Saint Martin
Saint Martin is an island split between French Guadeloupe and the Dutch Netherlands Antilles. It is one of the smallest land masses divided between two countries. The northern, French side of the island is known as Saint-Martin, and is 20 square miles. The southern, Dutch side of the island is known as Sint Maarten, and is 13 square miles. To avoid confusion between the three variations on the name, the two regions are commonly referred to as "the French side" and "the Dutch side".
Cities
- Philipsburg is the capital of the Dutch side. This is where most cruise ships dock.
- Marigot is the capital of the French side.
- Grand Case is on the French side and has excellent restaurants.
Other destinations
Culture and History
The Dutch side is much more heavily developed. Many large resorts have been built and on many days a half-dozen or so cruise ships flood Phillipsburg with their passengers. Phillipsburg is one of the Caribbean's best shopping towns. If shopping's not your thing, you can sit out back on Phillipsburg's harbor beach and have a drink. Or play at one of the casinos just down the street. There are nine on this side. When it all gets too mellow, go rip it up with a 4x4 excursion around the island.
The French side is popularly known for Orient Beach and the adjacent nudist resort. However the towns of Marigot and Grand Case provide some of the best gourmet meals anywhere and plenty of interesting shops.
Beauty abounds on the island, with bluffs overlooking pretty harbors, sandy-cliffed beaches or just tranquil rocky coves where fish provide the beauty.
Talk
Dutch and French are the official languages on their respected sides of the island. English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas.
Travel to Saint Martin, visa requirements
Flights to Saint Martin, airtickets
- Princess Juliana International Airport (IATA: SXM) (ICAO: TNCM), Tel: 599-545-2060, [1]. This airport on the Dutch side is the larger airport on the island and one of the Caribbean's busiest. It was very short but the runway has been extended and the terminal rebuilt, opening in December 2006. Planes land and take off unusually close overhead to sunbathers at Maho Beach. Maho Beach itself is a tourist draw for die-hard aviation enthusiasts for this reason, and the airport is something of a holy grail for them. You don't want your hotel too near.
By boat
- After extending its wharf in a 3-year project ending in 2005, Phillipsburg has become the most popular port for cruise ships of all lines. Marigot port is limited to one cruise ship berth.
Getting Around
Rental cars are available at Princess Juliana International Airport. There is a dedicated area for rental companies. Cars can be picked-up just outside the airport. It is common to negotiate daily rental rates. The roads are narrow and quite bad on the Dutch side but much better on the French side.
Taxi cabs are usually vans, which are geared towards servicing the cruise ship traffic. To go completely around the island will cost about $25 USD with a taxi.
Saint Martin has a bus system using small minivans. If you are not in a hurry you can get most anywhere on the island for just a few dollars.
Saint Martin attractions and sightseeing
- Butterfly Farm, Rte. de Le Galion, Quartier d'Orléans, Phone: 590/87-31-21, [2]. Daily 9AM-3PM. Stroll through hundreds of colorful butterflies under a tented mesh. A fun outing. $12 (good for your stay on the island).
- Pic du Paradis, Route de Pic du Paradis from Friars Bay Beach. Pic du Paradis is the highest point on the island (1400ft/427m) with two viewing areas that provide great views. The road is steep and isolated and four wheel drive is required. This is also an isolated area and is safest seen as part of an excursion or tour.
City tours
Beaches are a main attraction on the island of Saint Martin. It has 37 beaches total, with hotels holding property on most of them. Orient Bay, for example, has an underwater marine reserve where snorkeling and other water sports are available. All the beaches of Saint Martin are fine for swimming and sun bathing. This being a European island, topless sun bathing is frequently seen. Completely nude sun bathing is also accepted but for the most part is limited to a section of Orient Beach on the French side of the island and Cupecoy Beach on the Dutch side.
One particularly famous beach is Maho Bay beach. The beach is situated at the end of the airport's runway, meaning large aircraft fly just feet over your head. Some people hold on to (or attempt to) the fence on airport premises as aircraft depart, but this isn't recommended. People have been injured doing this.
