Trippin Tropics August 2025
Sint Maarten | St. Martin
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the cost of an à la carte Caribbean vacation to SXM + ideas of how to spend your days on the friendly isle, Sint Maarten
SXM | A Short Overview
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Flight Time from Miami
Just about 3 hours from Miami, Sint Maarten is a quick hop to paradise.
The Vibe
Laid-back but lively. The Dutch side (Sint Maarten) has casinos, nightlife, and cruise ships. The French side (Saint-Martin) leans chic, quiet, and culinary. No matter where you stay, island-hopping, rum punch, and beach-hopping come standard.
A Quick History
Sint Maarten is unique in that it’s shared by two countries — the Netherlands and France — with an open border between the two. It’s the smallest landmass in the world shared by two nations. English is spoken on both sides. While USD is not the official currency, it’s widely accepted across the island — no exchange necessary.
Where to Stay: Dutch Side vs. French Side
Dutch Side – Sint Maarten 🇳🇱
Known for: Accessibility, nightlife, casinos, cruise port, and convenience
Pros: More budget-friendly, more English spoken, easier to get around
Cons: Can feel more commercial and crowded in peak season
French Side – Saint-Martin 🇫🇷
Known for: Boutique hotels, gourmet food, nude beaches, quiet coves
Pros: Can provide more seclusion, more European vibe
Cons: Slightly more expensive, most restaurants close earlier
Safety + State Dept. Advisory
Sint Maarten is currently rated Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions by the U.S. State Department. Violent crime is rare in tourist areas. Use common sense: don’t leave valuables unattended, and be smart at night.
Why Not All-Inclusive?
While a couple of true all-inclusives exist here, you’ll find yourself skipping meals and drinks at your resort just to enjoy the local beach bars, cafes, and rum shacks. With so much great food and culture around the island, an all-inclusive just limits your experience unnecessarily. All-inclusives thrive in locations where guests don't feel comfortable roaming around off-site. This island does not at all meet the criteria.
Why Base Yourself Here?
From Sint Maarten, you can easily day-trip by boat or air to:
Just about 3 hours from Miami, Sint Maarten is a quick hop to paradise.
The Vibe
Laid-back but lively. The Dutch side (Sint Maarten) has casinos, nightlife, and cruise ships. The French side (Saint-Martin) leans chic, quiet, and culinary. No matter where you stay, island-hopping, rum punch, and beach-hopping come standard.
A Quick History
Sint Maarten is unique in that it’s shared by two countries — the Netherlands and France — with an open border between the two. It’s the smallest landmass in the world shared by two nations. English is spoken on both sides. While USD is not the official currency, it’s widely accepted across the island — no exchange necessary.
Where to Stay: Dutch Side vs. French Side
Dutch Side – Sint Maarten 🇳🇱
Known for: Accessibility, nightlife, casinos, cruise port, and convenience
Pros: More budget-friendly, more English spoken, easier to get around
Cons: Can feel more commercial and crowded in peak season
French Side – Saint-Martin 🇫🇷
Known for: Boutique hotels, gourmet food, nude beaches, quiet coves
Pros: Can provide more seclusion, more European vibe
Cons: Slightly more expensive, most restaurants close earlier
Safety + State Dept. Advisory
Sint Maarten is currently rated Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions by the U.S. State Department. Violent crime is rare in tourist areas. Use common sense: don’t leave valuables unattended, and be smart at night.
Why Not All-Inclusive?
While a couple of true all-inclusives exist here, you’ll find yourself skipping meals and drinks at your resort just to enjoy the local beach bars, cafes, and rum shacks. With so much great food and culture around the island, an all-inclusive just limits your experience unnecessarily. All-inclusives thrive in locations where guests don't feel comfortable roaming around off-site. This island does not at all meet the criteria.
Why Base Yourself Here?
From Sint Maarten, you can easily day-trip by boat or air to:
- Anguilla: 20–25 min ferry (or ~1 hr on the catamaran tour), less than 10 minute flight, Softest sand EVER.
