The same guy with the bear's head. Visa procedure
When the temperature reaches +26C, winter begins on the island of Curaçao. The palm trees are a little less green and the ice in your cocktails is a little colder. You can enjoy a comfortable climate both on one of the well-equipped beaches and inside the island.
Along the southern coast there are cozy bays and enchanting bays; on the eastern coast you can find convenient harbors where the largest ports of the island are located. It's definitely worth taking a walk inland because it's home to the Sint-Christoffel National Park, the largest protected area in Curaçao. Rare white-tailed deer, iguanas live here, and sea turtles lay eggs in some bays.
Traditionally, national stamps in the Antilles are built around the highest point of the island. In this case, it is Mount Sint-Christoffel. It rises 375 meters above sea level. Nearby is the Shete-Boka Nature Reserve, which occupies the area around the coral reefs on the northern shore.
Antilles
The amazingly clear sea and exotic nature of the Antilles simply cannot fail to attract the attention of the traveler hungry for impressions. A novice tourist will be attracted here by the hot sun and humid tropical climate, which naive Europeans always associate with paradise - apparently, by analogy with the advertising “heavenly pleasure”, which can only be sunny and certainly sea.
Experienced travelers know that the heat of the tropics is not always good, but they come here for the unique “history” of the Antilles. The Caribbean Sea bordering them gives the islands the mystical flair of the “cradle of piracy.” Its waters once hid many terrible secrets, and who knows if they are still hiding them?
It is no coincidence that these very places were chosen by the Walt Disney Pictures film company for the filming of one of the most famous films about the sea “gentlemen of fortune” - “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Not much attention was paid to the islands themselves in the film, but the magnificent seascapes sometimes distracted the viewer’s attention from the main action, causing the hearts of not only tremulous young ladies, but also brutal men to skip a beat.
The mysterious homeland of filibusters will attract travelers as long as a person has faith in the romance of dizzying adventures, and a little in miracles. After all, who knows, maybe one day you will see a brig sailing over the horizon with the Jolly Roger flying?..
What sights of Sint Maarten did you like? Next to the photo there are icons, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.
Golden Rock
On this small island of 21 square meters, only one settlement has been built, which is its main administrative center.
The topography of the island of Sint Eustatius is absolutely typical of the islands of this region - at its base lies an extinct volcano, whose peaks have become the main landmarks of the island - the double-headed mountain Mount Masing is located in the southeast, and the Signal Hill massif is in the north.
None of the European maritime powers could establish a permanent settlement here until 1636. This year, the Dutch defeated the French and founded the first fortified village on the site of the foundation of the French fort. About half a century later he received his “golden” nickname. The only reminders of the time when many traders visited the port are sunken ships, the number of which exceeds 200.
Currently, it is impossible to get to them without special equipment, since they are hidden under coral reefs.
The border between the French and Dutch halves of the island of Sint Maarten runs through the center of the Simpson Bay lagoon.
There are two small islands in the lagoon itself. The larger one is located closer to the north, within the French region of Saint-Martin, and the smaller one is located in the south, in the Dutch region of Sint Maarten.
The lagoon is connected to the Caribbean Sea by a small canal in the north of the island. And not far from the southern shore of the lagoon you can see the runway of Sint Maarten Airport.
Mount Flagstaff Volcano
On one piece of land in the Caribbean Sea, separated by an invisible border, the descendants of the French and Dutch coexist. Some, due to the peculiarities of their language, call the island Sint Maarten, while others call it Saint Maarten.
The most prominent landmark of Sint Maarten is the extinct volcano Mount Flagstaff. Despite the fact that Mount Paradise, located on the French side, “surrounded” it by 14 meters, it is completely lost against its background.
A trip inland is a must to see the picturesque ruins of mansions built in the wooded hills around Flagstaff Volcano, as well as the Border Monument, erected to celebrate 300 years of collaboration between the French and Dutch.
Shete-Boka Nature Reserve
The Shet Boka Nature Reserve occupies about 200 hectares on the northern tip of the island of Curacao, adjacent to the Sint-Christophel National Park. This reserve is famous for its rich flora and is the best destination for outdoor enthusiasts in the backcountry. Among the main plant attractions are, for example, divi-divi trees or amazing giant cacti.
The Divi Divi tree is considered a real symbol of the Antilles archipelago. It is used for tanning leather and producing ink. Of the cacti, one of the most interesting is the yati cactus - it amazes with its enormous size, so huge that sometimes it even falls, unable to support its weight. Its “antipode” is also interesting - the pricley-pea cactus, which is literally microscopic in size. By the way, most plant species have found use among the local population, and that is why many areas of the island of Curacao have the status of protected areas.
