The Sint Maarten Zoo just keeps getting better. How, you ask? Well, for starters: water features, gardens, and renegade pigs. Although that last part isn’t quite intentional.
Since I moved to the island of Sint Maarten a year ago, I’ve been to the zoo four times. Today’s visit was definitely the best. The zoo has put a lot of effort into improving the grounds and making it look beautiful.
About four months ago, I was part of a volunteer crew through American University of the Caribbean that helped the zoo clean up some weeds and leaves and such. Every time I’ve done a project like that in the past, the place looks just as weedy a month later. Not so with the zoo. In fact, it was even cleaner than the way we left it after our clean-up day. The areas we weeded had become landscaped paths and nice gardens. It’s always looked nice, but today everything looked excellent.
I brought three kids to the zoo today. One of them, Aloha, had never been before. His reaction to the animals was priceless! He really didn’t have very good luck at first, though. As soon as we walked in, one of the parrots in a cage flew at him and scared him half to death! It wasn’t aggressive, just curious, but he’d never seen such a big parrot before. Then, he was so loud and excited that he bothered a crabby monkey, who flung a fistful of food at him. Of course, this only made him more loud and excited.
There’s a little white cockatoo that says “hello” whenever you walk away from it. Aloha walked past the bird, and it called out, “hello!” He returned the greeting, “hello!” and spun around to find the person who shouted at him– but there was no one there! He was surprised to discover that it was a bird talking to him. I couldn’t help but laugh at the confusion on his face!
The littlest one was quite enthralled with the huge shipwreck playground. It’s the biggest playground on the island, and it’s a really good one. No only does it feel like a real ship, there are also a lot of ladders to climb and tunnels to crawl through.
The zoo recently added another play area, too. This one has trikes, hammocks, and tunnels. It was a good place to stop and eat lunch. Aloha said he was going to live right there forever.
The oldest one was most interested in the iguanas. There are a lot of these lizards at the zoo! The green iguanas that run free all over the island are actually not native to the island. They used to be limited to a private pond, but escaped during a hurricane. They managed to eliminate all of the native iguanas and take over the island.
As you can see, they like to hang out at the zoo!
I gave the kids some bread so they could feed the iguanas. The little one just tossed the bread at them and liked watching them eat, but Aloha and the oldest one enjoyed feeding the lizards by hand.
The oldest one ran into his friend who works at the zoo. His friend’s task for the afternoon was to round up all the intrusive iguanas and put them in the iguana exhibit for the time being. The wild iguanas bother the other animals and eat their food.
Of course, the oldest one thought that iguana wrangling sounded like fun, so he joined the hunt. I took Aloha and the little one to check out the new splash pad. It’s pretty cool! They have a bunch of kiddie pools and some big sprinklers. There weren’t too many kids there, so they had plenty of space to play.
I hadn’t thought to bring dry clothes, so we decided to walk around the zoo again to dry off. Aloha liked the caiman. I liked the rabbits. The little one liked the mules, even though you can’t tell from this photo!
Actually, the little one was more interested in the swing than the animals at this point. Although he was still pretty enthralled with the talking cockatoo.
The most exciting part of the day came just before we left. Somehow, a pig wandered out of the farm animals exhibit. I saw him walk past me, and I wondered if he was supposed to be running free. He didn’t seem to be bothering anyone, so I just watched him root around in the dirt. Before long, I saw the zookeeper searching for something. I asked him if he was looking for a pig and pointed where the pig had gone. He went jogging after the pig, and a minute or two later I saw the pig fly past me the other direction with the zookeeper and his son hot on its heels! Aloha and the little one decided that this was great fun, of course, and so did every other kid in the zoo. Before long, there were seven kids, a zookeeper, and me all chasing down Houdini Pig. Aloha ended up cornering the pig so the zoo keeper could catch it. He was very pleased with the whole episode. After all, it’s not every day that an animal escapes at the zoo and you get to help catch it.
The oldest one was having so much fun that he decided to hang around the zoo after I left with the little kids. He stayed for a few more hours to volunteer, which was pretty cool of him. He’d been very helpful with taking care of the kids during the trip, too.
We were all pretty happy with our afternoon at the zoo! It’s nice that the Sint Maarten Zoo is always making the zoo better and more fun. At $10 for adults and $5 for kids, it’s a pretty affordable treat that includes animals and play time. Both of the younger kids begged to go back again the next day! Perhaps another zoo day will be in our future.
