"The Friendly Island-Sint Maarten/Martin" Sint Maarten by BROOKS
Sint Maarten Travel Guide: 303 reviews and 796 photos
St. Maarten and St. Martin are on the same 37 square mile (96 sq. km) Caribbean island in the Leeward Isles. Sint Maarten, a third of the island, is Dutch and its capital is Philipsburg. Saint Martin is French, its capital is Marigot. The two have coexisted for 300 years and there are no customs formalities. The island is mostly low, rolling hills. The tropical average temperature varies only 5 degrees F (3 C) in a year.
By official count there are 36 beaches on the island and they bring most tourists. All sorts of water sports are available but the diving and snorkelling are exceptional. Duty-free shopping is another important draw. Sightseeing in Marigot, Philipsburg and the quaint villages is worthwhile and there are several casinos on the Dutch side. There are many restaurants and there is considerable nightlife. Carnival is an important celebration.
The main business is tourism. Columbus named the island in 1493 but the first Europeans settled there in the 1630s when it was a pirate haven. Legend says a walking contest between a Frenchman and a Dutchman established today's boundary. The culture is typically West Indian, African and East Indian influences are as strong as European ones. Dutch, French, English, Spanish and Papiamento are all spoken there.
Reviews (15)
MARIJUANA AND DRUGS
Warnings and Dangers
(1)
Be weary and reluctant, as some men on bikes, etc. may offer to sell you drugs (ganga). I don't do it, so I'm not sure... more travel advice
Pasanggrahan, 15 Front Street...
Hotels
(1)
Pasanggrahan, 15 Front Street P.O. Box 151, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles Telephone: 011-5595-23588,... more travel advice
St. Maarten is a popular...
Transportation
(1)
St. Maarten is a popular destination mostly by cruise lines but also by aircraft. American Airlines is the main airline... more travel advice
Sint Maarten/Saint-Martin is...
Local Customs
(1)
Sint Maarten/Saint-Martin is very multicultural for an island of over 75,000 people. English is the unofficial language... more travel advice
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Restaurants (1)
The Greenhouse, Bobby's... -
Things to Do (4)
See All Sint Maarten Museum, off Front... -
Nightlife (1)
Pasha Nightclub, Saint-Martin,...
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Tourist Traps (1)
Be careful when in Philipsburg... -
Favorites (4)
See All ...more of ST. MAARTEN TO COME LATER -
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Sint Maarten Travel Guide
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- "St. Maarten of the Dutch Antilles Islands"
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- "I Still Have Sand in My Shoes"
- "Sint Marteen - the Happy Island!"
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Comments (8)
Have a happy birthday next week. Colourful page, very nice!
I enjoyed my virtual visit to Sint Maarten/St. Martin with you. I've been privileged to be their twice. I hope I've helped boost your ratings a bit. Nice job.
if this was updated in September, 2007, what is all this about Francs and Guilders??? SXM has had Euros for a long time now!!
Enjoying reading both the French and Dutch side of the island. Interesting Caribbean island to have dual national influence.
Wow, hard hearing about St. Maarten after having been away for so long. Our harbor was quite a bit away from the main street in Phillipsburg (whcih is I believe the town where we docked in). Nice! I miss it and the Caribbean in general.
Hiyaaaaa Brooks!!! Long time!... Hope to visit the island soon, have some friends living there. And you? going somewhere? Have a great weekend!!!!!
Whazzzzup Brooks? Thanks for stopping by with the b'day wishes. I just spent some time on this island and was quite blown away with the nightlife and the diversity! Great time. Great memories. Great page you have here!
fond memories. Yes, can get very expensive. And the service was soooooooo slow.