Among the representatives of the animal world, the most curious local species is the small exotic bird, the trupial, which weighs only 60 grams. They traditionally build their nests among forested areas. Another interesting inhabitant of the Shete-Boka reserve is graceful flamingos. But the reserve has become widely known thanks to the huge population of white-tailed deer that live here.
The most popular attractions of Sint Maarten with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Sint Maarten on our website.
Sint Maarten- a self-governing state with significant autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Located in the southern part of the island of St. Martin (St. Martin's Island). The capital is Philipsburg.
It borders on the north with French Saint-Martin (the length of the border is 10.5 km), and on the east it has a sea border with. Area – 35 km².
Indented by vast lagoons and narrow deep bays, the coast of Sint Maarten stretches in a long strip to the northwest, forming a long and narrow spit that borders the Simpson Bay lagoon, one of the largest inland bodies of water in the Caribbean, from the sea.
Numerous salt lagoons and many small islands: Pelican Key, Little Key, Molly Baby, Hen and Chicken line the coastline of Sint Maarten.
In the northern part of the country, near the border with the French part of the island, there are low hilly areas up to 350 m high. The most noticeable landmark of Sint Maarten is the extinct volcano Mount Flagstaff (386 m).
The vast majority of Sint Maarten's flora consists of palms, hibiscus and cacti, although there are small forests in the hilly central areas. The fauna is represented by almost a hundred species of birds and several species of lizards.
Climate
The climate in Sint Maarten is tropical maritime, trade wind. The average temperature in summer is about +27°C (June-September), in winter +25°C (December-February), while daily temperature changes are extremely insignificant - the thermometer at night rarely drops below +20°C even in winter.
Most of the year the weather is warm and comfortable with minimal temperature differences between seasons. Relative humidity is fairly constant throughout the year, around 76%.
The average annual precipitation is up to 700 mm (the maximum occurs from May to October-November). Northeast trade winds blowing from the Atlantic Ocean bring frequent and heavy rain.
The island of St. Maarten can be exposed to typhoons, most likely between July-August and October, as it lies on the southeastern periphery of the Caribbean hurricane belt.
Population
The population of Sint Maarten is 37,429 people (2010).
The ethnic composition of the local population is the descendants of European colonists and African slaves. These are mainly mulattoes and blacks (up to 85%), representatives of Indian peoples (up to 5%), Dutch, Spaniards, Portuguese and other immigrants from the European mainland (up to 6%), as well as emigrants from East Asia and the Middle East.
Language
The official languages are Dutch and English.
The Papiamento language (a Creole language close to Portuguese) is also widespread.
Religion
About 39% of the population belongs to the Roman Catholic Church, about 12% are Pentecostals, 11% are Methodists.
Money
Monetary unit of Sint Maarten - Netherlands Antillean guilder(NAF or ANG). 1 ANG = 100 cents. The exchange rate is pegged to the US dollar.
From 2013, the Caribbean Guilder (CMG) will be introduced in Curaçao and Sint Maarten, replacing the current Netherlands Antilles Guilder. The new currency will be pegged to the US dollar (1 USD = 1.79 CMG).
Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 08.00-8.30 to 11.30-12.00 and from 13.30 to 16.00-16.30. Some are open on Saturdays.
US dollars and Euros are widely accepted for payment on the island. You can exchange currency at bank offices. Credit cards, as well as traveler's checks, are accepted by most shops and hotels. ATMs generally dispense guilders as well as US dollars.
To avoid additional conversion costs, it is recommended to use traveler's checks in US dollars.
The islands enjoy the status of an offshore territory - many companies registered here pay a minimum tax rate, and a number of duties and fees have been abolished altogether. For general merchandise, the only sales tax (usually included in all prices shown on labels and price tags) is 3%.
Communications
Calling code: 599
Internet domain: .an (to be cancelled) and .sx (assigned but not yet activated)
Ambulance - 912, police and fire service - 911
Island dialing codes
Sint Maarten – 5, Curacao – 9, Bonaire – 7, Sint Eustatius – 3, Saba – 4 How to call
To call from Russia to Sint Maarten, you need to dial: 8 – beep – 10 – 599 – 5 – subscriber number. To call from Sint Maarten to Russia, you need to dial: 00 – 7 – city code – subscriber number.
Landline communications
The communication system in Sint Maarten is modern and well developed. Payphones, which can be used to make international calls, are located throughout populated areas and operate using several types of calling cards, which are sold at post offices, telephone company offices, supermarkets, newsstands, tobacco kiosks, and gas stations. Many phones accept credit cards. Calls through an operator (from a hotel) are much more expensive than automatic ones, since their cost includes a 15 percent tax and the cost of the operator’s services. International calls can also be made from the post office.
