Saint Martin (French: Saint-Martin; Dutch: Sint Maarten) is an island in the northeast Caribbean Sea, approximately 300 km (190 mi) east of Puerto Rico
Is St Martin part of the Bahamas?
Saint Martin is a French territory covering about two-thirds of the island located in the Leeward Island region It is well known for its nude beaches and high-end, trendy shops
What country is St Martin considered?
St Maarten is one of four countries in in the Kingdom of the Netherlands King Willem-Alexander is the head of state of St Maarten The governor represents the monarch in St Maarten
Is St Martin Caribbean safe?
St Maarten is generally considered a safe place to visit, but as with any tourist destination there are some general safety precautions you should take St Martin is one of the safest warm weather climate (outside US) locations to visit
Are St Maarten and St Martin the same?
The dual identity of our island causes confusion about the correct spelling of the name: the Dutch side as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is correctly called “Sint Maarten”, the French side “Saint Martin” But there are all imaginable miss spellings around; even Air France flies to Sint Marteen
Do you need a passport for Saint Martin?
US and Canadian citizens are required to present a valid passport as well as a return ticket or a ticket for onward travel Naturalized citizens must also present their original naturalization certificate with photo identification Tourists are permitted to stay in St Martin for a maximum of three months
What language is spoken in St Martin?
With so many nationalities present, quite a few languages are spoken An English-based creole is the main local vernacular However, the official languages are French for Saint-Martin, with Dutch and English being official for Sint Maarten
Is St Martin part of Anguilla?
To the north across the Anguilla Channel lies the British Overseas Territory of Anguilla, to the south-east of the island lies the French island of Saint Barthélemy, and further south are the Dutch islands of Saba and Saint Eustatius Sint Maarten is 34 km2 (13 sq mi)
Is St Martin a British Virgin island?
Saint Martin – British Virgin Islands/BVI Due to the proximity of the islands to each other, this area is perfect for island hopping and exploring From the Marigot Bay in the French part of the island we sail over the British Anegada and Dog Island into the BVI…
Is St Martin a third world country?
A country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands It is written independently, but it has King Willem-Alexander as head of state and is financially largely dependent on the Netherlands
Is St Martin expensive?
The average price of a 7-day trip to Saint Martin is $1,818 for a solo traveler, $3,265 for a couple, and $6,121 for a family of 4 Saint Martin hotels range from $75 to $370 per night with an average of $147, while most vacation rentals will cost $160 to $1000 per night for the entire home
Is Saint Martin a US territory?
Martin is owned by France, and it is considered part of the French West Indies For citizens of France or any other European Union country, you must simply present a national ID
What is the best time of year to go to St Maarten?
The best time to visit St Martin and St Maarten is May and June or between November and mid-December These select weeks are times when hotels advertise their best rates
Where is St Martin and St Maarten?
Sint Maarten, also spelled Saint Martin, country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Lesser Antilles, northeastern Caribbean Sea It occupies the southern third of the island of Saint Martin The northern two-thirds of the island constitutes the French overseas collectivity of Saint-Martin
What airport do you fly into for St Maarten?
St Maarten Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is the major gateway for the smaller Leeward Islands of the Caribbean It’s named after the Dutch princess Juliana who landed there in 1944 a year after the airport opened
Can I move to St Martin?
St-Martin Visa Requirements Anyone who wants to stay on St-Martin for longer than 90 days must obtain a long-term French visa and residency permit These long-term visas are available to people who: Have at least a year-long employment contract on St-Martin Are there for scientific research
How long can a US citizen stay in St Maarten?
US citizens are allowed to stay in Sint Maarten for a maximum of six months with the possibility to extend
Which side is better in St Maarten?
Beaches: With much more unspoiled shoreline than Sint Maarten, the French side definitely has the advantage for beaches, with popular Orient Bay Beach drawing crowds, and the peaceful Friar’s Bay and appropriately named Happy Bay providing all the white sands and blue waters you’d expect on a Caribbean visit
Who owns the island of Saint Martin?
Saint Martin has a land area of 95 km2 (37 sq mi), 53 km2 (20 sq mi) which is under the sovereignty of the French Republic, and 42 km2 (16 sq mi) under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of the Netherlands This is the only land border shared by the French Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands
What currency does St Martin use?
The official local currency is the Antillean guilder (ANG) and has been fixed to the US Dollar at approximately 180 ANG to 1USD for over 35 years The US Dollar is accepted everywhere on the island
What food is St Maarten known for?
Maarten’s national dishes — conch and dumplings, and callaloo soup Conch and Dumplings This must-have dish is hot and spicy, and delivers a true taste of the Caribbean Callaloo It’s fun to pronounce, but even more delicious to eat Johnny Cakes Codfish Fritters St Locri Whelk Soup Crabmeat-Stuffed Shells (Crab Backs)
Do people speak English in St Martin?
French is the official language of St Martin but you may also hear some of the locals speaking Créole Since so many Americans visit St Martin, English is also widely spoken throughout the island
What is the closest island to St Martin?
Anguilla, St Barths and Saba are the closest neighboring islands to St Martin/St Maarten, close enough for day-trips
What islands can I visit from St Maarten?
St Maarten and Beyond: 6 Nearby Islands to Visit Saba Known as the Unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean, Saba is only 15 miles from St Anguilla St Pinel Island Tintamarre St Cruising Around St Maarten
What island chain is St Martin?
Lesser Antilles