Sign in with Facebook"The Friendly Island" Top 5 Page for this destination Sint Maarten by eenelfje
Sint Maarten Travel Guide: 361 reviews and 793 photos
St. Maarten, also called The Friendly Island, is actually very European, consisting of two countries - a Dutch side and a French side. The native languages are English, Dutch and French.
There is no formal border, just signs welcoming you from one side to the other. The Dutch side (capital Phillipsburg) has the large resorts, duty free shopping, night clubs and casinos, cruise ships, and is generally busier. The French side (capital Marigot) is quieter, and while also offering duty free shopping, is generally more relaxed. Approx. 77,000 people live on St.Maarten.
The island itself is not big. You can drive around the island (without stopping) in 2 hours.
The weather on Sint Maarten is on average, 26-33 degrees all year round with gentle trade winds which keep the humidity low. The water temperature will range from 25-27 degrees in the winter and 27-30 degrees in the summer.
There is no defined rainy season, but one does exist for hurricanes. During the time between July through November, the whole of the Caribbean is on watch for possible hurricanes. Although infrequent, all the islands must remain prepared.
Guavaberry is the legendary folk liqueur of St.Maarten. Guavaberry became and still is an integral part of the local island culture. The Guavaberry itself is a wild local berry which are found in the warm hills at the center of the island. Guavaberry fruits are rare and seasonal, making the liqueur even more unique. Visit the shop at No. 8-10 Frontstreet, Philipsburg.
You can´t leave St. Maarten without buying a bottle of Guavaberry liquor !
A tradition of the locals is on New Years day when the visit all their friends and family and get a guavaberry drink on every stop. (Burps..)
St. Maarten is one of the Caribbean's leading sailing venues, playing host each year to the Heineken Regatta.
- Pros:everything
- Cons:nothing
- In a nutshell:Definately The Friendly Island !!
Reviews (22)
Car Hire
Transportation
(2)
The best way to explore St. Maarten is to hire a car and just drive everywhere !! more travel advice
Checking in your luggage
Favorites
(1)
If your plane is leaving St. Maarten in the late afternoon. Check with your airline at the Juliana Airport at what time... more travel advice
Staying at friends house 2
Hotels
(2)
The other times I was there I stayed "up the hill" at Simpson Bay. more travel advice
Shopping
Shopping
(1)
Frontstreet in Phillipsburg is great for shopping. Backstreet although (just behind Frontstreet where all the locals... more travel advice
eenelfje's Related Pages
Sint Maarten Travel Guide
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Badges & Stats in Sint Maarten
- 22 Reviews
- 33 Photos
- 25 Forum posts
- 24 Comments
- 6,372PageViews
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Share Your TravelsLatest Activity in Sint Maarten
- Replied to krenaldi's Travel Sint Maarten Forum Forum Question "Dutch Side vs French Side"
- updated a Sint Maarten Travelogue "More St. Maarten"
- Uploaded a Photo to "More St. Maarten"
- Wrote a Review Car Hire in Sint Maarten Transportation
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Comments (22)
Interesting tips and photos. Thanks for letting us know that they charge more for everything on the day that the cruise ships come to port. Cheers from New Jersey, Bill
I had my first Johnny Cake last week in St Martin...it was one of the best things I snacked on while I was there. Cheers, jenn
Hello I will go there in 3 days :-) Thanks for the info Fede
this island is much greener than I expected... I had stopp overs in Aruba what appeared so dry to me.. great impressions here ;-))
nice pics..thx for share!
great page - i only know the airport in St. M., from transfers to/ from the British Virgin Islands. Must be a nice place.
very nice page with useful information. keep up the good work.
Hoi Elfje (wat een lieve naam) Heyyy Johnny cake op Sint Maarten?! Sounds delicious!!! friends live there ik moet ze een x bezoeken. Mooie pages heb je! veel groetjes Anita
Good tips, nice pics. One day I hope to visit this island.
Hi. Nice page on St. Maarten. And already Top 5. Good on ya!
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