Nevis or St. Martin
 

My husband and I are trying to plan a trip to the Caribbean. Any thoughts on Nevis versus St. Martin?

Nevis and St. Maarten are VERY different. It depends on what you like while on holiday. <BR>Nevis is small and quiet. A great place if you are very stressed and just want to re-connect with yourself and your partner. Bring books to read too though! The beaches are good but not quite as nice as St. Maarten's (but I think Anguilla has spoilt me for this region, the beaches there are dazzling. There is not much night life. It's a great place for walks and the Botanical Garden is so pretty. From Nevis you can take a 30 min ferry-ride to St. Kitts and visit the Fort on Brimstone Hill.<BR>St. Maarten can be quiet or you can have a busy time with all the casinos, night clubs, shopping. The beaches are great. You could take a day trip on a ferry from Marigot on the French side to Anguilla.<BR>Crime exists everywhere but is more prevelant in St. Maarten than Nevis. Using common sense like always locking your car and not flashing money, that sort of thing is a good idea where ever you are.<BR>I hope this helps.

Nevis- Hands down!! There is no comparison

xxx:<BR><BR>I totally agree with "my opinon." Everyone is different and desires different things in a vacation destination.<BR><BR>If you prefer quiet and not a lot of activity, then Nevis is better. However, if you like to be entertained, then St. Maarten/Martin would be more ideal.<BR><BR>You also have to remember that Nevis is much smaller and is British, whereas SXM is larger and is half Dutch/half French. The fact that SXM is divided would also mandate your choosing which side you want to stay on...French or Dutch. Personally, I have always prefered the French side.<BR><BR>Whatever you decide, good luck and post back to let us know how it goes.<BR>

St. Martin - Hands down, too many pluses.<BR><BR>Lets add up the advantages,<BR><BR>St. Martin has the following:<BR>37 Beaches, Restaurants, Casinos, Shopping, Major airline access, Public transport, Nightlife, Fench/Dutch heritage, cheap & exciting excursions (St. Barts-Anguilla-Saba), Lodging choices.<BR><BR>Nevis has:<BR>Natural beauty and is extremely quiet. Nevis does have one good beach (Pinney's Beach) and one great hotel (The Four Seasons Hotel), and nearby St. Kitts.

Yes, everyone please go to St. Martin.

This issue of crime always interests me. If one checks international crime statistics one will find that St.Kitts and Nevis have regularly been listed in the top 10 crime rates in the world. Granted most of this is petty theft, of bicycles, drug arrests, etc., and not violent crime. But a fascinating statistic nonetheless.

Even though St. Maarten/St. Martin is Dutch/French, you can travel quite freely from one side to the other. No need to make a decision on which side to stay. Each side has quiet and activity. I'd take St. Martin.

I agree fully with "Been There" in that you can travel very freely between the two sides. However, I would like to elaborate on what I meant by "deciding which side to stay on."<BR><BR>For starters, I go to SXM almost monthly and it's been well known for years that there IS more crime on the Dutch side than the French. Not that the French side isn't getting it's fair share here lately, but that's a factor to consider in where you stay. Please remember, though, that there is crime everywhere nowadays, so you just have to be careful on either side. Don't let it detour you...it doesn't detour me...you just have to be careful as you would in any major city anywhere in the world.<BR><BR>Also, you have a bit more of a "Mediterranean" feel in hotels on the French side, whereas the Dutch side hotels are more "Antillean."<BR><BR>If you are going to be doing more things on the French side, then it makes sense to stay there. On the other hand, if you will be enjoying more casinos, etc., then the Dutch side is for you.<BR><BR>That's all that I meant on deciding which side to stay on. Some people prefer the Dutch side and some prefer the French side. Everyone has their own favorites.<BR><BR>Enjoy your stay in SXM whichever side you decide to stay on! I'm headed there tomorrow myself.<BR><BR>

I agree fully with "Been There" in that you can travel very freely between the two sides. However, I would like to elaborate on what I meant by "deciding which side to stay on."<BR><BR>For starters, I go to SXM almost monthly and it's been well known for years that there IS more crime on the Dutch side than the French. Not that the French side isn't getting it's fair share here lately, but that's a factor to consider in where you stay. Please remember, though, that there is crime everywhere nowadays, so you just have to be careful on either side. Don't let it detour you...it doesn't detour me...you just have to be careful as you would in any major city anywhere in the world.<BR><BR>Also, you have a bit more of a "Mediterranean" feel in hotels on the French side, whereas the Dutch side hotels are more "Antillean."<BR><BR>If you are going to be doing more things on the French side, then it makes sense to stay there. On the other hand, if you will be enjoying more casinos, etc., then the Dutch side is for you.<BR><BR>That's all that I meant on deciding which side to stay on. Some people prefer the Dutch side and some prefer the French side. Everyone has their own favorites.<BR><BR>Enjoy your stay in SXM whichever side you decide to stay on! I'm headed there tomorrow myself.<BR><BR>PS - Sorry if this posts more than once. It keeps bumping me off.<BR>

I absolutely LOVED St. Maartin. I loved the french side.. but the dutch side was good too. beautiful beaches.. But since to Grand caymans,, even MORE beautiful)..if thats possible!.. St. Maartin has shopping casino and some nightlife.. Youll be glad u went!