Does St Maarten have a French and Dutch side?
Does St Maarten have a French and Dutch side? The island itself is not vast in size but it boasts two distinctively different regions, both of which are worthy of your holiday bucket list—the French territory of St. Martin on the north side and the Dutch territory of Sint Maarten on the south end.
Is St Maarten a party island?
Maarten is known for its exciting nightlife where the guava berry liqueur flows, and the casinos invite you in for a night of luck.
Which is better St Maarten or St Lucia?
I live on SXM and absolutely love St Lucia. It is probably the most beautiful island in the Caribbean. That said, SXM has nicer beaches and a more international flavor and definitely better restaurants. If you love beaches and great food, then St Maarten is the choice for you.
Which side of St Maarten is nicer?
While Sint Maarten has the upper hand in nightlife, the French side of the island is known for having the more pristine beaches. Notoriously white sands edge up against crystalline turquoise oceans on the shorelines along the island's northern face.
Which is better Barbados or St Maarten?
Culture and Tourism: Both islands have unique cultural identities, with Barbados being known for its music, food, and sports, including cricket. St. Maarten, on the other hand, is a popular tourist destination for its beaches, nightlife, and duty-free shopping.
What is the best time of year to go to St Maarten?
The dry season, from December to April, is the most pleasant. This is also the peak season for tourists who come to enjoy the agreeable weather and summer temperatures. The sunshine is almost constant during this period, with hardly any rain.
How long does it take to get from one side of St Maarten to the other?
You can drive from one end of the island to the next in as little as 30-45 minutes (without traffic), and explore the best things to do on St Maarten.
How do you get around St. Maarten without a car?
Traveling by public bus (more like a minivan) is a reasonable means of transport on St. Maarten/St. Martin if you don't mind a bit of inconvenience and overcrowding. Buses run daily from 5am to midnight and serve most major locations on both sides of the island.
Can you travel between the Dutch and French side of St. Martin?
There is no physical border between the French and Dutch sides of the island and people and goods may travel freely between the two.
What is the difference between the French and Dutch side of St Maarten?
While Sint Maarten has the upper hand in nightlife, the French side of the island is known for having the more pristine beaches. Notoriously white sands edge up against crystalline turquoise oceans on the shorelines along the island's northern face.
Do people in St Maarten speak Dutch?
Dutch is the official language of Sint Maarten, used in legal documents and throughout the court system. To confuse matters a little further, the language of the Dutch West Indies with the larger islands to the South of Aruba and Curaçao is Papiamento.
Can you drink tap water in St Maarten?
Maarten/St. Martin. Tap water is safe to drink, but bottled water is recommended. High-SPF sunscreen is essential and recommended for those not used to intense sunlight.
Can you go to both sides of St. Martin?
There is no physical border between the French and Dutch territories and people and goods may travel freely between both sides of the island. The Dutch side's official currency is the Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG) while the official currency of the French side is the euro (EUR).
Can you walk around St Martin?
This is something you'll definitely want to consider when planning a trip to St. Maarten. Even though it's only 37 square miles in size (and you can drive all around the small island in a mere 2 hours), it's not very walkable. Of course, you can walk around the capital cities and villages.
Where not to stay in St. Maarten?
If you want to talk about worst area, then we can talk about Sandy Ground and Agrement (both in Marigot). Best Area : The French Low lands, Orient Bay residencial Park and Oyster Pond..
Is St Maarten safe to walk around?
Maarten is generally considered a safe place to visit, but as with any tourist destination there are some general safety precautions you should take. St. Martin is one of the safest warm weather climate (outside US) locations to visit.
How many days do you need in St. Maarten?
St. Maarten (and its French counterpart, St. Martin) is considered the melting pot of the Caribbean. Three days are enough time to experience the island's rich diversity of cultures and activities, and even venture farther afield in the Lesser Antilles.
Is it better to go to St Maarten or St. Martin?
Many people prefer Dutch Sint Maarten since it is more developed. This indicates that the amenities and services are more plentiful on this side of the island. However, those who choose a more relaxed setting stay at French Saint Martin. In addition, it has a more “Caribbean vibe”.
Can you island hop from St. Maarten?
When you visit St. Maarten there's so much more to get out of your vacation, and an endless amount of opportunities to discover. Island hopping can be an amazing day trip or the ultimate St. Maarten getaway.
When not to travel to St. Maarten?
The island's weather is pleasant year-round, but these are times when rain showers are less likely. Summer and early fall are not good for a vacation; many hotels close in this offseason and there's a chance of hurricanes. Also avoid visiting in winter and early spring (mid-December to April) if you can.