When winter sets in, it's time to follow the example of all those migratory birds and head south to warmer climes. The perfect place to escape the cold is the Caribbean with its idyllic islands destinations. One of these is the Dutch constituent country of St Maarten, where you can enjoy the perfect Caribbean break.
Sint Maarten, as the country is more officially called, makes up the southern part of the island of Saint Martin. It's located due east from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and just to the south of Anguilla. The northern part of the island belongs to the French and is known as Saint-Martin and it's incredibly easy to hop between the two sides.
The largest town on the entire island is Philipsburg, which is also the capital of Sint Maarten. Philipsburg lies in the south, along the shores of Great Bay. Backing it is a large body of water known as the Great Salt Pond. Attractions in Philipsburg include Fort Willem and museums but the town is also one of the best shopping destinations in the Caribbean. Moreover, it's a bustling port for cruise ships.
The capital of the French side, which is called Saint-Martin, is the town of Marigot. It lies in the west. For the best food on the island, however, head north to Grand Case, which is renowned for its excellent restaurants.
The main reason to visit any Caribbean destination is for the chance to laze on the beach and Saint Martin Island is no exception. The beaches won't disappoint either, with their warm waters and white sands. You can take part in a variety of water sports, from surfing to scuba diving, or simply shoot the breeze. One beach not to miss is Maho Beach, less than half an hour's drive to the west of Philipsburg. Here, landing aircraft fly over so low that you can almost touch them and this makes for a very unusual photo opportunity.
While many of the activities on offer on Saint Martin Island are centered in or on the water, you'll find plenty to do on those days when you want to stay dry as well. Go for a hike or a ride on horseback, try a canopy tour, play golf or tennis or, for something different, wage a paintball war. On the French side there is a popular butterfly farm while on the northern shores of the Great Salt Pond you'll find Sint Maarten Zoo.
The northern winter means that in Sint Maarten, nights are a little cooler. However, this is the perfect time to visit since it's dry season and days are sunny and warm. Low season, which generally lasts from around May to December, is a good time too because even though this is the rainy season, the rain comes mainly in the form of quick, refreshing showers that are over in minutes.
One way to get to Sint Maarten is by cruise ship, which will dock at Philipsburg. Even better is to fly into Princess Juliana International Airport, the main airport serving the entire island, with flight connections to the entire Caribbean, Panama, the USA and Canada as well as Amsterdam and Paris. Besides, you then get to see the airplane-watchers at Maho Beach from a different angle.
Sint Maarten, as the country is more officially called, makes up the southern part of the island of Saint Martin. It's located due east from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and just to the south of Anguilla. The northern part of the island belongs to the French and is known as Saint-Martin and it's incredibly easy to hop between the two sides.
The largest town on the entire island is Philipsburg, which is also the capital of Sint Maarten. Philipsburg lies in the south, along the shores of Great Bay. Backing it is a large body of water known as the Great Salt Pond. Attractions in Philipsburg include Fort Willem and museums but the town is also one of the best shopping destinations in the Caribbean. Moreover, it's a bustling port for cruise ships.
The capital of the French side, which is called Saint-Martin, is the town of Marigot. It lies in the west. For the best food on the island, however, head north to Grand Case, which is renowned for its excellent restaurants.
The main reason to visit any Caribbean destination is for the chance to laze on the beach and Saint Martin Island is no exception. The beaches won't disappoint either, with their warm waters and white sands. You can take part in a variety of water sports, from surfing to scuba diving, or simply shoot the breeze. One beach not to miss is Maho Beach, less than half an hour's drive to the west of Philipsburg. Here, landing aircraft fly over so low that you can almost touch them and this makes for a very unusual photo opportunity.
While many of the activities on offer on Saint Martin Island are centered in or on the water, you'll find plenty to do on those days when you want to stay dry as well. Go for a hike or a ride on horseback, try a canopy tour, play golf or tennis or, for something different, wage a paintball war. On the French side there is a popular butterfly farm while on the northern shores of the Great Salt Pond you'll find Sint Maarten Zoo.
The northern winter means that in Sint Maarten, nights are a little cooler. However, this is the perfect time to visit since it's dry season and days are sunny and warm. Low season, which generally lasts from around May to December, is a good time too because even though this is the rainy season, the rain comes mainly in the form of quick, refreshing showers that are over in minutes.
One way to get to Sint Maarten is by cruise ship, which will dock at Philipsburg. Even better is to fly into Princess Juliana International Airport, the main airport serving the entire island, with flight connections to the entire Caribbean, Panama, the USA and Canada as well as Amsterdam and Paris. Besides, you then get to see the airplane-watchers at Maho Beach from a different angle.
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Before you take a trip to the amazing St Maarten island, you should first read the guide that's published on our website. Come and check out this page now at http://www.st-maarten-island-guide.com.
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