Two flags rule over this tiny isle – the French and the Dutch. Philipsburg is the Dutch capital and the place to head for a serious shopping splurge. Marigot, meanwhile, is the French capital, where you can divide your time between bistros and boutiques. Add to the mix dreamy Caribbean coves, kaleidoscopic reefs and lashings of sunshine and you’ve got all the ingredients for tropical bliss.
Give your credit card a duty-free workout in Philipsburg. From cut-price island crafts to cutting-edge designer gear, you’ll find it all here. Front Street’s your starting point, the town’s main artery that has lanes, alleyways and courtyards leading off in all directions.
Listen to the flutter of hundreds of tiny wings at the Butterfly Farm in Phillipsburg. This place is home to more than 40 different species, including the Tree Nymph and Blue Morph.
Get to know the island’s underwater locals on the special Seaworld Explorer. This boat is home to an underwater observatory where you can watch sea turtles, stingrays and barracudas swim by.
Stand on the deck of a classic yacht as the captain races around a 12-metre course faster than your opponent. The America’s Cup Sailing Regatta has been voted ‘the best excursion in the Caribbean’ for the past 10 years. Alternatively, have a go at driving an inflatable motorboat, known as a Rhino Rider. |
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Saint Maarten is an island in the northeast Caribbean, approximately 300 km (190 mi) east of Puerto Rico. The 87 square kilometres (34 sq mi) island is divided roughly 61/39 between France (53 square kilometres (20 sq mi) and the Kingdom of the Netherlands (34 square kilometres (13 sq mi) the two parts are roughly equal in population. It is the smallest sea island divided between two nations with inhabitants. The division dates to 1648. The southern Dutch part comprises Sint Maarten and is one of four constituent countries that form the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The northern French part comprises theCollectivité de Saint-Martin (Collectivity of St. Martin) and is an overseas collectivity of France.
On January 1, 2009 the population of the entire island was 77,741 inhabitants, with 40,917 living on the Dutch side, and 36,824 on the French side
Collectively, the two territories are known as "St-Martin / St Maarten". Sometimes SXM, the IATA identifier forPrincess Juliana International Airport (the island's main airport), is used to refer to the island.
If you are staying on the island for multiple days, don't be afraid to explore. Minibuses, vans with "bus" license plates, pick up all over town. Rides are $1.50 and are payable when you get off. The minibuses go all over the dutch side and the french side. A very cheap and simple way to get around. Rent a car; it is very simple to get around and people are friendly. You can get around the island in about 1 and a half hours total time. Be warned, Sint Maarten drivers are aggressive and streets are narrow. It is not uncommon for a driver to swing out from a parking space into heavy traffic. Don't leave anything of value in the car. |
