The Caribbean is the perfect destination if you're looking for sand, sun and sea. Best of all is that it's a year-round destination and you don't have to wait for summer to enjoy warm weather. There are many great places to visit in the region but for one that offers something different, you may want to go Dutch: that is, St Maarten.
The Netherlands has several constituent countries in the Caribbean, one of which is Sint Maarten. It's not an entire island, like most other Dutch constituent countries, but covers part of an island known as Saint Martin. Anguilla lies to the north and the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to the west. The part of Saint Martin that isn't Dutch is French and is called Saint-Martin.
The capital, Philipsburg, is also the largest of the towns on Saint Martin Island. It's located in the south and has an unusual lay-out along a narrow strip of land. To the south it borders Great Bay and to the north the Great Salt Pond. Philipsburg has some historical sights, including the fascinating Fort Willem, but is mainly known for the great shopping to be had here. It's also the place where cruise ships dock.
The capital of the French side, which is called Saint-Martin, is the town of Marigot. It lies in the west. For the best food on the island, however, head north to Grand Case, which is renowned for its excellent restaurants.
The main reason to visit any Caribbean destination is for the chance to laze on the beach and Saint Martin Island is no exception. The beaches won't disappoint either, with their warm waters and white sands. You can take part in a variety of water sports, from surfing to scuba diving, or simply shoot the breeze. One beach not to miss is Maho Beach, less than half an hour's drive to the west of Philipsburg. Here, landing aircraft fly over so low that you can almost touch them and this makes for a very unusual photo opportunity.
The island is not only about beaches and the sea, however. You can enjoy many land-based activities too, including hiking and horseback riding. There are golf courses, go karts, paintball facilities and a popular canopy tour. Sint Maarten Zoo makes for a great day out with the kids but young and old will also enjoy the colorful creatures at the butterfly farm on the French side.
The best time to visit is, well, any time you want. Humidity and night-time temperatures are a little lower in the first third of the year, when it's dry season. However, this is high tourist season too. Low season coincides with the rainy season, which here only means short showers before the sun comes out to play again.
Many people visit Sint Maarten as part of a Caribbean cruise. If you want to stay longer, though, it's best to fly here. There are regular flights to destinations throughout North America as well as The Netherlands and France to the island's main airport, Princess Juliana International Airport.
The Netherlands has several constituent countries in the Caribbean, one of which is Sint Maarten. It's not an entire island, like most other Dutch constituent countries, but covers part of an island known as Saint Martin. Anguilla lies to the north and the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to the west. The part of Saint Martin that isn't Dutch is French and is called Saint-Martin.
The capital, Philipsburg, is also the largest of the towns on Saint Martin Island. It's located in the south and has an unusual lay-out along a narrow strip of land. To the south it borders Great Bay and to the north the Great Salt Pond. Philipsburg has some historical sights, including the fascinating Fort Willem, but is mainly known for the great shopping to be had here. It's also the place where cruise ships dock.
The capital of the French side, which is called Saint-Martin, is the town of Marigot. It lies in the west. For the best food on the island, however, head north to Grand Case, which is renowned for its excellent restaurants.
The main reason to visit any Caribbean destination is for the chance to laze on the beach and Saint Martin Island is no exception. The beaches won't disappoint either, with their warm waters and white sands. You can take part in a variety of water sports, from surfing to scuba diving, or simply shoot the breeze. One beach not to miss is Maho Beach, less than half an hour's drive to the west of Philipsburg. Here, landing aircraft fly over so low that you can almost touch them and this makes for a very unusual photo opportunity.
The island is not only about beaches and the sea, however. You can enjoy many land-based activities too, including hiking and horseback riding. There are golf courses, go karts, paintball facilities and a popular canopy tour. Sint Maarten Zoo makes for a great day out with the kids but young and old will also enjoy the colorful creatures at the butterfly farm on the French side.
The best time to visit is, well, any time you want. Humidity and night-time temperatures are a little lower in the first third of the year, when it's dry season. However, this is high tourist season too. Low season coincides with the rainy season, which here only means short showers before the sun comes out to play again.
Many people visit Sint Maarten as part of a Caribbean cruise. If you want to stay longer, though, it's best to fly here. There are regular flights to destinations throughout North America as well as The Netherlands and France to the island's main airport, Princess Juliana International Airport.
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