Located in the northeast of the Caribbean sea, 300 km east of Puerto Rico, Saint Martin is a 87 square kilometre island divided between the French Republic ( this side of the island is called Saint-Martin ) and the Kingdom of the Netherlands ( the Dutch side is called St. Maarten or Sint Maarten ). Fun fact: only the French part of the island is part of the European Union.

The Dutch side is known for its festive night life. I had the opportunity to experience a glimpse of their 50th carnival festivities and it was a thrill to see how they celebrate. This part of the island is also famous for its jewelry, the rum-based guavaberry liquors and casinos. On the other end, the French side gets its reputation from the gorgeous beaches, markets and the exquisite cuisine.

Two years ago, hurricane Irma hit Saint Martin causing tremendous damages. However, the people of this island are recovering and rebuilding their beloved island as quickly as they can. Tourism had taken a toll as many hotels, restaurants and beach bar locations were literally destroyed.

SOME GENERAL TIPS

Cash over Card: I found it easier for me to carry cash. $US and Euros are widely accepted. If you need to use your card to withdraw some cash, no worries, there are a few ATMs all over the island.

Rent a car: Taxis are expensive in my opinion. I was able to get to a few destinations using the local bus transit ( a pretty fun experience ) but if you can, definitely rent a car. The Island is pretty small and driving is easy.

Buy a temporary sim card: because I needed to have access to data, I decided to buy a temporary sim card / package exclusively for data that was valid for 10 days. It cost me $35US. Worth it.

WHAT TO BRING

Passport: If you're a Canadian or US resident, you don't need a visa when visiting for less than 90 days. However, a valid passport and proof of your return ticket are mandatory. Another point to consider is that when arriving at the customs in SXM ( the airport for International flights on the Dutch side ), the agents will most likely ask for the address you'll be staying at. Therefore, have your hotel / B&B confirmation handy.

Sunscreen & Insects Repellent: you'll need a lot of it. It's beautiful and hot in Saint Martin most of the time. I always try to not spend on things I can carry myself so I brought my own sunscreen. Now, if you forgot, no worries, just hop in a local supermarket or pharmacy and you'll be served. They basically have the same products / skincare as in France ( in the French side of the Island as per my experience ). One item I did not travel with was an insect repellent but luckily, my host in La Savanne provided me with one in my room. Such a thoughtful gesture.

WHERE TO STAY

It all depends on your budget. There are plenty of hotels, AirBnBs, B&Bs, hostels, resorts and guest houses all around the island. Because most hotels and resorts are still rebuilding and/or just finished renovations after the hurricane, the price tag is quite high for 3 to 4 star hotels. 350 euros for a single night, no thank you, not in my budget for now haha. I ended up booking a very charming bedroom in a secured residence in La Savanne. My host was such an adorable human and made sure I was comfortable. One particular thing was that my bathroom was outdoors. Very unusual but I enjoyed it.

WHAT TO DO

I couldn't possibly go everywhere I wanted to in 5 days, because there's so much to see. However, I'm glad I visited the places that were on top of my list.

On the French Side / Saint-Martin

Marigot: Marigot is the main town and capital in the French Collectivity of Saint-Martin. It has so much character with its brigthly coloured houses, many restaurants and coffee shops ( with wifi! ), the market, the bay where multiple cruises stop at, etc. It's definitely a must see.

Fort Louis: If you want to experience the incredible view overlooking the colorful roofs of Marigot and the Bay, Fort Louis is the place to go. It was built in 1789 on a hill overlooking Marigot Bay to defend the French side of the island of Saint-Martin from enemy attacks. Nowadays, locals go there to exercise. Climbing to the top is quite the cardio.

Grand Case: Well known for its restaurants and beach bars, Grand Case is one of the towns that was heavily impacted by the hurricane. While strolling through the streets, I could witness all the damages, businesses that have closed, homes that were completely destroyed … but I also saw people working on rebuilding, fixing roofs, kids jumping in the turquoise water, tourists enjoying their vacation. There was life and that is what matters.

Petite Beach: I spent a few hours at Petite Beach. The water is crystal clear and turquoise. The sunset at Petite Beach has the reputation to be one of the best on the French Side. If you have time, there are plenty of beautiful beaches to see in Saint-Martin such as Orient Bay and Mullet Bay.

Pinel Island:  A charming small island just a 5-10 minute boat ride from Cul de Sac ferry in the French Collectivity. The round trip will cost you $10 or $12. Again, bring cash with you. Clear turquoise water and white sand beach. A slice of heaven! There are two restaurants / bars on the island. I visited Karibuni ( see more about it below ). You can go for a hike, see iguanas, snorkel and stay all day until 5pm.

On the Dutch Side / St. Maarten

Philipsburg: the capital of St. Maarten, the Dutch Side of the Island is a must. Thanks God for Tracy (@tracy.lalla). She helped me a lot. Point A to point B. If you're wondering, I "met" Tracy on Instagram and she lives on the Island. These are the best things about social media: actually connecting with people. Tracy dropped me on the Dutch side the day after my arrival. I had breakfast first, then went exploring.

So what to do? Stroll around Front Street, Old Street and the Boardwalk. This is quite a touristic area: lots of restaurants, duty free shops and an amazing view on the sea. Make sure you stop by the Courthouse: beautiful building with colonial architecture. I spent almost 5 hours just walking around and taking pictures. That's where I met Orlando, one of the Sheriff County's employees. He was such a gentleman. We talked about where we were both from, about life on Saint-Martin, the good and the not so good stuff. Definitely one of my many encounters on the Island that made me really feel at ease and welcomed.

Mayo Beach: Mayo Beach is on the Dutch side as well and very close to the Princess Juliana Airport. That's actually one of the reasons that make this beach so popular: people gather to watch and experience giant planes go over their heads and land at the airport. It's such a unique and thrilling moment and I'm so glad I got to live it.  Because I am convinced that when traveling, the best way to really enjoy it is to do things like locals, I decided to take the local bus from Philipsburg to Mayo Beach, and it was absolutely a fun experience. The fare is $ 1 or $ 2 each way. The bus stops at the designated bus stops, but also every time the driver sees a person waving at the roadside.

WHERE TO EAT 

Karibuni on Pinel Island: I was particularly excited to spend a few hours at Karibuni on Pinel Island as I've been in touch with one of the owners, Manon. She runs one of the two restaurants on this tiny Island along with her parents. It's a family business. So glad that we got the opportunity to meet in real life and got to learn a little bit more about each other. She mentioned to me that there was a secluded beach on the other side of the island. And you bet I had to go!

The water is pristine, the sand white and the sky so blue. I really loved the decor, design and ambiance.  The people working there are also so very kind. Karibuni can get very busy some days in the week, so if you want to visit, I'd recommend getting in touch with them on Instagram to reserve a transat on the beach. Once you get there, just head over and they'll help you out. You don't need a reservation to eat at the restaurant.

Le Temps des Cerises in Grand Case: LTC is a boutique hotel in Grand Case. It's such a cute spot, just in front of the sea. You can enjoy a nice breakfast and/ or drink with wifi. You don't have to stay at the hotel to have access to the restaurant.  There's also a possibility to rent a transat on the restaurant's beach and go for a swim. I did not pay because I had breakfast there!

Taste of local food at the " Lolos ": Local food is life and the "Lolos" are no exception. Grilled seafood or meat with delicious sides. It was absolutely delicious.

Photography by yours truly.

Ressources

Where I stayed: Studio Zen & Nature

Map: http://bit.ly/SaintMartinMap

Saint Martin Tourist Office Website: https://www.st-martin.org/