If you’ve got clients who are into dining, beaches, shopping, watersports and dining (it bears repeating), you want to recommend Saint Martin.
Officially Saint-Martin, the French side - and Sint Maarten, the Dutch side - a 60 square km speck of paradise which is the smallest piece of land shared between two countries in the world. And while English is spoken everywhere, you do hear Dutch and French in the streets on the respective sides, definitely adding to the cosmopolitan vibe.
What’s extra charming is that the border crossing consists of a sign. No booth, no passport control, just a sign welcoming you to another country. In effect, an invisible border. 30 to 40 minutes from the French capital of Marigot to the Dutch capital of Philipsburg in “rush hour”.
Open Jaw recently spent some time with Valerie Damaseau, President of the Saint-Martin Tourist Office. Though officially responsible for promoting only the French side, she graciously shared some insights into the Dutch side and its attractions as well.
Not surprisingly, food is a big attraction in Saint Martin, with a whopping 350 restos for a population of 26,000 (if there were the same ratio of eateries to population the G.T.A. would have 80,000 restos!) Although Damaseau loyally states that her mum has the best cooking on the island, she admits she is a fan of Villa Hibiscus and the resto-peppered strip in the foodie village of Grand Case. “Live music in many of the restaurants makes for a complete evening,” she told me.
Sun lovers enjoy their choice of 36 beaches and watersports ranging from scuba to a donut party boat and paddleboarding, kayaking and flyboarding.
For those who enjoy spending time in the great indoors, shopping - notably for French luxury goods - is wonderfully-tempting. A daily outdoor market (busiest on Wed and Sat) in Marigot features crafts and more affordable souvenirs. Worth noting it that each side has its own currency: Euros on the French, Netherlands Antilles Guilders on the Dutch, though US dollars are widely accepted. Clients should check price tags to verify which currency is being used.
And the Dutch side? Often busier than the French, it is known for its duty-free shops and casinos. It’s also home to the cruise port. Quite a few passengers never make it to the French side, which is a shame as they are really missing out, even if they just go for a café au lait. Damaseau recommends renting a car and exploring the island. “It’s safe, and a great way to explore at your own pace.” And how often can clients say they’ve been to two countries on one island?
Lift to SXM is excellent with winter season service from YYZ (AC, WS, TS and WG) and YUL (TS and WG). It’s about a 5 hour flight from either.
