Saint-Martin

Understand

The northern, French side of the island is known as Saint-Martin, and is . The southern, Dutch side of the island is known as Sint Maarten, and is . The Dutch side has had its own government since 2010 and has its own legal system, with its relations with the French side remaining unchanged. 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".

Although this island is divided between two different countries, there is no real border; there are only monuments and signs that delineate the border. Over 350 years ago, the two countries decided that residents of either country could travel across both sides of the border without worrying about any trouble. The two countries live peacefully without difficulties, which helps tourism considerably. Any separation is more from separate and dissimilar utilities systems, e.g., power on the French side is 250 V 50 Hz, while the Netherlands side is 110/120 60 Hz. In addition, take care when dialling from the French to Dutch or Dutch to French sides as it is, in effect, an international call and requires special dialling instructions. These instructions are typically posted at hotels and tourist locations.

thumb|The French-Dutch border; one of the extremely few land borders in the Caribbean

The Dutch side, Sint Maarten, has become a leading destination in the property market with more and more developments being constructed. There are high-rise flat…

Get around

thumb|Street view in Philipsburg

There is an open border between the two sides of the island. However, ensure that you meet the visa requirements for each side of the island you wish to visit. Not having to pass through passport control does not exempt you from having to obtain a visa if needed, and you can be arrested and deported for not having a valid visa if discovered.

Do

thumb|View from the beach bar, La Samanna Pic du Paradis, Route de Pic du Paradis from Friars Bay Beach. Pic du Paradis is the highest point on the island (1400 ft/427 m) with two viewing areas that provide great views. The road is steep and isolated and four wheel drive is required. This is also an isolated area and is safest seen as part of an excursion or tour. Loterie Farm, Rte. de Pic du Paradis, or . Location features an excellent restaurant, a lounge with tapas, hikes and ecotours on a 150-acre preserve, and "The Fly Zone" a fun zip line experience with rope zips and an obstacle course high up in the trees. Also has a "Ti' Tarzan" zip course for the kids and "The Fly Zone Extreme" a new Zip that goes up over 30 m/100 ft. On the French side but patronized by many American tourists, prices are shown in euros and dollars. You should call in advance for prices and to check whether a cruise ship shore tour is visiting, as it is pretty packed on those days. If you're going on the zip lines, wear closed shoes: flip flops are a no-no. The activities are open only during the day, but the restaurant and lounge are open in the evenings as well. Try the Curry Chicken. Orient Bay has an underwater marine reserve where snorkeling and other water sports are available. Casinos are a popular attraction on the island, but only on the Dutch side. Some of them are in the Cupecoy, Maho, Cole Bay areas, while in Philipsburg you'll find five.

Eat

St. Maarten / St. Martin has the nickname "Culinary Capital of the Caribbean". The French side will claim this is due to high-end French and seafood cuisine in especially Grand Case, but specialized ethnic cuisines of the more cosmopolitan Dutch side highly contribute to this reputation too.

The island has some 300 restaurants with a wide variety of offerings available to tourists and locals. In spring, Tuesday evenings in Grand Case are not to be missed ("Mardis de Grand Case"). The main street dons carnival atmosphere and opens up to street vendors. The excellent local restaurants are open 'till late. Restaurant L'Auberge Gourmande is one of the region's culinary highlights with exceptional French dining. The town bustles throughout the weekends too.

Some restaurants on the island will add 15% to your bill and it will be listed as Tax or SC (Service charge). The truth is, the island has no dining tax so the restaurant may be taking advantage of North American tourists used to paying tax. You can consider the 15% your tip, those who aren't aware may pay another 15% to 20% when the "Tax/SC" is really a tip already going to the waiter. If you ask for water in any restaurant they will assume you mean bottled water which can be US$4–5 per bottle depending on the restaurant. Surprisingly this is sometimes more expensive than beer or wine. If you don't want to pay the higher price make sure you specify very clearly that you want tap water. In many countries it is illegal to prin…

Drink

The legal drinking age on both sides of the island in 18. St. Martin's nightlife consists of many bars, nightclubs and casinos where drinking is prevalent. Start out with a happy hour at "Bamboo Bernie's" where drinking is free for a half an hour and continues until 19:00 with the highest drink price of a dollar! Many of the clubs have ladies' nights and other nightly drink specials. The Dutch side of the island has more night clubs than the French, so if you're up for the party scene, this side is the one where you should stay.

