Saint Martin (Dutch
side)
Sint Maarten (French side)
click here for St.
Martin and Maartin Vacation rental listings
Settled initially by Arawak natives, this small island was
named for St. Martin of Tours, on whose feast day Columbus reputedly came ashore
in 1493. It was quarreled over by a host of nationalities until 1648, when the
French and the Dutch agreed to share possession of the diminutive territory.
Legend has it that a national from each country stood back-to-back and walked
around the island to divvy it up. The Frenchman apparently walked faster, given
that France now claims a larger portion of the spoils (21 square miles versus
16). For more than 350 years, the two nations have shared the island, and
although they spell its name differently and entertain distinct cultures,
residents and tourists alike benefit from the diversity. St. Martin, with its
capital Marigot, enjoys a quiet sophistication and features fabulous
restaurants, Old World charm, and nude beaches. Commercialized St. Maarten,
whose capital is Philipsburg, is frequented by cruise ship guests and is known
for its casinos and shopping. In addition, Grand Case, a northern city, has
built its reputation on incredible cuisine and boasts some of the Caribbean’s
best restaurants. These days, along with extended-stay visitors, cruise ships
favor St. Maarten as a spectacular day-trip destination. Visitors find that
water sports, beach-going, and shopping monopolize sunny days, while nights are
packed with incredible dining and vibrant clubs. Year-round energy enlivens the
island, but spring, in particular, brings out its festive leanings. The revelry
of Carnival inundates the island twice, first on the French side and then on the
Dutch. The Heineken Regatta, which pits ships and crews against each other in a
three-day sail around the island, also adds to the excitement, imparting a
gracious, irresistible welcome to the Caribbean’s “Friendly Island.”
Both sides of the island -- Dutch St. Maarten and French St. Martin -- offer a
little European culture along with a lot of laid-back Caribbean ambience. Water
sports abound -- diving, snorkeling, scuba, sailing, windsurfing, and more. With
soft trade winds cooling the subtropical climate, it's easy to while away the
day on one of the 37 beaches. For shoppers, there is the newly remodeled Front
Street in the Dutch capital of Philipsburg, or the rues of the very French town
of Marigot. Luck is an important commodity at St. Maarten's 13 casinos. But
chance plays no part in finding a good meal at the excellent eateries or
after-dark fun in the subtle to sizzling nightlife.
You may be tempted to do nothing but relax on one of the many beautiful beaches
that are scattered along the shores of St. Martin - St. Maarten - but this
little half-Dutch, half-French island has even more to offer its visitors.
In Philipsburg, visit the Simartn Museum, in a 100-year-old house at 119 Front
Street. Its exhibits reflect the island's history and cultural heritage from
prehistoric times. The Museum Shop next door features local art and books, and a
fine collection of maps of the island and the Eastern Caribbean. On Wathey
Square, in the heart of Philipsburg, stands the Old Courthouse, built in 1793.
The ground floor now houses the Post Office, where you'll want to buy the
colorful local stamps to add to your collection.
North of Philipsburg, above Salt Pond, is the St. Maarten Zoological and
Botanical Garden, which exhibits animals and plants of the Caribbean and South
America. The zoo has over 250 animals of about 60 different species, including
six endangered species such as Bush Dogs, Golden Lion Tamarins, and Scarlet
Macaws. The St. Maarten Zoo is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am until
5:00pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am until 6:00pm. Please call 32030 for
more information.
In Marigot on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings, the colorful open market
on Market Square offers an assortment of goods and groceries, including local
fruits and vegetables.
Day trips to surrounding islands are fun and easy to arrange. From Marigot,
catch the short ferry ride to quiet, unspoiled Anguilla, named "The Eel" by
Columbus because of its long, narrow shape. This is an island of boat builders,
fishermen, sailors and beautiful beaches.
From Philipsburg's piers, catch one of the boats leaving daily for very elegant,
very French St. Barts. The two-hour sail there, often with snacks and drinks, is
half the fun. You'll land in St. Barts' capitol, Gustavia, where some of the
world's most luxurious yachts are at anchor. After a few hours to explore the
island and its exquisite beaches, it's usually a spinnaker run home.
For more information about activities in St. Martin - St. Maarten stop by one of
the Tourist Offices: The Dutch office is on Walter Nisbeth Road in Philipsburg
(Tel: 22337), and the French office is by the waterfront in Marigot (Tel: 87 57
21).
Although the island has been heavily developed -- especially on the Dutch side
-- roads could still use work. When cruise ships are in port (and there can be
as many as seven at once), shopping areas get crowded and traffic moves at a
snail's pace. Still, these are minor inconveniences compared to feeling the sand
between your toes, the breeze through your hair, gourmet food sating your
appetite, or the ability to crisscross between two nations on one island.
The smallest island in the world to be shared between two different countries,
37-square-mile St. Maarten/St. Martin has existed peacefully in its subdivided
state for over 350 years. The Treaty of Concordia, which subdivided the island,
was signed in 1648 and was really inspired by the two resident colonies of
French and Dutch settlers (not to mention their respective governments) joining
forces to repel a common enemy, the Spanish, in 1644.
Today, representatives of 70 different nationalities, speaking who knows how
many languages, inhabit the island. English works in both St. Maarten and St.
Martin, and at times you may see as many Americans lounging on the Dutch side as
anyone else. But once you pass the meandering, unmarked border into the French
side, you can find pronounced differences. You'll be hard-pressed to find a
washcloth unless your lodgings are very upscale, and it's almost necessary to be
an engineer to bypass the safety mechanisms in the electrical outlets. And
another thing: though U.S. dollars are happily accepted, be ready for wallet
shock because everything is priced in euros.
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