End of the story about St. Maarten:
Far, far away, almost ten thousand kilometers away, winter was beginning. Nature diligently and hardworkingly painted everything around in two colors - gray and white, which she clearly had in abundance.
Where I was, everything was different. The bright sun shone from the bluest skies, the wind brought the desired coolness, an incredible turquoise-colored wave promised a wonderful vacation, and in the distance, barely discernible, music could be heard - reckless, cheerful, bright, like the nature around. Although, it may well be that the music sounded in the shower, and not from the shore...
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The ship lazily approached the island, which stood out as a velvety green on the blue surface of the Caribbean Sea. Here they knew nothing about snow, ice was seen only in a cocktail glass, and frost was such an abstract concept that no one ever thought about it...
It was Saint Martin…
Perhaps this island can safely be awarded the title of the most unusual Caribbean island and there are many reasons for this. Usually they say about Saint Martin that this is the same island where planes land almost on the heads of vacationers on the beach. And if they don’t remember the name of the island right away, then everyone has seen the picture circulated on the Internet. This is certainly an attraction. But I also saw another Saint-Martin and I’ll try to tell you about everything now...
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The honor of discovering the island belongs to the restless Columbus and it happened at the very end of the 15th century. What the Spaniards, spoiled by Columbus’s discoveries, didn’t like on the island is a big mystery to me, but the fact remains that they were not interested in the island.
And the French noticed the island, as did the Dutch. A struggle ensued for ownership of the island, not that bloody, but still. Friendship won! Well, almost friendship and the French got 60% of the territory, and the Dutch - 40%. The Saint-Martins looked at all this and united their land, in the meantime shooing away the Spaniards who had come to their senses from the island. That's the whole history of the island, if we retell it as briefly as possible...
— About borders.
Walking around Saint Martin, you can easily end up in France or Holland - choose what you like best. A stern border guard will not stop you at the border, will not ask for documents, and the residents themselves cross the conventional line dividing the island a hundred times a day and do not even notice it. The thing is that Saint-Martin is divided between France (Overseas Community of France), which got the northern part, and the Netherlands (an independent state with autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands), which got the south.
The island was divided back in 1648, the matter was resolved peacefully, without wars and enmity of peoples, and the agreement is in force to this day.
True, there are still borders in the form of symbolic pillars with waving flags. The names of the island vary: Saint Martin (Saint Martin) is written by the French, but Sint Maarten (Sint Maarten) is written by the Dutch.
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On the French side, at the top of the very modest Mount Concordia, there is a Border Monument - a symbol of the peaceful existence of two states on one small island, between which there were no wars or conflicts. Everyone should live like this!!!
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It is in Saint Martin that the shortest bridge between the two states is officially registered. I learned about this fact on the island, because the natives are very proud of it and tell everyone about it.
When getting a visa to the island, you just need to calculate which side you will spend more nights on or where your hotel will be located - you need to contact the visa department of that country. However, those who enter the island on a cruise ship do not need a visa. I asked about visas out of pure curiosity, and there is no such thing as too much knowledge...
The border is popular only with tourists; the flow of people wanting to take pictures dries up only with the departure of the ship, only to form again the next morning.
- Philipsburg.
The capital of the southern part of the island is Philipsburg, where our ship moored. In addition to its capital status, the city (the only one on the Dutch side) is also a huge port (on an island scale, of course), where ships call daily. The port can accommodate a maximum of seven large cruise ships at the same time. I counted six and it was a great sight!
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Philipsburg was created and developed for the delight of tourists. There are a lot of duty-free shops here, a casino, souvenir shops, an absolutely incredible number of shops with jewelry and watches, and of course, rum. Rum is everywhere in the Caribbean. The American dollar is in use here (everyone somehow forgot about guilders and stopped remembering them) and you need to go to Saint-Martin with dollars, this is the most convenient. English is the native language here, the population is from Africa, descendants of those same unfortunate slaves who gave their descendants a completely happy life.