Large wine menus are also usually available at most restaurants.

Privé. Trendy sky bar and lounge, indoor with an open terrace on the top of the Mega Yacht Building and views of Simpson Bay strip and lagoon. Open 18:00-03:00 everyday. On the Simpson Bay strip at the top of the Market Garden Supermarket

Tequila. In Palapa Village, next to Rancho in Simpson Bay. 2nd floor bar overlooking the lagoon as well as the streetside. Mexican sports bar. Various tequila-based drinks, sport events shown on big screen. Free Wifi internet. Open17:00-00:00 every day.

Lotus. Night club in Simpson Bay (Airport Road). Has visiting DJs and dancing events.

HuppeldePub. Dutch styled bar in Simpson Bay Yacht Club. Has various evenings with Karaoke, live bands and is known also as sports bar for coverage of both American (Kentucky Derby, Football) as well as European (Soccer) and international sports (Formula 1).

Grumpy's (Philipsburg, on Yrausquin road to cruise port…

Sleep

St. Martin's hotel rooms, almost without exception, rent for US$100 per night and often much more, and generous taxes and service charges are then also applied. High season is from December through April. Accommodations are considerably less the rest of the year. If you are doing last minute travel when you call ahead ask for the "local rate" rather than what you will normally get which is the "walk-in rate", it can save you a considerable amount of money in some situations.

thumb|Front Street in Sint Maarten, the main shopping street

Stay safe

thumb|Flight schedule at Maho beach

Sun You can burn within a remarkably short time; use sunscreen or block frequently depending on how long you're exposed. Do not fail to reapply it as recommended depending on where you are (e.g., swimming, on boat, beach walking), with special attention to feet and backs of knees and neck. Brimmed hats, umbrellas and light clothing can offer further protection. Crime Though the island is generally a safe place, like everywhere else in the world there is crime, and you should be aware of your surroundings at all times. Obviously you should lock your doors, avoid unpopulated areas and do not flash your money and jewelry around. Remember that this is a foreign country, and act accordingly. Tourists report many instances of parked rental cars being rifled. Organized teams can break in effortlessly. Best advice: Leave nothing of value in them at any time. Drinking Be aware that drinking is practically a national pastime in St. Maarten, and it is relatively easy and inexpensive to obtain alcoholic beverages (US$1.25 ice cold Heinekens are available almost everywhere including McDonalds and gas stations) and therefore extremely easy to over-do it. Driving while impaired on the island is very risky as there are many places where you could end up in the ocean or down the side of a cliff. When in doubt, call a cab. Drugs Like most places, drugs are readily available for those interested, but despite what someone may tell you, marijuana is not legal …

Stay healthy

Pharmacies are denoted by a cross symbol, usually in neon, and there are hospitals with ambulance service on both sides of the island.

Tap water comes from desalinization and is drinkable. Most residents however prefer to filter water or buy bottled (mineral or purified) water.

Respect

thumb|View from Fort Louis Dress codes are uncommon on St. Martin, but some high-end restaurants and night clubs do have them, so when in doubt, check in advance.

St. Martin has a great deal of cultural diversity, and true locals are far outnumbered by immigrants from poorer and less urbane areas. Dressing too risqué can give the impression that you are looking for a "good time" and attract unwanted attention.

It is illegal to wear a swimsuit except when you're at the beach or pool, and it's also disrespectful and likely to result in poor treatment.

Connect

The Dutch part is part of the North American Numbering Plan, so its country code is +1. The French part has country code +590. Phone calls over the border are charged as international calls. People with a cell phone subscription from the European Union are generally charged the same rates to use it in French Saint Martin as in all other parts of the EU. However, in Dutch Sint Maarten, which is not a part of the EU, the costs are higher, as in other parts of the Caribbean.