It is not for nothing that the island has the unspoken status of being unique. Firstly, the territory of Saint Martin is peacefully divided between two states. Secondly, it is the smallest land on which two countries coexist on the planet. Thirdly, one of the most unusual airports in the world is located here. There are fifths, sevenths, tenths...
Saint-Martin on the map
Saint Martin Island on the world map or a detailed map of the island can be viewed using the navigation buttons (+/-). Caribbean on the map
Since the island belongs territorially to two European powers, it has two names: the French say Saint-Martin (emphasis on the last syllable), while the Dutch call it Sint Maarten. Accordingly, there are also two administrative centers: Marigot (French) and Philipsburg (Dutch).
An extraordinary island is located in the north of the archipelago of the Eastern Islands of the West Indies. The total area is 87 km², with the Dutch possessions making up a smaller part - 34 km². On French soil (53 km²) is the highest point of the island (424 meters) - Mount Peak Paradise. The coast of this political and geographical miracle is washed by the Caribbean Sea.
Holidays on Saint Martin
Southern drive, solar energy, luxurious holidays - this is Saint Martin. The whole range of traditional beach pastimes for which they are famous Caribbean, is available on the island in full, so the facts will be more informative:
- right above Maho beach, giant Boeings take off/land incredibly low;
- the best beaches are Mullet Bay, Orient Beach and the same extreme Maho;
- duty-free shopping and the Dute Free zone, beloved by millions of tourists, will provide an exciting shopping experience with purchases at reasonable prices;
- the euro, the guilder, and the dollar are on equal footing;
- самый распиаренный бар – это Sunset bar & Grill на Махо;
- Marina Simpson Bay is the most comfortable for living: the beach is minutes away, developed infrastructure, many cafes and restaurants with first-class cuisine and live music;
- You can get to any point in Saint Martin by minibus or rented car.
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Tourists, despite two Euro-hosts, move freely throughout the island, freely crossing the conventional border-post. The only thing is that you need to decide in advance on which side to spend the night - it depends on which country will provide a visa. And further. On a nudist beach it’s easy to stumble upon a cooing gay couple, so homophobic travelers should avoid such places.
Princess Juliana Airport on the island of Saint Martin
The nature of Saint Martin
The exotic charm of the Caribbean nature is fully revealed in Saint Martin, although the soil here is not very fertile. The territory is the rounded peak of a now inactive volcano. The entire perimeter of the island is surrounded by a scattering of picturesque coral plantations, which are easily accessible by swimming. The richness of the underwater kingdom will provide exciting diving and productive fishing (white and blue marlin, barracuda, wahoo, less often sea urchin, etc.).
Land-based chic is as good as underwater chic. On the miniature land there are palm trees, cacti, lush thickets of forests, and iridescent fields of cotton, vegetables, and reeds. Flower lovers are in ecstasy from the variety of buds, their aromas, shades, and sizes. The fauna is many times poorer than the flora and is represented mainly by feral livestock, birds and lizards.
Attractions Saint-Martin
The magnificent Saint Martin can be discovered every day, but never fully understood - the compact Caribbean island is so diverse. Ecotourists will certainly appreciate strolls through the Botanical Gardens and Zoo, located on the Netherlands side. Also popular in the Dutch part of the island are excursions to nine churches, inspection of colonial-era buildings, the Monument to Her Majesty Wilhelmina, Forts Amsterdam and Willem, the Sint Maarten Museum, Dawn Beach, Cole Bay Hill Tower, Watney Square.
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And the French possessions will not disappoint tourists eager for impressions, especially lovers of nightlife - this is a real paradise of casinos, restaurants, bars, discos, beach parties, and original music. The day can be devoted to visiting the elegant French buildings on the Rue de la République, going up to the ancient fortress of Saint-Louis, exploring the unique exhibitions at the Museum of Culture and History of Saint-Martin and the Loulou Gallery, taking pictures against the backdrop of the original building in which the Rue de la Court is located Liberte. Then run through the Marigot market, go to the Creole village of Colombier, take a tasting tour of the gastronomic capital of Grand Case, and relax your soul at the charming Butterfly Farm.
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St. Maarten has a couple of attractions owned by both the Dutch and the French. This is the Mount Concordia Border Monument, symbolizing peaceful neighborhood and friendliness, and the fiery week-long Carnival in February.
When is the best time to go to Saint-Martin
The tropical climate provides warm and relatively dry weather, not counting the autumn months - 27-32˚. The most popular tours are for February and the first two spring months.
It’s easy to be able to enjoy the southern exotic warmth of the Caribbean and the sophisticated civilization of Europe in one vacation - all you need to do is come to the incomparable Saint Martin.
