More St Martin
and  St Maarten
tips & insights

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Geography

The island is the smallest landmass shared by two countries.

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Border crossings

There are no manned or gated borders. Simply drive through.

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Island's name

The entire island is properly called St Martin when you are on the French and Sint Maarten when you set your foot on the Dutch side. Either way, both names are more-or-less pronounced the same (saynt mahr'-tihn).

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Name origin

The name was bestowed by Christopher Columbus when he discovered the island in 1493 on Saint Martin's day.

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Currency

The official currencies are the Euro in St Martin and the Antillian Florin in St Maarten. The US Dollar is widely accepted.

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Cruise ships

Only small cruise ships are small enough to visit St Martin's main port, Marigot. Large cruise ships must go to the mammoth wharf at Philipsburg, St Maarten.

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Click for more tips:

St Martin & Maarten  - PAGE ONE

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Best time to go
Best islands for sports
Best islands for resorts
Best islands for family resorts
Best islands in 8 other categories
How to pronounce island names
Caribbean Island locator maps
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Best Caribbean cruises
Famous Caribbean food

World's Top 100 Wonders

World's Top 1000 Wonders

Site map

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Saint Martin Tourism

Saint Maarten Tourism

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Photo credit: The 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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