Saint Martin
One of the Caribbean's most remarkable shared islands — French Saint-Martin to the north, Dutch Sint Maarten to the south. A living case study in coexistence, identity, and the Caribbean's layered history.
One island. Two worlds.
DISCOVER SAINT MARTIN
Two flags. Two languages. One extraordinary place.
Saint-Martin is unlike any other island in the Caribbean — or the world. A single landmass of 87 km², shared since 1648 between France and the Netherlands with no wall, no checkpoint, no border formality. You cross from one country to the other on a road, sometimes without noticing.
The French side — Saint-Martin — has the quiet character of a French Caribbean town: Marigot's market, Grand Case's restaurant strip, Creole culture that runs deep. The Dutch side — Sint Maarten — is louder, more international, shaped by a distinct Antillean identity. Together, they form a place where French, Dutch, English, and Creole are spoken within a few kilometers, and where the complexity of Caribbean identity is more visible than almost anywhere else in the region.
With En Route, Saint Martin becomes more than a destination. It becomes a conversation about borders, identity, language, and what it means to share a place.
St Martin can also be combined with Guadeloupe — in a single multi-stop journey. We handle all connecting logistics so your group experiences the travel, not the organizing.
For educational groups, Saint-Martin offers a rare concentration of academic entry points in a compact, walkable destination — political geography, colonial history, multilingualism, climate resilience after Hurricane Irma, marine ecology, and French immersion, all within a single island.
Programs can be conducted entirely in English, in French, or bilingually depending on your group's goals.
For custom groups, Saint-Martin works precisely because it offers two very different atmospheres in one place. The French side for its charm and cuisine, the Dutch side for its energy. One island, many ways to experience it.
WHAT YOU'LL EXPERIENCE
Six perspectives on one shared island.
Saint-Martin's unique status — one island, two sovereign nations — makes it a destination where almost every discipline finds a rich entry point. These are the experiences we build programs around — each one is an example, not a fixed menu.
LANGUAGE & CULTURE
French, Dutch, English & Creole — in one place
French, Dutch, English, and Papiamento are all spoken on Saint-Martin — often within the same conversation. For French language programs, the French side offers an authentic immersion environment. For groups focused on multilingualism, cultural identity, or sociolinguistics, the island is a living laboratory unlike anything else in the Caribbean.
ADVENTURE & EXPLORATION
Hiking, heritage trails & island discovery
Pic Paradis (Paradise Peak) for panoramic views over both sides of the island, the Froussards Trail at Anse Marcel, the Cultural Roots Tour, the Loterie Farm hike, and a tour of Fort Louis and Marigot — Saint-Martin rewards those who go beyond the beach.
CULTURE & HERITAGE
Creole cuisine, food culture & village life
Grand Case is widely considered one of the finest food destinations in the entire Caribbean — Creole restaurants, lolos, and a dining culture that reflects the island's mixed heritage. An immersive culinary and heritage tour, the Colombier and Rambaud village tours, the Emilio Wilson Museum at Rainforest Adventures, and the Amuseum Naturalis complete a cultural program rooted in the island's real everyday life.
NATURE & ENVIRONMENT
Marine science, mangroves & coastal ecosystems
Mangrove restoration, invasive species management, coral reef snorkeling, and kayaking through coastal lagoons — Saint-Martin's marine and coastal environment offers a compelling environmental science program anchored in real conservation work happening on the island today.
GEOPOLITICS & HISTORY
Colonial history & Caribbean identity
Since 1648, France and the Netherlands have shared this island under an unusual open-border arrangement — no wall, no checkpoint, no formality. Walking across that border, visiting Fort Louis and Fort Amsterdam, exploring Philipsburg's historic waterfront — a tangible, visible case study in colonial partition and Caribbean identity that no textbook can replicate.
ARTS & MUSIC
Steel pan, Ponum dance & living traditions
Saint-Martin has a vibrant and distinct cultural identity — steel pan drumming, traditional Ponum dance, and an arts scene that reflects the island's mixed African, European, and Caribbean heritage. Workshops with local musicians and artists give groups a direct, hands-on encounter with traditions that are still very much alive on both sides of the island.
PROGRAMS IN SAINT MARTIN
The same island. Different journeys.
Every program is built around your group's goals. The itineraries below are examples — starting points for a conversation, not fixed packages.
Discovery trip - Saint Martin
4 to 6 days
Saint-Martin is one of the rare destinations where middle school students can be genuinely active participants — not just observers. They restore mangroves, they hike to a summit, they cook a meal, they learn a drum rhythm. Every activity is hands-on, age-appropriate, and designed to generate the kind of curiosity that doesn't stop when the trip ends.
The island's two sides — French and Dutch — also offer a natural entry point into geography, history, and language that works for every level. Programs are conducted in English, in French, or bilingually.
→ Explore Caribbean culture through food, music, and traditional arts
→ Study coastal and marine ecosystems through hands-on activities
→ Practice French in authentic settings — if applicable to your curriculum
→ Hike Pic Paradis and discover both sides of the island
Saint Martin can be combined with Guadeloupe for a multi-island program. Ask us about it
GOOD TO KNOW
Saint Martin, in practice.
Marigot
CAPITAL CITY - FRENCH SIDE
The administrative and cultural center of Saint-Martin, with a waterfront market and a distinctly French Caribbean atmosphere.
€ / XCG
CURRENCY
The French side uses the Euro (€), while the Dutch side uses the Netherlands Antillean Guilder (XCG). U.S. dollars are widely accepted throughout the island.
87 km²
SURFACE AREA
A compact island shared between two sovereign nations — French Saint-Martin to the north, Dutch Sint Maarten to the south.
Dec – Apr
BEST SEASON
The dry season brings sunny skies, pleasant temperatures and ideal conditions for beaches, sailing and outdoor adventures.
80 000
POPULATION
One of the most cosmopolitan populations in the Caribbean where more than 100 nationalities contribute to a vibrant multicultural identity.
75–86°F
CLIMATE
A tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round, refreshed by steady Caribbean trade winds.
4 languages
LANGUAGES SPOKEN
French and Dutch are the official languages, while English serves as the common language across the island. French and English Creole are also widely spoken.
~3h00 from Miami
FLIGHTS
Direct flights connect the island with Miami in about 3h00, while direct flights from Montréal take approximately 5 hours, making Saint Martin easily accessible from North America.
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