Philipsburg's buildings are recognized as classic examples of colonial architecture - tiled roofs, bright facades, mostly red and white. There are several churches in the city, the obligatory monument in the square, an island museum, a botanical garden and a small zoo. If I had a little more time, I would not fail to visit the botanical garden, but alas, it was not possible to find an hour or two for it...
There are also two forts on the Dutch side (one of them bears the proud name of Amsterdam, which is why I remember it), an observation tower and, of course, beaches.
If I were on vacation in Saint-Martin, I would climb around the city, studying it in detail!
- Marigot.
The French part of the island has its own capital - Marigot.
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The language preferred here is French, money is euros (however, dollars are not neglected either, the main thing is to first find out at what rate they are going, sometimes the situation is not the most pleasant).
Marigot is graceful, like a true Frenchman, a little careless and much calmer than his noisy Dutch brother. The main street is named after the Republic and, as far as I have noticed, it is very beautiful.
The main attraction of Marigot is Fort Louis, over which the French flag flies. You can climb up to the fort and admire the views. But for this you need to have a good supply of time, so we had to choose between climbing the fort and the entire island. It’s not hard to guess who won this dispute...
In addition to the fort, there are a couple of museums, a gallery and the city itself, which is well worth spending time on.
Here, not far from Marigot, is the main miracle of Saint-Martin.
- Butterfly farm.
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For me, butterflies have become the main miracle and the main attraction of the island. Gentle, graceful creatures surrounded us as soon as we stepped off the ship’s ramp. They fluttered, circled, fell and took off again, either caught by the wind, or from the liveliness of their character. They hovered around us like an honorary escort, encircling us and escorting us around the entire island. In order to photograph the beauty of Saint-Martin, we first had to try to disperse the butterflies, which did not want to fly off the camera lens. Butterflies were everywhere: they fluttered in front of the car, they clung to the ship and the ropes holding it near the shore, they boldly sat on the top of the head or an outstretched hand... Saint-Martin is the island of butterflies and no one will convince me otherwise!
It was the butterflies that made us look differently at our plan for exploring the island. Butterflies eclipsed Maho Beach with planes landing on it, changed our plans and brought incredible pleasure, allowing us to admire their dances and the beauty of their delicate wings. I brought home a record number of photographs of butterflies, rivaled only by the iguanas of St. Thomas...
Do you love butterflies? Then head to Saint Martin!
- About nature.
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The island is part of the Lesser Antilles and is the top of an underwater volcano, ancient enough that you can live without worrying too much about your future. Around the island are coral reefs and shallow lagoons. The island is not flat; there is even a highest point - Paradise Peak. This means that it rains there, preventing plants from dying under the hot sun.
The plants are not overwhelming in variety - palm trees, cacti, and sometimes hibiscus. Well, what people cultivate to decorate the areas around hotels.
But the animals in Saint Martin are very bad - iguanas, herons, pelicans. There are no wild or scary animals in sight!
— About souvenirs and shopping.
Saint Martin is a duty-free island; this rule applies on both the French and Dutch sides of the island. They say that the number of duty-free stores has exceeded half a thousand! They sell expensive and high-quality cigars and wines, jewelry masterpieces, watches of famous brands, branded clothing, electronics, and perfumes. There are always a lot of people in such shops, it seems that after getting off the ship, tourists rush into the open doors of the shops, completing their acquaintance with the island. In Philipsburg, all this is located on Front Street - the city's most shopping street. There are also souvenirs here, but the price for them is slightly higher than in French Marigot.
Therefore, if you need to buy souvenirs, then you need to do it in Marigot, where there is a huge market with souvenir crafts and all sorts of things.
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Local specialties include only a variety of sauces, cinnamon, vanilla and spices. This is perhaps the most expensive product. But you still have to bargain, the locals really love this method of entertainment. That’s why they give in very reluctantly, and when they buy without bargaining, they are openly offended, of course they were deprived of such entertainment! The remaining souvenirs will be repeated on each new island. The theme of piracy is played out to the smallest detail and for lovers of pirate symbols this is a real paradise. Anything that can be glued, stenciled, pinned or painted with a Jolly Roger and Jolly Pirate flag will be decorated with a black flag and the word "Caribbean".
