Walking around the picturesque capitals on St Maarten is the perfect way to check out the island’s charms, which include the perfect port area of Philipsburg on the Dutch side and Marigot on the French side. Both are decorated with stunning architecture and offer some of the best dining, and shopping options in the Caribbean. Wandering along the selection of the islands of 35 beaches is a dream come true, with soft sands beneath your feet, tropical foliage blowing in the trade winds, and the dreamy sparkling waters lapping onshore.

There are many boat charters, day trips, island hopping, sunset cruises, and water taxis available on St Maarten to ply around the stunning waters. There are so many beaches to explore, hidden bays, and idyllic offshore islands to see. Taking a boat charter is a very popular activity visiting locations like the inner Simpson Bay lagoon as well as the outer islands of Anguilla and St Barths. There are water taxis found around the docks and marinas to zip passengers to different destinations. A sunset sailing cruise around the sea with a cocktail in hand is an iconic way to end the day.

Renting a car is one of the best ways to see and explore both sides of the island. There are rental cars available at the Princess Juliana International Airport as well as by the cruise ports and in the main towns. The roads on the island can be narrow and get crowded the closer you get to Philipsburg and Marigot. Having your own car makes navigating between the French and Dutch sides of the island manageable. Traffic is on the right-hand side of the road, watch out for scooters and motorcycles zipping by, and road signs are in English on the Dutch side and in French on the French side with speed limits listed in kilometers on both sides.

Taxis are available on both sides of the island, usually in the form of vans, and hang around by the cruise ship ports offering to go around the entire island for around US$25. Drivers are also willing to be hired as tour guides charging around $45-$50 an hour. Taxis are not meted, they charge according to a fixed rate and on the Dutch side taxi drivers only accept US dollars. You can negotiate a ride with a ‘gypsy taxi’ and pay around $3 for a 10-minute ride.

There is a bus system with small minivans who display their direction and license plate in the front window. The fares are based upon distance and cost anywhere from $1.50 – $3.50, there are bus stops or you can flag them down from anywhere. They are a cheap way to get around the island from the Dutch to the French side, there is no set schedule.

The tiny island nation of St Maarten (Dutch side) and St. Martin (French side) is known as the ‘Friendly Islands’ with a Dutch heritage, breathtaking beaches, endless underwater and on-water activities, festive nightlife, casinos, and delicious Caribbean cuisine. The tiny island is the smallest inhabited island in the world, divided between two nations, ruled on one side by the Dutch (Maarten) and the other by the French (Martin), living in harmony for over 200 years. The laid back tropical island is lined by endless stretches of golden white sand nicknamed ‘The Sun-Soaked Island’ or ‘The Culinary Capital of the Caribbean’ with dozens of different cuisines on the menu. Orient Bay is one of the most popular beaches on the island, but keep in mind it’s a clothing-optional beach! Moho Beach on the Dutch side of the island is famed for the low flying airplanes landing and taking off at the airport right across from the beach! The island is graced by beautiful mountains and lagoons where outdoor activities such as hiking through Pid du Paradis, and swimming and water sports in the sparkling waters of Great Bay. The island hosts plenty of things to see and do including world-famous shopping on Front Street, rum drinks with the islands sweet guavaberry juice, bumping nightlife options at beach bars, and casinos, ziplining over the treetops at Loterie Farm and the historical sites at Rue du Fort Saint Louis.

St. Maarten is a spectacular vacation destination boasting exotic beaches, stunning turquoise waters, island tours, fantastic shopping, and fascinating history. Dine on delicious haute cuisine, sip on a selection of tasty tropical rums, enjoy a wide range of water sports, and shore activities along with spectacular sunsets to end the day. The island is home to friendly people, laid back island energy with European and Caribbean flair.

The tiny island of St. Maarten offers pleasant sunny weather all year round, the best months to visit are May and June and November through the middle of December. The consistent climate on the island makes it a great place to visit anytime with average daily temperatures ranging from 80-90 degrees and rarely drops below 68 degrees. The island has two seasons; wet and dry with more rain during the hurricane season which is June through November, usually during this time there will be afternoon tropical showers that are welcomed and cool things off. Peak season is from the middle of December through to mid-April with rates around the holidays being almost double, bookings for this time of year should be made well in advance. Summertime on the island brings sales for accommodations with offers up to 50% off, August can be a popular month to visit with plenty of discounts.

More About St Maarten