St. Martin/ St. Maarten with a Toddler Travel Guide
- Kendall Posey
- Feb 22
- 8 min read
Affectionately known as “the friendly island”, the 34 sq mile paradise of St. Martin/ St. Maarten is a toddler friendly beauty! Whether your family enjoys lounging on the beach, a lengthy hike, or delicious cuisine, St. Martin has plenty to explore!
We had the pleasure of visiting my amazing sister-in-law who is rocking medical school in the Caribbean! She's lived there for a little over a year now and was able o show us some of the best spots locally.
We visited during July, which is during rainy season. There was often a short shower during the morning or afternoon, but that just meant we had 30 minutes or so to slip into one of the many amazing bakeries on the island to enjoy yet another pastry (more on that below!)
ARRIVAL IN SXM
When you land in Sint Maarten, be sure to be looking out the airplane window! You'll be greeted by the famous Caribbean blue waters and white sand beaches.
Getting out of the airport is an experience in itself! You'll get to deplane on the tarmac, which is really cool but poses unique challenges when you are solo traveling with a toddler! The long staircase proved difficult while carrying our Doona with toddler inside as well as our travel stroller (mistake #1 haha).
Once on the ground, you'll be ushered to an airport shuttle that will drop you off by the outdoor lines to enter through customs. Thankfully, airport staff saw that I had a little one and ushered me through the empty "Residents/ Diplomats" line. I was so grateful for that mercy, because noon on the island is HOT! I'd recommend bringing a travel fan like our favorite one here in case the staff you encounter is not as accommodating!
As you go to luggage claim, hear my warning that the tiny room will be crowded and it might take a while for your luggage to make it's way to you. And again, it will be hot! Bring extra snacks to help weather the wait and keep that fan handy!
SIGHTS
Though it's a pretty small island, St. Martin has tons to explore! The different European cultures represented, the unique history, and the impeccable island vibes mean that every day on the "friendly island" holds a different adventure!
There are a few popular attractions (i.e. big hikes, snorkeling, crowded shopping in Philipsburg) that we did not partake in because Maddie was only 20 months old when we visited. We compiled a great list of toddler friendly island adventures below!
FORT LOUIS
If your family enjoys a trip to the past, visit the historic French military site,
Fort Louis. Located on the French side in the islands capital, Marigot, Fort Louis stands proudly at the top of Marigot Hill. It was built in 1798 to help defend the island, as it English invasion was frequent.
The only challenging part of this site with a toddler are the approximately 100 steps leading up to the fort. Maddie climbed half of the stairs herself and wanted to be carried up the rest. Be aware that some of the steps are uneven and sometimes there is no railing. If you lean to the anxious side, this may just be something that you feel more comfortable carrying your toddler the whole way up. However, it’s one of the shortest hikes on the island that yields some of the best views!
From the top, you can spend time exploring the fort and enjoying the incredible view of Marigot Bay and the surrounding towns. There are some informational signs that supposedly tell the history, but most were so worn we couldn't read them. I recommend reading up before you go if you want to fully experience the history wile you're there.
PAROTTE VILLE BIRD PARK
If your little one is wild about animals like ours, Parotte Ville Bird Park is the place to be! For just $10/ adult and $5/ child, you can immerse yourself in a world of around 140 vibrant tropical birds representing 26 different species!
With your entrance ticket comes a feeding cup and some seeds. The birds are very social and may even land on you! My sweet sister-in-law had 5 on her at one point! If that makes your kiddo uncomfortable, as it did Maddie, staff is happy to help encourage the bird to another place.
Be sure to ask the staff to direct you to the talking parrots! When we were there, there was one that spoke English and another that spoke French! If you’re lucky, your toddler might learn a word or two from one of these beautiful birds!
There was lots of room for our toddler to wander, though I did follow closely to make sure she didn’t grab a lizard or anything, haha!
Our one mistake was not coming earlier in the day. We arrived around 11 and the heat in the enclosure was intense! Parotte Ville opens at 9:30, and we recommend arriving as early as possible to beat the heat.
THE BEACH
As my sister-in-law says, before you see the vibrant waters in person, you assume that the postcards are all over saturated! But it really does match the pictures!
We spent most of our beach time in Mullet Bay on the Dutch side of the island. It was a quiet and peaceful beach, and we often had ample space to ourselves!
The water temperature in July was absolutely perfect- not too hot and not too cold! It was prime for our 22 month old who was just learning the basics of swimming. We spent hours spying colorful fish beneath the waves, watching passing yachts, and playing in the sand! If I’m honest, this was my favorite part of our visit!
