Saint Martin or Sint Maarten whatever you call it, is the most popular vacation destination in the Caribbean and has a unique aura. French on one side and Dutch on the other: the peaceful coexistence of two different cultures for more than 360 years is what makes the tropical paradise beach of St Martin so special among tourists.
Exotic beaches, picturesque scenes, pleasant weather combined with the expanding ocean and the magical world of coral reefs beneath its turquoise waters add to the charm of the place. These are also the reasons behind the growing popularity of Saint Martin as a holiday destination. But, which side to choose for your next vacation? Is it the Dutch territory of Sint Maarten or the French Collectivity of Saint Martin?
Both sides have distinct characteristics and are unique in their own way. Although the island is administered by two different nations, tourists can move freely between the two territories, there are no checkpoints along the borders.
Common to both sides is scenic beauty, pristine beaches, luxurious Caribbean vacation rentals, and the most enticing duty-free shopping. So how can you differentiate your Saint Martin vacation from a Sint Maarten vacation? We’ll see.
french side
On the northern side of France (Saint Martin), French is the official language, while you’ll also find a few Spanish and Creole-speaking people. You will find a mini Europe in the north of Saint Martin. The buildings, the architecture, the people and the law are all influenced by European culture.
Marigot is the capital city on the French side. The city is home to wonderful shopping arcades, boutiques and open-air markets offering fashionable clothing and accessories. Remember to bargain with the vendors at the beachfront open-air markets. Perfumes, souvenirs and spices are some of the specialties to buy on the French side.
Visit Orient Bay, St. Martin’s famous marine reserve, where you can enjoy snorkeling and a variety of water sports.
Butterfly Farm is a must visit, especially when you have children with you. A guided tour of the farm can give you an insight into the life cycle of the beautiful creature.
Foodies will love Grand Case, which is home to a variety of world-class restaurants. From delicious French delicacies to spicy Indian dishes, you have plenty of options to satisfy your palate.
Nudist beaches are another attraction on this side of the island. Nude sunbathing is allowed at Club Orient Beach and some other smaller, less populated beaches.
The chain of hills covered with tropical flora is a unique attraction on the French side. The tropical rain forest hides beautiful hiking trails inside. The trails take you to the highest point called Pic du Paradis, which offers a stunning bird’s eye view of the island.
dutch side
In the south of the Netherlands, English is more popular than the official Dutch language. Nightlife is more vibrant on this side with a number of bars and casinos unique to Dutch Sint Maarten. Casinos, one of the main attractions on the Dutch side, are mainly located on the famous beaches of Maho Bay, Cupecoy and Cole Bay.
The capital city of Phillipsburg is home to the island’s international airport, Princess Juliana International Airport, which connects the island to the rest of the world with direct flights from major cities in Europe and the Americas. Shopaholics will find Front Street interesting with many shops offering great jewelry, arts and crafts, cosmetics and electronics, and liquor.
Cupecoy Beach is the only clothing optional beach on the Dutch side. The famous Dawn Beach is home to a wide variety of Caribbean villa rentals. With the increasing number of villas and vacation homes under development, this side is a popular real estate market. The concept of timeshare rentals is quite popular on Dutch Sint Maarten.
Remember that NAF (Netherlands Antillean Guilders) is the local currency used to quote groceries and other essentials on the Dutch side, although Euro is accepted. On the French side, the euro is more commonly used. So you can find the same items on the Dutch side a bit less expensive than on the French side.
Now that you know both the French and St Martin/Sint Maarten, you can now plan your vacation accordingly.