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SAINT MARTIN
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Saint Martin
Saint Martin is an island split between French Guadeloupe and the Dutch Netherlands Antilles. It is one of the smallest land masses divided between two countries. The northern, French side of the island is known as Saint-Martin, and is 20 square miles. The southern, Dutch side of the island is known as Sint Maarten, and is 13 square miles. To avoid confusion between the three variations on the name, the two regions are commonly referred to as "the French side" and "the Dutch side".
Cities
Philipsburg is the capital of the Dutch side. This is where most cruise ships dock.Marigot is the capital of the French side.Grand Case is on the French side and has excellent restaurants.
Understand
The Dutch side is much more heavily developed. Many large resorts have been built and on many days a half-dozen or so cruise ships flood Phillipsburg with their passengers. Phillipsburg is one of the Caribbean's best shopping towns. If shopping's not your thing, you can sit out back on Phillipsburg's harbor beach and have a drink. Or play at one of the casinos just down the street. There are nine on this side. When it all gets too mellow, go rip it up with a 4x4 excursion around the island.
The French side is popularly known for Orient Beach and the adjacent nudist resort. However the towns of Marigot and Grand Case provide some of the best gourmet meals anywhere and plenty of interesting shops.
Beauty abounds on the island, with bluffs overlooking pretty harbors, sandy-cliffed beaches or just tranquil rocky coves where fish provide the beauty.
Talk
Dutch and French are the official languages on their respected sides of the island. English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas.
Get in
By planePrincess Juliana International Airport () (), Tel: 599-545-2060, . This airport on the Dutch side is the larger airport on the island and one of the Caribbean's busiest. It was very short but the runway has been extended and the terminal rebuilt, opening in December 2006. Planes land and take off unusually close overhead to sunbathers. You don't want your hotel too near.
By boatAfter extending its wharf in a 3-year project ending in 2005, Phillipsburg has become the most popular port for cruise ships of all lines. Marigot port is limited to one cruise ship berth.
Getting Around
Rental cars are available at Princess Juliana International Airport. There is a dedicated area for rental companies. Cars can be picked-up just outside the airport. It is common to negotiate daily rental rates. The roads are narrow and quite bad on the Dutch side but much better on the French side.
Taxi cabs are usually vans, which are geared towards servicing the cruise ship traffic. To go completely around the island will cost about $25 USD with a taxi.
Saint Martin has a bus system using small minivans. If you are not in a hurry you can get most anywhere on the island for just a few dollars.
See
Butterfly Farm, Rte. de Le Galion, Quartier d'Orléans, Phone: 590/87-31-21, ....
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Hotels in Saint Martin
 | Floris Suite Hotel  |
Score 7.125 from 4 reviews | | Piscadera Bay - P.O. Box 6246 |  |
| All suites are equipped and furnished with first class design materials and feature natural stone tile floors, solid mahogany doors and windows and designer neo-colonial furniture. ... more | | |
 | Divi Little Bay Beach Resort  |
Score 0 from 0 reviews | | Little Bay Road | |
| The Divi Little Bay Beach Resort offers guests three restaurants with a range of dining options.
Toucans CafeToucan's Café offers both indoor and beachside dining, serving breakfast and dinner daily. Breakfast is a casual treat, with choices from fresh tropical fruits and pastries to hot dishes. Evening meals are by candlelight, with local seafood and gourmet cuisine. Weekly theme nights at Toucan's Café are a favorite for guests- with live music, outdoor buffet, and an upscale party atmosphere. The lobster feast is not to be missed!
Seabreeze RestaurantThe Seabreeze Restaurant serves casual lunches poolside, with a lively bar serving frozen tropical beverages.
Bayview CafeFor breakfast and lunch on the go, the Bayview Café is the perfect choice. The Bayview is a charming sidewalk cafe along the Divi Little Bay shopping promenade specializing in gourmet coffees, pastries, sandwiches, and desserts.
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 | Livingstone Jan Thiel Resort |
Score 9 from 3 reviews | | Jan Thiel | |
| The reception is centrally located in the arrival hall. The reception team will be at your service from 7am until 8pm. ... more | | | | More hotels in Saint Martin |
| City East Tour Shopping Special |
2.5 hours |
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Enjoy this sightseeing tour and visit the main highlights of the Island!
Drive through the Old City of Willemstad and enjoy all the historical monuments, such as the Forts of Amsterdam and Nassau.
Make a stop at an Old Plantation House (Chobolobo) and learn how they make Blue Curacao Liqueur and why not taste it! Next you will make your way to the east country side passing the nice landscape that is what Curacao really consists of! Stop at a Caribbean handcraft market for local souvenirs and the spectacular view from Spanish Water. You will see points of interest such as the yacht club, the residential area and resort area, before making a stop at one of the crystal clear beaches of Curacao.
Shop till you drop at Punda main shopping for one hour, where you will also learn information of the development of the area from the past to the present.
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| Calypso Dinner Cruise to Marigot |
3.5 hours |
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Calypso slowly cruises in the Simpson Lagoon to admire the mega yachts at various marinas, the beautiful homes in the lowlands and the new Aqua Marina development.
The calm waters and beautiful lights in the lagoon allow a different and much more relaxing view of the trip to Marigot, without the traffic and parking hassles.
Calypso delivers guests right to the tables at La Petite Auberge on Marina Royale, to enjoy delicious French cooking at this unique little Bistro.
Three courses will be served with a choice of the following for each:
Appetizers: Soup or Salad
Main Course: Chicken Breast with Mushroom Sauce, Mahi-Mahi with Cajun Butter Sauce or the Special of the Day
Dessert: Sorbet, Chocolate Cake or Ice Cream
Beers, wine and rum punch are served on board, and one drink is included at La Petite Auberge. Select from a choice of Beer, Wine or Soda.
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| National Park Jeep Safari |
7 hours |
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A full day off-road 4x4 adventure in a Land Rover, in the Christoffel National park offers you an awesome way to experience the beautiful nature of Curacao.
You will be picked up at your hotel and given a briefing and safety instructions by our driver/guide in reference to driving in open vehicles, specifically in the 'wild Curacao' terrain.
After an impression of the island you will arrive at the northern shore of the park where you will visit, Boca pistol to witness enormous waves smashing into the rocks producing a loud 'pistol' sound. The Boca Table cave is always worth a visit after which we will head west to explore the bare terrain filled with cacti, and lizards.
After enjoying lunch at the historic Savonet Plantation you will enter the main park. The Christoffel National Park is a combination of beautiful nature and amazing historical sites from the time of the slave trade and huge slave plantations. You will also drive through an off road area filled with orchids, birds of pray and sometimes even deer.
Other highlights of the tour are some amazing views some of them more then a 1000 feet above sea level.
This is a MUST DO adventure!
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