SunnyIslandVilla.com

Day Trips – St. Barths

SunnyIslandVilla — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:49:49 +0000

There are a number of nearby islands that can easily be visited in a day. You can go on your own or join a group tour; either option is very reasonably priced. Most people take a boat or ferry, however it is possible to fly. Here are some recommended day trips that can easily be accomplished:

St. Barths

St. Barthelemy lies 15 miles southeast of St. Martin. The island in many ways looks like a small St. Martin. It is very hilly and developed. St. Barts isn’t Caribbean in style. It resembles the south of France. In recent years it has become a favorite with the “jet-set”. This has caused prices to go up. It is one of the most expensive islands in the Caribbean. There are several boats that make day trips. If you only have a few hours take taxi otherwise rent a car. Gustavia the capital is perhaps the most beautiful harbor in the Caribbean.

Day Trips – Saba

SunnyIslandVilla — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:47:57 +0000

Saba

Saba is a hopefully extinct volcano of just 5 square miles that climbs out of the water to a height of 3,000 feet. There are no beaches. But it does have charming small villages with names like Hells Gate and Bottom. The scenery is breathtaking. The road around the island was only finished in the 1950’s. Before that all goods were carried up villages on donkeys or the backs of men. If you would like to see the undeveloped Caribbean than Saba is a good bet. There are several boats that make day trips.

Day Trips – Anguilla

SunnyIslandVilla — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:42:59 +0000

Anguilla

A British island about four or five miles off the French side. The island itself is in square miles the same size as St. Martin. It’s topography is very different. There are no mountains or hills for that matter. It is much dryer than St. Martin. But it does have some of the most beautiful beached in all of the Caribbean. There is no shopping and few good restaurants, but if you like beaches and snorkeling it is well worth the trip. You can take a ferry from the harbor in Marigot to Anguilla, the easiest island to visit, for $12 each way.

Travel Tips – Language

SunnyIslandVilla — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:41:06 +0000

Officially, French is the language of St. Martin and Dutch in ST. Maarten, but almost everyone speaks English, and many speak Spanish as well. French Creole and Papiamento, a Creole language of the Netherlands Antilles, is spoken here locally, especially in the southern parts of the island.

Travel Tips – Currency

SunnyIslandVilla — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:40:05 +0000

In St. Martin, the Euro is the local currency, and in St. Maarten it is the Antillean florin or guilder, but U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere. Banks are open Monday thru Friday 8:00AM to 1:00PM, with an additional hour on the French side Monday thru Thursday 2:00PM to 3:00PM and on the Dutch side, Friday 4:00PM to 5:00PM.

Passports

SunnyIslandVilla — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:38:54 +0000

All visitors to St. Martin must possess a valid passport.