The Best Sight in Pic du Paradis, St. Martin and St. Maarten

Almost halfway up the road to Pic Paradis is a peaceful 150-acre private nature preserve, opened to the public in 1999 by American expat B. J. Welch. Marked trails (maps are available) traverse native forest with tamarind, gum, mango, and mahogany trees—the same as it was hundreds of years ago—and you'll probably see vervet monkeys. 

Also on-site are the Jungle Tree Adventure Park play area for kids, and the more adults-oriented Jungle Pool, a lovely tropical garden with a large pool and whirlpool-tub area, lounge chairs, chic tented cabanas, roaming iguanas, and music. Enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner poolside or a tasty lunch featuring tapas and strong cocktails in the Jungle Room. On Sunday, a DJ spins tunes in a tree booth during the wild TreeJ party from 1 to 5 pm. If you're brave—and over 4 feet 5 inches tall—you can try soaring over the trees on zip line, including one that's among the longest in the Western Hemisphere.