Calls between the Dutch and French parts of the island are considered international, as each side has its own telephone system!
mobile connection
GSM 900/1800 cellular communications cover the entire island and are quite modern. There are several cellular operators operating in Sint Maarten (East Caribbean Cellular, Chippie), providing full coverage of the territory. Roaming with Russia is available to subscribers of the largest mobile operators.
Internet
The Internet is developed quite well. Local providers provide almost all types of network services. There are many internet cafes in the capital. Many hotels also provide internet access. Last changes: 10/10/2011
Shopping
Sint Maarten is a duty-free zone, therefore, in addition to souvenir shops, you can make good purchases here at Duty free. In shopping centers you can find boutiques of almost all famous companies in Europe and America.
Sea and beaches
In the south and west of Sint Maarten there are numerous sandy beaches, and in the lagoons they extend across the entire width of alluvial sand spits, separating them from the sea.
There are no beaches for nudists (you need to look for them on the French side of the island).
Story
The Spaniards arrived in the Antilles at the end of the 15th century. The island of Saint Martin was first discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. In 1499, the Spaniard Alonso de Ojeda discovered the southern islands inhabited by the Arawaks and Caribs. However, the Spaniards did not find precious metals there, and they did not begin to develop these islands.
In the period 1630-1640, the islands were occupied by the Dutch, then repeatedly occupied by the Spaniards, British and French. These islands also served as bases for pirates.
Finally passed to the Netherlands in 1816. Before the abolition of slavery in 1863, the territory was the center of the Caribbean slave trade.
Sint Maarten was founded as a state on October 10, 2010. Previously, it was part of the Netherlands Antilles, an autonomy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Between 2005 and 2009, the people of Sint Maarten (as well as Curaçao, Bonaire and Saba) voted to secede from the autonomy of the Netherlands Antilles, and St. Eustatius supported the continuation of education as it was then. However, none of the islands supported the declaration of independence from the Netherlands.
On October 10, 2010, Sint Maarten became a self-governing state with significant autonomy (status aparte) within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Under the terms of the agreement between the Netherlands and the Netherlands Antilles, the islands of Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius became autonomous territories of the Netherlands, and Curacao and St. Maarten received the same status as Aruba (an autonomous member state of the Kingdom of the Netherlands). The Dutch government will take over the defense and foreign policy of the new countries.
Tap water usually comes from desalination plants and is relatively safe to drink, but it is usually recommended to drink bottled water (it is worth noting that water is expensive throughout the island, especially in restaurants, even more expensive than some alcoholic drinks), especially during the first days of your stay on the islands.
The use, sale or possession of any drugs is prohibited in Sint Maarten (this is not the Netherlands).
Particular attention is paid to cleanliness and order in public places, so littering on the street is not recommended - the fines are quite significant.
Prices for goods and services are approximately 20-40% lower in the period from late April to early December, when the end of the tourist season is observed here.
The island has very high levels of solar radiation; sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats and light clothing are recommended.
How to get there
There are no direct flights from Russia to Sint Maarten.
From Russia, the easiest way to get to Sint Maarten is through the Netherlands with airlines - with a connection in Amsterdam. Depending on the flight chosen, an overnight stay in Amsterdam is possible.
The flight duration from Moscow to Amsterdam is about 3.5 hours, from Amsterdam to Sint Maarten – about 11 hours (excluding connections). The cost of the flight is about 1300-1500 euros (round trip).
If in Amsterdam the connecting time between flights from Moscow to Sint Maarten is no more than 24 hours, a transit visa is not needed, provided that you do not leave the transit zone of Schiphol Airport (there are 2 hotels in this zone). If you plan to spend the night in a hotel in the city, you will need to obtain a transit visa.
When departing from Sint Maarten, a tax of $22 is charged for international flights and $10 for domestic flights. Some airlines already include this tax in the ticket price.
Children under 2 years of age (who do not occupy a separate seat in the aircraft cabin), transit passengers leaving the country by air within 24 hours, as well as diplomats are exempt from paying the fee.
I once thought that the Caribbean islands were purely a fantasy of writers and directors who created images of pirates and sailors to create interesting stories and exciting adventures. But, times go by, and the thought that the Caribbean is something incredible and unknown haunts me. It was with approximately this attitude that I flew to Sint Maarten.
The first interesting detail was that the island consists of two countries that get along well together - France and Holland. They are separated by a conventional border, but movement between them is not difficult in any way, so exploring two countries in one trip is a real adventure!
Gourmets, aesthetes and lovers of everything more expensive remain on the French side, but if you are a real hunter for interesting things, then Sint Maarten is waiting for you now, and all year, and for a very long time. I don’t advise you to delay making a choice, because after reading my article you simply won’t have any left!
Visa and border crossing
So, the first step is to clarify whether Russians need a visa to enter this country? Answer: yes, it is necessary. But don’t rush to get upset and close the page, because its design will not take much time and effort.
First, it is important to clarify that to travel to Sint Maarten you need a special visa - Caribisch gebied. Such a document gives the right to visit not only this country, but also several other islands: Bonaire and St. Eustatius.
Caribisch gebied is issued only at the Visa Application Center or the Consulate of the Netherlands. When you fill out the form, in the “Destination” column, indicate the island you are going to. In our case Saint Maarten.
This type of visa cannot be used to visit Schengen countries, nor can a Schengen visa be used to enter these islands. But, if you have a Schengen multiple entry visa, entry will be allowed without a visa.
All that remains is to submit the documents.
List of documents
- completed in English questionnaire;
- 2 photos size 3.5x4.5 (colored according to Schengen standards);
- photocopies all completed pages of the passport;
- photocopies of the national passports (first page and registration);
- medical insurance;
- hotel reservation;
- bank statement or work certificate about having enough money (about 40 EUR per day).
Consular fee - 35 EUR.
The visa itself takes about 10 working days.
In order to sign up to submit documents, you need to go to the Visa Application Center website and select the purpose of your trip - the Netherlands Antilles, then specify the day and time.
Visa Centers
Address in Moscow: Shchipok street, 11 building 1.
You can submit documents from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and receive them from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Visa Application Center is open from Monday to Friday.
In St. Petersburg You can contact the address: Bolshaya Raznochinnaya Street, 16/7. 2nd floor of the Chkalovsky business center.
The times for submitting and receiving documents are the same: from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Working days: Monday to Friday.
It is also possible to visit Visa Centers in Rostov-on-Don, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Vladivostok, Krasnodar, Novosibirsk and Samara. Detailed information about opening hours and contacts can be found at vfsglobal.com.
With kids
In order for the children to be able to go with you to the resort with joy and pleasure, you need to provide several documents:
- notarized permission to take a child out if he is traveling with one of the parents or a guardian;
- photocopies parental passports;
- if under 14 years old, then the original birth certificates and a copy of the international passport and the international passport itself.
Import and export rules
The import and export of any currency is not limited, but amounts greater than 10,000 USD must be declared.
According to the rules, you can import up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars. Regarding alcohol, the situation is as follows: the import and export of no more than 1 liter of strong alcohol or 3 liters of wine is allowed.
Leaving the country
When you leave the country, do not forget to pay a local tax of 7 USD.
How to get there
Sint Maarten is a state that is not very close to our country, which is certainly sad. But I can assure you that this part of the planet is worth getting here at least once in your life. I'll tell you how you can do this. The most popular and affordable way to get here is by plane. There are a lot of flights to the island with transfers in different countries. You can also get here by ferry, which includes a visit to Sint Maarten as part of the cruise.
By plane
To get to Sint Maarten by plane, you will need only 25 hours, 520 USD and a transfer at New York airport. The flight from Moscow (SVO) is operated by Aeroflot and JetBlue. This is the fastest and cheapest option for Moscow residents.
For residents of St. Petersburg, the cheapest option will be a flight with transfers to Sheremetyevo and John F. Kennedy Airport for 530 USD. Travel time - 30 hours. Aeroflot and JetBlue also operate this flight. You can compare ticket prices, for example.
By ferry
An alternative option to get to the island is to take a ferry, or rather a cruise. This type of transport has recently attracted more and more tourists due to its diversity and low price.
Of course, for this you need to be in the USA or Puerto Rico, from where such liners sail.
You can, for example, buy a seven-day cruise and get 6 different islands, including Sint Maarten! Simply fabulous! On board you will be able to have a wonderful rest while the ship is at sea, eat delicious food in chic restaurants, have dizzying entertainment and recharge with positive energy for a long time.
Prices for cruises start from approximately 450 USD and above. It all depends on how early you book your tickets.
Gustavia
Back in the 1950s, the capital Saint Barthélemy was a fishing village. Changes came in the 1960s when wealthy visitors, including the Rockefeller and Rothschild families, came in, followed by super-yachts carrying Hollywood stars and influential Europeans of the 1970s.
Today this port city is nothing less than a majestic piece of land. Although relatively small compared to other giants in the Caribbean, Gustavia has a number of upscale boutiques, upscale restaurants and several historical attractions.
There is a ferry service between Sint Maarten and Gustavia. Tickets can be purchased from the Aqua Mania office located at Pelican Marina, opposite the Simpson Bay Resort.
The company holds swims on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9:00. Departure back at 16:00.
The cost per day is 100 USD for an adult ticket and 60 USD for children from 2 to 11 years old. Children under two years old are free.
Remember: you must have a valid passport as Gustavia has a very strict immigration policy, some nationalities may require a visa. For Russians it necessary apply at the France visa center.
Scooter
Scooters are definitely a cool way to see the sights and will make getting around the island more manageable. But I can only recommend this method if you already have experience in maneuvering. This is especially necessary where there are narrow roads. You can rent a scooter at the airport for the same daily price as a car. for rent.
Car rent
Sint Maarten is a relatively small island, but if you are interested in doing a variety of activities, like me, then renting a car is a big deal. There are many car rental companies on the island, so prices are decent, starting from around 30-40 USD per day for economy cars. Gas and petrol prices are currently quite reasonable, especially by European standards. You can also search for offers in advance on the Internet (for example,).
- At Princess Juliana Airport you can find any well-known car rental company: Budget, Avis, Payless Car Rental, Hertz and others.
- As for the city itself, there are not many rental places here and they are located at a remote location. These companies are Coastal Car Rental and Dollar Thrifty Car Rental.
One word of caution: traffic on the island can be very busy and parking can be difficult. Ask locals about traffic, driving times and hours so you can plan your route and schedule exits to minimize annoyance.
Connection
In Sint Maarten, most cafes, restaurants, and hotels have free access to Wi-Fi and the Internet, so you can easily contact family and friends.
If you need a more mobile option for using the network, then I recommend purchasing a SIM card TelCell on the Dutch side for 50 USD, on which there will be 500 MB of Internet and 150 minutes. The system is postpaid.
The map shows the location where you can purchase the tariff. The company is open Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 16:30. Saturday and Sunday are days off.
Be careful: mobile data does not work when you go to the French side.
Language and communication
English is the dominant language in Sint Maarten, although both Dutch and Spanish are spoken here. The Creole language - Papiamento - is a mixture of Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, English and French, but very few people speak it.
Features of mentality
There is great cultural diversity in Sint Martin, and the true locals far outnumber the immigrants from poorer and less urbanized areas. Clothes that are too expensive and bright can attract unwanted attention, so try to choose the least provocative outfits.
You may also offend some locals if you wander around places other than beaches and swimming pools in a swimsuit: for example, in the local supermarket it is disrespectful, so you will be treated relatively negatively and, at times, hostilely.
Food and drink
The most important tip I can give you about the local cuisine of Sint Maarten is stay away from McDonald's. This is the only way that will make you rise from being a tourist to becoming a true traveler immersed in the local culture. Sint Maarten has some amazing local food that is definitely worth trying. Go to local cafes and go where the locals go. For me, food, wine and even water are part of the journey.
There are approximately 300 restaurants on the island with a wide variety of offerings available to both tourists and locals. There are restaurants that are American, Mexican, Chinese, Italian, vegetarian and many more. If you don't like restaurants, there are supermarkets with an excellent selection of American, European and other products.
Seafood such as salmon, lobster and red snapper are very popular on the island and are prepared in a variety of styles and variations. Local spices are used in stews, curries and, for example, in products such as blood sausage (boudin).
Most restaurants include a tax of about 10-15% of the check amount. Also be prepared for the fact that your order will take quite a long time to prepare, as it is customary here to take your time during lunch or dinner.
A few useful terms to know on the island:
- lambi (shell);
- gambas (shrimp);
- poulet (chicken);
- colombo (curry).
5 dishes worth trying
Sint Maarten is a great place to try something new and different. I'll tell you about some of the dishes that you should definitely try:
Shopping
Sint Maarten is a Caribbean island owned by the Dutch. You can buy truly unique Dutch items on this island that you can't get on other islands. If you're planning on shopping, here are some tips to keep in mind when buying chocolate, alcohol, jewelry or other interesting items while shopping in Sint Maarten.
What you need to know about shopping in this country
For shopping in Sint Maarten, I would like to give you some valuable tips:
- Travel further inland to shop at a great price. Vendors and shops closest to the cruise port have higher prices than those further inland.
- Before purchasing jewelry, ask Is the brand approved? The cruise lines have a list of jewelers on the island that they have approved. It is known that the company, which is approved by the cruise line, sells real jewelry, and not cheap fakes for unknowing tourists.
- Last tip. When you shop in Sint Maarten, look for shops and products duty free trade. These items are cheaper because you don't pay the standard import duty.
Best cities for shopping
If you are looking for a place for good shopping, then without a doubt this will be it. Philipsburg. In this city all the shops are concentrated where you can buy any thing from the smallest to the largest. So, here are the best places to spend your money:
What to bring from this country
There are several things that you should definitely bring home, both for yourself and as a souvenir:
- Guavaberry liquor. This liqueur, made from ripe rum berries and cane sugar, is a famous product of the island. It is made right in the capital at the famous Guavaberry Emporium, along with other flavored liqueurs and hot sauces.
- Jewelry made from precious stones. The country is particularly famous for its gemstones, and many stores offer diamonds at half the retail price. Most of the outlets are directly associated with diamond cutters and the savings are passed on to their customers. You will find museum masterpieces at affordable prices.
Perhaps the best store to buy jewelry is Joe's Jewelry International. Here are the best examples of luxury that will surprise even the most discerning buyer. Open every day from 9:00 to 18:00. The price varies from 100 to 10,000 USD. As they say, for every taste and color, eye and wallet.
- Paintings
If you want to take some of Sint Maarten's most vivid memories with you, then head to one of the fine art galleries where you can find original masterpieces by major local artists such as Ras Mosera and Francis Eck. Or check out the colorful silk paintings of Gaynor Noyce. At the market you will find many colorful pieces of art from local artists at a great price.
Go to Artcraftcafe Gallery in Philipsburg and experience the beauty of island art, paint and buy a masterpiece yourself. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 17:00, closed on Sunday. The cost of painting an original painting is about 50 USD.
I also recommend running to Dreams International Art Gallery & Auction House which is nearby. Very nice place. There is a huge amount of wonderful work on display here. You can always drop by here any day from 10:00 to 17:00.
Sint Maarten is a duty free zone.
Vacation with children
Personally, I think the Caribbean is one of the best places to go on vacation with kids because you can find anything, swim with anyone, and eat anything. Sint Maarten is a wonderful piece of our planet for this; not only children, but also parents will be delighted here.
In this company, everything is arranged for the recreation and entertainment of children aged 3 years and older. An experienced instructor and his team gather children into groups onto small boats. For kids there are mini masks, mini fins and mini goggles to make the journey more comfortable and fun. Places for underwater exploration include Creole Rock and Turtle Reef. On the company's website you can see a wide variety of tours and choose the most suitable one for your child.
And, of course, what would a vacation be without delicious ice cream! It seems to me that this is the main indicator of an excellent holiday according to children.
Safety
Most visits to the Caribbean are safe. The main tourist areas are generally quiet, but you should take reasonable precautions.
The Caribbean islands continue to be used to smuggle illegal drugs from South America to Europe and North America. You should have a heightened sense of awareness of this problem. Never leave bags unattended.
Popular types of scams
Some of the most popular types of scams on the island are:
- Petty theft and street crimes. Try not to carry anything in the pockets of your clothes or bags. Always keep them in front of you so you don't lose sight of things.
- Mobile phone theft. This type of scam is extremely common here, so be very careful. If possible, try not to take your phone with you at all.
- Change in fare. Many drivers, taking advantage of the slowness and inattention of tourists, do not indicate the exact amount for transportation to the required place. Upon arrival, you may be charged a very large amount, so be sure to negotiate the price of travel BEFORE before you get on a bus or taxi.
5 things you definitely shouldn't do
- Show your valuables on city streets.
- Walk after 16:00 and especially at night in places you don’t know.
- Provoke people into conflict or argument.
- Take some things if you are asked to “just help carry them to the door.”
- Walk alone.
5 things you must do in this country
For each country it is possible to find several things that are definitely worth doing, seeing and exploring. I advise you to do the following without fail:
Taxi price from Philipsburg is about 15 USD.
Nearby countries
Perhaps, after all is said and done, few countries will be able to capture your heart as much as Sint Maarten. I would like to highlight the most striking countries in terms of travel and new discoveries:
Puerto Rico
Hotels- don’t forget to check prices from booking sites! Don't overpay. This !
Rent a Car- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!
Anything to add?
Before you go on vacation, it’s worth seeing what the geography of Sint Maarten is like. In general, the state occupies only 34 square meters. km. Even on such a small piece of land, tourists will have something to see and be surprised by. The nature here is especially beautiful.
The wonderful geography of Sint Maarten
On the northern side, the country borders on the French island of Saint-Martin, and on the eastern side, its neighbor is Saint-Barthélemy. Exactly like this Geography of Sint Maarten makes the island cozy and comfortable for relaxation. The coast of the state is quite indented with deep bays and wide lagoons. The largest lagoon in the Caribbean, Simpson Bay, is also located here.
