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.
On the Saint-Martin side, the capital is Marigot, which lies along the western coastline. The island's culinary capital, however, is in the north at Grand Case. Here you'll find streets lined with restaurants that serve Caribbean fare with French flair.
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.
For those days when you want to do something other than beach activities, visit attractions such as Sint Maarten Zoo or, in French Saint-Martin, the butterfly farm. If you prefer something more active, head for the golf course or tennis court, go horse-riding or hike in the interior. Adventure sports that are perfect for the kids too include paintball and canopy tours.
The tropical climate makes Sint Maarten the perfect year-round destination. High season is from January to April, when it's dry season too and nights are slightly cooler. However, the rainy season is a great time to visit too, since showers are short and you'll still get plenty of sunshine, especially since the days are longer at this time of year.
Many people visit Sint Maarten as part of a Caribbean cruise. If you want to stay longer, though, it's best to fly here. There are regular flights to destinations throughout North America as well as The Netherlands and France to the island's main airport, Princess Juliana International Airport.
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.
On the Saint-Martin side, the capital is Marigot, which lies along the western coastline. The island's culinary capital, however, is in the north at Grand Case. Here you'll find streets lined with restaurants that serve Caribbean fare with French flair.
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.
For those days when you want to do something other than beach activities, visit attractions such as Sint Maarten Zoo or, in French Saint-Martin, the butterfly farm. If you prefer something more active, head for the golf course or tennis court, go horse-riding or hike in the interior. Adventure sports that are perfect for the kids too include paintball and canopy tours.
The tropical climate makes Sint Maarten the perfect year-round destination. High season is from January to April, when it's dry season too and nights are slightly cooler. However, the rainy season is a great time to visit too, since showers are short and you'll still get plenty of sunshine, especially since the days are longer at this time of year.
Many people visit Sint Maarten as part of a Caribbean cruise. If you want to stay longer, though, it's best to fly here. There are regular flights to destinations throughout North America as well as The Netherlands and France to the island's main airport, Princess Juliana International Airport.
