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When thinking about vacationing in Saint Martin, the main thing you will need to concern yourself with is what side would you like to visit the most- the French side or the Dutch side? Why not both? Saint Martin is a beautiful island split between French Guadeloupe and the Dutch Netherlands Antilles. While it may be one of the smallest land masses between two countries it still has a lot to offer travelers.
The French side of the island is known as Saint Martin and it is 20 square miles. The Dutch side is known as Sint Maarten and is 13 square miles. Philipsburg is the capital of the Dutch side. Marigot is the capital of the French side. Both sides equal a wonderful vacation opportunity.
The Dutch side is the most heavily developed of the two sides. Philipsburg is where most cruise ships dock and there are many large resorts and shops. There are casinos and restaurants surrounding the harbor and plenty of spots to sit and enjoy a cocktail while you people watch.
The French side has Orient Beach and Grand Case, where you can find gourmet meals and nudist beaches, if you prefer that sort of thing. The beaches on the French side offer more topless and nudist beaches than the Dutch side, and there should be signs announcing the type of beach, but sun bathing is not all Saint Martin is about, though there are 37 beaches on the island. There is a marine reserve for snorkeling and other water activities. You can chart a yacht for a bit of sailing, or hop on a four wheel drive vehicle that will take you to Pic du Paradis, which is the highest point on the island. There is also a butterfly farm to visit, which holds hundreds of butterflies under some mesh netting. You can literally walk through the butterflies, which is fun for the whole family.
The high season to vacation in Saint Martin is December to April. Summer can be too hot and too humid, and it’‘s possible there may be a hurricane thrown into your plans as well. If you are looking for a bit of a bargain then try November or early December.
Both Dutch and French are the official languages of each side of the island, but English is also widely spoken. What to eat and drink? Again, that depends on what side you are on. Both sides offer cuisine for their respective countries- Dutch and French cuisine, coupled with Caribbean. Think seafood and spice and you can’‘t go wrong. And the drinks are icy, even the coffee.
No matter where you are in the world, be aware of your surroundings. And have a great vacation because you deserve it.
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