Saint Martin Travel Guide
From Wikitravel
Saint Martin is in both Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles.
Contents |
Regions
Saint Martin is the smallest land mass divided between two countries. It is a part of both the French West Indies and Netherlands Antilles. The northern, French side of the island, goes by the name "Saint Martin" and is under the administrative control of Guadeloupe. The southern, Dutch side of the island, goes by the name "Sint Maarten" and is under the administrative control of the Netherlands Antilles. Saint Martin/Sint Maarten is divided into two sections. The French side of the island (Saint Martin) takes up 20 square miles. The Dutch side (Sint Maarten) takes up 13 square miles.
Cities
The capital of the Dutch side of the island is Phillipsburg. This is where cruise ships dock and also hosts the islands main, international airport. The capital of the French side of the island is Marigot.
Other destinations
Short-hop flights and ferry boats are available to nearby islands such as St. Barthelemy, Anguilla, and Saba.
Understand
Talk
English is widely spoken, as is Dutch and French.
Get in
Get around
Rental cars are available, but be prepared for Caribbean drivers. Taxi cabs are usually vans, which are geared towards servicing the cruise ship traffic. To go completely across the island will cost about $25 with a taxi. Saint Martin has a bus system using small minivans running around the island. If you are not in a hurry you can get most anywhere on the island for just a few dollars.
See
Beaches
Like all the Caribbean islands, Saint Martin is surrounded by beaches.
Do
All the beaches of Saint Martin are fine for swimming and sun bathing. This being a European island, topless sun bathing is frequently seen. Completely nude sun bathing is also accepted but for the most part is limited to a section of Orient Beach on the French side of the island.
Beaches are a main attraction on the island of Saint Martin. It has 37 beaches total, with hotels holding property on most of them. Orient Bay, for example, has an underwater marine reserve where snorkeling and other water sports are available
Sleep
St. Martin's hotel rooms, almost without exception, rent for US$100+ per night and often much more, and generous taxes and service charges are then also applied.
- Grand Case Beach Club - Grand Case, 97150 Saint Martin, French West Indies - 1 800 344 3016
Secluded beach resort in the city of Grand Case on Saint Martin (French). Each room includes a kitchen and the facilities include a swimming pool and onsite cafe, Sunset Cafe.
Buy
Euros and dollars are commonly accepted in both sides of the island.
Eat
There is a wide variety of eateries catering to tourists and locals, and large modern supermarkets are available.
Drink
Stay safe
Get out
When leaving St. Martin by plane, travelers pay an exit tax. This tax is included in some airfares but for others travelers must pay at the airport. As of November 2004, US Airways didn't cover this tax, and passengers paid $25 at the Phillisburg airport.
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