Why St Martin
and St Maarten
are special

You experience two different cultures on a single island. The northern half is French, the southern half, Dutch.

St Martin and St Maarten
differ in 8 ways

Dining & nightlife

St Martin has the better dining, St Maarten has the better nightlife.

Shopping

St Maarten wins this crown by a big margin.

Language

St Martin speaks French, St Maarten speaks Dutch (though English is widely understood on both sides).

Sovereignty

St Martin is a French Territory, St Maarten is part of the Netherlands Antilles.

Size

St Maarten is slightly larger.

Population

St Maarten has far more tourists.

Tourism

St Maarten has far more tourists.

Hospitality

St Maarten wins by an edge.

Beaches

Both sides
have good beaches

Orient is the most popular beach in St Martin while Maho Bay is the most active in St Maarten. The problem with the latter is you are noisily buzzed by low flying jet airlines landing and taking off over you.

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for more tips on
St Martin and St Maarten

 

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Left photo in my montage is copyrighted by the St Maarten Tourist Board and the right photo is copyrighted by the St Martin Tourist Board. Both are used with permission.

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