12 interesting facts to know before visiting Saint Martin
Saint Martin is a picturesque island in the Caribbean I’m looking forward to visiting for the first time next week! Before embarking on any adventure, I like to research and learn more about the location I’m visiting. Knowing about the local food, culture, attractions, and even weather can help make planning so much easier.
In my research, I have found some surprising and interesting facts everyone should know about Saint Martin before planning their trip. Keep reading to find out what they are.
This post is all about 7 surprising facts you should know before heading to the beautiful island of St. Martin!
1. It’s a two-for-one deal!
Confused seeing the name Saint Martin spelled “Sint Maarten” and “Saint Marten”? Don’t be! Both are correct. I was also very confused at first. The different spellings are actually the names of the two countries that share the same island. That’s right – this 34-square-mile island is actually shared by two different countries.
Saint Marten is the smallest land mass in the world that is split into more than one country. Saint Marten refers to the French side of the island which is actually a part of France. Sint Maarten refers to the Dutch side of the island which is an autonomous part of the Netherlands. Don’t worry though, the border between the two is open and you can roam between both sides freely.
You can learn even more about the history of the island here.
2. St. Maarten is home to the world’s steepest zipline.
This one is for the adrenaline junkies and thrill-seekers alike. Saint Martin is home to the steepest zipline in the world called the Flying Dutchman. Starting at an elevation of over 2,800 feet and a heart-pounding 1,050-foot drop – this is an experience you won’t want to miss.
3. You can watch planes take & land up close from Maho Beach.
The pictures from this locale may look photoshopped but I can assure you it’s not. Maho beach is world famous for being right next to Princess Juliana International (SXM) airport. Here you can easily watch jets and 747s take off and land only a few hundred feet above your head.
There are plenty of bars and restaurants around as well so you can kick back, relax, and enjoy the view!
4. Foodies will love it here.
Saint Martin is one of the hottest culinary destinations in the Caribbean and is often called the “Culinary Capitol of the Caribbean”. Boasting the most restaurants per square mile (including several Michelin star-rated ones!), this island is a foodie’s dream.
What makes Saint Martin’s food scene so distinctive is its unique blend of cultures. Their food is influenced by West African, Creole, Latin American, Indian, British, French, and Dutch cultures (and probably even more!)
5. Most beaches per square mile in the world.
Saint Martin is every beach lover’s dream. The island may only be a compact 34 square miles – but it’s packed with 37 beaches. Not only are the beaches beautiful, but several of them are also world famous and award-winning.
6. Two carnivals, twice the fun.
Saint Martin is the only island in the Caribbean that has two carnivals. They get to have twice the fun every year with the French St. Martin Carnival taking place in February and Dutch St. Maarten carnival taking place in April.
7. Diversity is everywhere.
Both Saint Martin and Sint Maarten are extremely diverse and boast the most nationalities per capita in the Caribbean. French, Dutch, Caribbean, African, Asian, American, European, and even more nationalities all collide here!
8. There’s hella salt.
St. Maarten is rich in salt ponds and salt deposits. This salt used to be regularly processed in salt mills for transatlantic trading and served as the island’s main source of income for over 400 years. You can still find ruins of some to this day!
9. The capital is on the beach.
The Sint Maarten capital city of Philipsburg is located right by the coast on the beach! Great Bay Beach is a scenic two-mile stretch of white sand in the heart of Philipsburg.
10. Get ready to strip down on the French side!
The French side of the island is known for its nude beaches. Officially, Orient Bay is the only clothing-optional beach. However, all beaches in Saint Martin (especially more secluded ones) have a relaxed attitude towards this and you’ll probably run into some topless sunbathers or nudists enjoying the beach au naturel.
11. Get ready to party on the Dutch side!
The Dutch side of the island is known for its lively nightlife and casinos. There are so many bars, nightclubs, and discos to choose from to enjoy the festive atmosphere. Not in the mood to party? Try your luck at the Casino Royale or many other casinos in the area.
12. There are a few official currencies.
Trying to figure out what kind of money to bring with you to the island? You’re not the only one. The official currency of the French St. Martin is the euro while the official currency of the Dutch St. Maarten is the Netherlands Antillean guilder. Despite both sides having different currencies, US dollars are commonly used on either side of the island.
These are my 12 interesting facts to know about Saint Martin before visiting. Hopefully, these facts piqued your interest in this beautiful island!
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