Welcome to tiny St. Maarten/St. Martin, home to people from 90 countries and speaking dozens of languages, a rich and unique cultural crossroads of the world, all on just 37 square miles (96 square km), making it the world's smallest land mass to host two separate governments -- French and Dutch -- separated by a meandering non-border that nobody notices. Though English always works, you'd have to walk the halls of the United Nations to hear so many different languages or find more cultural diversity in such close proximity.
Every stroll along one of the island's more than 37 beautiful beaches or streets in Caribbean-style Philipsburg or very French Marigot is an opportunity for a multicultural encounter with someone from one of the four corners of the globe. The island's diversity is reflected in hundreds of world-class eateries, from Parisian bistros to American sports bars, to restaurants serving German, Indian, creole, Vietnamese, and Italian fare.
Enjoy the food, but first and foremost come to St. Maarten for the sand and the sea, the friendly people, and wonderful weather -- where the temperature is almost always 87 degrees, with cooling trade winds, which make the island a good vacation spot all year round.
Whatever can be done in or on the water -- snorkeling, scuba, sailing, windsurfing and more -- can be found here. There's even a golf course, and many resorts have tennis courts. The duty-free shopping is as good as anywhere in the Caribbean, and the nightlife is second to none, whether your preference is cool and mellow or loud and wild. Day trips are available by ship or plane to the nearby islands of Anguilla, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Barthélemy. There are hotels for every budget -- from motel-type units to some of the Caribbean's most exclusive resort accommodations. The standard of living is one of the highest in the Caribbean.
On the negative side, St. Maarten/St. Martin has been heavily developed in recent years, so the quaint island culture is becoming harder to find. Especially in the high season, traffic can be difficult. Still, the beaches are clean, the water blue, and the weather intoxicating.