Some of my favorite family memories are the vacations we took when I was in my teens. Make awesome memories with your Teens on Saint Martin when you visit these awesome teen-friendly places! For what to do with kids, visit this page.
Fort Louis
Fort Louis and Fort Amsterdam are two of the island’s oldest structures. Fort Louis was commissioned by the last King of France centuries ago, and still remains one of the French side’s most prominent symbols. Fort Amsterdam stands on a cliff above Philipsburg. It has been used for multiple purposes over the decades and currently serves as a wildlife sanctuary for nesting pelicans.
How to get there: Fort Louis is located in Marigot. You can’t miss it. Park in town and walk up, or take the back road to park near the top of the hill. For Amsterdam is just southwest of Philipsburg. Approach Divi Little Bay Resort from Philipsburg (or use the Sonesta to make a u-turn if coming from Cole Bay) and make a left into Divi’s road. Park before the gate and let the guards know where you’re going. Walk to the far end of the resort until you hit the fort.
Wildlife Watching can be done from any area of the island. See the pelicans diving in the bay, feed the iguanas on Pinel Island, or take a swim to see the fish. Be amazed by both natural and invasive species! You may be surprised what you see. Of course, a wildlife guide is indispensable in this activity. The only Saint Martin wildlife guide was written by Mark Yokoyama, a local nature expert. You can get it here:
How to get there: Go outside!
Cost: Free!
Cul De Sac Hike. This trek is virtually free of human distractions. You can go up through the hills or wrap around the mountain to find stunning views of Anguilla from a rocky coral skeleton beach. Great snorkeling is here, as well.
How to get there: On the northernmost part of the island, take the turnoff to Pinel, go past the school, stay on the road beside the school, and drive until you hit the dump.
Cost: Free!
Tiki Hut is a huge favorite with both locals and tourists. Enjoy a ferry ride through Great Bay, eat good food, and dive into an underwater world. The sunken helicopter is particularly awesome.
How to get there: Go to the cruise terminal in Philipsburg.
Cost: Varies. Contact them for prices.
Guana Bay Hike is another free activity that you don’t want to miss. This hike takes you through the desert side of the island from an abandoned mansion to hidden tide pools.
How to get there: Drive to Guana Bay, but walk to the south of the mountain on the south side of the beach. You’ll see an empty white house and some gardens in a ditch. Take the trail to down and to the right.
Cost: Free!
Snorkling in Cul De Sac is hands-down the best snorkeling in Saint Martin. Suit up in your mask and fins and get ready to see an underwater wonderland! We saw a turtles, rays, lobsters, and thousands of fish. The living coral reef is no less impressive! If you’re up for the swim (and not scared of the drop-off), you can swim to Pinel Island.
How to get there: On the northernmost part of the island, take the turnoff to Pinel, go past the school, stay on the road beside the school, and drive until you find the campground, just past the donkeys.
Cost: Free, or cost of snorkel equipment. Tours also available, like the one linked below.
Pinel Island is a must-do activity for beach lovers. Take the short ferry, paddle board, or kayak over. You’ll be greeted by a pristine beach with dining and even an ice cream boat– but don’t just stay in the sand. The island features an informative nature hike, great snorkeling, three sandy beaches, and hungry iguanas who may just climb right into your bag to find food.
How to get there: Go to the northernmost part of the island and take the round-a-bout toward Pinel. Follow the directions until you find the parking lot.
Cost: $12-$15 for the ferry and up to $40 for a two-person kayak.
Sonesta Resort is an all-inclusive relaxation zone. Adults can enjoy limitless alcohol and teens can sip on virgin pina coladas while relaxing on the beach or at the pool.
How to get there: Located in Maho
Cost: $90 for an adult day pass. About $200/night for a room.
Photo Credit Bianca P
Riu Resort is a blast. This all-inclusive resort is located in Anse Marcel, one of the prettiest bays on the island. Relax by the water, swim in the pool, take a water aerobics class, dance, play volleyball, or sample all the yummy virgin and alcoholic drinks at the pool bar. My personal favorite? The stand-up paddle board in the bay!
How to get there: Take the turnoff to Pinel on the northern side of the island, but turn left at the school and go up into the mountains. It’s quite a drive, so you may want to call for directions first.
