As the city cousin of this Caribbean duo, St. Maarten / St. Martin offers fabulous shopping and dining, hot clubs and casinos, plenty of up-scale accommodations, and a fast-paced, go-go atmosphere. However, this whirlwind of entertainment also offers a unique cultural contrast. The Dutch occupy the 37 square miles of the island known as St. Maarten. The French rule St. Martin, consisting of 52 square miles. With a seemingly non-existent border, visitors can easily traverse between these two very distinct Euro-Caribbean hot spots.
St. Maarten
The Dutch side of the island, housing the airport and seaport, is also the home to Phillipsburg, its capital. Here you'll find a plethora of jewelry stores as well as art galleries, souvenir shops, and a quaint museum. St. Maarten is also home to most of the island's Vegas-style nightlife. With plenty of opportunities for dining, shopping, clubbing, and gambling, English-speaking St. Maarten will keep you go-go-going all night long.
St. Martin
The definitively French side of the island offers a more sophisticated, slower pace as well as some of the best dining in the Caribbean. Its capital, Marigot, is a slice of Paris with cafes and shops, an open-air market, and a unique mix of Caribbean and European souvenirs and art. But remember, while love is in the air, French is on the tongue, and it's spoken exclusively in many establishments and small hotels.
Shopping
Shopping on St. Maarten/St. Martin is as expected as skiing in Colorado, and with the unique blend of Caribbean and European arts, culture, and imported goods, it's a shopaholic's Eden.
St. Maarten
Phillipsburg offers the best opportunities with most shops located near Front Street. In addition to jewelry, imported goods are a frequent find and usually quite a steal with the Dutch offering a sales-tax-free port. Some of the more popular and unique shops include:
Shipwreck Shop Front Street - T599/5-22962 -Specializes in Caribbean crafts
Guavaberry Company Front Street - T599/5-22965 -Offers rare island liqueur
Little Switzerland Front Street - T599/5-25530 -Imported jewelry and accessories
Old Street Shopping Center Back Street and Front Street - T599/5-24712 -25 stores and restaurants
St. Martin
Although some of the same stores and shopping choices exist on both sides of the island, sophisticated, French luxury items distinguish the French from the Dutch. Try one of the following Parisian-style shops.
Gingerbread Gallery Marina Royale - T 590-87-73-21
