You can indulge in the best of two cultures on one unique island in the Caribbean. Dutch St Maarten is easy-going and bit brash while French St Martin has a sophisticated flair. Regardless where you stay, getting from one side to the other is a simple matter of crossing the street.
The best beaches are on the French side, with Orient Bay being one of the most popular. Grand-Case has a host of superb restaurants and the streets of Marigot are lined with chic boutiques and cafes. But most visitors prefer staying on the Dutch side to be close to the duty-free shopping area and the nightlife. In particular, Simpson Bay throbs with the lively clubs and the ka-ching of casinos.
All-inclusive resorts are the exception rather than the rule here. So take advantage of the excellent selection of restaurants and budget to eat out every night. Nonetheless, package vacations that include the flight along with the hotel and airport transfers are still the best vacation deal.
| Currency | Sell Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Updated daily at 8AM EST | ||
 GBP | 1.6729 | |
 MXN | 0.07847 | |
 USD | 1.04028 | |
