If you’re dreaming of the perfect Caribbean getaway that blends laid-back beach days with incredible food and just enough adventure, St. Maarten should be at the top of your list. We spent 10 days on the island, splitting our time between the French and Dutch sides and it truly felt like two vacations in one.
We kicked off our trip on the French side, where we stayed for the first five days. After landing on Friday, we kept things simple: grabbed groceries, settled into our Airbnb and enjoyed a low-key evening at the condo. It was the perfect way to ease into vacation mode.
Saturday was our first full beach day, and we headed to Orient Beach. This quickly became one of our favorite areas on the island. The beach is beautiful, lively but not overwhelming and lined with beach clubs and restaurants. That night, we walked over to Orient Bay Village for dinner, an absolute must if you’re staying nearby. There are so many great restaurant options, and the walkability made it even better.
The next day we explored Grand Case, often referred to as the culinary capital of the Caribbean and it lived up to the hype. We had reservations at Rainbow Café, and I can’t recommend it enough. The food was incredible, the music created such a fun vibe and the ocean views were unreal. Definitely book a reservation in advance.
Monday brought one of the most unique experiences of the trip: a guided food tour with Seagrapes Tours. We hopped in a van and explored different local spots, including a cheese shop and a rum tasting. It was a fun (and delicious) way to learn more about the island. That evening, we returned to Grand Case for dinner at Ocean 82, another standout meal with a more upscale feel.
On our final day on the French side, we decided to fully embrace beach club life. These are everywhere, and I highly recommend reserving chairs ahead of time. Renting chairs typically comes with full service, so you can relax while food and drinks are brought right to you. That night, we wrapped up our French side stay with dinner at L’Atelier in Orient Bay Village, hands down one of the most memorable meals of the trip.
Midway through, we made the move to the Dutch side, staying in the Simpson Bay area. After settling in, we had a casual dinner right on the sand at Buccaneer Beach Bar, a perfect introduction to the more lively, energetic vibe of this side of the island.
One of the highlights of the Dutch side was visiting Maho Beach to watch planes land just overhead. It’s as wild as it looks online and something both adults and kids would love. That same evening, we did a sunset cruise with Lambada Sunset Sail, a must-do for the views alone. We kept the night going with drinks and apps at Topper’s Rhum Distillery and even squeezed in some blackjack at a nearby casino.
Friday was intentionally slow. A pool day at the condo, cooking in and enjoying some of the amazing local finds. One thing we loved about staying in Airbnbs was the ability to take advantage of incredible local ingredients, think amazing cheeses (hello, Dutch side) and wine (French side).
For our final full day, we visited Mullet Beach, which had stunning views and a more relaxed feel. It was the perfect sendoff before our last dinner at Jai’s, a fantastic way to end the trip.
St. Maarten truly offers the best of both worlds. Whether you’re there for the beaches, the food or the mix of cultures, it’s a destination that delivers on all fronts. We’re already talking about when we can go back.
Who we flew: American Airlines (MSP-MIA-SXM)
Where we stayed: Orient Bay on French side, Simpson Bay on Dutch side
Length of trip: January 9-18
Car? Yes, booked through Enterprise
Things to keep in mind:
Rent a car. The island is not walkable, and having the flexibility to explore both sides at your own pace made a huge difference.
January was a great time to go! It didn’t seem too busy and the weather was perfect.
Most places take Euros or Dollars. Bring a combination of both for tipping.
The weather was very hot: stay hydrated and bring sunscreen.
We loved having an Airbnb! It gave us the space to hang out we were looking for, private pool and kitchen to cook if we so desired.
You need your passport to enter the island, but once you’re there, you won’t need it to travel between the Dutch and French sides of the island.
They do not have Uber or Lyft on the island, but there is a SXM Taxi app. We didn’t have a lot of luck with it, so we were happy to have our own car.
If you’re interested in seeing more, I have our whole trip saved on a highlight on Instagram called St. Maarten ’26.
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