Sint Maarten
Visit sandy beaches and eat fresh seafood on this two-part island in the Caribbean. St. Maarten and St. Martin make up this subtropical paradise. St. Martin in the north is French and a part of Europe. Head to the south of the island and you’re in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. St. Maarten isn’t a part of Europe.
Come to St. Maarten and St. Martin by boat from other islands in the Caribbean or by cruise from the U.S. You can also fly into the international airport. The island is small enough to get around by bike, or hire a car from the airport.
Choose from a range of white-sand beaches. Relax on quiet Guana Bay Beach or surf the waves of Mullet Bay Beach. Popular Maho Beach is close to the international airport and planes regularly fly low over the crowds. Scramble down limestone cliffs to get to the three beaches that make up Cupecoy Beach. Be prepared for nude sunbathers, as clothing on Copecoy is optional.
There are two towns on the island. Visit the many family attractions in Philipsburg on the Dutch side of the island. Explore the 17th-century Fort Amsterdam or the nearby St. Maarten Zoo. The St. Maarten Museum has exhibitions about early settlement on the island, including slavery, sugar farms and salt mines. Many tourists arrive by boat at the cruise terminal in Philipsburg.
The French town of Marigot is known for its cuisine. Try fresh seafood and plantain, a type of banana that’s typically eaten fried.
It’s not difficult to get from one side of the island to the other, although you will have to change currency. The French side uses euros and the Dutch side florins. Locals speak a mix of French, Dutch and English. You’ll find most people speak English.
June to November is hurricane season. Visit St. Maarten and St. Martin at any other time of year to enjoy the warm Caribbean water and subtropical island temperatures.