Part of our Caribbean guide.
Stay at Maho Beach Resort on St. Maarten for plane-spotting directly above the sand, or book the under-the-radar luxury resort in Tulum for Instagram-ready infinity pools and a private beach.
Maho Beach Resort: Where To Stay On St. Maarten
Maho Beach Resort sits at the end of the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport, putting guests directly under the approach path of arriving jets. The resort’s beach is the famous spot where low-flying aircraft pass just a few metres overhead. Rooms in the main building and the adjacent villas offer ocean or pool views. The property includes a casino, several restaurants, and a swim-up bar. From the resort, it is a short walk to the airport terminal and about a 15-minute drive to Philipsburg. For cruisers arriving at the port in Philipsburg, the resort is roughly 20 minutes by taxi. If you need to know how far is SJU from cruise port, note that SJU is in San Juan, Puerto Rico — not on St. Maarten — and is about a 30-minute drive from the San Juan cruise piers.
This Under-the-Radar Luxury Resort In Tulum Is Instagram Gold
This resort in Tulum, Mexico, offers an infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea, a private beach, and lush gardens. The chic design includes minimalist architecture, local stone, and tropical planting. Guests can book suites with plunge pools or rooftop terraces. The resort is set back from the main hotel zone, so it feels secluded. Tulum’s Mayan ruins are about a 10-minute drive north, and the town of Tulum is roughly 15 minutes by car. For day trips, consider the best things to do in Willemstad, Curacao if you are island-hopping, but from Tulum you are on the mainland — a flight to Curacao takes about three hours. If you are planning a cruise that stops in the Dominican Republic, remember to purchase a tourist card for the Dominican Republic before arrival. For those on a Royal Caribbean itinerary, research which excursion should i do in Jamaica on Royal based on port times and your activity level. If you are packing for a Bahamas cruise, check what to wear on a cruise to Bahamas in your specific month — light layers and swimwear work year-round. For a different kind of beach day, look into the best clothing-optional spots in Cuba if your itinerary includes that island. In Martinique, things to do in Fort de France, Martinique include visiting the Schoelcher Library and the covered market. For divers, the Bonaire cruise port guide, things to do, shore excursions list snorkelling at the pier and shore diving at nearby reefs.
