St. Martin

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St. Martin

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General Information On St. Martin
Getting To and Around St. Martin
Suggestions For Accommodations In St. Martin
Suggestions For Things To See And Do In St. Martin
Suggestions For Dining in St. Martin
Favorite Places And Things To Do In St. Martin
Books, Magazines and Other Information

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General Information On St. Martin
For more than three centuries, the island of St. Martin/St. Martin has been the smallest area anywhere to be shared by two countries. St. Martin, the French half of this divided island, is considered to be the more relaxed half of the island. Visitors go here to enjoy its bustling lifestyle that is geared towards tourism. St. Martin is officially a part of the French-Caribbean territory of Guadeloupe. The country is well known for its French culture that can be experienced by dining in one of the great French restaurants where you can enjoy top-notch French cuisine. Here you can expect to see signs in French and be greeted with a friendly “Bonjour.” For more information, visit the Official St. Martin website or the CIA World Factbook for Guadeloupe.

Orient Bay, St. Martin, Caribbean Photographic Print
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The People of St. Martin
Passports, Visas and Entry Information
Health and Safety
Climate And Weather
Geography
Currency
Electricity

The People of St. Martin
The people of St. Martin are proud of their French nationality and this heritage can be seen throughout the island. Towns and roads have French names, and the food is an interesting blend of French cooking with an distinct Caribbean flavor. French is the official language and the one most often spoken, but Creole is also spoken on the island.

Passports, Visas and Entry Information
U.S. citizens* can gain entry to St. Martin with two forms of government-issued ID, but a valid passport is very strongly preferred. A valid passport is required for all other visitors, including those from within the Caribbean, and all visitors must also show an ongoing or return ticket.

*The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. This includes United States citizens! In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future. For additional information, go to http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html.

Passport Visa Express specializes in obtaining Passports for United States Citizens who wish to travel internationally within the next 30 days. We work directly with the U.S. Passport Agency assisting you in expediting your passport application in as fast as the same day! Our passport consultants have many years of direct experience working with the Passport Agency.

Health and Safety
Although the water is safe to drink throughout the island, I would suggest you stick to bottled water. It is best to avoid night driving on the deserted, poorly lit back roads at night. Beyond that, follow basic safety rules of traveling, such as keeping an eye on your possessions.

Climate And Weather
The island experiences about 42 inches of rain per year. Temperatures are pleasant and mild year round, with January temperatures ranging from 73 to 81, and July temperatures ranging from 78 to 86.

Geography
St. Martin is the northern half of this island shared by the Dutch and French. Its beaches lie on the Atlantic Ocean. St. Martin is the larger half of the island, covering approximately 20 square miles. Both countries share the Simpson Bay Lagoon.

Currency
Since St. Martin is officially recognized as part of Guadeloupe, a territory of France, the official currency is the Euro.

Currency Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports, railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a nightmare. Order in advance from All Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious!

Electricity
St. Martin does not use the same electrical system as the U.S., so plan accordingly and bring an adaptor and converter.

Getting To and Around St. Martin
Visitors to this Caribbean island may arrive on either side of the island. Princess Juliana Airport welcomes visitors to the Dutch side, while l'Aeroport de l'Espérance is the gateway on the French side. Those arriving on the French side will most likely connect through Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe). Direct flights from the U.S. and Canada to Princess Juliana Airport are generally available, as it is the second busiest airport in the Caribbean. Flights to Princess Juliana Airport will generally connect through San Juan if they originate outside the U.S.

Taxi fares from Princess Juliana Airport to Marigot on the French side are approximately $12(USD). Fares are generally higher between 10:00 p.m. and Midnight.

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Accommodations In St. Martin
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe I should add to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

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Things To See And Do In St. Martin

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Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe I should add to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Dining in St. Martin
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Favorite Places And Things To Do In St. Martin
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Books, Magazines and Other Information

Caribbean Travel & Life - Escape to the Caribbean with Caribbean Travel & Life. Visit romantic hideaways and luxurious resorts and discover secluded beaches and teeming coral reefs. This magazine helps you find your own perfect place in the sun. For additional information, or to purchase a subscription, click on Caribbean Travel & Life.

You can also click on Best Deal Magazines, Magazine Unlimited Magazine Subscription Superstore, or Low Priced Magazine Subscriptions for other great prices on magazines!

Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel is a travel magazine for REAL people. This magazine is not just for those of you on a budget - it's for everyone. Each issue comes packed with articles on affordable and enjoyable vacations to just about everywhere. For additional information, or to purchase a subscription, click on Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel.

You can also click on Best Deal Magazines, Magazine Unlimited Magazine Subscription Superstore, or Low Priced Magazine Subscriptions for other great prices on magazines!

Links
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2007 Travel Alert - Passports Needed for Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and Caribbean. Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport. As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. Click here for the State Department Summary. And, if you need a passport in a hurry, because you forgot to apply months ago when you should have and your trip is almost upon you, click on Passports In A Hurry, or on Passport Visa Express!

Climate And Weather The island experiences about 42 inches of rain per year. Temperatures are pleasant and mild year round, with January temperatures ranging from 73 to 81, and July temperatures ranging from 78 to 86.

Geography St. Martin is the northern half of this island shared by the Dutch and French. Its beaches lie on the Atlantic Ocean. St. Martin is the larger half of the island, covering approximately 20 square miles. Both countries share the Simpson Bay Lagoon.

Taxi fares from Princess Juliana Airport to Marigot on the French side are approximately $12(USD). Fares are generally higher between 10:00 p.m. and Midnight.

Climate And Weather
The island experiences about 42 inches of rain per year. Temperatures are pleasant and mild year round, with January temperatures ranging from 73 to 81, and July temperatures ranging from 78 to 86.

Geography
St. Martin is the northern half of this island shared by the Dutch and French. Its beaches lie on the Atlantic Ocean. St. Martin is the larger half of the island, covering approximately 20 square miles. Both countries share the Simpson Bay Lagoon.