The St. Martin Guide

is your comprehensive guide to the one Caribbean island where it's easy to double your pleasure. The island shared by French Saint Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten is home to breathtaking beaches and natural scenery, not to mention two very distinctive, welcoming cultures.

Saint Martin's turbulent history lends a hand to the many attractions available for tourists to visit. Fort Louis, occupied by both the French and the Dutch, will provide visitors with some insight into the history of colonialism. Plantation homes are open to visitors and there are a number of museums, all of which serve to educate those interested in St. Martin's cultural heritage. The Sint Maarten Zoo is the most talked about attraction on the Dutch side. For nature lovers, visiting the zoo is a great opportunity to explore St. Martin's wildlife in a controlled environment. If you're feeling lucky, be sure to try your hand in a game of chance at any of the 13 casinos on the island. More...
French and Dutch explorers settled on the island of St. Martin about the same time, and neither group was willing to give up ownership of the land without a fight. Though each side heatedly fought for control of the land, they eventually realized their battles were leading to nothing and sought to end the dispute. In 1648 the Treaty of Concordia was signed, dividing the island between the two nations. To this day, each area speaks a different language and practices different customs. Once centered around sugarcane, the mainstay of the local economy is now a booming tourist industry, with 85 percent of the workforce involved with tourism. More...

Travelers will experience great weather no matter what time of year they plan their vacation on Saint Martin. Summer temperatures average in the upper 80's, while winter temperatures rarely reach below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, even after the sun goes down. Late summer showers aren't a problem, if you come prepared. Rainfall at this time of year, though frequent, clears up quickly so it won't disrupt you vacation. For more detailed information, study our month-by-month weather guide. More...
All-Inclusive Resorts
These resorts offer vacationers upscale accommodations and amenities while providing the convenience of a single bill. More...
Rental Properties
Timeshares and rental properties provide great lodgings for travelers who want the freedom to explore St. Martin/St. Maarten at their leisure. More...

 

 

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Once you arrive on the island you'll find plenty of transportation options to help you explore every inch. Taxis give travelers the luxury of having their own driver, Buses are a good alternative for saving money and sampling local culture, and Rental Cars enable independent vacationers to chart their own path. Of course, Bikes and Mopeds are available for freewheeling exploration, and Ferries and Boats connect St. Martin to many of the surrounding islands. Find out about all the choices and then take your time experiencing each!
Culinary Styles
If fine dining is an important part of your ideal vacation, St. Martin is the place for you, where traditional French cuisine is prominently features. Classic French fare, including pastries and escargot, are so commonplace they're even found on the Dutch side of the island. For vacationers with more adventurous taste buds, creole seasonings add character to elegantly prepared dishes, including locally caught lobster and red snapper. More...
Restaurants
No matter what you're hungry for, you'll be sure to find it in the capital city of Grand Case ? in fact, it houses more restaurants per capita than anywhere else in the Caribbean. Dining options range from elegant restaurants with fine imported foods to local barbecue shacks, known as lolos, serving hearty but inexpensive grub. Vacationers should note that many restaurants add a 10-15 percent gratuity charge to each bill. That charge is split among all of the restaurants employees, and particularly good service is expected to be rewarded with a further five to 10 percent tip. For more helpful information like this, check out our comprehensive dining guide, including extensive, well organized restaurant listings for both sides of the island. More...
Before you can stake out that perfect spot on the beach, you'll need to do a little investigating to find the best way of reaching St. Martin. Choose from air travel and cruises, or, if you'd like to kick your vacation off a bit more adventurously, arrive on the island behind the helm of a private or chartered yacht. More...
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