A full complement of tours and excursions is available as well as watersports and parasailing.
- Loterie Farm, Rte. de Pic du Paradis, Phone: 590/87-86-16 or 590/57-28-55; [3]. Hikes and ecotours on a 150 acre preserve. Also a great cafe. Daily sunrise-sunset. $5, 1½-hr tour $25, 4-hr tour $45.
Good restaurants and cheap meals
There is a wide variety of eateries catering to tourists and locals, including some quite excellent restaurants. Large modern supermarkets are available.
Sunset Beach Bar is right near Maho Beach. Basic food is served, like hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, etc. Be aware that you are paying for the view, not the food. As they advertise, topless girls drink for free. That being said, the view is perfect for viewing incoming aircraft, particularly between 2 to 4 pm.
Saint Martin nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
St. Martin's hotel rooms, almost without exception, rent for US$100+ per night and often much more, and generous taxes and service charges are then also applied. High season is from December through April. Accommodations are considerably less the rest of the year.
French Side
- Grand Case Beach Club, Grand Case, 1-800-344-3016, [4]. Secluded beach resort in the city of Grand Case on Saint Martin (French). Each room includes a kitchen and the facilities include a swimming pool and onsite cafe, Sunset Cafe.
Orient Bay on the French Side has many beautiful hotels and spas on site, and the most popular beach on the island is just steps away.
- Budget - Palm Court, Cap Caribe, La Hoste
- Mid-range - La Plantation
- Splurge - Esmeralda, Caribbean Princess
All Orient Bay hotels are far from the main airport, so you will never hear or see an airplane. The ride is only about 15-20 minutes depending on traffic.
Dutch Side
Budget
- Delfina Hotel, Tigris Rd. 14-16, Côte d'Azur, Cupecoy, Phone: 599-545-3300, [5]. Listed as a youth hostel, this gay-owned establishment is a short walk from beaches and restaurants. $80-$150.
Moderate
- Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino, 1911 Little Bay Rd., Great Bay, Phone: 599-542-2446 or 800-223-0757, (Fax: 599-542-3859), [6]. Great location -- beachfront and a short walk from Phillipsburg. All-inclusive available. 3 restaurants, bars, pools, water sports, tennis court, gym, and children's programs. $85-$360.
- Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, Little Bay Rd., Phillipsburg. Phone: 011-599-542-2333, [7]. A full-service resort close to downtown Phillipsburg. Some dining options, bars and shops are on-site. Dining may be considered mediocre. There is also a historical fort on the grounds. Rooms need some maintenance, but are safe and generally clean. Beach and watersports (snorkeling, jet skiing) on-site. $180-$280.
Splurge
- La Samanna, Baie Longue, Phone: 590/87-64-00 or 800/854-2252, {Fax: 590/87-87-86), [8]]. On 55 acres with an incredible stretch of beach, top notch service, activities and facilities. It's the place to spend your lottery winnings in style. $$$$$
Shopping, Saint Martin souvenirs
Euros and dollars are commonly accepted in both sides of the island. Items are more often priced in Euros on the French side. Phillipsburg has huge number of shops in the harbor area, particularly jewelry stores. A wide range of quality is available. Marigot has a smaller number, but goods tend to be more artsy and unique, particularly at the open-air market, where the banter between vendors is well worth the visit.
Stay safe
Just beware in Phillipsburg there is very little parking and the tow zone areas are very poorly marked. If the spot is free and you think it shouldn't be then it is probably a tow area.
Pharmacies are denoted by a cross symbol, usually in neon.
If you're on Sunset beach, watch out for approaching planes. Get too close and a jet engine will blast a lot of air into your face.
Get out
- When leaving St. Martin by plane, travelers pay an exit tax. This tax is included in some airfares but for others travelers must pay at the airport. As of November 2004, US Airways didn't cover this tax, and passengers paid $25 at the Phillisburg airport.
- Short-hop flights and ferry boats are available to nearby islands such as St Barthelemy, Anguilla, and Saba.
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