- St. Barts: 45 min ferry, less than 10 minute flight, luxury shopping, and celeb vibes
- Saba: A tiny volcanic island known for hiking and scuba
Itinerary + Cost Breakdown
My clients love all-inclusive resorts mainly because they know the price (less tips) ahead of time. I get it, trust me. However, the all-inclusive doesn't work (or exist) in every location. I want to reiterate that all-inclusive resorts thrive in places where guests are less inclined to leave the resort due to perceived safety threats, food safety concerns, the absence of competing amenities, or inadequate infrastructure. It could be one, it could be all. Convenience, being pampered, and the ability to over-indulge are all other draws to the all-inclusive experience. And I mean, who can blame you? I love it too, but if you want to get out of the central three all-inclusive dominated locations (Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic), you have to be willing to consider non-all-inclusive.
By laying out the exact costs, I hope you can feel more confident in what a vacation at a non-all-inclusive resort can look like. Keep in mind, we had a full kitchen in our room and could have found ways to cut costs. Instead, our full-size fridge held our water, beer, and leftovers.
Sidebar: I'm a traveler married to a vacationer. IYKYK. The struggle can be SO real. For some reason, I gave in on this trip and let him veg out as much as possible. Next time I visit the island, I'll have my daughter, and he will be outnumbered. Together, we have no chill once that plane touches down. When you read this itinerary, understand that these days could have just as easily been jam-packed with activity.
By laying out the exact costs, I hope you can feel more confident in what a vacation at a non-all-inclusive resort can look like. Keep in mind, we had a full kitchen in our room and could have found ways to cut costs. Instead, our full-size fridge held our water, beer, and leftovers.
Sidebar: I'm a traveler married to a vacationer. IYKYK. The struggle can be SO real. For some reason, I gave in on this trip and let him veg out as much as possible. Next time I visit the island, I'll have my daughter, and he will be outnumbered. Together, we have no chill once that plane touches down. When you read this itinerary, understand that these days could have just as easily been jam-packed with activity.
Day 1 | Arrival
SXM sign at CoCo's Beach Bar
We landed at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), and despite our flight drama, our driver, Tony with We Are SXM, was incredibly flexible and waiting for us with a smile. As we made our way to Simpson Bay, he pointed out some key spots, and we filled him in on our plans for the week.
We checked in at the Villas at Simpson Bay Resort. The location is ideal if you're doing boat tours — super close to the marina. Still, depending on your usual travel style, you have to have realistic expectations about the property overall. I knew what to expect, and it didn’t ruin our trip, but I wouldn't stay there again. I'll have to go more into detail about that in another post. The beach access and proximity to food and activities were very convenient. I'll use the word resort throughout the post, but I'm using that term very loosely.
After check-in, we headed to the beach and grabbed a quick beer at Coco’s — the resort’s beachfront bar. They were trying to close for the night, but we managed to snag 2 beers - thanks to Ziggy!
Still starving from travel, we walked to the Buccaneer Beach Bar right next door. This became a go-to throughout our stay thanks to the casual atmosphere and beachfront setting. We ordered:
From there, we stopped at Replay Sports Pub at the resort and grabbed two beers before taking the complimentary resort shuttle to Peli Deli for some essentials. The shuttle waited outside while we shopped, and we picked up:
💼 Must-Haves for Travel Day:
We checked in at the Villas at Simpson Bay Resort. The location is ideal if you're doing boat tours — super close to the marina. Still, depending on your usual travel style, you have to have realistic expectations about the property overall. I knew what to expect, and it didn’t ruin our trip, but I wouldn't stay there again. I'll have to go more into detail about that in another post. The beach access and proximity to food and activities were very convenient. I'll use the word resort throughout the post, but I'm using that term very loosely.
After check-in, we headed to the beach and grabbed a quick beer at Coco’s — the resort’s beachfront bar. They were trying to close for the night, but we managed to snag 2 beers - thanks to Ziggy!
Still starving from travel, we walked to the Buccaneer Beach Bar right next door. This became a go-to throughout our stay thanks to the casual atmosphere and beachfront setting. We ordered:
- Pizza
- Club sandwich
- Bacon cheeseburger
- 2 Carib beers, a margarita, and an island mule
From there, we stopped at Replay Sports Pub at the resort and grabbed two beers before taking the complimentary resort shuttle to Peli Deli for some essentials. The shuttle waited outside while we shopped, and we picked up:
- 12-pack of water
- Can of sunscreen
- Bottle of tanning oil
- Two 6-packs of Carib
💼 Must-Haves for Travel Day:
- Toiletry Travel Kit
- Magnetic Power Bank (my exact one is no longer available)
- Perfect Travel Backpack
- Airport food + drinks: $45.00
- Tony’s ride + tip: $30.00
- Coco’s beers: $6.00
- Buccaneer Beach Bar + tip: $111.00
- Replay Sports Pub + tip: $8.00
- Peli Deli: $48.45
Day 2 | Beach Day + Cocky Turtle Vibes
BBC at the Cocky Turtle
This was our official vacation kickoff day. We intentionally kept it chill — which turned out to be a smart move considering we nearly missed our connection getting here. Never make super solid plans on your first official day.
We started the day with our complimentary breakfast at La Patrona, the restaurant on-site at Simpson Bay Resort. Then we spent the day exactly how we imagined: parked in beach chairs, drinks in hand, with no schedule in sight.
We ordered lunch straight to our chairs from Coco’s Beach Bar. The service was great — friendly and super convenient. Our order included:
We went back to Peli Deli and picked up:
🎢 Alternate Activity for Adventure Seekers
If you’re not a lounge-on-the-beach-all-day kind of traveler, consider:
The Flying Dutchman + Soualiga Sky Explorer
Home to the steepest zipline in the world, this adrenaline-fueled ride is located about 30–40 minutes from Simpson Bay. Tony told us it would be $80 round-trip when we chatted about it. The experience also includes a museum and panoramic views from the mountaintop.
Pro tip: Check to see if any cruise ships are in town when you go. If possible, avoid those days for this activity.
Or, bonus idea:
Check out Loterie Farm for lush jungle vibes, hiking trails, a zipline, and a pool-lounge scene that turns up on the weekends.
Day 2 Total:
We started the day with our complimentary breakfast at La Patrona, the restaurant on-site at Simpson Bay Resort. Then we spent the day exactly how we imagined: parked in beach chairs, drinks in hand, with no schedule in sight.
We ordered lunch straight to our chairs from Coco’s Beach Bar. The service was great — friendly and super convenient. Our order included:
- 2 cheeseburger specials (one with water, one with beer)
- 3 frozen margaritas
- 1 bucket of 6 Carib beers
- 2 Caribs
- 1 BBC
- 1 Margarita
We went back to Peli Deli and picked up:
- 2 more bottles of sunscreen
- A 12-pack of water
- 6 pack of Carib
- After-sun lotion
🎢 Alternate Activity for Adventure Seekers
If you’re not a lounge-on-the-beach-all-day kind of traveler, consider:
The Flying Dutchman + Soualiga Sky Explorer
Home to the steepest zipline in the world, this adrenaline-fueled ride is located about 30–40 minutes from Simpson Bay. Tony told us it would be $80 round-trip when we chatted about it. The experience also includes a museum and panoramic views from the mountaintop.
Pro tip: Check to see if any cruise ships are in town when you go. If possible, avoid those days for this activity.
Or, bonus idea:
Check out Loterie Farm for lush jungle vibes, hiking trails, a zipline, and a pool-lounge scene that turns up on the weekends.
Day 2 Total:
- Coco’s lunch + drinks: $93
- Cocky Turtle drinks + tip: $40
- Peli Deli: 51.30
Day 3 | Anguilla Boat Tour with Boomerang
Maundays Bay at Cap Juluca
We woke up to an overcast sky, grabbed our complimentary breakfast at La Patrona, and met Tony for a ride to our tour pickup spot — just across the Simpson Bay bridge behind the police station. As we pulled away from the dock, it started to pour, but thankfully, Boomerang’s catamaran has roll-down sides, so we stayed dry.
The sea was a little rough due to the weather, but thankfully neither of us is prone to motion sickness — just a heads-up for those who are: pack Dramamine, or whatever else works for you.
