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ST. MAARTEN
The Facts For Your St. Maarten Vacation
The island of St. Maarten/St. Martin is the smallest space to be shared by two countries. For over three centuries, these Caribbean countries have co-existed so peacefully that a St. Maarten vacation guest can cross borders from one nation to the other without realizing it.
St. Maarten, the Dutch half of this divided island, is home to more than seventy nationalities, and is one of the most well developed islands in the Caribbean. Development came quickly to St. Maarten. Philipsburg, its capital, is a hub for St. Maarten cruise lines and duty-free shopping. But despite the recent economic and developmental boom in the port and city area still boasts 36 St. Maarten beaches with strikingly white sand.
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Getting To Your St. Maarten Vacation
Generally, St. Maarten vacation guests arrive via Princess Juliana Airport, the second busiest airport in the Caribbean. Direct flights are available from the U.S. and Canada. Flights from outside of North America typically connect through San Juan (Puerto Rico). Princess Juliana hosts many international carriers, including but not limited to, Air France, American Airlines, American Eagle, BWIA, Continental Airlines, Corse Air International, Caribbean Star, DCA, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, LIAT, St. Barth's Commuter, U.S. Airways, Windward Express Airways, and Windward Island Airways. This makes travel easy for most St. Maarten vacation guests.
Taxis are available for transport from the airport to your St. Maarten hotels or St. Maarten resort. Fares from Princess Juliana Airport are approximately $6(USD) to Maho Beach, and $12(USD) to Philipsburg. Fares are higher between 10:00 p.m. and Midnight.
Entry Requirements
St. Maarten travel visitors that are U.S. citizens can visit St. Maarten with two forms of government-issued ID, but a valid passport is very strongly preferred for all St. Maarten vacation guests. A valid passport is required for all other St. Maarten travel visitors, including those from the Caribbean. All visitors must also show an ongoing or return ticket.
St. Maarten Weather
The island as a whole experiences about 42.3 inches of rain per year, making it one of the more tropical islands in the Caribbean. St. Maarten vacation guests find the temperatures are pleasant and mild year round, with January temperatures ranging from 73 to 81, and July temperatures ranging from 78 to 86 (all in degrees Fahrenheit). St. Maarten beaches are pleasant year round.
Geography
St. Maarten is the southern half of an island shared by the Dutch and French. The St. Maarten beaches lie on the Caribbean Sea, while the French half hugs the Atlantic Ocean. Both countries share the Simpson Bay Lagoon. St Maarten is the smaller half of the island, with just 13.1 square miles.
Health and Safety
It's best for St. Maarten travel guests to avoid night driving on St. Maarten, and even wiser to avoid deserted, poorly lit back roads at night. Isolated St. Maarten beaches are usually isolated for a reason - don't go out seeking an adventure. St. Maarten vacation guests are advised to use the buddy system. Beyond that, follow basic safety rules of traveling, such as keeping an eye on your possessions in your St. Maarten hotel and on St. Maarten beaches. The water is safe to drink throughout the island, and shouldn't cause any upset stomachs.
People
St. Maarten travel visitors find the people of St. Maarten represent the island's culturally diverse heritage. The influences of Dutch, French, British and African ancestors can be seen in the smiling faces that inhabit St. Maarten, and the languages St. Maarten vacation guests will encounter here are no less varied. Officially, Dutch is the language of St. Maarten, but schoolchildren are required to learn English and a large number also speak Spanish or French.
