Philipsburg

Philipsburg is the capital of Dutch Sint Maarten, on an island shared with French Saint-Martin. Ships dock at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise Facility, and the town's main strip, Front Street, runs parallel to the beach. The boardwalk is right there, with Great Bay Beach steps away from the shops. Duty-free shopping is a main activity, with electronics, jewellery, and liquor available. Maho Beach on the western side of the island is famous for planes landing directly over sunbathers at Princess Juliana International Airport. Orient Beach on the French side has beach clubs and restaurants. The border between the Dutch and French halves is unmarked and freely crossed. The French side has better food (French and Creole cooking), while the Dutch side has more nightlife and casinos. The Aruban Florin and US dollar are both accepted on the Dutch side. The euro is used on the French side.