We booked this exact tour:
👉 Anguilla and Maunday’s Bay Tour with Boomerang
Our stops were:
After exploring Little Bay, lunch was served onboard and was delicious: BBQ shrimp, BBQ curry chicken skewers, grilled garlic bread, and a refreshing pasta salad. Better than most tours, hands down.
💡 The tour came with everything: life jackets, pool noodles, snorkel gear, paddleboards, and a floating lily mat. If you're traveling with very small children, check with Boomerang in advance to confirm whether you’ll need to bring your own life jacket. The crew was outstanding — fun, helpful, and clearly loved what they do. We also enjoyed meeting other travelers. After trying the whole drink menu, we made “Peg Legs” our drink of choice.
After getting back, we walked to Skipjack’s for dinner — no makeup, salty hair, dry clothes. No one cared. That's Sint Maarten for you. We split a lobster (my first… and last, probably — nothing against the dish, I’ll take crawfish any day of the week), and some drinks.
Must-Haves:
The sea was a little rough due to the weather, but thankfully neither of us is prone to motion sickness — just a heads-up for those who are: pack Dramamine, or whatever else works for you.
We booked this exact tour:
👉 Anguilla and Maunday’s Bay Tour with Boomerang
Our stops were:
- Meads Bay
- Little Bay
- Maundays Bay (in front of Cap Juluca)
- Final stop in front of La Samanna (back in Sint Maarten)
After exploring Little Bay, lunch was served onboard and was delicious: BBQ shrimp, BBQ curry chicken skewers, grilled garlic bread, and a refreshing pasta salad. Better than most tours, hands down.
💡 The tour came with everything: life jackets, pool noodles, snorkel gear, paddleboards, and a floating lily mat. If you're traveling with very small children, check with Boomerang in advance to confirm whether you’ll need to bring your own life jacket. The crew was outstanding — fun, helpful, and clearly loved what they do. We also enjoyed meeting other travelers. After trying the whole drink menu, we made “Peg Legs” our drink of choice.
After getting back, we walked to Skipjack’s for dinner — no makeup, salty hair, dry clothes. No one cared. That's Sint Maarten for you. We split a lobster (my first… and last, probably — nothing against the dish, I’ll take crawfish any day of the week), and some drinks.
Must-Haves:
- We didn’t need to pack light thanks to our Booē waterproof backpack — no need to find shelter for our gear, even in the rain. It also held everything we needed: GoPro, sunscreen, dry clothes, microfiber towels, and other essentials.
- We also used the Booē belt bag daily — perfect for keeping our phones, wallets, and passports (which were required for this tour) on us even in the water, without worrying about them getting wet.
- While my lanyard isn't available anymore, I 10/10 recommend this floating lanyard: The one I have isn’t floating — I dropped it in an underground cave in Mexico once, thinking it was around my neck. Thankfully, a lifeguard with goggles found it. Lesson learned.
- These microfiber towels. They pack small, dry fast, and we’ve used them across multiple vacations.
- Tony's round-trip ride + tip: $20.00
- Boomerang crew tip: $50.00
- Skipjack’s + tip: $242.51
Day 4 | Rainbow Cafe
Mojito at Rainbow Cafe in Grand Case
We started with our usual complimentary breakfast at La Patrona, then met Tony for a ride to Rainbow Café in Grand Case — one of the most Instagrammed spots on the island, and for good reason.
I had made a 10:00 AM reservation for front-row beach chairs a few days before we left, and although it probably wasn’t necessary, it gave us peace of mind. Weekends at Rainbow Café are known for big, themed parties like Sexy Saturday and Sunday Funday, but come Tuesday, it was a relaxed, chill vibe — perfect for us.
The water was stunning. In chest-deep water, we spotted five starfish in just a 50-foot stretch — and of course, we met more great people (shoutout to Texas and NYC!).
We enjoyed:
I texted Tony about 30 minutes before we were ready to leave, and by the time we went to the boutique, changed our clothes, and chatted with the attendant outside Rainbow Cafe, Tony had arrived.
Back at the resort, we changed and walked across the sand to The Captain’s Rib Shack — a laid-back spot steps from Simpson Bay Resort.
We ordered:
Day 4 Totals:
As an alternative, you can check out Rainbow Cafe for a bit, then try Balaou, a floating restaurant in Grand Case.
