St Martin - Travel Guide
This tiny land mass is the smallest in the world to be shared by two different governing nations. Although the only mark at the boundary is a pleasant notice of ‘Bienvenue Partie Francaise’, the two sides of the island are very distinctive, not only by language but by feel. Phillipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side, buzzes with activity, attracting visitors who crave the excitement of Las Vegas while on a tropical getaway. Here you can lie on stunning beaches or shop to your heart’s content during the day and play as much as you dare late into the night and early hours of the morning.
The French side of St. Martin, is geographically the larger section of the island but moves along at a much slower pace. Most are drawn here to have a taste of ‘France in the tropics’. Indeed, even the capital of Marigot, is more reminiscent of a transplanted French village. The cuisine is said to be a culinary adventure and your hardest choice will be whether to eat in the same place twice.
The eastern side of the island in St. Martin hosts the perfect conditions for windsurfing, however, both sides of the island offer days of play in the water with many excellent snorkeling, and scuba diving sites.