Saint Martin
is an island of two worlds

This is a tale of two countries sharing an island and depending on where you are you can say hello, hallo or bonjour. This is Saint Martin (French side), or Sint Maarten (Dutch side) or St. Martin.

Are you confused yet? 

This beautiful island in the Caribbean is shared by both France, with Saint Martin to the north and the Dutch, with Saint Maarten to the south.

With French being spoken in the north and Dutch in the south there is no need for worry as pretty much everyone speaks English.

With open borders visiting two different cultures is easy and a must. Depending on what you want to do and what kind of place you would like to stay at will make the difference and in a nutshell, this is what you will find.

If you are looking for nightlife, lots of people and a good time then the Dutch side is for you. The Dutch side has the most resorts and the bulk of the hotels for nightlife and parties. Enjoy beautiful beaches, and great food and just have fun. This is definitely the busier side of the island with more traffic and people, but also things to do.

On the other hand, if you are looking to relax, then the French side may be more your cup of tea. Less developed than the Dutch side with only a few resorts, the French side is much quieter and less busy. Enjoy intimate dinners with world-class French cuisine and pristine beaches.

You should make a point to go to Grand Case, with the highest concentration of world-class dining on the island this small town is a must-visit. Some say it feels like Paris in paradise. I should probably mention if you enjoy going topless or want to bare it all the French side has the beaches for you.

Either way, you can’t go wrong. Surrounded by aquamarine waters, beautiful beaches and world-class sunsets the entire island is worth a visit.

Don’t forget to bring extra suitcases for the trip back home. Shopping is second to none in Saint Martin and you will want to take advantage of it. With duty-free shopping on the whole island, you will want to check out Marigot, Saint Martin, and Philipsburg, Sint Maarten. You will find old, beautiful houses converted into locally-owned shops with affordable crafted leather goods, jewellery, and heavily discounted designer goods.

For a livelier experience, check out the beach and other open-air markets where you can haggle for brightly coloured souvenirs and trinkets.

Now, with a lot of upscale dining on the island, don’t forget to visit a lolos. A lolos is a cultural institution in Saint Martin and is an open-air barbeque stand mostly found on the beaches. Enjoy freshly grilled meats, seafood, chicken stew, plantains, rice and beans. Straightforward and delicious — you will go back.

And it goes without saying that while you’re there, make sure you experience the incredible snorkelling, take an ATV tour, or maybe a tour on a catamaran to view this amazing island.

So whether you want to party or relax, enjoy upscale cuisine or just a barbecue, or check out some designer goods or handmade trinkets, Saint Martin may be for you as one island offers two worlds.