The year 2020 might’ve held us up from traveling abroad, but 2021 didn’t! We had the help of our good friends Bo and Alexa delaying their destination wedding to Sint Maarten to pull this off. We felt honored enough to get the invite, and when we realized their wedding would be at an awesome-looking, all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean, we jumped at the opportunity. Sint Maarten is more than just fancy resorts though! We were so excited to visit with Bo and Alexa leading up to their big day, along with our other good traveling PT friend, Nyssa.
Landed on the island!
And had a crazy short commute to our resort!
Pre-wedding activities!
Landed on the island!
And had a crazy short commute to our resort!
Pre-wedding activities!
Sonesta Maho/Sonesta Ocean Point Resort
Once Megan and I landed in Sint Maarten, Nyssa picked us up in the small car we all rented together, and the adventure began! Honestly, it was enough adventure for most to just drive independently around this island. With Sint Maarten being split between Dutch and French sides, along with it still recovering from the latest hurricane, the roads were a consistent challenge. We made it to the Sonesta Resort nonetheless and it was worth every penny. The views were great, the staff was friendly, and the food/drinks were solid. The biggest downfall was that not every amenity/activity was available due to covid restrictions, but we were used to that by now. At Sonesta, it is split into a family friendly Maho Resort and an adults only Ocean Point Resort. We stayed at Ocean Point, and it was wonderful. Each room came with complimentary liquor and room service along with a personal balcony or swim out pool. The wedding guests were all great people, and the actual wedding was stunning. Nice pick Bo and Alexa!
Our clown car.
And a glimpse of the crazy roads we survived!
Us and our adventure buddy, Nyssa!
At Sonesta Resort.
The adults only Ocean Point Resort.
Each room comes stocked and it’s an all-inclusive resort!
Our clown car.
And a glimpse of the crazy roads we survived!
Us and our adventure buddy, Nyssa!
At Sonesta Resort.
The adults only Ocean Point Resort.
Each room comes stocked and it’s an all-inclusive resort!
Fort Louis
If you know us, you know we couldn’t stay put within the walls of the resort for all 4 days. Insert tiny car that we rented with Nyssa. We started off our second day going on an absolute tourist-tear around the whole island. Beginning on the west side of the island, we seamlessly made it to the French side without even knowing and stopped at Fort Louis. This is an old fort complex up on a hill that now provides great views of the bays below. It is somewhat difficult to get to though- it will seem like you’re wandering through a run-down neighborhood but then you emerge into a small parking lot that puts you close to the stairs up to the top. Make sure to bring all valuables on your short hike.
The French side of the island!
Park by this sign and there’s a short walk to the top.
Fort Louis
Great views of the island from here!
The French side of the island!
Park by this sign and there’s a short walk to the top.
Fort Louis
Great views of the island from here!
Loterie Farm/Pic Paradis
We traveled further north into the heart of the island next to arrive at Loterie Farm. Again, not the easiest location to get to, but worth it if you’re persistent. Cooler minds prevailed and we decided not to bring our rental car down a steep 45-degree decline to park within the farm, as we didn’t know if the car packed enough power to make it back up the hill! So, we parked right outside the gate on the side of the road and walked down. The Loterie Farm isn’t actually a true “farm.” It is a private oasis charging people admission for using their community pool, zip line, and concert venue. We weren’t there for any of that though. We wanted to use their free hiking trail that leads you to the peak of Sint Maarten- Pic Paradis. The trailhead is located behind the farm, near the zip line course and all the iguanas. It is about 5 miles round trip, and up at the top (~1,400 ft) you won’t be disappointed. There is an overlook off to the right-hand side when you reach the top which will give you an even grander view of the whole island.
We parked outside of the gates at Loterie Farm.
Found the start to our hike behind Loterie Farm.
The peak of Sint Maarten at 1,391 ft.: Pic Paradis
We parked outside of the gates at Loterie Farm.
Found the start to our hike behind Loterie Farm.
The peak of Sint Maarten at 1,391 ft.: Pic Paradis
Philipsburg
After our hike, we took the next hour to totally circle the whole northeast side of the island and eventually make it down to the main Dutch port city- Philipsburg. Located near the southeast corner of the island, it appears to be the trading hub where all the cruise ships come to dock. But right now, it is clearly still rebuilding from past hurricane damage and covid restrictions. Almost all the tourist stores were run down or closed when we got out of the car to walk around town. It was kind of sad to see. The one bright spot was being able to jump off the small pier into the crystal-clear water to wash off the sweat from our hike.
The main Dutch port city Philipsburg.
This is where cruise ships come in.
Looks cute, but still in the process of rebuilding after Hurricane Irma.
The main Dutch port city Philipsburg.
This is where cruise ships come in.
Looks cute, but still in the process of rebuilding after Hurricane Irma.
Topper’s Rhum Distillery
As we meandered back to our resort, the three of us decided to hit one last tourist attraction, Topper’s Rhum. Located near the marina/Cole Bay area along Welfare Rd, Topper’s does not have a true distillery if you’re looking for it. The shop is combined with an ice cream parlor, and you have to ask the ice cream scoopers if one of the staff members can lead you through a rhum tasting! Be warned- the $10 tasting gives you nearly twenty half shots of all different kinds of rhum. Our favorites were the coconut and the banana vanilla cinnamon flavors! Yum!
You should definitely stop at this distillery!
And take home some very tasty rhum!
You should definitely stop at this distillery!
And take home some very tasty rhum!
Cupecoy Beach/Mullet Bay/Maho Beach
Settling ourselves for a moment after the tasting, we decided to seek out a few of the public beaches very close to Sonesta Resort before returning to the man-made pools. First on the list and probably the best, Cupecoy Beach. This secluded-feeling beach is located just past the Sapphire Beach Club Resort. To enter, you park in the small lot off to the left of the main road and then walk through the metal gates down the dirt path to what looks like a rocky bluff. You can scramble down pretty easily and then you have the beach nearly to yourself. This was fun because one of us didn’t have to stay back on the beach to protect our belongings.
We found Cupecoy Beach!
And had it to ourselves for a while!
We found Cupecoy Beach!
And had it to ourselves for a while!
The next beach was Mullet Bay. Like every other beach here the water was crystal clear. What sets this beach apart is that it has a full-service tiki bar and restaurant, along with a much bigger crowd. If you like a higher energy beach, Mullet Bay is a great option.
Mullet Beach
The last beach we checked out was Maho Beach. It is directly connected to the resort and within walking distance. This is the most famous beach on Sint Maarten as it has the incoming planes go right over it. We had a small plane go over us and that was kind of a neat experience. The Sunset Beach Bar at the end of this beach has a list of when the big airplanes are coming in if you desire to get jet blasted.
Maho Beach is behind us where the plane is about to fly right over!
Maho Beach is behind us where the plane is about to fly right over!
Back Bay Natural Pool
On the following morning, the three of us had one last adventure in our clown car. We had heard of a natural pool that was difficult to get to. Of course, this grabbed our attention. What we didn’t know was why this pool was challenging to reach. Turns out, neighborhood roads on an island are extremely windy, or just not labeled at all. The trailhead is on the east coast of the island in the Point Blanche neighborhood and starts near a basketball court. The hike itself is a little over two miles. There is no cover, so make sure to bring water, proper clothing, and sunscreen. When you get to a rocky point on the coast and wild goats start appearing, you’re close. There should be a small sign that is pointing you down to Back Bay Natural Pool! You’ll scramble down to the water and you’re there! It’s an absolutely gorgeous natural pool, protected by perfectly placed rocky buffers that make it very calm. All your stress will float away as you relax for however long you want. Make sure to wear water shoes of some sort when you go in as there are some sea urchins throughout the pool.
Hiking to the Back Bay Natural Pool.
When you come across this sign, you’ve found it!
Don’t forget to wear water shoes!
Hiking to the Back Bay Natural Pool.
When you come across this sign, you’ve found it!
Don’t forget to wear water shoes!
Congratulations Bo and Alexa! You picked an outstanding spot to bring together family, old friends and new friends! We will always remember our time on Sint Maarten and we highly recommend staying at the Sonesta Resort and exploring some of the island on your own like we did!
Bo & Alexa’s Wedding right at Sonesta Resort!
Plenty of pina coladas!
And great views!
Bo & Alexa’s Wedding right at Sonesta Resort!
Plenty of pina coladas!
And great views!