Attractions

Casinos:
St. Maarten's casinos offer slots plus a full array of games, including blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat and Let it Ride (a form of poker). Caribbean Stud Poker is a fairly new game played in much of the Caribbean. Unlike traditional poker, where players compete against each other, players in this game play against the house. And Caribbean Stud offers some of the largest jackpots - often starting at $10,000 and more. But St. Maarten's casino scene isn't just about gambling. Casino Royale in Maho also offers a theater, with variety shows six nights a week in peak season - everything from magic shows to circus acts. All Casinos are located on the Dutch side but are easily accessible from anywhere on the island.

Butterfly Farm:
One of St. Maarten/St. Martin's most unusual attractions is located in Orient Bay. An 800 Sq. ft. sphere houses a lush tropical rainforest with ponds, waterfalls, gardens and hundreds of rare and exquisite tropical butterflies from around the world. Butterflies stop to feed on the nectar of blossoms and out of your hand.
There are also guided walking tours and a fascinating presentation about the metamorphosis of the butterfly. Open every day from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with an entrance fee of $12 for adults and $6 for children. (Phone 590-873121).
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Carnival:
Carnival season starts first, on the French side. Carnival is celebrated at the beginning of Lent and is the time for memorable Jump Ups, with music and costumes and is home to many concerts.
In April, the Dutch side hosts what has become one of the Caribbeans best Carnivals. After months of preparation the multi day Carnival turns Phillipsburg into a showplace of concerts, Calypso contests, music and parades pulsing with costumed troops of dancers. Great fun for visitors and residents alike!
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Dutch Museum:
Sint Maarten Museum is located in Front Street, Phillipsburg. The museum was created to reflect the history and culture of the island and its people. It has several displays, and its shop offers a variety of local books, maps, artwork, and souvenirs. (Phone 542-4917).

Fort Amsterdam:
Fort Amsterdam was built in 1632 over the remains of a Spanish fort and was the first Dutch fort built in the Caribbean. The fort can be reached through Divi Little Bay Beach Resort.

Fort St. Louis:
Fort Marigot, formerly known as Fort Louis, was built in 1789 to protect the French from foreign invaders. To reach the fort, go to Marigot's waterfront tourist information booth on Rue de la Republique and follow the footpath to the fort. Fort Louis offers the best point of view over the town, the lagoon and the neighboring islands.

French Museum:
The Saint Martin Museum in Marigot features displays about pre-Columbian artifacts and ancient Arawak settlers on the island. The museum also focuses on works of local artists, unique posters and souvenirs.

Guavaberry Shop:
Guavaberry Liqueur and Tasting House is the place to try the traditional drink made from run and local wild berries. Guavaberries grow high in the warm hills in the centre of St. Maarten and have been made into drinks for hundreds of years. Located in Front St. Phillipsburg the 200 yr. old house is the former governor's residence and the oldest on St. Maarten.
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Heineken Regatta:
Since 1980, sailors from around the globe have flocked to St. Maarten/St. Martin to compete in the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, the largest in the Caribbean. Held during the first full weekend in March (March 5-7, 2004), the event combines the seriously competitive sport of sailing with the fun that results when you bring family and friends together with good food and good music.

Horseback Riding:
Riding a horse on the beach is an unforgettable experience. Bayside Riding Club near Le Gallion Beach features daily beach rides and pony rides for children. (87 36 64). OK Corral at Coralita Beach offers 21/2-hour beach rides. (87 40 72). On the Dutch Side, Crazy Acres (544-2793) and Lucky Stables (544-5255) also take experienced and beginning riders on beach rides and tours.
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Island Day Trips (Anquilla, St Barts, Saba, St. Eustatious):
Vacation on St. Maarten/St. Martin and you've got the Caribbean at your fingertips. Anguilla. St. Barthelemy. Saba. St. Eustatius. British traditions prevail on Anguilla, renowned the world over for its spectacular beaches. French ambiance is at the forefront on chic St. Barths, as islanders refer to their slice of the Caribbean. The Dutch influence, meanwhile, holds fast on Saba and St. Eustatius, or Statia, as the locals call it. One of the easiest ways to visit neighboring islands is by plane. Ask about regularly scheduled and charter flights at the WINAIR service counter in Princess Juliana International Airport. Planes get you to your day-trip destination quickly, affording you plenty of time to explore and enjoy. From high in the sky, islands views are unforgettable.
Vistas are also sublime from the deck of a ferry or high-speed boat. From St. Maarten/St. Martin, you're close enough to reach your destination by sea with loads of time to spare. It takes just 15 minutes, for example, to cross the 6-mile channel that separates St. Maarten/St. Martin from Anguilla. Ferries leave from Marigot seven days a week. And Lambada, a sleek catamaran, travels four days a week to the island.
St. Barths is only about 45 minutes away and Saba is 70 minutes. Voyager motorboats leave from Marigot daily to St. Barths and on Thursdays (in season) to Saba. The Edge I and II, wave-slicing catamarans, depart from Pelican Marina in Simpson Bay Tuesday through Saturday to both islands. Remember to bring along your passport or other appropriate identification papers.

Lotterie Farm:
Loterie Farms is an old sugar plantation turned nature preserve whose main house was built in 1721. Hiking trails cut through some of the old rainforest, through unspoiled green spaces up to the 1,400 ft. summit. Relax in natural surroundings and enjoy a fabulous meal in the open air restaurant after your hike.
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Marigot Market:
On Wednesdays and Saturdays, an open-air market is set up at the base of Fort St.Louis and along the wharves below, offering a colorful array of homegrown produce, tropical fruits and spices, and freshly caught fish. It is a perfect opportunity for mingling, people watching, and just sampling the food.

The Old House:
The Old House in Orient is an old, Creole-style home that is open to the public. It features an eclectic mix of artifacts. (Phone 590-873-267).
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Pic Paradise:
Rising from the center of St.Martin at a height of 1,400 feet stands Pic Paradis, the highest point on the whole island. Climbing to the top, where there are two observation decks, provides a spectacular view of the scenery and the tropical forest below.

Sint Maarten Zoo:
St. Maarten Zoo and Botanical Garden is home to plants and animals from the Caribbean and the world. Two walk-through aviaries, a reptile terrarium, bat cave, petting zoo and playground will leave the little ones wide-eyed. The zoo is located in Madame Estate, close to downtown Phillipsburg and is open seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. (Phone 543-2030).