MAHO BEACH
Calling all av-geek parents! If you’re a travel junkie like me and love all things airplane, Maho Beach is a must-see!
Right in front of the landing strip for Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is a tiny strip of beach where you can watch airplanes come in for landing right overhead! To maximize your time at Maho Beach with the most airplane sightings possible, view the SXM flight schedule at skyscanner.com. We were having such a ball that we didn't get many good pictures, but you can view a short video of our close airplane encounter here.
Some folks online have reported experiencing intense winds when airplanes come in for landing. I can only speak to our experience that the winds during our sightings were not too bad, but if you'd rather view from a more comfortable distance, there are several restaurants around Maho Beach with great views! My sister-in-law recommends these two here!
CUPECOY PORT
The Cupecoy Port area is the perfect place to enjoy a sit down dinner or do some shopping. We had dinner at one of the restaurants (below!) and it was amazing!
Before dinner, we had fun walking around the mall, which houses boutique shops and more delicious places to eat.
Our toddler loved this open area with a pretty fountain, and the views of the water were a nice addition to our dining experience!
FOOD
Though this island is little, it is packed with culture! With people from over 120 different countries residing there, there's a great variety of food to enjoy! Here's our favorite places to eat from our visit!
CHEZ FERNAND LA FRENCH BAKERY
We. Could. Not. Get. Enough! This little spot in Marigot is talked about for good reason. Chez Fernand's cases are full of rows of perfect pastries, reminiscent of some of the European bakeries we've visited.
The seating is open air with a view of Marigot Bay. This is the perfect spot to start the day if you're exploring the Marigot area, like Fort Louis!
BAGUETTELLE
Baguettelle is a small bakery and panini spot in Cupecoy, a little ways from Mullet Bay. We got some pastries and a smoothie from here to escape the rain on our way to the beach once and everything was so delicious! If you're in the Cupecoy area, this is a great quick stop for breakfast, lunch, or a snack!
LE MEDITERANEEN
Le Mediteraneen is an upscale Mediterranean restaurant in Cupecoy. It features bountiful platters of authentic fare with beautiful views!
We got a dip tasting platter with pita, which you know was a hit with our little if you've experienced the toddler "dipping" phase!
ROSEMARY'S SEAFOOD & CREOLE CUISINE
Rosemary's, located in Marigot, is known for its Caribbean fare. We ordered the jerk chicken platter, which was a little too spicy for our toddler (which meant more for me!!!) . The platter came with green beans, rice and beans, and a salad, all which she enjoyed! If you're looking for island cuisine, we had a great experience here. The servers were kind to our little one, and we loved the local vibes!
ACOMMIDATIONS
We were so blessed to stay with my amazing sister-in-law so we didn't experience any accommodations outside of her lovely apartment. Don't worry though; I won't leave you hanging! Below I've compiled a list of great toddler friendly stays in several different price ranges!
This well appointed condo is just a few minutes walk from Mullet Bay, the perfect little beach we spent most of our time at. The area is very walkable- we used our little travel stroller to get to the beach every day with only minor difficulty navigating the sometimes rough sidewalks!
It features 2 bedrooms and a pull-out couch. While its on an upper floor, the balcony railing has no climbable bars (my greatest fear, haha). It has great reviews from families!
Coming in at around $200/night, this stay would be considered "budget-friendly" for St. Martin, with some similar condos asking $500+/night!
Coming in at around $350/night for a 1 bedroom suite with an ocean view, the Hilton Vacation Club Flamingo Beach falls in the "midrange" category for family stays in St. Martin. It's located in Simpson Bay, near Maho Beach, so you'll likely be able to watch some planes! The reviews site very clean rooms and a great onsite restaurant. There's also a grocery store located right across the street, which you know is a MUST if your toddler loves to snack as much as ours!
Another benefit is the additional feeling of security booking with a widely known and reputable hotel chain, with a large customer service base should any problems arise!
This deluxe two bedroom suite is at one of the largest and highest rated resorts in St. Martin! Located near the top of the French side, it's tucked away from the busy ports. Reviews gush about the quiet and clean beach in front of the resort as well as the onsite restaurant and attentive staff! If you're looking for a little bit more of a catered experience, Grand Case Beach Resort has it for around $500/night! Considering the location and shining reviews, this sounds like a steal!
HAVE FUN!
If you're headed to SXM, we wish your family the best! Be sure to bookmark this post for future reference as you plan for your trip and explore the beautiful "friendly island"
Book the flight, bring the littles,
Kendall
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