Wednesday, January 28, 2015

More About St Maarten And What To Do There

By Janine Hughes


When looking for a place to visit in the beautiful Caribbean, one island must be on the list for consideration. St Maarten, also known as Saint Martin, is a gorgeous island located in the northeast Caribbean to the east of Puerto Rico. Saint Martin is divided into two unequal parts, with around 61% of the island belonging to France and the other 39% belonging to the Netherlands.

Obviously, Dutch and French are the official language of this island, but English is actually the most commonly heard language hear. Visitors will also hear a variety of local dialects based on creole French and another language known as Papiamento, which is a language spoken by those hailing from fellow Caribbean islands Aruba and Curacao. Because of this mix of languages, the island undoubtedly has many names and those names are spelled in many different ways. It is commonly referred to as SXM as well.

SXM is one of the Caribbean's popular destinations for tourist. Indeed, on either side of the island there is much to do, regardless of a visitor's personal taste in activity. The French part of the island boasts a number of beaches targeted toward nudists, as well as many outdoor markets and places to try popular French and Indian Caribbean foods. The island's Dutch equivalent is well-known for its active nightlife, as well the many casinos where one can try his or her luck. Jewelry shopping is quite popular here too, and the beaches are a must. There is also the locally made rum to try.

There are a number of different forms of accommodation for visitors to SXM, including hotels, guesthouses, villas and also timeshares. All of these can be booked online or through a travel agent as part of a package. The Belmond La Samanna Resort & Spa is a five-star accommodation that offers the best in luxury on the island.

There are many fun activities to do on any part of the island, but, being an island, the beaches are a must. From horseback riding to deep sea fishing to snorkeling and scuba diving, there is something for every taste here. Visitors can also just lay back, relax and enjoy the beautiful sunsets of Saint Martin on any of the thirty seven beaches on offer.

Visitors can take any one of several day trips on offer during their trip. A day trip to Anguilla or to Prickly Pear Cay is a must during a visit to Saint Martin. Packages include snorkeling adventures, lunch and refreshments, as well as any port fees. These day trips cost around $100 USD.

A day trip to Anguilla by catamaran costs a little over $200 USD, as it includes an exciting adventure at Dolphin Discovery Anguilla. Here, visitors can swim with the dolphins and also choose one of three in-water activities with these amazing creatures. The package includes the thirty-minute cruise to the island and a barbecue lunch at one of Anguilla's best restaurants on the beach.

For less expensive day trips, tourists can take a shore excursion package. Young people will enjoy a pirate excursion, which includes unlimited beverages for the entire trip. Visitors can take shore excursions around the island to go sightseeing and visit some of its top spots. The trips take around five hours. Often, there is the option to do some sort of water activity like snorkeling as well.




About the Author:



No comments: