Visit St. Maarten during Carnival, an island-wide celebration of native culture, pride and tradition, and celebrate in true Caribbean style. This local event, one of the grandest festivals on the island, runs over two weeks and begins just after Easter. Carnival features calypso, road march and "band of the year" competitions, local and international shows, pageants, comedy jams, talent performances, local cuisine, dancing in the streets in a party atmosphere of "jump-up" parades. The island's carnival celebration traditionally peaks around April 30 in honour of the Queen's (of the Netherlands) birthday.

In Carnival Village, two blocks from the duty-free shops of Front Street, visitors can find the best prices in the Caribbean. More than 100 booths serve native dishes such as conch and dumplings, johnnycakes (local bread specialty), open-pit barbecued chicken, ribs, fish, lobster, "sea moss" (legendary island aphrodisiac beverage made of seaweed) and other local specialties.

Carnival season concludes when King Momo, the straw-stuffed Carnival leader, exits in a blaze of fire and fireworks. According to legend, he takes the village sins with him, leaving the island pure . . . until next year!

Located 150 miles southeast of Puerto Rico, St. Maarten/St. Martin boasts a rich history, more than 350 restaurants, 37 beaches, duty-free shopping, varied accommodations, diverse recreational activities, convenient day trips to neighbouring islands, casinos and an active nightlife. The 37-square-mile island is the smallest landmass to be shared by two separate governments, with Dutch Sint Maarten covering 16 square miles to the south and French St. Martin stretching 21 square miles to the north. As a result, residents comprise a melting pot of 140 nationalities, three cultures and numerous languages and dialects.