St. Martin & Sint Maarten
St. Martin and Sint Maarten, the world's smallest shared island, combines French elegance and Dutch charm with vibrant multicultural vibes, stunning beaches, and Caribbean culinary mastery.
Overview
Discover Saint-Martin & Sint Maarten, the world's smallest divided island where French elegance meets Dutch charm in a tropical paradise bursting with over 120 nationalities and rich cultural heritage. With breathtaking white sand beaches like Orient Bay and Great Bay Beach, iconic experiences such as plane spotting at Maho Beach, hiking in lush Loterie Farm, and exploring the historical Fort Louis, this destination captivates all kinds of travelers. The island invites you to savor culinary delights, bask in the sun, and immerse yourself in a vibrant culture where tradition and modernity blend seamlessly. Experience a haven of diversity, natural beauty, and unforgettable memories waiting to be created.
Official language
Fransk og Hollandsk
Government
Fransk oversøisk kollektivitet (nord) og autonomt land i Kongeriget Nederlandene (syd)
Best time to visit
December to April
Nature
Saint-Martin & Sint Maarten is a true paradise for nature lovers, boasting stunning coastlines adorned with some of the Caribbean's most spectacular beaches. Picture the vibrant Orient Bay with its turquoise waters and soft sands, or the more tranquil Great Bay Beach, ideal for relaxation and swimming. Maho Beach has gained worldwide fame for its unique location right next to the runway, offering unforgettable views as planes soar low over sunbathers. Venture inland to discover lush hills and tropical vegetation, especially at Loterie Farm, which highlights eco-adventures with hiking trails, ziplining, and hidden natural pools. The surrounding waters invite visitors for excellent snorkeling and diving, teeming with colorful coral reefs and rich marine life. The region enjoys a tropical climate year-round, with particularly pleasant conditions from December to April, when refreshing trade winds sweep through, making it the pinnacle time for outdoor explorations and beach gatherings.
Travel to St. Martin & Sint Maarten
Traveling to Saint-Martin & Sint Maarten feels like getting two vacations in one. You can fly directly into Princess Juliana International Airport on the Dutch side, renowned for its spectacular approach over Maho Beach, or arrive at L'Espérance Airport on the French side. The compact size of the island makes it easily navigable by car, scooter, or even bicycle, with a border that remains open and unobtrusive. The prime travel period stretches from December to April when the weather is sunny and dry, ideal for a blend of world-class beach relaxation, duty-free shopping, and exquisite dining experiences. With two currencies in play, yet broad acceptance of both the euro and the Antillean guilder, managing your budget is seamless. This island's fusion of culture, nature, and history offers an unforgettable escape perfect for romantic getaways, family vacations, or adventurous journeys.
Culture
The culture of Saint-Martin & Sint Maarten is a vibrant tapestry woven from French sophistication, Dutch hospitality, and a strong African heritage. With over 120 nationalities and more than 80 languages spoken, the island is a living testament to global diversity. On the French side, visitors can savor the European influence in the charming cafes, bakeries, and bustling markets of Marigot. Meanwhile, Philipsburg offers colorful streets filled with shopping and lively beach bars. Music resonates from Caribbean rhythms like zouk and reggae to European-inspired melodies, with festivals celebrating everything from carnival to local harvest traditions. The culinary scene is a delightful journey, featuring local specialties like Johnny Cakes, Conch and Dumplings, Saltfish Fritters, and the unique Guavaberry Rum. Across the markets, handcrafted art, vibrant paintings, and unique jewelry capture the creative spirit of this cultural melting pot, inviting visitors to feel at home in this welcoming atmosphere.
