Sint Maarten Archives - Page 2 of 2

Seven Foods to Try On Your Next Visit to St. Maarten

Posted on May 18, 2022August 22, 2024 by BrightPath Caribbean

The part Dutch and part French Caribbean island St. Maarten or Saint Martin has many claims to fame. From being the smallest co-habited landmass to boasting an airport on the beach, St. Maarten is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean.

Even for a few days, life in St. Maarten is full of wonderful and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Cultural diversity, exotic beaches, shopping sprees, and great food are all offered in this gourmet capital of the Caribbean.

So whether you’re a first-time visitor to St. Maarten or have witnessed the beautiful side of life there before, take a note of this blog. Here we’ll tell you seven foods you can absolutely not miss on your next trip to St. Maarten!

Let’s start watering our mouths!

Callaloo

Call-Aloo, a local delicacy, is a popular dish in St. Maarten. Made with greens like soy, spinach, kale, and callaloo (a spinach-like vegetable); this soup can warm you up. Seasoned with local herbs, pepper, onion, and topped with pork, you can’t miss this soup at all!

Johnny Cakes

Also called journey cakes, Johnny cakes are the local version of pancakes made with corn. Slightly sweet, very light, and puffy, these cakes are a day snack, breakfast dish, and a side for dinner. Fortunately, Johnny cakes are the easiest to find in St. Maarten, as most popular restaurants have them on their menu.

Conch and Dumplings

If you want to redefine your seafood experience in the Caribbean, try conch and dumplings in St. Maarten. Made of snail broth coupled with corn dumplings and seasoned with local spices, this gravy will make you want to move to St. Maarten for good!

Chiquetaille De Morue

Seafood is the star ingredient in St. Maarten, and one way to find that out is by trying this codfish-based entree. Shredded codfish mixed with hot pepper vinaigrette, Chiquetaille De Moruemay be complicated to pronounce but easily devoured.

Crab Backs

Or, if you’re not into snails and codfish, St. Maarten has crabs for you. Deshelled crabs seasoned with jalapenos, local peppers, and spices then filled into the shell to be breaded and fried, crab backs are a favorite amongst locals and tourists.

Locri

And if you want a hearty dish that tantalizes your tastebuds, try locri. Locri is made of rice, vegetables, and meat like seafood or chicken. Cooked together in a steaming hot pot, locri is sure to fill your stomach and heart!

Codfish Fritters

You may have had various types of fritters, but none would beat codfish fritters! A simple dish that has been embraced by locals and those who immigrated to St. Maarten, codfish fritters are common on both sides of the island.

Visit, Relocate, or Retire in St. Maarten!

Has this food list tempted you to visit St. Maarten? Luckily for you, we at BrightPath Caribbean can help. Whether you want to start a business, set up a bank account, or relocate to St. Maarten, contact us. You can also schedule a free Zoom consultation by clicking here.

Four Reasons to Retire in St. Maarten

Posted on April 1, 2022March 29, 2022 by BrightPath Caribbean

There are many reasons to retire in St. Maarten, from the beautiful beaches and luxury resorts to the low cost of living and friendly locals. For starters, St. Maarten is a tax-free jurisdiction, which means that retirees can keep more money in their pockets. The cost of living is also relatively low, making it easy for retirees to get by on a fixed budget. And thanks to the excellent infrastructure, a retiree can get by without a car or driver’s license.

If you want to retire in the Caribbean, get in touch with BrightPath Caribbean.

There are many perks of retiring in St. Maarten, from the island’s natural beauty and temperate climate to its relaxed lifestyle and world-class health care system. Here are some more:

1. The Weather

The weather is the number one reason people move to St. Maarten. The temperatures are always comfortable, the sun is shining, and the breeze is blowing. There’s never a need for a coat, and you can always find a spot in the sun to relax.

In addition to the perfect weather, St. Maarten offers various activities to keep you busy. You can go sailing, windsurfing, diving, or snorkeling any day of the week. And if you want to explore the island, there are plenty of hiking and biking trails to choose from.

