Admittedly, the premise is a bit absurd; but what do you do if you drive with an old school bus right onto a Caribbean beach and the bus breaks down? Here on St. Maarten, the answer is obvious: you turn the bus into a beach bar!
Whether this is the true story of how the iconic Karakter Beach Bar started is unclear. But the school bus is right there on Simpson Bay Beach and the old clunker represents now the core structure of what has become the area's most popular institution to take in the sun while sipping tropical cocktails and enjoying a surprisingly sophisticated cuisine. The cushioned lounge chairs are comfy, and the service is super friendly, fast, and efficient. This is where not only vacationers but also island residents enjoy the beach and sun. If you love spending your days on a tropical beach while being pampered with great food and cocktails, don't worry; it's not a sign of a weak character if you enjoy doing this on your vacation.
Karakater doesn't stop at night, but turns into a premium beachfront restaurant, perfect for enjoying romantic candlelit dinners or partying to live music; the island's best-known entertainers perform here at a frequently sold-out house. Reservations are highly recommended.
It was the Karakter Beach Bar that brought life to a rather sleepy Simpson Bay Beach a few years ago. The 2.2 kilometers (1.4 miles) long sweep of white sand is dotted with private homes and boutique hotels. Half of the beach follows the airport runway and is undisturbed by any structures. The western end stops at the cliffs of Beacon Hill. To find Karakter while in Simpson Bay, turn from Airport Road onto the road closest to the end of the airport runway. Go to the end of this road and turn right at the last intersection. Follow the winding road until you pass Mary's Boon Beach Resort and enter the parking lot of Karakter Beach Bar.
Weekends are often very busy at Karakter, and parking space is at a premium. As a first-time visitor, check it out on a weekday, and enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner there.
KARAKTER BEACH BAR
121 Simpson Bay Road
Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten
Open daily from 9 AM to 10 PM