The island is clearly framed by salty lagoons and small islets. Geography simply ideal for an area in the middle of the ocean. Here you can relax and unwind. To the north there is quite a lot of hilly terrain, which reaches 350 m. A noticeable landmark Sint Maarten is Mount Flagstaff, a previously extinct volcano. Its height is about 385 m.
The country's time zone is UTC-04:00. There is no change between winter and summer hours. If we compare Time Sint Maarten and Moscow, the difference will be approximately 7 hours.
Thanks to the tropical, trade wind climate tourism Sint Maarten is developing favorably. In summer there is no extreme heat here, and in winter it is not so cold. pleasant enough for vacationers who cannot stand hot summers. The island experiences a fair amount of rainfall, which occurs mainly in May-October. At this time, up to 700 mm of precipitation falls.
Basically Weather Sint Maarten in summer and winter it is not significantly different. From June to September, when there are not many tourists, the air temperature is +27°C. In winter it can drop by 2-3°C. It is not advisable to come here in July-October, when hurricanes are possible.
Nature of Sint Maarten
Mesmerizes from the very first minutes and... The territory of the island is covered with a green carpet, while the landscape is quite dry. The flora here often includes hibiscus, palm trees and cacti. On the hills you can occasionally see small islands of forests. The fauna that takes root in such an area is also quite diverse. Travelers can see here lizards, about a hundred different species of birds, as well as domestic animals that have managed to run wild in the local environment.
Saint Martin is the most unusual island in the Caribbean, there seems to be too much unique in this island, let’s start in order.
1. The island belongs to two countries at once, the northern part - France, the southern part - the Netherlands. But there are no borders on the island, there is only a symbolic pillar with which tourists take pictures. The French call the island "Saint Martin", the Dutch "Sint Maarten", sometimes we call it the island of Saint Martin. To get to the island you need a special visa, which can be obtained through the visa centers of both countries; you need to apply for a visa from the country where you will spend the most nights. The list of documents is no different from a regular Schengen visa, only the application form itself is slightly different.
2. Prostitution is legalized in Saint Martin, most of the brothels are located in Philipsburg, which is the capital of the southern part, it has a large port where huge ships with tourists dock almost every day. Drugs are illegal, unlike in the Netherlands. The saleswoman in the supermarket was glad that we were from Russia, she said there are few Russians here, but there is one girl who works as a masseuse in the next building. I'm afraid to imagine what kind of massage she gives :)
3. The most unique airport in the world is also located here; we admit that many come to Saint Martin just because of it. The Princess Juliana International Airport's runway is famous for starting from Maho Beach, so planes land directly above the heads of tourists. Standing above a huge KLM Boeing is an extreme pleasure. The second entertainment is standing at the fence when planes take off, the main thing is to hold on tight :) I wrote about it earlier
4. Nice beaches. Everyone will really enjoy swimming on the island; the water is clear azure and there are no waves. I recommend Maho Beach with planes (in the season when there are no rocks) and the neighboring Mullet Bay Beach. In the French part, a good beach is Orient Beach. 
5. The entire island is a duty-free and Dute Free zone. Despite the fact that all the goods are imported (they only produce sauces), thanks to tax breaks, there are excellent supermarkets with decent names at reasonable prices. American beer, Brazilian couscous, Belgian ice cream, Canadian maple syrup and more. Prices for liter bottles of rum start at $6. We brought home something that is difficult to find in Perm, real Canadian maple syrup and so on. And what kind of Jamaican beer is there, because the island was an English colony, they brew incomparable ales!!! 
6. Currency. The unique thing is that the official currency on the island on the Dutch side is guilders, but prices are also indicated in dollars, because most tourists are Americans. In the northern part, prices are indicated in euros, but you can also pay in dollars, and at the rate of 1 dollar = 1 euro :) Guilder exchange rate = 1.8 dollars. It is most profitable to travel to Saint Martin with American dollars.
7. Sunset bar & Grill. Returning to the topic of airplanes, the best way to see them is from a cafe on Maho Beach. There is good cuisine and sometimes real Caribbean parties with live music. It’s fun when the next ship disembarks; absolutely all the tourists rush to this popular establishment. By the way, topless girls are serviced for free, topless boys are not serviced at all :)
8. Judging by the reviews, there are quite a lot of gay couples on the island of Saint Martin, who are guarded by a big black guy. They prefer secluded beaches, so be careful with your choice of swimming :)
Tips for those who want to visit the island of St. Maarten
How to get there?
