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Hello Everyone,
I have been to STT several times over the past few years and my boyfriend and I looking to go on vacation again!!!! We love STT but we just began looking at Saint Martin as well (just for a change).
Does anyone know any information about SXM and would you suggest for me to stick with STT or try a new island like SXM??????
Thanks for the help,
maryc
Hi
We have been to St.Martin/St.Maarten twice.. the beaches are lovely.. the shopping is great.. the island is french and dutch so you have a variety to choose from. There is also nude sunbathing allowed there if that interests you. Its a fascinating melting pot of culture. The landscape is different..more arid...but hilly as well. There is lots of cruise ships that frequent the island as well. U.S. dollars are widely accepted on both sides of the island. The island is only 37 sq miles total....so it is not really big. Just like STT they have lots of duty free shopping there. And if you do go.. be sure to try some guavaberry liqueur...its yummy..exclusive to the island... but actually not related to the guava.:) Hope that helps a bit... Its my two cents! 🙂
Which ever island you decide on..Have fun!
Mary: Some people like to go to the same place every year for vacation and others like to go out and see new lands...which are the two of you? If you want to travel, St Maarten/Martin is a great place to see- wonderful, wonderful French food! (tu) (Oh to be stuck in Grand Case for a week!!) You can also island hop easily to Anguilla, St Barts (bring your Swiss bank account), Saba or Statia for a day or more. Each island is unique!
We have been to SXM 4 or 5 times and East Ender is correct - Grand Case is some kinda of amazing place for those who are into food and wine. I so glad you did not ask to compare and contrast because they are just different. I think you will find SXM a little more expensive than STT, but it will not be radically different.
We like the beaches on the French side much better, but usually stay in a time share on the dutch side. Not sure it is worth carrying your snorkeling stuff unless a day trip to Anquilla is planned. Go on Amazon or CD Universe and order some Bankie Banx. Great Music Artist!
One thing I will say is that they do drive on the right side of the road... Or is it the wrong side *-) :S *-)
Here is a link to forum that has a very active SXM Chat Page.
Go enjoy, but remember there is no place like home in the VIs
thanks everyone 4 ur great replies,is it true that the snorkling in st. martin is not as good as it is in stt? i cant believe it is actually cheaper to fly to sxm.i also heard that sxm is more arid and not as lush as stt. we love stt and have spent 1 month there on 2 trips over the past year other then that i have never been to the caribbean.our 1st trip was to secret harbor and second was a private residence on santa maria bay (great spot and hosts)we really wanted to visit another island but as u all must know stt has a strong draw to it that unless youve been there to expieriance it can not br explained.
thanks for any insight,
mary and justin (nj)
St Maarten/Martin is a bit more scrubby- kinda like the east end of St Thomas. It doesn't have the big "mountains" and I don't think that the snorkeling is as good, but as I said- the food and the ability to island hop make up for that! Hey, if you don't try, you'll always wonder. 😎
I am not one of these people always obsessing about crime...BUT, I have seen ALOT of stories about tourists getting assaulted or mugged on SXM ovet the past 6 months. Based on what I have read recently, I would avoid that place until it gets cleaned up.
I would choose STT, STJ, AUA, Abacos, Provo....before SXM.
A couple links on SXM...
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g147346-i222-St_Maarten_St_Martin.html
http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/postlist.php?Cat=0&Board=stmartin
be sure to try some guavaberry liqueur...its yummy..exclusive to the island... but actually not related to the guava.
SXM is popular for guavaberry rum, however it is made in the Virgin Islands too. You can find it in some shops. Many families have their recipe and make it for drinking during Christmas parties. It's a very popular Christmas drink. 😉
--Islander
Can you get guavaberry rum on stt or stj? We'll be there for next full moon, yippeee.............
Linda
thank you every one for your replies we couldnt resist the lure of stt again look forward to it possibly next month! sorry stthomas cant help you with guavaberry but would bet one of the jewelery/liquer stores in downtown CA would have it.