Cost: $275+
Stand-Up Paddleboard. You can try this peaceful sport on Galion Beach, Orient Bay, or Anse Marcel. Skim above the water and keep an eye out for sea turtles below you.
How to get there: Orient Bay is on the northwest side of the island; you can’t miss it. Galion is a but further south. Anse Marcel is north of Orient.
Cost: Most places charge $10-$20 per hour for rental. Lessons are around $50 and include rental.
How to get there: Go to Galion Beach or Orient Bay (see directions above).
Cost: $10-$40
Swim to Green Cay for a true adventure. This is not for the faint of heart! Before you try this, be confident in your swimming skills. We took about half an hour to cross from Orient Bay to Green Cay because we couldn’t help but stop and dive to see the giant conch shells and starfish up close. The main drawback for this activity is that the nude beach on Orient Bay is close to the take-off area for the swim.
How to get there: Orient Bay is located on the east side of the island. Green Cay is the closest island to the southern end of the beach.
Cost: Free, or cost of snorkel rental.
Explore the L’Embouchure Cayswhen you’re ready to get away from the crowds. You can sometimes see breaching whales from the platform in the winter. Otherwise, take a minute to learn about the wildlife from the signs on the platform. Then wade or swim out to the cays! You might want to wear water shoes for this; there are a lot of urchins in some places.
How to get there: Drive south of Orient Bay until you come to the turnoff to Oyster Pond. Stop when you see the parking lot and whale-watching platform.
Cost: Free
Watching Airplanes on Maho Beach is the one thing people will ask if you did during your Saint Martin vacation. Get blasted by the takeoff of a 747, or watch the planes land right over your head! This is a good time to break out that selfie stick and get a picture of your family with a jet right above your astonished faces.
Where to go: Maho Beach in Maho
Cost: Free!
Shopping Downtown in Marigot or Philipsburg is a fun way to spend the afternoon. Both have open-air markets on cruise ship days. Philipsburg is pretty dead in the evening or when the cruise ships haven’t come in, so check the schedules before you go. The boardwalk in Philipsburg is particularly fun. You can take photos with the Jack Sparrow statue, get a dollar ice-cream-cone, and enjoy the sun.
How to get there: Philipsburg is on the Dutch side and Marigot is on the French side.
Cost: Whatever you feel like spending.
That Yoda Guy Museum is a unique place that Star Wars fans will enjoy. Walk through the art gallery and museum to see what Nick Maley, one of Yoda’s creators, has done with his creative mind. The highlight? Getting to meet Nick in person on a day he’s inside!
How to get there: Located on the east end of Front Street in Philipsburg.
Roland Richardson Gallery. Make a visit to one of the island’s treasures. Sir Roland Richardson is the descendant of one of Fort Louis’ builders. His family has been here for hundreds of years, and Roland himself is a walking history of the island. Roland’s works of art are oil paintings done around the island. His gallery is an old family house and the back wall of the garden is the French barracks from the time Fort Louis was under construction. If you go on a Thursday between 11:00 and 2:30, you will see the artist at work on a portrait or still life!
How to get there: Rue de Republique in Marigot
Cost: Free!
Haunted Ruins. Ok, so it’s not really haunted (or is it?), but it sure is creepy! Twenty years ago, La Belle Creole resort was one of the Caribbean’s honeymoon spots. Today, it’s the overgrown remnants of ghostly ruins destroyed by a hurricane. Behind the resort is a gorgeous beach and small island nature reserve.
How to get there: Located by Le Sands between Sandy Ground and Les Terres Basses. You’ll see the sign on the north side of the road.
Cost: Free!
Loterie Farm is the perfect place for a family adventure. You can chill by the pool, take a hike to the highest peak (complete with ruins, monkeys, and mysterious gravestones along the way), or zip line on one of the ropes courses. Instagrammers will be delighted by breathtaking views at the top of the tropical forest, and adventurers will beg to zip line from the top or cross international borders on the overgrown rim hike. Tip: spray your shoes with bug spray and you’ll be safe from the ants.
How to get there: Take the turnoff to Pic Paradis after passing through Marigot on your way north.
Cost: 5 Euros for the hike, 25 Euros for the kids’ zip line, 45 Euros and 65 Euros for the medium and extreme zip lines. Pool chair a towel is 25 Euros up, and is required for pool entrance. The park takes US dollars as well.
