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Spend a holiday in St Martin or St Maarten: the choice is yours

Spend a holiday in St Martin or St Maarten: the choice is yours

Saint Martin or Sint Maarten whatever you call it, is the most popular vacation destination in the Caribbean and has a unique aura. French on one side and Dutch on the other: the peaceful coexistence of two different cultures for more than 360 years is what makes the tropical paradise beach of St Martin so special among tourists.

Exotic beaches, picturesque scenes, pleasant weather combined with the sprawling ocean and the magical world of coral reefs beneath its turquoise waters add to the charm of the place. These are also the reasons behind the growing popularity of Saint Martin as a holiday destination. But which side to choose for your next vacation? Is it the Dutch territory of Sint Maarten or the French Collectivity of Saint Martin?

Both sides have distinct characteristics and are unique in their own way. Although the island is administered by two different nations, tourists can move freely between the two territories, there are no checkpoints along the borders.

Both sides have in common scenic beauty, pristine beaches, luxurious Caribbean vacation rentals, and the most tempting duty-free shopping. So how can you differentiate your vacation on St. Martin from a vacation on Sint Maarten? We’ll see.

french side

On the northern side of France (Saint Martin), French is the official language, while you’ll also find a bit of people who speak Spanish and Creole. You will find a mini Europe in the north of Saint Martin. The buildings, the architecture, the people and the law are influenced by European culture.

Marigot is the capital city of the French side. The city is home to wonderful shopping arcades, boutiques, and open-air markets offering trendy clothing and accessories. Remember to bargain with the vendors at the outdoor beachfront markets. Perfumes, souvenirs and spices are some of the specialties to buy on the French side.

Visit Orient Bay, St. Martin’s famous marine reserve, where you can enjoy snorkeling and a variety of water sports.

Butterfly Farm is a must visit, especially when you have children with you. A guided tour of the farm can give them an insight into the life cycle of the beautiful creature.

Foodies will love Grand Case, home to a variety of world-class restaurants. From delicious French delights to spicy Indian dishes, you are spoiled for choice to satisfy your palate.

The nudist beaches are another attraction on this side of the island. Nudist sunbathing is allowed on Club Orient Beach and some other smaller less populated beaches.

The chain of hills covered with tropical flora is a unique attraction on the French side. The tropical humid forest hides beautiful hiking trails inside. The trails take you to the highest point called Pic du Paradis, which offers a stunning bird’s eye view of the island.

dutch side

In the South of the Netherlands, English is more popular than the official Dutch language. Nightlife is more vibrant on this side with a number of exclusive Dutch Sint Maarten bars and casinos. Casinos, one of the main attractions on the Dutch side, are mainly located on the famous beaches of Maho Bay, Cupecoy and Cole Bay.

The capital city of Phillipsburg is home to the island’s international airport, Princess Juliana International Airport, which connects the island to the rest of the world with direct flights from major cities in Europe and America. Shopaholics will find Front Street interesting with numerous stores offering excellent jewelry, arts and crafts, cosmetics and electronics, and liquor.

Cupecoy Beach is the only clothing optional beach on the Dutch side. The famous Dawn Beach is home to a wide variety of Caribbean villa rentals. With the increasing number of villas and holiday homes under development, this side is a popular real estate market. The timeshare rental concept is quite popular in Dutch Sint Maarten.

Remember that NAF (Netherlands Antillean Guilders) is the local currency used to price groceries and other basics on the Dutch side, although the Euro is accepted. On the French side, the euro is more commonly used. So you can find the same items on the Dutch side a bit less expensive than on the French side.

Now that you know both the French and St Martin/Sint Maarten, you can now plan your vacation accordingly.

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