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Here you can buy local fruits and seafood, if you really need them, of course...
The sellers here have a Caribbean temperament, with a share (and no small amount) of French expression, so you won’t be bored. They just don’t like to be photographed! At best, they will turn away, at worst... Well, it’s better not to let things get worse, they don’t just threaten with their fists, you understand...
The difference between French and Dutch territory is noticeable to the naked eye and very noticeable once you start studying the details. Even electricity is clearly divided into European voltage in the French part and American voltage in the Dutch part. However, the children chatter merrily in French, Dutch, and English, not forgetting the local dialects. They grow up polyglots and may well consider themselves people of the world - with such a stock of languages, you can come to an agreement with the whole world without even thinking about language barriers...
- About the holidays.
Saint Martin has a birthday - on November 11, the island is decorated with flags and unbridled fun begins. The holiday is timed to coincide with the Day of St. Martin, who is the heavenly patron, in honor of which the island received its name. We didn’t get to the apotheosis of fun (maybe it’s good that it happened that way...), but we saw echoes of fun, in the form of stretched flags here and there, everywhere. In general, the flags prompted the question of why they are stretched along all the streets.
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In February, a fun carnival takes place in Saint Martin, but, alas, I was not lucky enough to take part in this bright and cheerful holiday, so there is nothing to tell about it.
— About the safety of Saint-Martin.
Everything seems simple here, although... Somehow it is customary to say that these islands are unsafe and anything can happen. Where it came from - I don’t know, but! It’s probably worth not neglecting generally accepted security measures - don’t poke your nose where they’re not asked and don’t look for adventures on you-know-what. The natives do not live well, this is already noticeable. People come to the islands with money, and often a lot of it, it’s also not difficult to guess. I fully admit that from time to time there is a desire to take something that is not lying well or just runs into your hands. Well, don’t misbehave and don’t walk through dark corners, don’t wake up recklessly!
In general, the population is very friendly, responsive and not even the laziest (I realized this fact towards the end of the cruise). Sellers will not grab your hand so that you buy something from them (probably they are just lazy to make unnecessary movements, which also do not guarantee results), I have not met any beggars at all, or very degraded individuals either (although, maybe they just don’t go to the slums came in).
Everyone on the ship was warned to be afraid, wary, tremble and generally... Well, I don’t know! Some gentle American tourist, I never found any reason to be in awe of the people of St. Maarten, they are cool there, cheerful, tanned and friendly! Although tanning is an inheritance from African ancestors...
For those who go on vacation to the island, I will especially inform you that all hotel areas are guarded, like a bunker with the country’s gold reserves - no flea will get through! Although tourists are still intimidated so that they are wary, I think they are simply playing it safe.
- About the weather.
The island has four distinct seasons: summer, summer, summer and summer again - the islanders like to joke there if you ask about the high season. And they add that the Caribbean coast is quiet and calm, completely devoid of hurricanes and other elements, even the waves there are gentle and gentle. Well, Atlantica is a girl with character and hurricanes are frequent guests there. Well, maybe not very often, but very angry. And they will show the consequences of one of these hurricanes named Louis. The rusty ship is quietly living out its sad life where the meeting with the elements took place...
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The highest season is from mid-December to April, with most rain in September and November. But whenever you arrive on the island, summer weather and warm sea are guaranteed!
— The main attraction of the island.
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Saint Martin has Princess Juliana International Airport, one of the ten most dangerous airports in the world. It is located on the Dutch territory of the island and would be no different from its island brethren, if not for one thing that brought it fame. The fact is that its runway is too short and starts almost from Maho Beach, and ends at the very end of the Simpson Bay lagoon.
