ST. MAARTEN

TRAVEL TIPS

VISÃO GERAL ATRAÇÕESTRANSPORTE COMPRAS ONDE FICAR ONDE COMEROVERVIEW ATTRACTIONSTRANSPORTATION SHOPPINGWHERE TO STAY WHERE TO EAT

OVERVIEW

Who has not dreamed of going to the Caribbean, walk around beautiful beaches with turquoise sea of indescribable beauty, enjoy a rich cuisine and still be able to buy the hottest brands? The island of St. Maarten offers it all and much more!

This is the smallest inhabited island on earth and is divided by two nations. Half the island is St. Maarten, the Dutch and the other is Saint Martin, French side. The languages spoken in the two halves are: Dutch, English, French and Papiamento. This mix of languages and cultures makes the trip a real adventure.

There are 37 beaches and 450 restaurants, it’s no wonder that the island is called the “Gastronomic Capital of the Caribbean” due to the possibility of eating any kind of food and have the possibility to do not repeat one restaurant every day of the year.

St. Maarten is a magical island that pleases everybody. For those who like the nightlife there are nightclubs and casinos by the sea. During the day, you can go hiking, diving with the children or for a romantic walk. The diversity of the island makes this travel destination suitable for couples on honeymoon or family vacation. In St. Maarten anything is possible!

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TRANSPORT

- Taxi: the most important taxi stops are at the Juliana and Marigot airport, next to the Tourist Office. All have meters and the price is set prior to departure, depending on the route and the number of passengers.

- Bus: From 6 am until midnight there buses circulating on the island.

- Route Nationale 7: It is 43 km long and connects all points of the island, just start driving and get to know St. Maarten.

- Cars: The island has many international rent a car agencies and local operators. It’s worth renting a car for getting around the island.

CLIMATESt. Maarten has a dry climate, typical of the Caribbean, due to the constant presence of trade winds, which are winds that occur throughout the year in tropical regions. Temperatures remain mild throughout the year, ranging between 27 and 29 ° C, which pleases those who want to rest and have a nice vacation.

BEST TIME TO VISITSt. Maarten has a dry climate, typical of the Caribbean, due to the constant presence of trade winds, which are winds that occur throughout the year in tropical regions. Temperatures remain mild throughout the year, ranging between 27 and 29 ° C, which pleases those who want to rest and have a nice vacation.

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ATTRACTIONS

St Maarten is a box full of surprises when it comes to have fun. There is always an attraction for everybody, at any age. The opportunities are so numerous that it is difficult to choose: boat trips, diving in crystal clear waters, go to a different beach every day and visit the seaside casinos are some of the options on the island.

- Parties by the sea, small nightclubs full of people like in big cities do not exist in St. Maarten anymore. In Maho is one of the most famous nightclubs on the island, with track and outdoor screen, right next to a paradise beach.

- Dior SPA: St. Maarten is the only place in the Caribbean that has a Dior SPA. The renowned French brand offers beachfront sophistication with the latest treatments. Among the options available are hydrotherapy, massages, relaxing and rejuvenatingt reatments, and Dior Beauty services.

- Casinos: Also in Maho, another option to have some fun is the casino, inspired on the asian culture, at the Zen Oriental casino there are a lot of Buddhas and red decorations. If you’re lucky, it’s worth betting, even if it is just for fun.

- Saint Maarten Park: This is the zoo on the island; it tries to replicate the natural animal habitats. It is located in Philipsburg and is opened from 9am to 5pm (in the summer, from 9:30am to 6pm).

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BEACHESSt. Maarten, and all the Caribbean, are famous for its beautiful beaches. Different from many Caribbean islands, the beauty of St. Maarten is not only in three or four main beaches, the island has 37 beaches, and all of them are wonderful.

- Great Bay, near Philipsburg, is one of the most extensive, and competition between the people who rent chair makes the prices very reasonable.

- Little Bay, near Philipsburg, the water is more crystalline than in Great Bay, and ships do not get close to this beach.

- Maho Beach, near the airport, this beach is the Statue of Liberty, Coliseo and the Eiffel Tower in Saint Maarten. It is impossible to go to the island and do not visit the beach of the airplanes. The beach is wonderful.

- Mullet Bay, near the airport, is one of the most beautiful beaches in St. Maarten, with its crystalline water and sunlight, it is fantastic.

- Cupecoy: it is the last beach before the border with the French side, and it is getting destroyed by erosion, but it is one of the most impressive of the whole island.

WHERE TO STAY

- Philipsburg, this region of the island hotels are modest, but quite pleasant, with the advantage of being on the beachfront. Most apartments come equipped with a kitchen.

- Maho: Near the airport you can find hotels that have the appearance of 60 years. The location is great: the beach on one side and on the other, the best night of Maho, with casinos, restaurants and bars.

- Cupecoy: In this part of the island are the apart-hotels, where you can have more “freedom” in relation to other hotels. The apart-hotels still rely on a micro-store support center for guests’ convenience.

- Baie Longue, is home to the most luxurious hotel on the island, offering the largest facilities on the beachfront.

- Dawn Beach, the first Dutch side of the beach turned into a small hotel zone, where you can find hostels and hotels.

- Orient Beach: the non-nudist beach is a medium sized, full of charm, where prices are slightly higher due to the privileged view.

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The nudist part is the most traditional hotels in the world, the place is simply charming, with simple huts and kitchens equipped. There are also shops and restaurants in the complex.

DINING OUT

Saint Maarten is the “Gastronomic Capital of the Caribbean”, so the island has many options when it comes to food. Among all the Caribbean islands, this is one is the best option for those who want to eat and drink well. From beer to more sophisticated restaurants, the prices are not high.

- Grand-Case: The village is almost just a single street, where are the most traditional restaurants on the island.

- Orient Bay: besides being one of the busiest beaches, it also offers great restaurants by the sea, where prices range from 17 to 40 dollars.

- Simpson Bay: there are restaurants of all sizes, some in front of Simpson lagoon. All nicely and seaside, where you can enjoy a simple meal.

SHOPPING

The best place to shop is in St. Maarten, the island is tax free! The world’s top brands like Chanel, Dior and La Perla, are marketed on the island. And among jewelry with really competitive prices, electronics, beverages, perfumes and other products desired, you can lose yourself in possibilities.

STREET MARKETSThe main shopping area is at the center of Philipsburg. The famous Front Street, in Dutch called Voorstraat, has dozens of quaint shops and elegant, pleasing all tastes.

Other shops are in Steegijes, which are small alleys that connect Front Street with Back Street, or the boardwalk (boardwalk by the sea), bars and restaurants.

CURRENCYDespite the official currency of St. Maarten and Antillean Florin Euro to the Dollar is accepted on the island.

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919919

EMERGENCIES

FIREMEN

COUNTRY CODE

011-599

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

546-7777

POLICE

542-2222

TOURIST INFORMATION

546-7713

IMPORTANT NUMBERS