The easiest way to fly with one connection from Russia via Paris or Amsterdam with KLM or AirFrance. The cost of tickets will be from 40 thousand rubles. round trip, sometimes it is a little cheaper to fly with American airlines, but it is only suitable for those who have an open American visa, since there is no transit in the USA.
How to get to Saint Martin island cheaply? Catch shares of aircaraibes airline http://www.aircaraibes.com/, they fly from Paris. The cost of a round-trip flight according to the promotion can be 400 euros round-trip. The minimum price for a flight from European cities with connections in Paris and Amsterdam with KLM or AirFrance is from 600 euros. For those traveling to the USA, I recommend cruises from Miami to the Caribbean islands or direct flights (from Miami round-trip from $350, flight 3 hours). 
Where to live?
The best area to live is Marina Simpson Bay. Firstly, close to the airport and Maho beaches with Mullet Bay. Secondly, good infrastructure. These are all steak and prime rib restaurants with live music. A good hotel cost is around $100, the usual cost is $130-$150 per night. It is worth understanding that hotels usually do not include breakfast; the service is weaker than hotels in the Dominican Republic. Nice Sonesta Maho Beach Hotel overlooking Maho Beach and The Villas at Simpson Bay Resort & Marina. You can search for villas and apartments on the websites Abritel.fr and HomeAway.com homelidays Airbnb.com
View from our room window 
The hotel is good, but those who are used to being licked, showing shows, animation, preparing food on an all-inclusive basis, making swans out of towels, etc. will be very disappointed. The rooms are luxurious, but there is no service. 
What currency should I take with me?
It is most profitable to take American dollars with you. Large sums of money are not accepted in minibuses; it is best to take more small banknotes.
How to get around the island?
The whole island gets around in minibuses, you just have to raise your hand. The cost of travel from Simpson Bay to the airport is 1.5-2 dollars, to Maho beach 2 dollars, to Mullet Bay beach 2.5-3 dollars, the same amount for travel to Philipsburg. In fact, small Saint Martin can be easily traveled around on these minibuses. From the airport you can take a taxi, a specially trained person at the exit will sort tourists according to their place of residence, the cost is 10-15 dollars maximum. There are a lot of rental companies, you can rent a Ford Mustang, a lot of beautiful American cars.
Is it safe on the island?
As with everything in the Caribbean, you have to be careful. There is a story on the Internet about how people were robbed right near the beach by stealing a rental car. It should be remembered that the local population is poor with all the ensuing consequences. At the same time, you shouldn’t see everyone as an enemy; local residents are extremely positive and welcoming.
On the streets of Philipsburg 
Beaches
The best beaches are located in the Dutch part of the island, for example, Mullet Bay. It is easy to find, if you come from the airport to Maho, you should follow the main road along the golf courses, then after the barrier the next turn to the sea. Many minibuses go to this beach, if it is indicated on the sign, you can name it, and they will tell you when to get off.
The best beach is also called Maho beach; swimming under the planes is original. The main thing is that this does not happen during the off-season (for example, October-November), when instead of sand there are huge boulders on the beach. There are always a lot of people on Orient Beach, there are active entertainments (water skiing, etc.), and on weekends there are parties in numerous restaurants. Not far from this beach is the small island of Pinel. Small boats can be used to cross 
To find your beach, it’s best to take a car and drive around them all :) The cost of sun loungers on the beaches of St. Maarten ranges from 8 to 15 dollars.
What else can you see in St. Maarten? In the French capital, in the city of Marigot, there is a market where you can buy spices and vanilla. And also have breakfast with croissants in French cafes
The only thing that is produced locally is hot sauces; everything else is imported. Seafood included. The cost of dinner is at European prices. For those who want to save money, it’s better to take rooms with a kitchen or apartments; supermarkets have excellent products, you won’t go to waste :)
We met the cheerful bartender Roger Lutz. who lives for two things: travel and cocktails. His dream is to open his own bartending school on the island. He thinks that the locals make crap cocktails (and that's true), his cocktails are incomparable. He lived for several years in countries such as South Africa, Iceland, Australia, and Japan. Like all Germans, he loves football, he supports Hamburg St. Pauli, this is a very interesting club, which is also supported by all antisocial sections of society (LGBTQ, hippies, punks, etc.), and he told how, standing on the fan stand, you can get drunk from smells of marijuana :) A cheerful guy who taught us how to make a real pina colada, we brought all the ingredients from the island, then every day we pampered ourselves at home with a wonderful cocktail. By the way, he told us that Bacardi is a garbage dump, any cheapest rum is better than Bacardi 
Locals swear by lobster; the cost of dinner is quite at European prices. 
Sunsets 
Cruise ship in the distance 