Marigot 21:16 26°C
partly cloudy
Hotels
Saint Martin has a decent selection of hotels to suit every taste and budget. But fans of noisy animation and the all-inclusive system will be a little disappointed, such a service is missing here. Even breakfast in most hotels is not included in the price. If you want to save a little money, choose apartment hotels with a kitchen; local supermarkets have everything you need for cooking. But the level of service, the condition of the rooms and their furnishings will be at their best. The service is similar to hotels in the Dominican Republic.
It is better to book accommodation several months in advance before the intended travel date. The reception of some hotels is open only at certain times: during lunch and from 18:00 to 24:00.
Attractions
The island of Saint Martin is a real tropical paradise with white sand, turquoise sea, beautiful nature. The extinct Mount Flagstaff volcano will be a bonus. But the main attraction of the island is not the beautiful landscapes or even some kind of nature reserve, but the Princess Juliana Airport. Many tourists admit that they choose Saint Martin as their holiday destination for this reason. Here planes take off and land right above the heads of tourists. You can stand above the huge Boeing and take plenty of photographs of the planes (no one will chase you away, you can even stand on the apron). The main entertainment is to stand at the fence while the plane is taking off, the main thing is to hold on tight so as not to fly away with it.
Museums
The St. Maarten History Museum in Philipsburg is dedicated to the times of slavery and the fate of local residents. Most of the exhibitions tell about the hard work on sugar plantations and salt mines. You can get acquainted with local paintings in the Gallery of Haitian Art.
Climate of Saint-Martin: Low humidity, gentle trade winds, short, intense rain showers. July-November is hurricane season.
Resorts
The island has good beaches. There are practically no waves, the water is azure, and the beach is clean. A true tropical paradise. Maho Beach is famous for being partly home to the Princess Juliana Airport. The best beaches are Mullet Beach (Dutch half) and Oriental Beach in the French part of the island.
A popular place to live is the Marina Simpson Bay area, famous for its good infrastructure, numerous bars and proximity to the beach with airplanes. Sun lounger rentals range from $8 to $15. In the Dutch part of the island the official currency is guilders, in the French part it is euros. You can pay in dollars everywhere, since the main flow of tourists comes from the USA.
Leisure
The island of Saint Martin has everything for a wonderful holiday, from warm seas and clean beaches to opportunities for scuba diving and sports. On the Dutch side there are many nightclubs, bars, casinos and shopping centers (St. Maarten is a duty-free shopping area, a real consumer paradise). The French side is famous for its good restaurants and nudist beaches.
Local hotels are famous for the fact that, in addition to the usual yoga classes, there are trainers who practice martial arts, archery or fencing. There is a sporty atmosphere throughout the island.
Relief of Saint Martin:: Mostly flat
Transport
The easiest way to get to Saint-Martin is to fly with a transfer in Paris or Amsterdam (with Air France or KLM); there are no direct flights from Russia. You can follow the promotions of American airlines, the main thing is to have a US visa, since there is no visa-free transit for Russian citizens there.
Saint Martin is famous for the large number of cars on the roads and numerous traffic jams. If you want to explore the island on your own, it is better to rent a motorbike. Public transport includes taxis and buses.
Standard of living
Local residents of both parts of the island are engaged in agriculture and traditional crafts, serve tourists and receive subsidies from France and the Netherlands. There is no own production here; everything is imported from the USA, Mexico and France.
Saint Martin has resources like: : Salt
Cities
The island of Saint Martin is divided into two parts: the north belongs to France and the south to the Netherlands. To visit each half (depending on which part of the island you are going to), Russians need a French or Dutch visa, but the border between them is conditional, no one checks documents.
The city of Marigot is the capital of the French part of the island. A former fishing village, it was turned into a city only in 2006. Famous for its low-rise buildings and authentic market square where you can buy local sauces and coconut oil.
The city of Philipsburg is the capital of the Dutch part of the island. There are two streets connected by a narrow alley. The local architecture copies the old Dutch building.
It’s amazing: such a tiny island with such a dense population!
