jperse Posted July 26, 2017 Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 Hello everyone, My first trip to Saint Maarten, is coming up in a few days. After reading a lot reviews here and blogs for the island we decided to take a taxi to the butterfly farm, and then go to orient beach which is right next to it. The only issue is that I have 9 hours there, and no idea where else to go. While I know it's not necessary, to spend the whole time on the island, is there anything else that I should not miss? We love nature stuff, and a little bit of cool historical places. Normally we aren't big on shopping, but if there's some neat stores around a certain area we would check it out. If you can, try to be exact enough that i could relay it to a taxi driver, or google it, and not end up lost. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjac Posted July 26, 2017 Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 1 hour ago, jperse said: Hello everyone, My first trip to Saint Maarten, is coming up in a few days. After reading a lot reviews here and blogs for the island we decided to take a taxi to the butterfly farm, and then go to orient beach which is right next to it. The only issue is that I have 9 hours there, and no idea where else to go. While I know it's not necessary, to spend the whole time on the island, is there anything else that I should not miss? We love nature stuff, and a little bit of cool historical places. Normally we aren't big on shopping, but if there's some neat stores around a certain area we would check it out. If you can, try to be exact enough that i could relay it to a taxi driver, or google it, and not end up lost. Thank you! Well, there is the nudist beach on the French side of the island. That's about s close to nature as you can get!.....and it's free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DunkelBierJay Posted July 26, 2017 Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 I would spend some time in Marigot and shop...wine is a great deal (Le Gout du Vin)....there are a couple great French bakeries. Another place to check out is Maho Beach if you want to watch planes land very close to you while drinking a cold beer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianAlt Posted July 27, 2017 Report Share Posted July 27, 2017 I recommend Bernard's Tours, especially if it's your first time there. http://www.bernardstours.com/ Do tour II and you'll have about 90 minutes at Orient Beach. Otherwise, my recommendation is, take a taxi to Marigot, get some chocolate croissants at Sarafina, walk around the Marigot jewlery shops and the waterfront market. Then take another taxi to Orient beach. Pay $20 for a chair, umbrella, maybe a drink. Stay there for as long as you want and then take a cab back to the ship. Floski and DocLC 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted July 27, 2017 Report Share Posted July 27, 2017 1 hour ago, BrianAlt said: I recommend Bernard's Tours, especially if it's your first time there. http://www.bernardstours.com/ Do tour II and you'll have about 90 minutes at Orient Beach. Otherwise, my recommendation is, take a taxi to Marigot, get some chocolate croissants at Sarafina, walk around the Marigot jewlery shops and the waterfront market. Then take another taxi to Orient beach. Pay $20 for a chair, umbrella, maybe a drink. Stay there for as long as you want and then take a cab back to the ship. I was going to post this as well. We did Bernard's last year and they will take you all over, including the butterfly farm, an iguana farm-like place, Maho, Orient Beach, Marigot... The prior year, we just took a taxi to Orient Beach and spent most of the day there. If the weather is nice, that is a great place to relax! BrianAlt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted July 27, 2017 Report Share Posted July 27, 2017 I like doing a little bit of everything. Get a driver for the day and do Brunch in Marigot Shopping in Grand Case Beach time at Orient Beach Late lunch Phillipsburg + shopping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBC Posted July 27, 2017 Report Share Posted July 27, 2017 Another recommendation here for Bernard's. They take you all over the island, give you beach time, shopping time, eating time, etc. Very smooth operation, our driver was very nice and knowledgeable, and they pick up and drop off right outside the cruise terminal. Worth the cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted July 27, 2017 Report Share Posted July 27, 2017 I enjoyed Bernard's Tours, too, and you can't beat the price for what you get. And if it's your first time, it's a good way to go. If you've been there before, then I think @Matt suggestion is good and what my family did last time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jperse Posted July 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2017 4 hours ago, BrianAlt said: I recommend Bernard's Tours, especially if it's your first time there. http://www.bernardstours.com/ Do tour II and you'll have about 90 minutes at Orient Beach. Otherwise, my recommendation is, take a taxi to Marigot, get some chocolate croissants at Sarafina, walk around the Marigot jewlery shops and the waterfront market. Then take another taxi to Orient beach. Pay $20 for a chair, umbrella, maybe a drink. Stay there for as long as you want and then take a cab back to the ship. I just looked into Bernards tour, it looks quite comprehensive, cheap, and it's rated at #2 on trip advisor. From their website, it looks like they don't go to the butterfly farm though, and that's a deal breaker for the girlfriend. BrianAlt and DocLC 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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