Saint Martin Things to Do Tips by bsfreeloader Top 5 Page for this destination

Grand Case

Dubbed the “Culinary capital of the Caribbean,” Grand Case is without question the best place for dining on St. Martin/Sint Maarten. The town’s main drag is essentially a long row of restaurants, ranging from inexpensive lolos serving barbeque to high-end places serving traditional French cuisine. Reservations are typically unnecessary, as most diners simply walk the street and view the specials highlighted on chalkboards before choosing a restaurant. The restaurants front a somewhat unspectacular but not altogether unworthy beach.

Baie Orientale

Orient Beach is the most developed, most popular, and busiest beach on the island of St. Martin/Sint Maarten. Protected from Atlantic rollers by a reef, the beach is a two-mile long swath of sugary white sand surrounded by turquoise waters. It is reputed both for its natural beauty and setting and for being the island’s foremost swimsuit optional beach.

Baie Rouge

Located two miles west of Sandy Ground and within walking distance of Marigot (if you like long walks), Baie Rouge is home to one of St. Martin’s most popular beaches. After spending several days in Anguilla, it was difficult to be impressed by the golden sand which had the texture and color of cornmeal, or somewhat choppy seas. But it isn’t a bad beach, and the area is said to be good for snorkeling. Be warned – Orient Beach isn’t the only beach with nudists; there are plenty at Baie Rouge as well.

Baie Nettle

Just west of Marigot in Sandy Ground, Baie Nettle features a decent beach. The beach is fronted by a number of hotels and restaurants but is relatively uncrowded. Looking back toward the Marigot marina and the surrounding hills, it features a nice backdrop as well. Unfortunately, the far end of the beach is excessively littered with rubbish and is popular only with foraging stray dogs.

Fort Louis

Constructed in 1767 by order of French King Louis XVI to protect Marigot from pirates of British and Dutch descent, Fort Louis is not much more today than a few crumbling rock walls and some left-over cannons. But it is worth climbing up to see for the sweeping view of Marigot, its harbor, and nearby Anguilla. Although not particularly well marked, it is impossible to miss the fort if you simply look up from the Marigot waterfront.

Marigot

The capital of French St. Martin, Marigot has a bit of a southern European flavor. Home to a public market, souvenir stalls, a handful of lolos, and other restaurants, Marigot’s harborfront is the city’s main commercial area. Not surprisingly, it is a good place to people watch, browse, and graze. High-end shoppers will prefer the trendy boutiques surrounding the nearby Port La Royale Marina and along the roads linking the marina and the harborfront. The marina also is home to scores of tourist restaurants, and is a comfortable place to have dinner. One of the town’s highlights is the panoramic view from Fort Louis. A day in Marigot is more than enough to take it all in at a reasonable pace.

Eat at the Lolos

Lolos are makeshift restaurants serving traditional creole fare. Typically consisting of a small kitchen with a counter, a grill, and some plastic tables and chairs under an awning or plywood roof, lolos are direct descendants of more rustic barbecue shacks. Clustered at the main pier in Grand Case and along the waterfront adjacent to the public market in Marigot, lolos are extremely popular with locals and tourists alike. Serving hearty meals at less than $10 a pop, lolos are difficult to beat. Picking which one to eat at can be a challenge – my theory was to eat at the ones with the most locals, and I was never disappointed.