SAINT MAARTEN provides vacationers the opportunity to enjoy three distinct cultures on one 37 square mile island. There's the delightfulness and soberness of the Dutch on one side, the savoir-faire of the French on the other, and the blending of both with exotic native heritage. Add dozens of beaches and lagoons, luxury hotels, elegant villas, and over 300 restaurants and you may understand why St. Martin is the most visited of all the Leewards. All the great chefs, European, American, or Asian vie to compete in this gourmet capital of the Caribbean, creating cuisines equal to the best of Paris or New York. Shopping on the island is duty free and casinos, discos and night clubs stay open till dawn. Jumbo jets from world centers land here and charters allow visits to the smaller Leewards. There is something to satisfy every taste on St.Martin ... St. Martin/St. Maarten is perfectly located and equipped for day-trips to its neighboring islands. Whether you fancy a deserted beach in Anguilla, a jungle trek through the mountains of Saba, a taste of the 'Good Life' in St. Barths or the peace of 'off the beaten track' paradise in St. Eustatius, journey times are negligible.

Slightly further afield are the islands of St Kitts and Nevis, Barbuda, Antigua and Tortola, and if you are on an extended vacation to the Caribbean, pretty much every island is accessible, with well timetabled flights and innumerable boats and ferries for your chosen 'island-hop'.

As hard to believe as it may be, St. Maarten/St. Martin has thirty-seven beaches on its thirty-seven square miles! Whatever your lifestyle or vacation style, there will certainly be a beach suited to the ambience you desire. For the action seeker, many beaches offer water sports of every description.

Beach bar/cafes are there for your enjoyment too, and offer varied cuisines, from classic French to pizza and burgers, as well as local Caribbean fare. Blenders are busy mixing up delicious fresh frozen cocktails, guavaberry, mango, and passion fruit coladas heading the list. Beach chairs and umbrellas are provided for those who just want to soak up the rays and do some people watching.

If quiet and privacy is more to your liking, St. Maarten/St. Martin has numerous beaches that are semi to totally secluded and offer little or no facilities. Ask a local for directions. Enjoying the beach in the nude is possible at several locations, topless is the norm on St. Martin.

10 REASONS TO VISIT

10. Friendly and Safe. No reason to be trapped in the resort – this island is to be enjoyed and explored. Rental car is a must to experience St. Maarten/St. Martin and its friendly people.

9. European/Caribbean Culture with American Comforts - Foreign enough to be exotic, but English is the most common language and the US-Dollar the usual currency.

8. Best Port for Yachts - Most marinas, boat yards and supply stores – all duty free prices, often cheaper than in the States. Start your cruise or charter here!

7. Great Investment Opportunities - The island is open for business with an investor friendly legislation. Real estate is booming, time to buy your dream vacation home, before prices go through the roof.

6. Most Cosmopolitan Island on Earth - Only 37 square miles, but 2 nations and over 80 nationalities. Showing the world that we all can get along...

5. Instant Island Addiction - Most visitors come back every year, many own a piece of paradise in one of St. Maarten's world class vacation ownership resorts.

4. Best Caribbean Shopping – Duty free bargains everywhere; look for jewelry, perfumes, liquors, tobacco products and much more.

3. Best Nightlife – Clubs for every taste, 12 casinos. Nonstop action for the party crowd. Drinking age 18.

2. Best Dining – Known as the Caribbean gourmet island, St. Maarten/St. Martin might be a culinary world leader with its restaurant selection.

1. Great Beaches – From an active beach scene to remote stretches of sand, the island has it all; year around sunshine.