The perfect marriage of French and Dutch cultures, St. Martin and Sint Maarten are two different colonies on one island. There are no border patrols or customs separating the colonies, so tourists can enjoy the best of both worlds — including their 44 combined attractions. The island has a very high beach density score of 1.09.

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Puerto Rico # 1? We prefer # 4! ;-)

Puerto Rico # 1 they must be kidding.
I would not go to Puerto even if it was Free.

I don't even like flying in there as a stop over

Agreed - that really surprised me.

If they think Flamingo beach is the best in the world, seriously?

Something is really wrong with their flight time math...2 hours and 40 minutes to PR from NYC? You can't even get to Miami that fast.

I think it was an odd methodology that they used to arrive at the results. I guess they were trying to objectively quantify everything and I don't agree with how they ranked things. Especially the deal about beaches per square mile of territory. To me, that's an odd thing to rank an island on.

Wow - imagine an internet article that isn't 100% correct. How does that happen?

I didn't say it wasn't correct, just thought the methodology is weird.

I prefer to let others think SXM is only number 4. I'd like to keep the island a secret treat.

I like your thinking!

PR has very few nice beaches..the number one reason to go to the Caribbean..Poor job by the author..have them look at this web site and then come up with a new list:)

And thanks for such a beauitful picture of our beauitful island. Are they for real with this article. Sounds like the article was developed in PR.

I love St. Martin but I love PR as well. It doesn't surprise me that it's ranked #1 as it has so much to offer between Old San Juan and it's cobble stone streets and forts (most Caribbean islands have nothing even close to this, including SXM) as well as a rain forest, a beautiful coastline and offshore islands including Vieques. San Juan also has some amazing restaurants and great nightlife. Anyway, I know this is a SXM forum, but I when I saw the negative comments about Puerto Rico, I had to give my two cents!

SXM a secret? I think that ship must have sailed a couple of decades ago. It's a pretty crowded island whenever I am there

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

The Bahamas aren't even in the Caribbean.

San Juan airport. Worst airport I have ever been to. Had 3 hour layovers last year. The people working in the shops and restaurants were very rude. It would have to be a last resort for me to fly through there

Have to say that we had a wonderful two-week stay in PR a few years ago - beautiful island, lots to do and see, friendly people and great food! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
Different from SXM, yes, but would certainly go back there again!

Don't judge any country by the airport. It's not a representation of the country itself. PR is a great place for a vacation if you want to experience culture, great food and natural attractions in the Caribbean.

Have to say PR is a great place. Please don't knock it. It's a big island with many many different features that the smaller islands just don't / can't offer. Is it number 1, I don't know but I would never knock the place. Flying through there can be a challenge but I have never had an issue with rude employees.

Lived in PR for three years in high school (many many years ago - we had our 50th in New Orleans last year). Have been back numerous times, and will be there again in six weeks. As others have said. PR and SXM are two entirely different islands - each has their pros and cons. and we love both, for different reasons. Thank goodness people do go to different places - if you think Orient is crowded now, what would every SXM beach be like if no one went to PR or other places.

Jeff: If I had to judge countries or islands by their airports I have been through, I probably would stay home. PR. is a very friendly and gorgeous island, culture, great food and nice beaches and hotels. Different from SXM? yes but still a nice island to visit.

I'm not knocking the island just the airport. do not ever want a layover there again. I would stay on the island. I was on a cruise and we stopped there. Had a good day.

Ha! And Anguilla is #20? Good. Keep it that way for the rest of us

Having been to PR a few times, it IS a wonderful island, with much to do, a beautiful rain forest, and great out islands. The fact that it has the worst airport I've ever been to outside of Haiti's doesn't diminish the island experience itself. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Just looking at GOOGLE MAPS and St. Barts does not seem to have higher Beach Density than SXM. And average room only $38 more?

As far as prices for lodging, I think the survey was talking about average prices for HOTEL rooms. A good percentage of people going to SXM stay in timeshares or other rentals, not traditional hotel rooms, so I think the average cost for lodging for SXM in their survey was quite a bit higher than what most people on this board pay per night for lodging.

...as to whether TTOL'ers are 'average' SXM visitors or not, who knows??? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />