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About Saint Maarten
Saint Maarten is a tropical island in the northeast of the Caribbean Sea and it is shared between the Netherlands and France. Dutch lands in the south of the island are called as 'Sint Marteen', and French lands in the north are called as 'Saint Martin'. Island was given name by Christopher Columbus, who sailed by it in 1493. The island, which was called as ‘Sualouiga ‘ , meaning ‘the Salt City’, by the native tribe Arawaks at that time, has become known after the remote discovery of Colombus, who never stepped foot on the island himself. Spain occupied the island in 1633 when the island was still shared between the Netherlands and France, like the present day. The two countries formed an alliance against the Spanish and took the island back 15 years later. 60% of the island territory belongs to France, while 40% belongs to the Netherlands. As a natural consequence of this sharing, there are two cities in capital city status. The capital of the Dutch side is Philisburg and the capital of the French side is Marigot.
Saint Maarten has gained world-wide reputation as a 'tax free shopping paradise'. In Marigot, world’s most famous clothing and jewellery brands sell their products at low prices; therefore Marigot has rapidly developed economically. In the other capital Philisburg local souvenir markets are a more common sight. However there are more beaches on the Dutch side. Hidden bays and white colored sands are the island’s tourism treasure.There are 36 beaches and the most famous ones are Mullet Bay and Maho Bay. Fort Louis, the fortress built against the pirate invasions in the past, Grand Case as a gourmet center, and the Saint Marteen Museum which sheds light on the island’s indigenous life are island’s attractions. The island has the tropical climate. Princess Juliana Airport’s airstrip, located on the Dutch side, begins at a very close position to the beach, thus creating interesting scenes as giant airplanes passing over only 15- 20 meters above people sunbathing at the beach.
Transportation to Saint Maarten City Center from Airport
Princess Juliana Intl. Airport
Passengers can prefer one of the different vehicle options to reach the center from Princess Juliana International Airport, which takes approximately 25 minutes to drive to Philipsburg, the magnificent capital city of Sint Maarten Island. In order to go to the center of the island, which is world-famous due to its wildlife and brilliant beaches, you can easily rent a car or make use of VIP services at the airport.
Those who would like to go to the center from Princess Juliana International Airport as a group of 5-6 individuals or more can make a reservation for one of the bigger vehicles of the tour operators.
Besides, it is extremely easy to find a taxi at arrival times of the airplanes at the airport. With the taxis that are quite practical to go to the center, you can reach Philipsburg, which is considered as the center of Sint Maarten Island, in less than 30 minutes without waiting in front of the terminal.
Car Rental
Visitors who land on Princess Juliana International Airport can opt for going to the center by renting a car from rental companies such as Avis, Best Deal, Hertz and Empress Rent A Car almost at all hours of the day. There are also rental companies available, such as Paradise Island Car Rental, Safari Car Rental, Best Deal Car Rental, Budget Car Rental and Sushine Car Rental for domestic and foreign tourists who would like to rent a car at the airport. While renting a car to reach the center and other spots on the island, do not forget that your passport and other travel documents may be required. If you are going to travel on the island for the first time, get one of the offline maps, which you can use in places with no internet connection, with you.
Tour Shuttle
Tour shuttles provided at Princess Juliana International Airport by many different companies such as Xaro Tours & Transportation, St. Maarten Sightseeing Tours, Transco SARL and D & J Tours are among the alternatives to go to the center. The difference between shuttles and taxis and rental cars is that reservation for shuttles needs to be made a few days or weeks earlier. If you need to take a shuttle, you can ask for a shuttle with a reasonable price by contacting the hotel you are going to stay on the island before you take the airplane.
VIP Service
To go to Philipsburg from the airport, you can benefit from the vehicles of VIP services, which offer a more comfortable journey. Companies such as Island Reps and VIP Destinations provide transportation from the airport to different places within the island.
Taxi
You can go to the mesmerizing beaches in and around Philipsburg by taxi as well. Moreover, taxis can be found at the airport gates in accordance with the arrival times of the flights. Bargaining a price is not so much possible in the taxis of Princess Juliana International Airport. However, it is always possible to learn about the average price you are going to pay or a fixed price in advance.
