Dutch St. Maarten – Vacation Rentals
Vacation Rentals on Sint Maarten
More Information about Dutch St. Maarten
St. Maarten is the smaller part of the island, but it is the more vibrant, the more commercially developed part of the island. Amazingly, there are two countries on the island, Sint Maarten, a part of the Dutch Kingdom, and Saint Martin, a French community. Nowhere else, two different countries are co-owning such a small piece of land for now 367 years.
The 34 sq miles island is divided between France 20 sq. miles and the Kingdom of the Netherlands 13 sq miles. The Dutch part counts slightly more inhabitants (approx. 40,000) then the French part. The division dates to 1648. The southern Dutch part comprises Sint Maarten and is one of four constituent countries that form the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Sometimes SXM, the IATA identifier for Princess Juliana International Airport (the island’s main airport), is used to refer to the island.
Dutch St. Maarten has a good share of the island’s 37 beaches. Some are long stretches of white powdery sand, lined with beach bars & restaurants, others are small with coral sand, enclosed in tiny intimate bays.
The Dutch part possesses large hotels and timeshare complexes. Philipsburg is the commercial center with duty free shopping opportunities. Plenty of jewelry stores, electronics, and perfume shops offer a large range of tax and duty free items. The tourist facilities are mainly between Simpson Bay and Cupecoy beach. The casinos are in the same areas with some additional casinos at the lagoon near the French border and in Philipsburg.
The bigger choice of nightlife and casinos on Dutch St. Maarten attracts entertainment seeking visitors. The Dutch side has also a significant number of adult entertainment places with “exotic” dancers.
The island of St. Maarten and St. Martin is an almost perfect place under the sun to get away from all. Relax at some of the finest beaches in the Caribbean. Eat in the best restaurants of the “Gourmet Capital” of the Caribbean. Enjoy the very international atmosphere.