What are the different sides of St Martin?

Currently, the island is divided into Sint Maarten (the southern half of the island, part of the Netherlands) and the Collectivity of Saint Martin (the northern half of the island, part of France).



The island of St. Martin is unique because it is the smallest inhabited landmass shared by two nations: the French side (Saint-Martin) to the north and the Dutch side (Sint Maarten) to the south. The French side is characterized by a more relaxed, "European" atmosphere, famous for its world-class culinary scene in Grand Case and the clothing-optional Orient Bay Beach. It feels more secluded and naturally rugged, with a focus on luxury boutiques and fine dining. In contrast, the Dutch side is the hub of activity and commerce, featuring the major cruise ship port in Philipsburg, bustling casinos, and a high-energy nightlife scene in Simpson Bay. The Dutch side is also home to Princess Juliana International Airport, famous for planes flying low over Maho Beach. While there is no hard border between the two—allowing travelers to move freely—the cultural differences are distinct: the French side uses the Euro and speaks French, while the Dutch side uses the Netherlands Antillean Guilder (though the USD is ubiquitous) and has a more commercialized, "Americanized" feel. This duality allows visitors to experience two very different cultures on a single 34-square-mile island.

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While Sint Maarten has the upper hand in nightlife, the French side of the island is known for having the more pristine beaches.

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The Spanish finally relinquished Saint Martin to the French and Dutch, who divided it between themselves in 1648. Friction between the two sides caused the border to frequently fluctuate over the next two centuries, with the French eventually holding the greater portion of the island (about 61%).

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There is no physical border between the French and Dutch territories and people and goods may travel freely between both sides of the island. The Dutch side's official currency is the Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG) while the official currency of the French side is the euro (EUR).

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Most visits to the Dutch Caribbean are trouble-free. However, petty theft and street crime occur. There is violent crime amongst members of the illegal drugs world, but this rarely affects tourists. The main tourist areas are generally safe, but you should take sensible precautions.

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Hurricane season is generally June through November though historically and statistically, more hurricanes occur in September than any other month. If it's more important to you to avoid hurricanes and rain than people, the best time to head to St. Maarten might be from December to May.

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The dry season, from December to April, is the most pleasant. This is also the peak season for tourists who come to enjoy the agreeable weather and summer temperatures. The sunshine is almost constant during this period, with hardly any rain.

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I live on SXM and absolutely love St Lucia. It is probably the most beautiful island in the Caribbean. That said, SXM has nicer beaches and a more international flavor and definitely better restaurants. If you love beaches and great food, then St Maarten is the choice for you.

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Upon arrival in Sint Maarten, you must have: a U.S. passport valid for the duration of your stay; a completed Embarkation and Disembarkation Card (ED-Card).

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The beaches on Saint Martin are undoubtedly among the finest in the Caribbean. The sand is as fine as powder and the calm, shallow water has a rich ecosystem of coral and fishes just offshore. Many beaches on the south of the island (the Dutch side) have shallow seas that are suitable for families.

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You can drive from one end of the island to the next in as little as 30-45 minutes (without traffic), and explore the best things to do on St Maarten.

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People of more than 120 nationalities live on St. Martin, the majority being French, Haitian, Dominican, American, or European. The official language used in the administrations and schools is, of course, French.

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There are at this time thirteen casinos on the Dutch side of the island, but none on French St. Martin. Some of the larger resorts offer their own gaming facility, but there are also several stand-alone casinos. Many of them offer all table games, but a few specialize in the latest slot machines.

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