| Region: Caribbean |
| St. Maarten/St. Martin is 2 vacations in 1! With both a French and a Dutch side, visitors can experience two diverse cultures living side by side. Great nightlife, shopping, and beaches make this a popular Caribbean destination. |
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Click on any point of interest below to view PANORAMIC IMAGES of the island!
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Description |
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| Tucked at the top of the Guadeloupe Archipelago, just 144 miles from Puerto Rico, this island's two sides share beautiful beaches, hilly terrain, a host of coves and bays and hotels in every price range, but the pace and personality of each side differs tremendously. A half-French, half-Dutch island, St. Maarten offers two different cultures in one vacation destination. There are no customs checks on the border between the two sides, so you are free to travel freely throughout the island. The French side, St. Martin, is quiet and refined...with gorgeous white beaches, French cuisine, and sophisticated resorts. St. Martin's capital, Marigot, is also a great place for shopping or testing the creole dishes at the local bistros. The Dutch side, St. Maarten, is a great place for people who like to participate in lots of activities....from snorkeling and water skiing, to tennis and golf. St. Maarten's capital is Philipsburg, which bustles with duty-free shopping, quality dining and an active nightlife.
If nightlife, casino gambling and a go-go atmosphere are for you, then the Dutch side, St. Maarten, is your best bet. If you like to shop, Philipsburg, St. Maarten's capital city, is peppered with art galleries, jewelry stores, souvenir shops and even the minute and adorable Sint Maarten Museum. The French side offers a more sophisticated, laid-back milieu and some of the best dining in the Caribbean. It's cafe society in the capital Marigot. People-watching is a thriving sport at cafes like La Vie en Rose. Also downtown is a flourishing open-air market that offers a mix of traditional Caribbean souvenirs and lovely locally made art, along with the requisite upscale tourist traps found elsewhere in the islands.
Best of all, visitors can sample the sights and sounds of both sides without much trouble. At 37 square miles, it's relatively easy to get around, but make sure to bring along a good map, as many roads are less than well marked. Many travelers opt to rent a car for a day or so to soak up the island's full flavor; others opt for public bus service, or take a taxi after negotiating a rate.
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Local Information |
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The local currency is the Netherlands Antilles Guilder on the Dutch side, and the Euro on the French side. US Dollars are also widely accepted. Likewise, the official languages are Dutch and French officially but English is common as well. The electric current is either 110 or 220 volts, so bring an adapter just in case. Driving is on the right. A valid foreign or international driver's license is required for car rentals. A car, cab or bus is recommended for local travel. Rental cars go for $40 to $60 a day. Buses run every hour from Philipsburg, Marigot & Grand Case.
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Airport Information |
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Air service is into the International Airport of Juliana (SXM), and is served by Air France, Air Guadeloupe, Air Martinique, Air St. Barths, ALM, American Airlines, BWIA, Canada 2000, Continental, KLM, LIAT, Lufthansa, Northwest Airlines, TWA, US Airways and WINAIR. Please be advised that many destinations charge a departure fee. Generally, most airlines include this fee in the cost of your airline ticket. We recommend you contact the airline directly to review the details with the carrier.
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Highlights |
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Experience 2 cultures on 1 island!
Exciting nightlife
Several casinos
Great beaches
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Local Weather |
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Average temperature year round hovers around 80 F. Stays fairly dry year round with an average annual rainfall of 45 inches.
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Entry Requirements |
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Effective December 31, 2006, the U.S. Department of State and Homeland Security requires all travelers to and from the Americas, the Caribbean, and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality. This information should be used only as a guideline and non-U.S. citizens should contact the airline they are traveling on, or their local consulate regarding the specific entry requirements that apply to their nationality.
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