Top Netherlands Antilles hotels
Check schedules for departures of the big planes. KLM. Air France and? Go to the Sunset Bar at Beaco Hill at departure time. When you see the big jet headed towards the water, run to the fence and hang on! As the jet turns on the ramp for its take-off you will get blasted with warm gritty air. Be careful. Glasses and cameras are likely to be blown away. Not advised for children. Then have a drink on the beach.
Don't even try to speak dutch or english. It's no use. Try spanish instead. Most of the people here do learn to speak Dutch, because The Netherlands Antilles used to be a colony of The Netherlands (This is also why lots of citynames are Dutch). Now the Antilles have their own government, but the Dutch government still has a lot of influence. Also the law at the Netherlands Antilles is quite the same as in the Netherlands because of this. It's a kinda strange situation, I think. Some cultural tips: Cultural Caribbean Carnaval festivals -that are very nice to see- are most of the times held around february.
St. Martin is a duty-free port. Cruise ships dock here so that its passengers can stock up on jewelry, perfumes, cigars and designer goods. The savings on luxury items is amazing. For example, if you purchase a Cartier watch you can save between 15 and 20% off the price you would pay in the states. Crystal too bears a 20-30% off savings.
My only advice is to be alert and observant as to local culture. If you aren't sure about something, ask. Most of the vendors you encounter, especially on the street, are more than happy to bargain with you on prices. This is a picture of one of the side streets just off the main beach at Phillipsburg, on the Dutch side.
'The Sign of Jonah' by Boeli van LeeuwenISBN: 1877946621 Rich with symbolism and filled with historical and philosophical references, van Leeuwen's short novel uses the fluidity of dream and fable in an attempt to jury-rig an accommodation between the Old (European) and the New (colonial) worlds. Told by an elderly curmudgeon known as ''the professor,'' events are set primarily in Willemstad, the vibrant and culturally diverse Caribbean port capital of Curaçao, a Dutch-speaking island of the Netherlands Antilles. The narrative is disjointed, but that seems to be appropriate for the professor, an idealistic alcoholic who is haunted by death and pontificates on issues ranging from power-hungry Latin American dictators to the beauty of Barbra Streisand. The professor rescues a fabulously wealthy businessman, Juan Carlos de Altamario, who in return invites the narrator onto his yacht and,...
Don't stare and take pictures of the nudes on the beaches. As you may guess- this is considered very rude. Many of the beaches are topless and those with nudes are very discreet-usually at the far end away from other bathers. Some tourists are realy gawky- as if they have never seen someone nude before. We were on a snorkeling trip and one woman came back from the beach talking about all of the pictures that she took of the nude people-how rude!
Unique cultural feature: they are happy people. I have never seen so many friendly and happy people. Even the registration plate states 'St Martin - The Friendly Island'Tip the taxi driver if he offers to take you on a little tour of the passing town on your way to the hotel. Tip the vallet parking attendants.Say 'Bonjour' back when greeted on the street. This is the main genuin local friendly creole culture at its best.Picture: Local Market in Marigot.
Just as a by the way, they speak Dutch here!!!Thanks Anja!
Being late is normal. Don't dress or act like a tourist (white shorts, silly hat, socks drawn up to your knees and really sunburnt). Almost everywhere you go, you can haggle for the price of things.
In Willemstad there are several museums, worthwhile to visit.
Hotel L'Esplanade Sint Maarten
1 Review and 357 Opinions Although the vast online reviews rave about this hotel-we must respectfully disagree for the...
Hyatt Regency Curacao Golf Resort Curaçao
1 Review and 356 Opinions just perfect!!!! service and Quality!!!!!!!!
Harbour Village Beach Resort Bonaire
140 Opinions
Reviews and photos of Netherlands Antilles attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Netherlands Antilles sightseeing.
Q: I am coming from Brussels and I want to go to Netherlands for a few days, then to Berlin. Should I get a train pass? Is that...
A: Three days of train travel - no you likely need to travel for at least 5 for Eurail to be considered. Point-to-point is probably the least expensive option, with...
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