Destination St. Martin/St. Maarten Travel Information
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DESTINATION TRAVEL GUIDE
French St. Martin and Dutch St. Maarten make up the smallest piece of real estate in the world to be shared by two countries. Meaning, visitors can eat in one country for lunch and another for dinner every single day of a vacation. Two cultures combine for "Twice the Vacation, Twice the Fun," as both tourist offices like to point out. Together, they offer some of the Caribbean’s best cuisine and shopping, plus unlimited beach and nightlife activities.
There are two regional airport hubs at the southern and northern ends of the island. Day trips can be easily arranged with 15-30 minute flights to St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua, St. Barth’s and Saba—or a 20 minute ferry ride to Anguilla. St. Martin/Sint Maarten has long made a name for itself as a place to spend money and indulge the senses while living and behaving like an international jet-setter for a week or two.
Philipsburg, Saint Maarten
More than 500 stores are filled with designer fashion labels from around the globe in the Dutch capital of Philipsburg, and few people visit the island without browsing through the wares on Front Street, Back Street and Old Street. The city is a veritable Old World bazaar with jam-packed side streets inundated with Belgian chocolate shops, ice-cream cafes and stores selling the national guavaberry liqueur. The energy is electric as tourists from around the world mingle in restaurants like L’Escargot, serving seven differently prepared dishes of the namesake appetizer; or pop into the many casinos to try their luck at blackjack, slots and roulette.
Lining all of downtown Philipsburg, the two-mile stretch of beach fronting Great Bay is reminiscent of Europe’s grand Riviera beach towns, sprinkled with waterfront restaurants and al fresco bars. Think of it as Caribbean cafe society where Amsterdam meets the Antilles. Additionally, towards the scalloped edge of Great Bay, the 300-year-old ruins of Fort Amsterdam illustrate the hardships of early colonial life when men fought hard to protect these lands for the mother countries back home.
St. Martin
The city of Marigot is the French capital, which shares many of the same characteristics with Philipsburg in that shopping and dining are the main attractions, and there’s an interesting fort nearby. Fort St. Louis has stood guard over this busy port city since 1767, and it’s certainly worth the short and scenic walk up the hill for a breathtaking view of the island and Anguilla in the near distance. At the center of Marigot, the Marina Port la Royale offers a variety of elegant boutique stores selling the latest in European fashion and fine jewelry, all free of tax. An important thing to realize is that unlike Guadeloupe, St. Barth’s and Martinique, St. Martin is the only destination in the French West Indies where English is understood by almost everyone, if not always spoken.
If there’s one area of the Caribbean for epicureans not to miss, it’s the ridiculously charming village of Grand Case in the north. Rimming a postcard-perfect crescent bay, a truly awe inspiring collection of small French restaurants with world-class menus have earned it the sobriquet: "The Cuisine Capital of the Caribbean." Grand Case (rhymes with sauce) is also the most picturesque spot on the island, so plan to spend some time here.
Over on the northeast coast is Orient Beach, the fastest growing region on the island with dozens of new villa- and apartment-style hotels. A plentiful range of beachfront restaurants offer afternoon repasts where the quality of cuisine—i.e. beluga and Bollinger—far supersedes traditional beach bar and grill fare.
Destination Information
Official language: Dutch and French, with English spoken widely
Government: Dual representative democracies
Temperature: Averages in the high 70sF
Rainfall: 41 inches
Official currency: Guilders and francs, but the U.S. dollar is widely accepted
Entry requirements: Valid passport or an original birth certificate and the purchase of a $10 tourist card
Departure tax: $20
Marriage requirements: Passport, original birth certificate, single status affidavit in Dutch/French, Divorce Act in Dutch/French
Golf: Mullet Bay Golf Course
Gaming: Numerous European-style casinos grace the Dutch side of the island.
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