Surf Lessons can’t be beat when it comes to tropical water sports. The SXM surf club is a favorite with the French kids and expats. I’ve watched them give lessons, and they do an excellent job in both the fun and the safety departments. And don’t worry, there hasn’t been a shark attack on the island in over thirty years! Lessons are 10 am and 2 pm on most days.
How to get there: Go to Galion Beach, which is south of Orient Bay. Walk to the SXM surf club surf shack to ask for a lesson.
Cost: 45 euros for lesson, ferry ride, and board rental.
Horseback Riding anywhere is fun, but throw in breathtaking ocean views and a ride on the beach, and you have a perfect afternoon. Seaside Nature Park offers horse rides along Cole Bay.
How to get there: How to get there: From Maho, go through Simpson Bay to Cole BayTurn right just before Daily Extra Supermarket, and take a left at the end of the road (From Philipsburg, turn left when you come down the hill to Cole Bay Go through the one-way street, turn left, and then go right before Daily Extra Supermarket). You have to drive through the GEBE power plant, which seems odd, but you are going the right way!
Cost: $60/person for an hour ride
Barracuda– don’t eat these!
Fishing is legal everywhere on the Dutch side. Be careful what you eat, though, because most carnivores carry Ciguaterra toxin.
How to get there: Find a beach!
Cost: Cost of fishing pole and supplies (Cost U Less carries poles)
Boat Cruise. There are a lot of boat cruises available on Saint Martin. You can take your pick of island hopping, snorkeling, relaxing, or a combination of the three! Check out Trip Adviser for pricing and locations.
Day trip to Saba, Anguilla or St. Barth’s. If you’re looking for new adventures, try a new island! Each Caribbean island has a unique culture and vibe.
Where to go: Philipsburg for St. Barth’s, Airport Rd. for Saba, Marigot for St. Bath’s and Anguilla.
Cost: Transportation ranges from $42 to $200 round-trip.
There is so much to do in Saint Martin/Sint Maarten! Go beyond the beaches and explore some of SXM’s kid-friendly activities. Discover ruins, fly through a rain forest, or feel the whisper of a butterfly’s wings. Make your time on Saint Martin the best family vacation ever!
The Zoo may not be as large or as varied as animal parks in big cities, but it is the perfect size to see with kids in an afternoon. Learn about endemic animals as well as exotic species.
How to get there: Drive to Pond Road in Philipsburg and go north on the Saltpicker’s Roundabout. Turn left at the end of Pond Island and follow the signs.
Loterie Farmhas something for everyone. Located on the grounds of an old sugar plantation, this site is loaded with both history and modern outdoor entertainment. You can take the nature hike, relax by the state-of-the-art pool, or try one of the three zip lines: the kids’ Tarzan zip line, the ropes course zip line, or (for the very adventurous), the extreme course. Keep an eye out– you may see the resident vervet monkeys! The park is closed on Mondays.
How to get there: Go north from Marigot and turn left at the “Pic Paradis” sign. The park is on your right.
Cost: 5 Euros for the hike, 25 Euros for the kids’ zip line, 45 Euros and 65 Euros for the medium and extreme zip lines. Pool chair a towel is 25 Euros up, and is required for pool entrance. The park takes US dollars as well.
Fly Zone Extreme Adventure at Loterie Farm – $70.08
from: Viator Buffalo Wild Wings has a fun kids’ area at the Blue Mall in Cupecoy. I haven’t been there personally, but I hear that it’s a favorite with the expat kids.
How to get there: Blue Mall is located west of Maho in near Cupecoy Beach.
Cost: Price of food
Seaside Nature Parkis a little slice of farmland heaven. You can ride horses on the beach, play on the playground, or feed the animals at the petting zoo. The park also has a playground and a trampoline!
How to get there: From Maho, go through Simpson Bay to Cole BayTurn right just before Daily Extra Supermarket, and take a left at the end of the road (From Philipsburg, turn left when you come down the hill to Cole Bay Go through the one-way street, turn left, and then go right before Daily Extra Supermarket). You have to drive through the GEBE power plant, which seems odd, but you are going the right way!
Cost: $60 for a an hour trail ride on the horses. Petting zoo is $5 per adult and $3 per child. Bags of feed are $1 each.
Feeding the Donkey and Horses in French Cul-de-Sac is a great free activity to do on your way to the beach or Pinel Island.