History
Saint-Martin & Sint Maarten boasts a rich and singular history as the world's smallest island divided between two nations. Established in 1648 through the Treaty of Concordia, the island enjoys a peaceful coexistence between France and the Netherlands that has endured for centuries. Long before European colonization, the island was inhabited by the Arawak and later the Carib peoples. The colonial era introduced sugar plantations and the slave trade, leaving an indelible mark on the island's culture and demographics. Historic sites such as Fort Louis on the French side and Fort Amsterdam on the Dutch side testify to the island's strategic importance in the Caribbean. Today, Saint-Martin is a French overseas collectivity, while Sint Maarten operates as an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, showcasing a unique political and cultural division that continues to shape the island's identity.
Top attractions
Mullet Bay Beach
En af de mest populære og rolige strande på øen, kendt for sit fine sand og klare vand.
Happy Bay
En skjult perle med afslappet atmosfære, perfekt for besøgende der søger ro.
Maho Beach
Verdenskendt strand hvor fly passerer få meter over hovedet på strandgæsterne.
Fort Louis
Historisk fransk fort med udsigt over Marigot-bugten og nærliggende øer.
Loterie Farm
Privat naturreservat med frodig regnskov og afslappende områder.
Pic Paradis
Øens højeste punkt med spektakulær udsigt over både den franske og hollandske side.
Marché de Marigot
Farverigt lokalt marked med friske råvarer, krydderier og suvenirer.
Simpson Bay
Populært område med strand, marina og et bredt udvalg af restauranter.
Cupecoy Beaches
En samling af små strande omgivet af dramatiske klipper, populær ved solnedgang.
Friar’s Bay
Venlig og afslappet strand med restauranter og lavt vand.
Orient Bay
En livlig og lang strand med restauranter, barer og vandsportsaktiviteter.
Little Bay Beach
Fredelig strand i en lille bugt med godt snorkelvand og familievenlig stemning.
Famous cuisine
Culinary overview
Saint-Martin & Sint Maarten er kendt som Caribiens gastronomiske hovedstad, hvor fransk finesse møder hollandsk gæstfrihed og krydres med smage fra Afrika, Asien og Latinamerika. Øens madscene spænder fra strandbarer med friskfanget fisk til gourmetrestauranter med Michelin-niveau. Lokale markeder bugner af tropiske frugter, krydderier og friskfanget skaldyr, mens rom-baserede cocktails og den ikoniske Guavaberry-likør er en fast del af oplevelsen. Her kan man nyde alt fra enkle, autentiske streetfood-retter til luksuriøse smagsmenuer med udsigt over det turkisblå hav.
Must-try dishes
Johnny Cakes
Små, bløde og let søde brød lavet af mel, bagepulver og sukker, ofte stegt eller bagt. Serveres som morgenmad eller snack, ofte med smør, ost eller saltfisk.
Conch and Dumplings
En traditionel ret med møre bidder af konkylie (conch) kogt i en krydret bouillon med melboller. Retten er fyldig og smagfuld, med tydelig caribisk krydderprofil.
Guavaberry Rum
En lokal specialitet lavet af guavabær, rom og sukker. Drikken har en sød, frugtagtig smag med let krydret undertone og serveres ofte som likør eller i cocktails.
Saltfish Fritters
Sprøde fritter lavet af saltet torsk blandet med dej, krydderurter og krydderier. Perfekt som snack eller forret, ofte serveret med krydret dip.
Callaloo Soup
En cremet, grøn suppe lavet af callaloo-blade (en lokal spinatlignende plante), okra, kokosmælk og krydderier. En sund og smagfuld ret med dybe rødder i øens afrikanske arv.
Restaurant information
Tipping
På den franske side er service normalt inkluderet i prisen, men det er almindeligt at runde op som en gestus. På den hollandske side forventes drikkepenge på ca. 10-15% af regningen, hvis service ikke er inkluderet.
Travel information
Currency
Euro (€) (French side), Antillean Guilder (ƒ) (Dutch side)
Language
Best time to visit
December to April
Major cities
Marigot (French side), Philipsburg (Dutch side) and other major cities
Fremhævede destinationer
Ekstraordinære steder nøje udvalgt af vores rejseeksperter, som tilbyder unikke oplevelser og betagende landskaber.