This is not only about local residents; the density is created more by tourists visiting Saint Martin at any time of the year.
Saint Martin amazes not so much with its enviable popularity, but with the representation of all the tropical paradises of the planet in one mini-version.
The smallest inhabited island on the world map
The total area of the island of Saint Martin is only 83 square kilometers.
This means that walking from one part of the island to another will take you no more than 45 minutes.
You can organize such an visual geography lesson for yourself - just fit the time.
You can travel around the island in three hours.
The uniqueness of the mini-island is not limited to its area and landscapes.
Historically, it is curious in that in 1648 it was peacefully divided between France and Holland and this treaty has not been revised since then, has not been supplemented and has the same force as at the time of signing.
This is the oldest treaty of its kind in the world.
As you already understand, a small island is the territory of two rather large states at once.
Its northern part is the overseas possessions of France, the southern part is a self-governing state with significant autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
There are no border pillars between the territories, The borders are arbitrary; moving from one state to another is not considered a violation.
Where is this miracle located?
Miracle- The island is geographically located in the Caribbean Sea and represents the northern part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago.
In shape, when viewed from above, Saint Martin, together with its neighboring islands, greatly resembles an arrow flying towards the African continent.
The climate, to the delight of locals and visitors, is tropical here, and this a whole year of dry and warm weather and continuous swimming in the sea.
The average annual air temperature in Saint Martin is + 27 degrees Celsius, the water surface is not much lower than +26.4.
Despite its small size, the island of St. Maarten has its own airport named after Princess Juliana.
Historical moment
It happened on the 11th day, the month of November, summer 1493... This is how chroniclers have always recorded.
It is not known what exact terms the authors of the logbook of Christopher Columbus’s ship used and what exactly they wrote when they noticed this island on the way to the West Indies, but exactly On November 11, 1493, Saint Martin was discovered, named and mapped.
Now the islanders celebrate this day as the main state holiday.
Who lives on the island
Overwhelming the majority of the island's indigenous population are descendants of black slaves, brought to serve Europeans in the 18th–19th centuries.
At that time, the number of slaves significantly exceeded the number of owners, which greatly influenced the fateful decision to abolish slavery.
But, of course, the French, Dutch, and Creoles dilute their mass.
According to the observations of experienced tourists, the people are different. More indifferent than aggressive.
Descendants of representatives of African tribes work in the tourist service sector.
That is, they are doing the same thing they did centuries ago, with only one small amendment - as free people.
There are no beggars or annoying traders on the island; there are, however, lumpen people - a kind of homeless people, but they live their own lives and do not bother anyone. 
The island's culture is a vibrant African-Creole-European mixture. This is one of the few places in the world where this peace manifests itself.
In Saint Martin alone you can observe the traditions of 70 countries.
Island Legend
The legend is still alive that how the Dutch and French divided Saint Martin among themselves.
We agreed that everything would be fair: will disperse in different directions and move towards each other.
The meeting point will be the boundary. They shook hands and began to implement the agreement.
The Frenchman moved a little more quickly, and then the Dutchman’s attention was distracted, either by accident or by a woman who had come out on purpose.
And so it happened that The French got more square meters on this piece of land.
Now, for edification, perhaps, they say: “Cherche la femme. Cherche la femme,” which makes the Dutch slightly perplexed - they didn’t even have to look for that woman, she found herself...
Holidays the French way... holidays the Dutch way
Since Saint Martin represents two states, it also has two capitals and two styles of recreation in these capitals.
Marigot. A former village, now the capital of the French part of the island. And this is rightfully France.
An endless series of cozy small cafes, a shopping center that brings together about twenty fashion boutiques under its roof, jewelry stores with a variety of prestigious luxury.
And all this, mind you, at duty-free prices.
On the French side is another culinary capital of the Caribbean archipelago.
And this is also a village, although it has not grown into a city, but this in no way prevents it from holding the palm.
A small Creole village, as one of the movie characters said: “So typical, typical,” managed to shelter about thirty French restaurants on its beach line.
