Philipsburg, St. Maarten

Uncovering authentic local finds and having experiences that make you feel like you’ve really connected with a place are important elements in ensuring an extraordinary vacation. We’re taking advantage of our partnership with Travel + Leisure to get their editors’ recommendations and insider tips on the places you will want to visit. Here are their picks for just one of the 150 destinations they covered.

Must-Sees from the Editors of
Travel + Leisure

Butterfly Farm
Majestic Lepidopterae from around the world, including Caribbean longwings and blue morphos from South America, fly freely within mesh enclosures on acres of jungle dotted with ponds, waterfalls, and tropical trees. Wear bright colors and citrus-based perfume (which the farm provides) if you want the butterflies to land on you; guides can show you the right way to handle them.

Guavaberry Emporium
On the island’s Dutch side, a rum-and-sugarcane-based liqueur—flavored with the wild guavaberries that grow on surrounding hillsides—is traditionally consumed during the Christmas season. Stop by this factory and shop to sample the various varieties, including passion fruit and an amaretto-like almond. The hand-painted bottles make classic souvenirs.

St. Maarten Zoo
Traveling with the kids? Take them to the largest zoo in the Caribbean, where more than 60 species of reptiles, birds, and mammals reside. A massive, pirates-themed playground provides hours of entertainment.

Be sure to visit our Shore Excursions page or speak with our onboard Destination Concierge for arrangements to any of these must-sees.

To learn more about this exciting port, please refer to our Port Explorer guide.

View or download this port's map and shopping guide here.