St. Martin - First-Timer
 

I'll be travelling to St. Martin for the first time next week 3/4 - 3/10 and was hoping someone may be able to answer a few questions for me.

- Is high-speed Internet access easy to obtain? My hotel does not have it.

- What are the best restaurants (any cuisine)?

- Best scuba tour operators for beginners?

- Must-do day trips to other islands (St. Barth's, etc)

Thanks in advance!

There are a few internet cafes on St. Maarten, but they are much more expensive than in the US. I know one is located in the small shopping center at Royal Palm Resort in Simpson Bay, and I believe there is another at Plaza del Lago Marina....also in Simpson Bay.

The best retaurants is a very hard question because there are really a lot of great restaurants on the island. What type of cuisine are you looking for? It's very varied there. As an example, the main street of Grand Case is known as the Gourmet Capitol of the Caribbean.

I can't comment on scuba operators because we don't dive there. We get better diving on our own island 35 miles south. I'm sure someone else might be able to comment on some good operators on St. Maarten, though.

You can day trip to St. Barth's, Saba and Anguilla quite easily (with Anguilla being the easiest and my preference). Anguilla can be achieved with a 20-minute or so ferry ride from Marigot harbor on the French side. The other two islands can be achieved by boat or air, but air would be my suggestion.

What side of the island are you staying on (Dutch or French)? And, how long will you be there?

We loved the restaurants in Grand Case. It's hard to go wrong there!! Spiga, Sunset Cafe and Bistro Caribes, all great. Cote Plage in Orient Square was also good. Be sure to visit the Gauva Emporium if you like rum.
The excursion we took was the 75 foot catamaran Scoobie Too to Prickly Pear Island. An awesome beach there, but little snorkeling. One of our favorite days.
Have fun!

Thanks so much. Statia, I'm staying on the French side.

Both your replies were VERY helpful.

The Heineken Catamaran does 2 hour out snorkeling trips to Prickly Pear Island. They provide you lunch on the beach and you can snorkel there as well. Go to Anquilla, it is an easy (though sometimes rough) Ferry Ride. If you are there on Sunday or Wednesday (check those days) there is a party on Scilly Cay one hell of a good time. Remember Anquilla is english and consequently more $$$

some of my favorite restaurants:
Spiga..grand case...italian
daniels by the sea..oyster pond..italian
tropicana..marigot marina....french
le plongoir..marigot waterfront..french/Asian

La Rosa...Maho area...Italian
Le MOntemarte..Atlantis Casino..French
for light foor fair and some of the island's delicious local food, try the lo los in Grand Case...grilled fish, chicken and fabulous ribs......
Grand Case is lined with superb gourmet restaurants
Lee's Roadside Grill...Simpson Bay...fresh fish and ribs etc on the grill.

Le Mini Club...Marigot.... fabulous buffet Wed. and Saturday nights.

I forgot to mention Pineapple Pete's in Simpson Bay..It's not gourmet but it is a fun place with very good food,excellent service, and a great atmosphere.

Thanks so much for all the info! Looks like I've got my whole week planned now!

One last question - rental car or cabs?

Definitely rent a car. Cabs will cost you a fortune over a few days and they can be inconvenient with having to always call on one. Unless you plan to rarely leave your hotel or resort, it is a good idea to have a car.

I can highly recommend Best Deal Car Rental at the airport. We have been using them for years.

http://www.bestdealcarrental.com/

Rental car and one more thing....Beware the bridge openings on the Dutch side. There is a schedule that your hotel should be able to provide. Sometimes they can last 30 minutes and you are stuck.

Also, never leave anything of value in a rental car on St. Maarten.