And these are not just so-so restaurants - This is haute cuisine for the most refined taste of the most pampered guest.
And wine from French cellars. And a view of the legendary, once pirate sea...
When going on a tour to Saint Martin, despite the very significant prices, you simply must visit one of these restaurants.
Philipsburg. The capital of a piece of Holland on the island of Saint Martin.
This is a port city where large cruise ships stop, disembarking thousands of tourists each time.
There won't be enough real Holland here, but the Anglo-American accent will be too noticeable.
Even in official state Dutch, everyone speaks English.
As on the French part of the island, there are boutiques and cafes, but The main part of entertainment is casinos.
We can safely say that the Dutch side of St. Maarten is a kind of Las Vegas in miniature.
Statistics have recorded at least 12 ultra-modern casinos around the capital.
Everything for the gambling tourist: play, lose, win - after all, you came here with money.
Beach holiday
In total on both parts of the island you can count 37 beaches with white sand and European service.
Saint Martin is listed among the world's top ten beach resorts. Local coastal beauty played a significant role in this.
Mullet Bay is a favorite among surfers.
Eastern Bay - for its fashionability received the honorary title of Caribbean Saint-Tropez.
Everything is possible here:
- just lie in the sun
- fight the waves on the same board,
- get relaxation (massage without leaving the beach),
- order and taste a delicious, hearty lunch at a coastal restaurant.
And at dawn horsemen appear here... Don’t be afraid, they’re not ghostly.
The most ordinary tourists who ordered a horseback ride.
This is how it is done here: in order not to scare away beachgoers during the day, they ride horses when the shore is still deserted.
You can also become one of the riders if you are partial to horses.
Friars' Bay is a beach for the whole family by day and a permanent hangout for Reggae fans at night.
Star neighbors
On the neighboring islands of San Martin, Anguilla and San Berthelemy, movie stars and simply very rich people built (maybe bought) their luxurious villas.
They do not allow you to observe your life and existence, and you can only guess about it.
And be proud: there was a time, they say, when I lived next door to a Hollywood star.
Regatta
For 25 years in a row, Saint Martin has attracted the attention of the world for one more reason.
Here, several days of water are given over to the international regatta.
This grandiose event called Heineken, like a magnet, attracts lovers of maritime competition.
About 300 crews of sailing yachts participate in the regatta every year.
The prestige of the regatta is also emphasized by the fact that although the competitive spirit here is very high, it never goes beyond the limits of the competition.
A very friendly atmosphere reigns during the regatta.
And what a spectacle it is when divisions of yachts under multi-colored sails and various flags go out to the open sea!
And after the competition there is always a celebration: parties with dances.
This small island can impress! We say about such people: small but brave.
Enjoy the regatta 2012
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Saint Martin is undoubtedly the most luxurious island in the Caribbean. The magnificent Saint Martin can be discovered every day, but never fully understood - the island is so diverse and amazingly absorbs all the best that can be found in other places. Luxurious palm trees and turquoise sea, a small tropical paradise with endless fine sand beaches, coconut palms, emerald turquoise sea and colorful Creole huts. An island rich in contrasts, a unique, unforgettable land. Saint Martin is divided between France and Holland, and when you arrive on the island, be prepared to plunge into the cultures of two countries at once.
Magnificent Saint Martin 
Saint Martin has recovered from Hurricane Irma. Nature has taken care of itself and the island is green again and the beaches are beautiful again. Most hotels, restaurants, clubs and boutiques have been fully restored and are operational. Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy the typical island lifestyle!
Saint Martin (French: Saint-Martin), or Sint Maarten (Dutch: Sint Maarten) is an island washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean from the east and the Caribbean Sea from the west, part of the group of the Netherlands Antilles (they also make up the chain of Eastern Caribbean islands) .
Saint Martin Island is the world's smallest inhabited island, governed simultaneously by two different governments. The northern part of the island is an overseas community of France, and the southern part is a self-governing state with significant autonomy (status aparte) within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. A kind of small piece of old Europe on the edge of the Caribbean Sea.
