St. Maarten - Sint Maarten - Saint Martin
St. Martin or St. Maarten has a rich history behind it, perhaps as twofold as its name. This is the most smallest of inhabited islands to be divided into two, by France and the Netherlands. Presenting double entertainment on both the sides of the divide, this island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean.
Spread over 37 square miles, St. Martin / St. Maarten offers the discerning tourist all the enchanting attractions of a Caribbean island including the spectacular nightlife, duty-free shopping, enchanting beaches and breathtaking scenery. There is no border crossing formalities between St Martin and St Maarten so traveling across them is completely hassle-free.
The major cities of St. Martin / St. Maarten are Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side, and Marigot, the capital city of the French side. The total population of the island is about 85,000.
Accommodation
The villages and towns of St. Martin / St. Maarten lie among picturesque backdrops that keep changing as one goes around. There is ample accommodation for everyone, right from 5 star hotels to resorts, villas, guesthouses and time-shares, on both the French side and the Dutch side of the island.
St. Martin / St. Maarten Attractions
Orient Beach
St. Martin / St. Maarten has wonderful beaches, the best of all being the Orient Beach, on the French side. Its tempting white sands and the tropical blue sea presents abundance of water sporting activities.
Pic Paradis
The interior of the island offers equally charming attractions. The Pic Paradis (Paradise Peak), the highest point on St. Martin/ St. Maarten at about 1400 feet presents a panoramic view of the terrain.
Loterie Farm
At the foothills of Pic Paradis is the Loterie Farm – a must see with its eco trails that take one to the rain forests – a sure delight for nature lovers.
Grand Case
This quaint village is lined with renowned gourmet restaurants that offer the most sumptuous food ranging from French cuisine to the most mouthwatering and fresh seafood.
Transportations
St. Martin/ St. Maarten is served by a bus service that is both economical and efficient. Bus transportation is available from 7am to midnight and connects major towns of Philipsburg, Marigot, and Grand Case among others. The bus fare normally costs anything between US$1.50 and US$3 depending upon the distance of the trip. Buses can be boarded from bus stops in the two capital cities of St. Martin/ St. Maarten. In other places, one can just flag them down as they go by.
If you plan to tour the island for a few days, you can hire a car through the numerous car rental services at the airport. These rental cars are usually brought to your hotel and costs about US$40 per day. Scooter rentals are another interesting way to travel and cost around US$30 per day.
Getting to St. Martin/ St. Maarten
You can reach the Dutch side of St. Martin/ St. Maarten through the Juliana Airport. Major airlines that operate her include American Airlines and Air France that connect the island to New York, Paris and other cities. The LIAT connects you to almost all the Caribbean islands.
Safety Precautions
Crime has increased considerably with car crimes being more frequent. Hence it is better not to keep valuables and other things in your hire car. It is also safe to keep away from dark pathways in the beach and the town during the night to avoid unpleasant incidents such as mugging.
St. Maarten Hotels - Resorts - Inns
 |
St. Maarten : The Summit Resort Hotel has deluxe rooms which have a king size bed, pull out queen siae sofa, full kitchen and private balcony. Our standard rooms have 2 double beds, mini-fridge and a sitting area. We also have a swimming pool, a restaurant and a bar where happy hour is great and the food is awesome. Most of our guests return year after year to enjoy the old style Caribbean charm the Summit has to offer. The resort is only a 5 minute drive from 5 of the best beaches on St. Maarten as well as shopping and numerous restaurants. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
St.Maarten : Carl's Unique Inn Whether your next visit to St. Maarten is for business or pleasure, it's comforting to know that there's a unique place to stay where you will feel luxuriously at home while staying within your budget. Carl's Unique Inn is centrally located yet situated in a quiet residential neighborhood nestled between green mountains. Rooms are tastefully decorated in the finest tropical decor and are equipped with A/C, private bath, kitchenette, satellite television, direct dialing telephones, and has continental breakfast included. |
|
|
|