I had made a 10:00 AM reservation for front-row beach chairs a few days before we left, and although it probably wasn’t necessary, it gave us peace of mind. Weekends at Rainbow Café are known for big, themed parties like Sexy Saturday and Sunday Funday, but come Tuesday, it was a relaxed, chill vibe — perfect for us.
The water was stunning. In chest-deep water, we spotted five starfish in just a 50-foot stretch — and of course, we met more great people (shoutout to Texas and NYC!).
We enjoyed:
- 2 mojitos
- 2 margaritas
- 2 buckets of Carib (12 total)
- 4 extra Caribs
- 1 pizza
- 1 additional bottle of water
I texted Tony about 30 minutes before we were ready to leave, and by the time we went to the boutique, changed our clothes, and chatted with the attendant outside Rainbow Cafe, Tony had arrived.
Back at the resort, we changed and walked across the sand to The Captain’s Rib Shack — a laid-back spot steps from Simpson Bay Resort.
We ordered:
- 1 Carib
- 1 mixed drink
- BBQ ribs meal
- Spicy jerk chicken wings + ribs combo
Day 4 Totals:
- Tony's round-trip ride + tip: $100
- Rainbow Café + tip & tank: $284 + ~ $57
- Captain’s Rib Shack + tip: $73.28
As an alternative, you can check out Rainbow Cafe for a bit, then try Balaou, a floating restaurant in Grand Case.
Day 5 | SXM Boomerang Boat Tour
Boomerang boat in front of La Samanna
Another day, another Boomerang adventure. After breakfast at La Patrona, we packed up our gear and walked over to the Sint Maarten Yacht Club — just a short stroll from our resort and the launch point for the day’s catamaran tour. We grabbed some water at the bar and some souvenir t-shirts.
We booked this exact tour:
👉 Round-the-Island Beaches & Snorkeling Tour with Boomerang
Boomerang didn’t disappoint. Though the weather was overcast again, the water was calm, and the crew adjusted the itinerary for the best experience. Instead of snorkeling at Creole Rock, we dropped anchor in front of Grand Case Beach Club, where you could spot Rainbow Café from the boat.
We also visited:
Once again, the crew was absolutely incredible—fun, professional, and engaging. We had a blast meeting more travelers from all over. Lunch was served onboard, including the same BBQ chicken skewers, curry chicken skewers, grilled garlic bread, and refreshing pasta salad we loved.
On the walk back to the resort, we stopped at another shop and grabbed a shirt Justin liked. We showered and walked over to Buccaneer Beach Bar — again super convenient — and grabbed:
We booked this exact tour:
👉 Round-the-Island Beaches & Snorkeling Tour with Boomerang
Boomerang didn’t disappoint. Though the weather was overcast again, the water was calm, and the crew adjusted the itinerary for the best experience. Instead of snorkeling at Creole Rock, we dropped anchor in front of Grand Case Beach Club, where you could spot Rainbow Café from the boat.
We also visited:
- Tintamarre Island – where we snorkeled and saw a sea turtle!
- Pinel Island – a beautiful stop made even better by boat. The ferry wasn’t running due to sargassum, so approaching from the water was a major perk.
- La Samanna Beach – where everyone finally had enough liquid courage to jump off the top deck.
Once again, the crew was absolutely incredible—fun, professional, and engaging. We had a blast meeting more travelers from all over. Lunch was served onboard, including the same BBQ chicken skewers, curry chicken skewers, grilled garlic bread, and refreshing pasta salad we loved.
On the walk back to the resort, we stopped at another shop and grabbed a shirt Justin liked. We showered and walked over to Buccaneer Beach Bar — again super convenient — and grabbed:
- Jalapeño poppers
- Philly cheesesteak
- Jerk chicken
- Bucket of Caribs (6)
- Boomerang crew tip: $50.00
- Yacht Club water + shirts: $6.00 + $65.00
- T-shirt on way home: $45.00
- Buccaneer Beach Bar + tip: $77.00
Day 6 | Beach Day Repeat
Beach at oco's beach bar in Sint Maarten
By day 6, my husband was ready for one last, easygoing beach day — and that’s exactly what he got.