The administrative center of the Dutch part of the island is the city of Philipsburg, the French part is the city of Marigot.
Area 87 km² (including the Dutch part of the island - 34 km², with a population of 41,000; French - 53 km² - with a population of 37,000).
The highest point is Peak Paradise mountain (424 m) in the French part of the island. the topography of which is hilly, and the hills are covered with greenery and forests.
The island has a dry temperate climate and, thanks to the trade winds, has sufficient humidity. There are 37 white sand beaches in French and Dutch territories.
Before the discovery of America by Europeans, the island belonged entirely to the Arawak tribe, who called it the Island of Salt (in honor of the main wealth of Saint-Martin) or the Land of Women. The discovery of the island by Christopher Columbus on November 11, 1493, on St. Martin's Day, predetermined its name, which has survived to this day. A century and a half later, the first settlements of the French and Dutch appeared here, who created a coalition to jointly resist the Spaniards, who also laid claim to these lands. As a result, the Spaniards were unable to take possession of the island, which was divided between France and the Netherlands according to the 1648 treaty. This treaty still exists today and is considered the oldest existing international agreement in the world.
In the 18th century, industrial cultivation and production of sugar cane began on the island, and African slaves were imported to work on the plantations. By the way, slavery remained on this island until 1848, despite the fact that throughout France it had already been abolished 54 years earlier during the Great French Revolution.
The official language of the Dutch part of the island is Dutch. English and Spanish are spoken here; On the French side, the official language is French, but the local population also speaks English and Creole.
The basis of the economy is tourism.
The official currency on the Dutch side is the Netherlands Antillean guilder, and on the French side, as in all other French overseas possessions, the euro. The American dollar is accepted everywhere, and most prices in shops on the island are quoted in this currency.
The southern, Dutch part of the island is an offshore zone.
The island is home to Princess Juliana International Airport, where 12 major airlines fly, as well as numerous charters from the USA and Canada. Landing there is considered one of the most difficult, since the end of the runway is adjacent to the seashore, and planes are forced to land literally over the heads of tourists relaxing on the beach, while the length of the runway itself is only 2180 m.
Today's Saint Martin is a resort and beach paradise for respectable travelers! This is not only snow-white beaches covered with fine-grained sand, luxurious coconut palms, exotic vegetation, colorful Creole houses and the transparent emerald-turquoise color of the warm Caribbean Sea. These include luxury hotels, villas of movie stars and numerous nudist beaches located along the rugged coasts, restaurants and nightlife, diving and deep-sea fishing (and the water here is clear to a depth of 100 meters!), beautiful coral reefs, where many inhabitants of the underwater world live. Truly a small tropical paradise and luxuriously sophisticated travel service.
Saint-Martin has two annual noisy carnivals: Mardi Gras on the French side and on the birthday of the monarch on the Dutch side, art biennales, jazz and brass music festivals. But this is also the annual global St. Maarten Heineken regatta, held since 1980 and attracting more than 200 yachts to participate! This is an annual race of 12-meter yachts and smaller boats.
Philipsburg is the Dutch capital of the island. This small town, located between Great Bay and Grand Etang, was founded in the 17th century, and stretches along a sandy lagoon. To protect it, two ancient military fortresses were created - Forts Amsterdam and William, built respectively in the 17th and 19th centuries. The powerful guard walls and bastions offer an amazing panorama not only of Saint Martin itself, but also of the nearby islands.
Here, in Philipsburg, is the largest passenger port, where huge cruise ships call almost every day, and receives more than half a million tourists a year.
You won’t find traditional Dutch architecture or “puppet” Amsterdam canals in Philipsburg, they simply don’t exist here (only Old Street miraculously preserved several typical facades from the 17th century, reminiscent of the distant land of tulips).
But there are more than 500 Duty Free stores offering a large selection of jewelry, watches, electronics, clothing from the world's leading manufacturers, French perfumes, the best fine wines and Havana cigars, located along the main shopping artery - Front Street.
