TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Been a few years...kids now 6-8, $$ and other Q's?

Points owner here from La Terasse. Havent been there in a few years but we're a coming soon!

SO STOKED! Our kids are now 6-8 so we usually do le Galleon beach and the Butterfly farm early in the week & later. Any other ideas on nice experiences and beaches for this age group?

Also, looking to bring cash. Still using dollars on the Dutch and Euro on French? Whats the favorable/best thing to do moneywise?

Was thinking of bringing about $100/ day in dollars and would use the C.card as well. Is that a good gauge?

One last thing, I remember renting a jetski last time at Phillipsburg. Any other nice spots with calm water and good rates?


thanks all!

US $$$ are good everyplace. Many places take credit cards but not everyplace so I would allow a little extra cash. If it has been a few years you will notice a lot of changes and higher prices so you will need to plan accordingly.

Butterfly Farm is great for kids and adults alike. Pretty sure jet skis are rented in town and I know Orient also but not sure on other places.

Do NOT leave anything at all of value in your vehicle, trunk or otherwise.

The Carousel. It is a real merry-go-round that the kids can ride and an ice cream parlor for all to enjoy. It is near Pineapple Pete's.

Thx, never heard of the Carousel. Sounds perfect for an afternoon.

Will look up Pineapple Petes. Any good family friendly restaurants? Cheryl's was the obvious go to near SXM for us but thats no longer.

Thanks all

Not exactly sure what you mean by Cheryl's. Andy & Cheryl's/Baywatch on Orient is no longer but "Cheri's" in Maho is still there and is often popular with families with children.

Pineapple Pete would be a good choice as would Mark's Place (heading towards Philipsburg) and perhaps The Greenhouse in Simpson Bay for your situation. Several pizza places would fit the bill for your kids also.

Buccaneer Beach Bar fireball Friday & Sunday nights (I think). A lot of kids running around. I think they show a movie or cartoons for the kids.

We really enjoy Friar's Bay on the French side. Lovely bay with slight slope into the water and low waves. Beautiful setting, great lounge chairs with thick padded cushions and a great restaurant (cash only). Only down side is the road to get there is terrible.

DOH! Maybe I'm having a brain fart! Did Cheri's close at one point for renovations though? Maybe that's what I'm thinking and I'd heard they closed?? Anyway, thank you that is refreshing news!!

And love the new idea of BBB, P.Petes, Friars and Marks. Will look into them all!

There is Mini golf and a small soccer field next to the Cadisco gas station on your way to Orient Beach.

Thx naked jaybird. Another thought...kid. Friendly French restaurant? While it can't be classy, I want to treat the kids to some fantastic French food, and that means breads and savory butter. Any leads to a good lunch spot with French food as well as good for kids?

Kakao! The individual 'huts' mean that the kids can wander around some and not bother other people, and their food is great!

Not sure why you can't take your kids to a classy restaurant, but try Dreams for the day or Anse Marcel Beach Club. My kids are now 23 and 16, both have visited yearly since they were in diapers and sometimes twice a year. Sure there were nights where they loved their Burger King, KFC, McDonalds or Subway. But we also took them out to nice places as well, Antiones, Piazza Pascal, le Moulin Fou, and so many that are long gone. Kids are just little people and teach them how to go out to dinner early sans video games etc they can last through dinner. We did go out to dinner early with them - prior to 6:00 which incase there was that "meltdown" we were gone prior to the places filling up. Also I know the Butterfly farm was mentioned, the zoo was always a fun stop, son loves tossing peanuts to the monkeys, and getting the empty shells hurled back at him!!! Kayaking at LeGalion would be a nice day as well. We tended to just hang at the beach all day with the kids, dinner early and then to bed!

Mai Tai, Nettle Bay. Little thatched booths and right over the water. food is very reasonable