St. Maarten is a small island in the Caribbean archipelago, which is washed by the turbulent Atlantic Ocean to the east and the calm Caribbean Sea to the west. St. Maarten is the smallest inhabited island in the world, and it is governed by two independent states – Holland and France. Thus, its southern part belongs to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and is called Sint Maarten. But the northern territories and a number of adjacent islands is a French overseas community and part of the European Union. And this peaceful coexistence of European powers lasts for 350 years. Perhaps it was influenced by the friendliness of both peoples and carefree atmosphere, as evidenced by the symbiosis of cuisine, architecture and philosophy of the islanders. Island life is filled with harmony and the boundaries between the two neighboring countries are more of a convention. The French influence on St. Maarten is mostly cultural heritage, and the Dutch side is actively involved in the popularization of the island, so there are many resorts and gambling is allowed on its territory.
Both capitals (Marigot and Philipsburg) are home to a variety of fine restaurants, fashionable stores and entertainment venues, so you won’t be bored. In addition, the island offers a large number of beautiful white sandy beaches, perfect for relaxation and active entertainment.
Climate and weather
Tropical climate prevails on the territory of the island, so the weather is dry and very warm all year round. In summer season daytime air temperatures fluctuate within +27…+32 °С, and in winter almost never fall below +24…+25 °С. The average annual amount of precipitation on the island is about 1000-1150 mm. The rainiest months are September and November, and the driest months are February, March and April.
The most favorable time for a trip to St. Maarten is the interval of the year from mid-December to April.
Accommodation
The choice of hotels in St. Maarten is huge, but during the high season (December to April) rooms should be booked in advance, as otherwise you may have problems finding accommodation. Also in high season you should not be surprised by rather high prices, as this place is the most popular international resort.
Almost all hotels in St. Maarten can boast impeccable quality of service and excellent living conditions. And the most luxurious establishments are located not in the cities, but outside them on the coast. Such hotels are large complexes with swimming pools, restaurants, spas, etc.
If you wish, you can rent an apartment in one of the capitals (from $1,200 per week) or a villa on the coast (from $3,500 per week).