drink, etc. Dankjewel!

The place at the end of the runway is either Sunset Bar and Grill or Driftwood. You can see a thread about Driftwood at the top of the forum right now. It discusses Sunset and Driftwood. As far as other places to visit, there are a million! Check out the Yacht Club, by the bridge into the lagoon, come for happy hour and watch the yachts go through the bridge. Go to Mullet Beach and have Rosie's Ribs. Go to downtown Phillipsburg and see the cruise ships and do some shopping or looking in windows and grab lunch on the boardwalk. If you happen to have kids along (or maybe even if not!!) check out the SXM zoo. There are many great restaurants to check out. For a neat evening of jazz and tapas on the beach, check out Karakter beach bar. Enjoy!!

Much appreciated Carol...Thanks!

Wow! I'm amazed! I can't imagine going to SXM four different trips and not exploring the whole island. So much to see and so many cool little places and areas to explore.

Many people seem to think all there is to the Dutch side, beyond the airport, of course, is the congestion in the Simpson/Cole Bay Area, Philipsberg and a few casinos and there's really so much more.

We always suggest to first timers, and particularly those arriving on a Saturday, they hop in their cars Sunday morning when traffic seems to be at its lightest, and really tour and explore the whole island. The scenic views alone are worth the effort......from the top of Cake House Hill to the beach at Mullet Bay to the views around Captain Oliver's and Dawn Beach and so many others - and while I agree that Orient Beach is nice, there really is so much more to all that is SXM.

It will be 42 years of annual visits for us come this November and I'm still amazed that with every trip we make, we still manage to hear of or learn about places we've still never gotten to. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

We really enjoy Little Jerusalem for lunch or dinner

I personally think that you have made the right choice so far but I also believe that you should at least experience the rest of the islands geography. There are lots of interesting nooks and crannies. Just drive right to the ocean and then take a left and repeat It would be really hard to get lost if you have a few hours on your hands. I also suspect that once you have dealt with the crowds and the traffic on the Dutch side one time you will know what to do next time.

Thanks Pat. Have always enjoyed your sage viewpoint here. I guess for the reasons you noted...congestion,etc, and feedback from other visitors...we've sought the more laid back element on the French side. I believe the term is "sand gravity"...hard to resist sometimes and venture out. We'd always meant to visit the Dutch side more thoroughly, but time always seemed to escape us. We've spent time in the Netherlands and France and enjoyed both places immensely. So having both countries on the same island makes St Maarten/St Martin a very special place for us to visit. Thanks again. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

If you enjoy ice cream you have to make a visit to the Carousel. Fun place to visit and the treats are fantastic.

REALLY? sometimes for me vacation is an escape. Exploring pales compared to just being away in paradise, eating, drinking, tanning and relaxing.

Talked to a couple that was here for a week. Said they ran out of things to do and see. Had Dominos Pizza delivered three nights and were bored and ready to go home. Didn't rent a car. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

The key here is "not renting a car." They missed so much. Probably did not do their homework before coming to the island. Wow! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/smashpc.gif" alt="" />

Dominos? with all the great pizza on island, shame, shame <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Jerber,

Aren't all vacations escapes?

We still relax even when exploring, be it while eating, drinking, swimming or just soaking up the sun. We've even stayed at a few AI resorts on other islands but we still felt the need to explore our environs. But that's us and I guess everyone is wired differently.

And to the OP, I meant no criticism, just sincere surprise at having four trips under your belt already without being more inclined to explore. That's usually the first thing we do on any trip, even when we're merely tent camping at any number of State Parks. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

None taken. We've taken boat tours around the island, climbed Pic Paradis, even visited Karakters once for an evening TTOL get-together, but just never made it over to Phillipsburg or any of the other areas on the Dutch side. We're staying a little longer this time, so we plan to rectify that. We generally like to explore too when traveling, but there's something so easy about just staying put on Orient Beach.

I had to smile, you guys took a shortcut to where most of us end up. Most (many) of us start out by exloring the entire island many times over and over thru the years - fill in the number. Suddenly, we find "THE" spot - it does not matter where the spot is or even "what" the spot is - and then we are you - lol Enjoy!!!!