2. The People

One of the best reasons to retire in the Caribbean is the people. They are warm, friendly, and welcoming, always going out of their way to make you feel at home. From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel like one of the family.

The locals are always happy to share a bit of their culture and history with you, and they take great pride in their island paradise. You’re sure to make some lifelong friends during your time here.

3. The Lifestyle

One of the biggest reasons to retire in St. Maarten is the incredible quality of life you can enjoy here. St. Maarten is a small, Dutch-speaking island nation located in the northeast corner of the Caribbean Sea. It shares an island with the French territory of Saint-Martin, and together they make up the smallest country in the world by land area. St. Maarten is a vibrant, modern country with a diverse economy and rich culture despite its small size.

4. The Healthcare

The healthcare system in St. Maarten is one of the main reasons people retire here. The island has a modern, well-equipped hospital and a wide range of excellent doctors, specialists, and nurses. The hospital is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and offers a full range of services, from routine checkups to major surgery.

There are also several private clinics on the island offering excellent care. And if you need specialized care that is not available in St. Maarten, the hospital has excellent working relationships with hospitals in the United States, Canada, and Europe

If you’re looking for a relaxing and beautiful place to retire, look no further than St. Maarten! This island has a lot to offer retirees, from stunning beaches and crystal-clear water to a relaxed, laid-back lifestyle. Plus, St. Maarten is a great place to do business, with a strong economy and a welcoming business climate. If you’re interested in living in St Maarten, contact us today for more information about our relocation to Caribbean services. We can help you with your process of immigration to St. Maarten.

St. Maarten Residency by Investment – 5 Things you must know before you make the move

Posted on February 16, 2022August 22, 2024 by BrightPath Caribbean

Despite the horrific hurricane in 2017 and the ongoing pandemic that has had a socio-economic impact on a global scale, St Maarten remains an attractive destination for investors and tourists alike. If you are considering leaving everything behind and immigrating to St. Maarten’s, here are five valuable tips to consider before making the move.

Rent or Buy a Property?

Relocating will inevitably involve a property transaction. Our affiliate Bright Future Realty can offer you options to suit by neighborhood, budget, and lifestyle.

For people seeking residency by investment, at BrightPath we often recommend obtaining residency first and then purchasing a property. This often makes the transition more stable and opens up banking options more readily for most prospective buyers. However, if you find a great deal on a property (click here for an exclusive property on discounted sale), our partners at BrightFuture Realty can support you in your real estate ventures.

Rely on Reputation and Experience

Advice, structure, and execution related to immigration services is a highly specialized field. Rely on experts with verifiable experience and reputation. At BrightPath, we can provide you with dedicated advice, as well as added services such as obtaining required documents, apostilles, and legalizations from your country of origin. This way, your documentation is acquired in the right manner and with no added effort on your part – easy and hassle-free.

With the most experienced team in the local immigration services market, a regional network throughout the Caribbean, and relationships for document services within USA and Canada, trust BrightPath for your immigration needs.

Retirement or Self-Employment? What Suits you Best?

Early retirement by way of immigration is possible for everyone as currently there is no age limit. However, tax advisors will remind you that for tax purposes, the minimum age for retirement benefits is 50 years. So, what does this mean for you?

Before making the move, define your intended lifestyle whether it’s semi or full retirement or a new business venture altogether. We can support your immigration, business set-up, or banking services depending on what your plans are in the next stage of life.

Consult with your Tax Attorney

Cross-border taxes can become a costly (if not, messy) mistake to clean up if you don’t get your researched and verified facts in line before executing a plan. We recommend a paid, tailored consultation with an independent tax attorney.

There are several knowledgeable and experienced tax professionals to choose from that will take various factors into consideration before helping you devise a plan. Some of the key factors to consider include recommended tax and corporate structure to support your current asset base and manage your tax exposure.

Remember to Enjoy Life!

With the right support from dedicated professionals and help from experienced immigration consultancy, you can begin a new chapter of your life in St. Maarten’s immediately. If you want to know more about starting a business or moving to St. Maarten, schedule a free Zoom consultation today with BrightPath Caribbean.

Category: Sint Maarten