What to do on a rainy day in St. Maarten

Rain is part of our life at St. Maarten, and we understand that it's not the first thing that come into your mind when you plan a week in the Caribbean. 

No, the first that come up is warm sun, white sand and shimmering turquoise water. When you visit St. Maarten and its 37 beaches, the most important thing is to enjoy your day under the sun. But when it rains, getting wet on a beach chair is not really attracting!

Here is what to do to fully enjoy your time, despite a rainy day.

Their tours are a culinary discovery mix to an unforgettable tour of the French and the Dutch side around the main subject that everybody loves: the gastronomy! The main goal of their food tours is to feel the spirit of the island, its people, and its cuisine. 

Flavors of St. Martin offers 3 different food tours around St. Maarten and like they say on their website: "The tours are held rain or shine. You should dress appropriately for the day’s weather conditions and bring an umbrella if necessary. Luckily the showers in the Caribbean are usually brief and light." They are totally right! 

The Culinary road trip lasts 4 hours and starts at “the parking lot of Carousel Gelateria Bar (very close to Simpson Bay Resort and Marina). ” and let you discover 4 restaurants of the both sides of the island. Because of their van, you will be completely protected from the tropical rain.

The Philipsburg Foodie Walking Tour is a 2.5 hour walking tour of Philipsburg, which will let you discover 4 restaurants of the city as well as learning about St. Maarten architecture and history.

The last tour is a private tour which can be tailored to suit your needs.

Open from 7AM to 7PM, l'Express by Bacchus is a new venue located at Hope Estate. The folks at the famous Bacchus created a typical french restaurant where you can taste delicious french baguette (tell me you don't like that), yummy pastries like their signature cake, Le Caraïbe : a passion-mango mousse with candied pineapple on a coconut dacquoise. If you drive by on a rainy morning, don't hesitate to stop to enjoy a true french breakfast.

Looking for a french restaurant located at Orient Beach, nestled between the beach (with a view) and la Place d'Orient? Look no further, Alex and Max, the two owners of Le Télégraphe welcome you everyday from 10AM until... well, you'll see!

What about drinking a tasty local beer instead of traditional Presidente, Carib and other Heineken? What about mixing that with a french bistro with laid back atmosphere on the Dutch SideReal beer lovers, we have your back! A new local beer (like really local) is available in all the good bars and restaurants of St. Maarten, like Le Télégraphe on the French side, or the Lagoonies on the Dutch side. 

SHOPPING IN MARIGOT OR PHILIPSBURG

Shopping is always the first thing that comes to our mind in case of bad weather. This is the occasion for you to go visit Marigot (French capital) and/or Philipsburg (Dutch Capital).

In Marigot (local creole town), you can visit the market, the West Indies mall (covered, so perfect to avoid the rain!) and if the showers stop for a while, walk up to the Fort Louis at the top of the hill and enjoy the magnificent view of the bay.

Philipsburg is better known for its international boutiques and its numerous jewelry stores. This is also where all the cruise ships dock for the day!

ISLAND TOUR WITH TAXI OR RENTAL CAR

What better than driving around, either by yourself or with a local taxi, to discover the island?

The tour of Saint-Martin will take you about one hour and a half, without any traffic or stops on the way. But the idea is actually to stop on the way, enjoy the different sightseeing spots. Here would be our schedule for you: Stop in Marigot in the morning and walk around (see highlighted spots to visit above). Then head to the North of Saint-Martin and go visit Anse Marcel, the point of views on the way are breathtaking! Take a few pictures, get back in your car and drive towards Orient Beach and Galion Beach, where you can stop to watch the beauty of the storm on the ocean. Right after, you will end up in Dutch quarter. Keep going and follow the sign to Oyster-Pond in order to reach Philipsburg on a nice wild road, by the sea.

After 20 minutes of driving, you arrive in Philipsburg (the Dutch Capital), park your car and walk around on Back Street, Front Street and the boardwalk, where you will find plenty of nice boutiques, bars, and local restaurants.

To finish your complete island tour, take the road back to Juliana International airport and stop at the Sunset Beach Bar, have a bite or a drink and enjoy the planes landing and taking off right above you: fun and impressive!!

Price of a rental car (small car) for the day: about 60 dollars

Price of a taxi for an island tour: 150 dollars for 3 hours (for 2 people)

SPA DAY

For those who do not want to stay outside and wish to be pampered all day, what about visiting one of the spas on the island, and get a massage or any treatment of your wishing?

On the Dutch side, the Spa Dior located at the Cliff resort (in Cupecoy Beach) provides luxurious hydrotherapy and aromatherapy treatments, deep tissue massages, facials and body scrubs… And a full access to the pool on site, sauna (to warm up!!) and steam room.

If you are looking for a unique and relaxing experience, book a treatment at the Spa located at Belmond La Samanna resort, located on Baie Longue (on the French side). This small and intimate spa will make you forget about the rain thanks to its cuteness ☺

Plus, you will be able to have a drink, a nice breakfast, lunch or dinner before or after your treatment: a luxury pause in your vacation that you can not forget!

CARIBBEAN CINEMA

What about popcorns, hot dog, and a good movie? The Caribbean Cinema (St. Maarten Megaplex 7), located in Simpson Bay offers movie time from the early afternoon until 9:00 pm, in its seven theaters.

After or before your movie, you can then walk around Simpson Bay, have a drink on the dock of one of the bar & restaurants overlooking Simpson Bay lagoon or grab a yummy homemade ice cream at the Carrousel!

HOPE ESTATE CENTER

This area is located right in front the little airport of Grand-Case.

We love it for three main reasons:

Bacchus , a fantastic spot for foodie people (like us!): over there, you will be able to enjoy a fine lunch experience in their indoor restaurant, where you have the feeling to eat in a middle of a wine cellar with an open kitchen at the corner. For those of you who do not feel to sit for a while, just grab the perfect products for your next meal (from the best bottles of wine to the best quality products – cheese, French and Spanish Charcuterie, the “French baguette” and the yummiest pastries). As you enter this shop, you will automatically feel hungry and will want to take it all – this is at your own risk ;-)

But Hope Estate is not just about eating! Time after time, there are a lot of boutiques that are opening and are worth the try. Here are our two favorite ones:

Le Bazar du Majestic , with its incredible selection of French brands for clothes, shoes, and accessories. The selection is great, for everybody’s tastes, and the price is gentle too. And most of all, the manager Benny will be able to give you the best advice as soon as he sees you entering the shop. Visit it; it is a must!