The Cupecoy area is located east of the French Terres Basses in the Dutch Lowlands, the part of the island with the biggest construction boom at the moment. Its scenic location and its proximity to Maho and Simpson Bay did not leave investors hesitant for very long. Until now, the area has only been a small outpost of the tourist places with a mixed residential and holiday quarter, but surprisingly it is also a student area. The American University of the Caribbean operates a medical college here. The slogan "Study where other people go on vacation" has never been more valid. There is no typical university life though, partly because most of the students are older and bring their family and children. Their main meeting point is not a fraternity or student union, but the casino complex right next door to the university. Supposedly there have been students who did not cope very well with this.
Cupecoy's limestone cliffs are the area's trademark. The secluded beach in front of them is very popular with young people. Another unique thing lies just behind the campus: Sint Maarten's picturesque golf course. Originally it was part of the Mullet Bay resort which, like 80 percent of all buildings on the island, was destroyed by the hurricane Luis in 1995. Rumour has it that the owner received so much insurance money that he decided to take the cash and run instead of rebuilding. Since then nothing has changed in this ghost town which even has a main road passing through it. But considering the extent of the construction boom already under way in the Cupecoy area, it is probably better left that way.