VERDICT: If you want more of a European feel, stay on the French side. If you want more of an Americanized feel, stay on the Dutch side. FYI, the cruise ships and the airport are located on the Dutch side.
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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.
The island's weather is pleasant year-round, but these are times when rain showers are less likely. Summer and early fall are not good for a vacation; many hotels close in this offseason and there's a chance of hurricanes. Also avoid visiting in winter and early spring (mid-December to April) if you can.
While St Barts is smaller, chicer, and more geared towards couples, St Martin has much more variety and makes for an incredible family destination. That said, you can easily ferry between the two for day trips, which is why, for many, the decision ultimately comes down to which island is home to the villa they prefer.
Thomas can be slightly less expensive overall than St.John. It's a bit easier to work within a budget on St. Thomas where you don't have to necessarily rent a car, you have different hotel tiers to choose from, and you have access to cheaper food options (in both restaurants and the larger grocery stores).
St. Maarten (and its French counterpart, St. Martin) is considered the melting pot of the Caribbean. Three days are enough time to experience the island's rich diversity of cultures and activities, and even venture farther afield in the Lesser Antilles.
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.
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).
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.
A famous jet-set getaway, Sint Maarten is known as one of the more expensive islands in the Caribbean. Gary Meenaghan proves it's possible for a family to stay, and enjoy, for a month without breaking the bank.
High season is considered to be February, March and April. The cheapest month to fly from the United States is September. Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest St. Maarten flight deals.
St John would be my choice, but St Thomas has nice beaches too. I like St John because it is a quiet and more natural island, St Thomas is a busier and more developed island. One advantage that St Thomas has over St John is the ability to stay directly on a beach at affordable rates.