We started with our complimentary breakfast at La Patrona before heading straight to the beach in front of the resort.
We rented beach chairs again and spent the entire day enjoying the water, spotting another sea turtle, and catching a few last rays before heading home the next day. The sea turtle taunted me, swimming back and forth through the seagrass all day. So I finally ran to the gift shop and rented a snorkel set for $10, hoping to catch a better look, but no luck.
Our final tab at Coco’s Beach Bar looked like this:
💡 Watch your receipt: We noticed after the fact that we were charged for Patron in the margaritas, though Justin was drinking Don Julio. That added an extra $13 we didn’t catch at the time.
After I showered, I was out cold—I blame the mojitos. Justin went downstairs to the steakhouse, Bovin, and ordered a ribeye to go. He said… 0/10. There is no need to say more.
Day 6 Totals:
As an alternative, check out Mullet Bay for the day and enjoy the insanely beautiful water and beach bars. If you're looking for watersports, Orient Bay is another good alternative.
We started with our complimentary breakfast at La Patrona before heading straight to the beach in front of the resort.
We rented beach chairs again and spent the entire day enjoying the water, spotting another sea turtle, and catching a few last rays before heading home the next day. The sea turtle taunted me, swimming back and forth through the seagrass all day. So I finally ran to the gift shop and rented a snorkel set for $10, hoping to catch a better look, but no luck.
Our final tab at Coco’s Beach Bar looked like this:
- 2 happy hour mojitos (4 total)
- 7 regular margaritas
- 1 bottle of water
💡 Watch your receipt: We noticed after the fact that we were charged for Patron in the margaritas, though Justin was drinking Don Julio. That added an extra $13 we didn’t catch at the time.
After I showered, I was out cold—I blame the mojitos. Justin went downstairs to the steakhouse, Bovin, and ordered a ribeye to go. He said… 0/10. There is no need to say more.
Day 6 Totals:
- Coco’s drinks + tip: $230.75
- Snorkel rental: $10
- Steakhouse dinner to-go: $73.50
As an alternative, check out Mullet Bay for the day and enjoy the insanely beautiful water and beach bars. If you're looking for watersports, Orient Bay is another good alternative.
Day 7 | Departure and Maho
Maho Beach from Sunset Bar and Grill
We woke up early to pack and do one final lap through a nearby gift shop. I couldn’t leave without grabbing the hat I’d talked myself out of the day before.
Although checkout was at 10:00 AM, our flight wasn’t until around 2:40 PM. Tony picked us up and brought us to Maho Beach — the iconic stretch right next to the airport where planes fly directly overhead. It’s just as wild and cool as it looks online, and a must-do if you’re in Sint Maarten.
We left our suitcases with Tony and carried only our backpacks — that’s how much we trusted him by the end of this trip.
At Sunset Bar & Grill, we ordered:
Tony picked us back up at 12:30 PM, took us to the airport, and made the goodbye as smooth as possible.
Getting through Princess Juliana International Airport was a breeze. That said, the B gates are HOT and crowded, especially downstairs — dress in layers. At the airport, we grabbed two very large waters and then ate during our layover at Clubhouse One in the Miami airport:
Day 7 Totals:
Although checkout was at 10:00 AM, our flight wasn’t until around 2:40 PM. Tony picked us up and brought us to Maho Beach — the iconic stretch right next to the airport where planes fly directly overhead. It’s just as wild and cool as it looks online, and a must-do if you’re in Sint Maarten.
We left our suitcases with Tony and carried only our backpacks — that’s how much we trusted him by the end of this trip.
At Sunset Bar & Grill, we ordered:
- 1 Classic Burger
- 1 Sunset Nachos
- 2 Michelob Ultras
- 1 Mojito
- 1 Bottle of water
Tony picked us back up at 12:30 PM, took us to the airport, and made the goodbye as smooth as possible.
