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French St Martin stands out as the polar opposite of Dutch St Maarten on their shared tiny landstrips. French indifference overcomes the lack of any border restriction. Crossing from vice tourism in St Maarten it is striking to arrive in a bustling French overseas collectivity. Like other collectivities and overseas departments I have visited, it is French all the way and the tourism is mostly inward-looking to the French-speaking market.
The French flag flies atop Fort Louis
In this series:
- Northern Caribbean Island Hopping Itinerary
- St Maarten – Caribbean Vice
- Video – Maarten Airport Golf Cart Tarmac Transfer
- St Martin – The Quiet Side
- Anguilla – Discretion Island
- Saba – Kong Island of the Caribbean
- Video: Landing at Saba Airport, Shortest Commercial Runway in the World
- St Barth’s – Gorgeous People, Pricey Hamburgers
- St Kitts – Plantation Splurge and Mega Fortress
- Nevis – Is An Hour Enough?
Bustling yet sedate Marigot
Tourism is small-scale and low-key in St Martin. The cruise ship terminal, main airport and the big resorts are all down in St Maarten so the feeling is of a regular French town in a tropical setting. Those off a cruise ship for a day would do well to take the 15-20 minute taxi up to Marigot. It is more urban than island paradise so a visit is for strolling, eating and shopping, at, admittedly, higher prices than St Maarten. It is also the departure point for regular ferries to Anguilla.
A church in Marigot
Compared to French St. Barth’s, which requires investment in a ferry or shot-hop flight from St Maarten, St Martin gives a taste of France but not as much of island retreat flavor.
No one has gotten around to removing this rusted hulk
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St Maarten a total shithole compared to St Barth’s. Crime is high in St Maarten, gotta watch your surroundings….. This is not the case in St Barth’s. Up to you if you want safe & secure or cheap & looking over your shoulder
[…] St Martin – The Quiet Side […]
[…] St Martin – The Quiet Side […]
[…] St Martin – The Quiet Side […]
[…] St Martin – The Quiet Side […]
Agreed. Totally different vibe, and a nice change of pace.
There’s no border crossing checkpoint/protection at all. You just drive over and see a sign. Phone/service is different on the two sides, as is the currency. USD is commonly used in St. Maarten, and Euros are commonly used in St. Martin.
You can bus from Philipsburg to Marigot for $2 USD. Just look for the mini buses with the destination on the windshield.
@enthusiast – thanks for the info, I liked those buses and I wish they also ran from the airport but I never saw any there except the Philipsburg ones.
Is the border treated like other intra-EU borders?
@Nybanker – yes, the only way to notice is the “welcome to” signs and the change of tone, it is free movement and no immigration or even anything like a checkpoint.
Totally agree. We once took the public ferry from Anguilla to the French side and were pleasantly surprised by the French side of the island.
[…] St Martin – The Quiet Side […]