Orient Beach - the biggest and best beach on the island is on the French side. The Dutch side has all the casinos, but the Princess Port de Pleasance is right over the border. Its a very nice casino and the closest to the French side.
The southern Dutch side of the island is called Sint Maarten, and is actually a country. Sint Maarten is one of the four countries that form the Kingdom of the Netherlands. As a country Sint Maarten has its own constitution and its own parliament, and sends delegates to the European Parliament.
St. Martin's Dutch side is known for its festive nightlife, beaches, jewelry, drinks made with native rum-based guavaberry liquors, and casinos. The island's French side is known for its nude beaches, clothes, shopping (including outdoor markets), and French and Indian Caribbean cuisine.
Most visits to the Dutch Caribbean are trouble-free. However, petty theft and street crime occur. There is violent crime amongst members of the illegal drugs world, but this rarely affects tourists. The main tourist areas are generally safe, but you should take sensible precautions.
U.S. and Canadian citizens must have a passport or a combination of a birth certificate and photo ID, plus a return or ongoing ticket, to enter St. Maarten/St. Martin. You'll certainly need identification at some point, and a passport is the best form of ID for speeding through Customs and Immigration.
St Maarten is not as expensive as you might think if you save money at some key points. The expenses in St Maarten are mid-level, compared to other Caribbean islands.
The French side of the island has just reopened to U.S. travelers. Maarten has relaxed its entry requirements to make it slightly easier for U.S. travelers to enter the island, and the border opened on the St. Martin line. Results of a negative Covid-19 PCR test can now be submitted within five days of arrival in St.
Water -- The water on St. Maarten/St. Martin is safe to drink. In fact, most hotels serve desalinated water.
Top Attractions in St Martin / St Maarten
- Miguel's Hot Beach Spot. 5 reviews.
- Great Bay Beach. 1,196 reviews. See 9 Experiences.
- Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit. 1,034 reviews.
- Pinel Island. 2,489 reviews.
- Little Bay Beach. 693 reviews.
- Boardwalk. 1,733 reviews.
- Orient Bay Beach. 5,026 reviews.
- Maho Beach. 5,417 reviews.
Direct Flights Destinations
- Atlanta.
- Boston*
- Charlotte.
- Chicago.
- Miami.
- Fort Lauderdale.
- New York.
- Newark*
Legend has it that over 350 years ago, the Dutch and the French wished to draw a border on the island in a civilized manner. It was decided that a race should be held to determine how much land each nation could claim.
There's no ferry service between St. Thomas and St. Martin. The only practical way to travel between those two islands is to fly.
The United States Virgin Islands are a group of several dozen islands and cays located in the Caribbean, about 1,100 miles (1,770 km) southeast of Florida, 600 miles (966 km) north of Venezuela, 40 miles (64 km) east of Puerto Rico, and immediately west and south of the British Virgin Islands.
Maarten is not a 'third world country' and as such the people of St. Maarten should not have to deal with issues that people in 'third world' country are dealing with.
The best time to visit St. Martin and St. Maarten is May and June or between November and mid-December. These select weeks are times when hotels advertise their best rates.
An average nonstop flight from the United States to Saint Martin Island takes 7h 01m, covering a distance of 2154 miles.
The official currency of Sint Maarten (Dutch Side) is the Antillean Guilder or Florin (fls). The third and most popular currency on the island is the American $US Dollar. Guilders are only accepted on the Dutch side while Euros are usually only used on the French side due to the steep exchange rate.
Netherlands Antillean guilder
Southwest was planning to begin flying to SXM in 2018.
The best word describing the touristic side of Martinique is the resort. Guadeloupe seems to be a more lively island. It is also bigger than Martinique, so the urban infrastructure is a bit wider. Also, it is better known for its' nightlife which according to many locals is greater than on the other islands.
The official language in Martinique is French, and Creole is widely spoken. English is not.
What is the capital of Sint Maarten?
Martinique is a small island in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean. This insular region of France has a population of 385,551. Partly to blame for the rise in poverty in Martinique is the global drop in fuel prices from 2008 to the present.