Getting through Princess Juliana International Airport was a breeze. That said, the B gates are HOT and crowded, especially downstairs — dress in layers. At the airport, we grabbed two very large waters and then ate during our layover at Clubhouse One in the Miami airport:
- 3 beers
- 1 Cuban sandwich
- 1 Reuben
- 2 sides of fries
Day 7 Totals:
- Hat: $35.00
- Sunset Bar (tip amount unknown): $66.70
- Tony’s rides + tip: $27.00
- Airport waters: $16.78
- Miami layover meal + tip: $96.16
Totals
Please note that this trip was booked with less than 30 days until departure. Despite what you have been made to believe, that does not equal a travel deal, quite the opposite, actually. We definitely overpaid for the "resort" and flights (though it was points).
What We Spent While There (Daily Spending)
Souvenirs / Clothing Breakdown
Adjusted On-Island Spending (excluding souvenirs): $2,058.43 – $202 = $1,856.43
Total Trip Cost Prebooked + On-Island Spending: $2,612.04 + $2,058.43 = $4,670.47
- Flights were booked with Chase Sapphire points. (Earn 100,000 bonus points with Sapphire Reserve® or 75,000 bonus points with Sapphire Preferred® (the one I have). I can be rewarded if you apply here and are approved for the card. However, I did upgrade our seats out of fear I’d have to check my bag if we boarded last — that was $102.85.
- Room: One-bedroom suite, oceanfront with breakfast: $1,545.19
- Boomerang Anguilla Tour: $340
- Boomerang Sint Maarten Tour: $312
- Travelex Ultimate Insurance Plan: $156
- Airport long-term parking: $156
What We Spent While There (Daily Spending)
- Day 1: $248.45
- Day 2: $184.30
- Day 3: $312.51
- Day 4: $514.28
- Day 5: $243.00
- Day 6: $314.25
- Day 7: $241.64
Souvenirs / Clothing Breakdown
- Day 4 – Boutique Tank Top (est.): $57
- Day 5 – Yacht Club T-Shirts: $65
- Day 5 – Extra T-Shirt: $45
- Day 7 – Hat: $35
Adjusted On-Island Spending (excluding souvenirs): $2,058.43 – $202 = $1,856.43
Total Trip Cost Prebooked + On-Island Spending: $2,612.04 + $2,058.43 = $4,670.47
Final Thoughts
I can't wait until I make it back to the island - I have so much left to explore! I took this trip at the end of May 2025, and really fell in love with the island. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I really left feeling like this destination can work for just about anyone. Yes, I stayed in a less-than-luxurious accommodation, but I knew what I was walking into. This was a last-minute decision, and I was hoping to experience a budget-friendly resort that I would feel comfortable sending clients to. I don't feel like I landed on that for the majority of my clientele, per se, but Simpson Bay Resort was fine for this trip, and I was able to prove that this can be done on a budget, even as heavy eaters and drinkers. Yikes lol.
And yes, there are more luxurious stays on the island, but the majority of the accommodations are very relaxed. It fits very well with the island's overall vibe. This is the kind of place where you can spend 7 days without putting on a single stroke of makeup, and no one will care to notice. If you know me, you know I was ready to move there for this life.
Life was crazy when I returned home, and shortly after, I left my corporate job to focus on my travel agency full-time. However, this month (August 2025), I took the time to dive deeper and get my Academy St-Martin certification through the French tourism board. I'm proud to say that I am "Friendly Super Certified!"
When I return, hopefully soon, I plan to stay on the French side and experience so much of that cuisine I missed out on in May. After all, the island is known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean, with Grand Case being the star of the show.
And yes, there are more luxurious stays on the island, but the majority of the accommodations are very relaxed. It fits very well with the island's overall vibe. This is the kind of place where you can spend 7 days without putting on a single stroke of makeup, and no one will care to notice. If you know me, you know I was ready to move there for this life.
Life was crazy when I returned home, and shortly after, I left my corporate job to focus on my travel agency full-time. However, this month (August 2025), I took the time to dive deeper and get my Academy St-Martin certification through the French tourism board. I'm proud to say that I am "Friendly Super Certified!"
When I return, hopefully soon, I plan to stay on the French side and experience so much of that cuisine I missed out on in May. After all, the island is known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean, with Grand Case being the star of the show.
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Photocredits: Yall Trippin, LLC
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All text, photo, and video materials belong to their owners and are for demonstration purposes only. Please do not use them in commercial projects.