How to get there: From Marigot, go north until you find the round-a-bout toward Pinel Island in French Cul-de-Sac. Turn left at the school and then follow the road past the school and up the hill to the donkeys and horses.
Cost: Free!
Carousel is our favorite ice cream store. Not only does this place offer delicious ice cream and cotton candy, it also has a full-sized carousel in the back!
How to get there: Located in Simpson Bay
Cost: $3+ for ice cream. Carousel ride is free with purchase on Wednesdays.
Sonesta Kids Zone is a great place to drop off your kids while you relax at the pool. The awesome staff will take care of your kids with games, movies, and fun while you get a break.
How to get there: In Maho. you can’t miss it.
Cost: In order to visit the Kid’s Zone, you have to either stay at Sonesta or purchase an all-inclusive day pass, which is about $90/person for adults.
The Movie Theater is perfect for those days when your beach plans got rained out. Tickets are actually cheaper than most U.S. theaters.
How to get there: Located in Simpson Bay
Cost: $7
Free Outdoor Movie on Mondays at Porto Cupecoy is a fun way to end the day. Just be sure to check the exact time, as they often change it, and ask ahead of time for the title and rating of the movie. Sometimes it’s a family movie, and other times it’s an adult movie. You can buy popcorn and ice cream at Rendezvous.
How to get there: Drive west from Maho and Cupecoy or south from Marigot.
Cost: Free!
Free Kids’ Movie Night at Kim Sha Beach is a good Friday night activity. Adults can also enjoy the food and drink selection at Buccaneer Beach Bar.
How to get there: Coming from the airport, drive through Simpson Bay and turn right after Burger King. Park at Buccaneer Beach Bar.
Cost: Free!
Layla’s Restaurant and Play Ground is one of the few jungle gyms on the island. Enjoy the French Caribbean and let your little monkeys play the day away.
How to get there: Coming from Marigot, go southwest to the “handle” of the island. After Sandyground, you’ll see Layla’s on the right.
Cost: Price of food
Coconut Trees Go Karting is great for older kids and teens. Enjoy some healthy competition and adrenaline!
How to get there: Located in La Savane.
Cost: $15
Feeding Fish in Simpson Bay Lagoon is always fun! You can feed the big tarpon from the Simpson Bay bridge, or you head over the north side of the Causeway and feed the fish by the sunken sailboat.
How to get there: The bridge is the best place, but you can go almost anywhere!
Cost: Free!
Aquamania Playstation is basically a floating playground! It’s a jungle gym on a boat. All the monkey bars, swings, and slides with none of the bruised and scraped knees.
How to get there: In Simpson Bay, park at the beach lot east of the bridge. Walk south on the beach to Aquamania on Kim Sha Beach.
Cost: $10 and up
Port Marigot Fish Market and Farmer’s Market is lots of fun for the whole family. The fish market is a good way to view sea creatures without getting wet. Take your kids around 8 or 9 in the morning to get the best peek at all the fish and lobsters. The open-air farmer’s market is open almost daily to greet visitors fresh off the boat. Find lovely local art, cheap souvenirs, and fresh produce. Oh, and don’t forget to get a fresh coconut with a straw from the coconut man!
How to get there: Located on the waterfront road in Marigot.
Cost: Free!
Ft. Louis
Fort Louis and Fort Amsterdam are two of Saint Martin’s oldest structures. Fort Louis is an easy hike up a few flight of stairs and offers a stunning view of the surrounding area. Fort Amsterdam is a short walk up a slope. In addition to having a beautiful ocean view, this fort is also the site of a pelican nesting ground. Be sure to keep an eye on your little ones– both forts have a steep drop.
How to get there: Fort Louis is located in Marigot. You can’t miss it. Park in town and walk up, or take the back road to park near the top of the hill. For Amsterdam is just southwest of Philipsburg. Approach Divi Little Bay Resort from Philipsburg (or use the Sonesta to make a u-turn if coming from Cole Bay) and make a left into Divi’s road. Park before the gate and let the guards know where you’re going. Walk to the far end of the resort until you hit the fort.
Beaches are, of course, the most popular family activity on Saint Martin. The best beaches for kids are Friar’s Bay, Pinel Island, Simpson Bay Beach, Indigo Bay, and Galion Beach, Kim Sha Beach, Divi Little Bay Beach.
How to get there: Go outside!