In the evening, with the onset of twilight, the island literally transforms. Hundreds of neon signs, casino lights (there are 13 of them on the island), strip bars, and first-class nightclubs make you feel like you are in the real Las Vegas, only in miniature.
The largest lagoon in the Caribbean, Simpson Bay, although landlocked except for two narrow channels with drawbridges, is large enough to be home to giant ocean-going yachts, which are either anchored at one of the luxurious piers or at anchor. in its protected waters. Saint Martin has become the center of sailing in the Caribbean and the home port of a number of the most outrageous mega-yachts.
Marigot is the French capital of the island. In Old French, this word meant “swamp”, since the swampy lowland was once close to a convenient sea bay.
Having appreciated the maritime superiority of this part of the island, the first settlers from France first had to drain the wetlands, which was done successfully. Now nothing reminds us of the swampy swamps. Today, Marigot attracts shopaholics who go not only to the brand stores of Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Cartier, Chopard on the main shopping street named after French President De Gaulle, but also to the West Indies Shopping Mall, which unites under there are more than 50 boutiques under its roof. Numerous jewelry stores offer jewelry and watches from the most prestigious brands at duty-free prices.
Unlike the Dutch capital of the island, the French Marigot has retained more of the charm of a provincial French town of the 18th-19th centuries. Windows with typical lattice balconies, stucco on the houses, and the houses themselves are in the Parisian style. Street names familiar from Paris, in honor of the historical victories of France: rue de Rivoli, rue de Clichy, la rue de Sébastopol, rue de la Bastille, la place Napoleon. By the way, the French also have their own ancient fortress Saint Louis, named after the French king Louis XIII.
If the Dutch part of the island is the center of entertainment and nightlife, then the French, naturally, have no equal in gastronomy. 365 restaurants! Just think about this figure! The island rightfully bears the title of “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean”. But the double title goes to the small fishing village of Grand Case, stretching along the azure bay, which is considered the “gastronomic capital” of the entire Caribbean archipelago, since none of the nearby islands can even compete with the variety and sophistication of its restaurants.
There are regular restaurants, simpler restaurants, fashionable restaurants, and haute cuisine establishments with Michelin-level cuisine. Many of them were opened more than a quarter of a century ago, and, having overcome economic crises and competition, they still delight their visitors with gastronomic delights. The local chefs masterfully combine traditional European cuisine (French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch) with local Caribbean cuisine. And as a result, outlandish in taste, but very exquisitely refined dishes of French, Italian, Caribbean, Creole, Dutch, Indonesian, Japanese cuisine are born! Local shrimp, scallops, lobsters, crabs, shellfish, and more than 60 species of fish are also popular here!
We are waiting for you on the beautiful island of St. Martin 
The islands have a total of 35 paradisiacal and absolutely unique beaches that attract thousands of tourists every year. Saint Martin is rightfully included in the list of 10 world resorts with the most beautiful beaches. A true paradise for water sports enthusiasts, there are all kinds of water sports such as diving, snorkeling, surfing, yachting, deep sea fishing, as well as a variety of water excursions.
Maho Bay is the main resort area of Sint Maarten. Densely lined with multi-storey buildings, jewelry stores, art galleries, restaurants and casinos, the white strip of beach practically abuts the runway of the local airport, so this area is widely known for its rather exotic spectacle - huge passenger planes flying right over the heads of vacationers. To the north, the wonderful Mallet Beach begins, flowing into the quiet Kapkoy Beach, which is a set of ancient weathered cliffs, at the base of which small cozy coves with white sand lurk.
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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 islands 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).
City of Marigot 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.
City of Philipsburg Holidays in Saint Martin
Southern drive, solar energy, luxurious holidays - this is Saint Martin. The entire range of traditional beach pastimes for which the Caribbean is famous 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;
- the most popular bar is Sunset bar & Grill on Maho;
- 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.
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
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.
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.
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.