The Caribbean / St. Martin/St. Maarten – A Melting Pot of Culture in the West Indies

France, the Netherlands and the Caribbean, all in one? This fantasy is reality on the island of St. Martin/St. Maarten. The two countries have divided ownership of the beautiful island between themselves, making for a unique opportunity to experience three different cultures all in the same location, where you’ll plenty of opportunities to wear your sarong.

St. Martin/St. Maarten is found in the northeast Caribbean, about 186 miles east of Puerto Rico. The Anguilla Channel separates it from the British territory island of Anguilla, visible from the north shores of St. Martin. The north side is the French half of the island, which comprises 60% of the land. The remaining 40%, in the south, is Dutch. While the French side has more territory, the Dutch side, St. Maarten has the greater population. You may see the island referred to as SXM in some places, which is the identifier for the Princess Juliana International Airport. The size of the island is just under 90 km2.

History and Culture
The island is thought to have been discovered by Columbus in 1493. The original inhabitants of the island, the Carib Amerindians, were eventually conquered completely sometime in the mid-1600s. The island was fought over by the English, French, Dutch and Danes. The Spaniards were the first to introduce African slaves in the 16th century, but the major introduction of African slaves occurred in the 1700s as a result of the creation of sugar cane plantations by the Dutch and the French. Slavery was eventually abolished in the 19th century; therefore, the English introduced East Indians and Chinese to replace the slaves. As a result of this history, the population of the island reflects its mixture of Amerindian, African, European, Asian and Indian peoples. In 1648, Holland and France reached an agreement to divide the island between them. Since English is the main language on the island, you won’t feel too frustrated by a language barrier. However, you’ll still get a smattering of French, Dutch, Creoles, Spanish and other languages from locals who have immigrated from various countries. St. Martin/St. Maarten is truly a melting pot of cultures and nationalities. There are so many different peoples here that nobody stands out like a sore thumb.

Government
France and Holland signed a treaty in 1994 regarding control of the island’s border. This treaty permits joint Dutch-French control on flights that are considered risky. The official language for the French side (St. Martin) is French, and both Dutch and English for the Dutch side (St. Maarten). As stated previously, Philipsburg is the capital of the Dutch side, while Marigot is the capital of the French side. The 2009 census listed the population of the island as follows: 46,500 inhabitants on the Dutch side, and 36,392 on the French side.

National Currency and Economy
The currency in the French half is the euro, while the Dutch half currently uses the Netherlands Antillean guilder. This will soon by replaced by the Caribbean guilder in 2012. Until then, don’t worry about having to exchange your currency every time you cross the border. Most places accept US currency, though it will be at an uneven rate of exchange.

Local Attractions and Things to See and Do
During the day, there is no end to the variety of activities you can pursue. Horseback riding on the beach is a popular choice, as is going out in a rented sailboat. You could even race a multi-million dollar America’s Cup boat in one of the regattas that take place several times per day. Booking a sail on a catamaran is a more relaxing, but no less fun, choice. A ride on a catamaran usually includes drinks, snacks and entertainment, as well as the opportunity to soak up all the beautiful scenery.

Beaches
Philipsburg, the Dutch capital, is located on the coast, where beautiful white sand beaches meet aqua waters. This area is perfect for relaxing during the day in a sarong and beach hat, and then hitting the town to experience the rich, vibrant nightlife in style. You won’t even have to change clothes! As the average temperature on the island is 81° F and nights are always warm, a sarong is perfect for both settings.

On the eastern side of the island, the waters are usually rougher, with strong winds and crashing waves. The western side, facing the Caribbean Sea, is typically calmer and better for activities like snorkeling or diving. There are so many beaches on St. Martin/St. Maarten, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding one that is bustling and fun, or something more private and secluded.

On the French side, you’ll find the same pristine white sands and waters, and you’ll also find fewer swimsuits! The French side of the island offers nude beaches, as well as clothing-required locations.

The following are the island's beaches.
Dutch Beaches: Cupecoy Bay, Mullet Bay Maho Bay, Burgeaux Bay,Simpson Bay, Kim Sha, Pelican key, Cole Bay, Cay Bay, Little Bay, Great Bay, Pointe Blanche, Geneve Bay, Guana Bay, Dawn Bay.
French Beaches: Long Bay, Plum Bay/Baie aux Prunes, Baie Rouge, Pointe du Bluff, Petite Baie, Nettle Bay/Baie Nettle, Friar’s Bay, Happy Bay, Grande Case, Anse Marcel, Petites Cayes, Pinel Island/Ilet Pinel, Orient Bay, Le Galion/Coconut Grove, Coralita Bay.

Nightlife
After sunset, check out the casinos on the Dutch side, or dine at one of the many renowned gourmet restaurants located on both sides of the border. The Dutch side, St. Maarten, has developed a reputation for its fun nightlife and casinos, and also for its beaches, jewelry and local alcoholic beverages made from sugarcane rum and guavaberry. On the Dutch side, you can go to Simpson’s bay where you can find a bevy of night spots that offer music, dancing and bars. The Dutch side also offers gambling casinos such as: Atlantis World Casino, Casino Royale, Hollywood Casino, Princess Casino, and Rouge et Noir, along with other gambling establishments. The Dutch side also offers adult entertainment.

On the French side, Marigot’s sidewalk cafés and bars offer a charming, cosmopolitan ambience. Many visitors enjoy certain evenings at the Marina Royale and the port of Marigot which offer local bands and street entertainers. Since dinner at French restaurants can last longer, many of the lively places on the French side get started later and offer various types of music such as reggae, Latino and European. And, while you’re in the French side, you’ll want to visit the village of Grande Case which is located on the northern side of the island. Tuesday nights in Grand Case are “Harmony Nights”.  You can easily switch your wardrobe from beach to evening with a sarong.

Cuisine and Eating Out
The island, especially the French side, is known for its cuisine and hundreds of restaurants, which is a blend of French and Caribbean dishes approaching Creole flavors. Due to its gourmet cuisine, the village of Grand Case on the French side has been called the Caribbean’s culinary capital.

Hotels and Accommodations
Finding a place to stay on St. Martin/St. Maarten is more a matter of deciding what you want than actually finding it. Whether you’re looking for a small, personal bed and breakfast inn away from the city, a fancy international resort in the middle of urban excitement, or a small private villa with beach access, your options are endless on both sides of the border.

Local Shopping
Shopping is duty-free, so feel free to head on over to some of the higher class shops on the French side, many of which carry luxury designer items at significantly discounted prices. You can find everything from locally made crafts and jewelry to designer clothes, leather goods, tobacco and liquor.

Local Transportation
The best way to get around on the island is by rental car, and there are numerous services that can get you a vehicle with all wheel drive if you plan to go off-road. Some beaches and other gorgeous geographic locations, such as the forests covering the hills, are inaccessible except by driving off-road. Traffic can be an issue, especially around Philipsburg and Marigot (the capital of the French side), and the airport, so plan your day accordingly.

Visa and Entry Requirements
In order to visit, US citizens need a valid passport and a return ticket. Citizens of other countries are advised to check with their own governments and travel providers.

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