St. Martin / Sint Maarten with Kids

Transportation to island A Transportation around island A- Family Resorts B+ Family Restaurants B+ Friendly atmosphere A- Activities for kids A- Weather A- New cultures for kids to experience A+ Safety A-

This island -- shared by French St. Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten -- calls itself “a little European and a lot Caribbean.” It’s a description of an unusual political situation: two nations sharing the smallest mass on the globe shared by two nations.

Although the border is almost superficial, there are distinctions between the two countries. Mention “St. Martin” and many visitors will immediately think of fine dining and charming sidewalk cafes. French is heard in the markets and there’s no mistaking that this is la partie francaise.

The Dutch influence is felt far less strongly in Sint Maarten than the Gallic influence in St. Martin. Although the official language taught in the schools, Dutch is rarely heard on the street. And although it falls under the government of the Netherlands Antilles and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the US dollar reigns here.