St Maarten Information

Intro
The tropical island of St. Maarten is located in the heart of the Caribbean. Ringed by 37 beaches, the island offers visitors a little Dutch and a little French blended in two lively cultures sharing one island.
From sun-drenched powder white beaches, modern resorts, gourmet dining, dazzling casinos and the finest in duty-free shopping, St. Maarten/St. Martin will leave visitors breathless for more. They will experience the beauty, sophistication and charm of island life with daily flights and charters from various continents such as North America, South America and Europe as well as the Caribbean.
The island is immersed by gentle trade winds and the climate is sunny and warm year-round. Telecommunications is good, the shopping fabulous, the people are friendly and the U.S. dollar is accepted everywhere. More than a dozen cruise lines regularly call on St. Maarten making it one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations.

Weather
Sunny and Warm year round, with some cooling from trade winds. Average temperature during the winter season is 80ºF (27ºC) and a few degrees warmer and more humid in the summer. Average water temperature is 78ºF (25ºC). Rainfall can be expected anytime of the year but rainstorms pass quickly.

St Maarten Carnival

The island's biggest celebration is Carnival, which is held in April on the Dutch side where the island comes to a standstill for over 17 days and nights. For months locals put their souls into sewing Carnival costumes and writing songs ready for the big celebrations. Some of the most beautiful creations of previous carnival seasons are at display inside the Jump Up Casino in Philipsburg. Go there to get a true taste of St. Maarten Carnival, even if you missed the original celebration.

Each Carnival inspires a fresh and marvelous batch of calypso, often satirical and politically charged. The Calypsonians will compete for the title of Calypso King or Queen, a contest that draws hundreds of musicians and dancers from all the neighbouring islands. If the partygoers are not hitting the street they are most likely to be jamming' in the Festival Village, which sits on the edge of Philipsburg and was constructed specifically for the carnival.

More than a hundred booths are there to serve you food, from traditional 'Johnny cakes' and 'fungi' to Indian curry and 'roti', enough to make your taste buds go wild.