The Dutch Side

St. Maarten, the Dutch side of the island (34 km2- 13 sq. miles), is known for its tourist attractions including duty free shopping, dining, and many other activities that make the island unique in the Caribbean. The official language is Dutch but English is spoken everywhere. The official currency is the Netherlands Antilles guilder (ANG) but $US are accepted everywhere. The capital Philipsburg is bursting with duty-free jewelry and electronic stores offering unbeatable prices and numerous bars and restaurants along its famous “boardwalk”. The town is also home to a cruise ship terminal that welcomes some of the largest cruise vessels in the world especially during the winter months. The vibrant nightlife of St. Maarten is centered in the Maho and Simpson Bay areas with many casinos, nightclubs, bars and restaurants. This area of the Dutch side – Maho, is also the site of the Princess Juliana International Airport, one of the largest and most contemporary in the Caribbean, handling flights from all over the US and the major cities of Europe and South and Central America.

What makes the island so unique is that St. Maarten/St. Martin with a total area of just under 34 sq. miles, is the smallest land mass in the world shared by two different nations. This delightful and cosmopolitan little island, attracts a diversity of cultures and nationalities and has something to offer everyone that decides to visit this tiny paradise!