This small island located north on the Eastern Caribbean is big enough to be home to two countries.
Sint Maarten is a constituent country of the Kingdom of Netherlands (known as the Dutch side), and Saint Martin -its official name is the Collectivité de Saint-Martin– is an overseas territory of France (known as the French side). Both countries split the island back in 1648.
But what is beyond rare in this rare occurrence is that the only borders you’ll see are on the map. After you clear immigration on arrival you can travel freely between the two countries. No barricades, no border agents, no passport needed. Only signs welcoming you to “the other side”.
Sint Maarten is more developed, packed with hotels and resorts, and stores, bars and restaurants. If you’re looking for a more relaxed experience you’ll feel more at ease in Saint Martin.
Both sides have paradisiac beaches surrounded by hills that offer scenic hiking trails, and an array of restaurants with local and international food. In Saint Martin you’ll find delicious French cafés and restaurants where you can savour French cuisine with a Caribbean twist.
Scroll down the page to find more information and several blog posts about the island.
Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase through those links I will earn a commission at no additional cost to you (zero, nada). To check the full disclaimer, click here.
SINT MAARTEN (Dutch side)
Official language: Dutch, but you’ll see and hear English everywhere
Currency: Antillean Guilder (ANG), but US dollars are accepted
Capital: Philipsburg
Power outlets: type A and B; 110V/60 Hz
SAINT MARTIN (French side)
Official language: French, but English and Créole is widely spoken
Currency: the Euro, but US dollars are accepted
Capital: Marigot
Power outlets: type A and B; 110V/60 Hz
Table of Contents
Best Time to Travel to St. Maarten/St. Martin
St. Maarten / St. Martin has two seasons. The dry season runs between December and May, and the rainy season (or hurricane season) runs between June and November.
The weather between December and March is at its best, as temperatures are milder. But it’s also the busiest season, with the highest prices. You may find better deals (and moderate temperatures between April and June).
June 1st marks the start of hurricane season, although storms are rare in June (but with weather going crazier and crazier you never know). The season is most active between July and October and although you can find better deals on flights and hotels, the weather is crazy hot and Roberto, Susan, Thomas -whatever is name of the hurricane- can alter your vacation plans at any moment.
November is less hot, it’s past the peak of the hurricane season, and you can still find some deals before prices soar in December.
Top Things to Do in St. Maarten / St. Martin
-Work on your tan at the stunning beaches:
Beaches in Sint Maarten have powdery sand and crystal clear waters that attract thousands of people. The beaches on the French side are as beautiful, with the added bonus of being more secluded than the ones on the Dutch side.
-Explore the hiking trails:
Go up on the hills for wonderful views and amazing sunsets and hike the coastal trails that take you along rugged shores. See the beauty of the dry forest and find secluded beaches along the way.
-See the work of talented artists:
Walk along Marigot and Philipsburg to see dozens and dozens of murals reflecting the natural beauty of the island, its culture and its history. It’s like an outdoor museum! Stop at the Marigot market to see arts and crafts and taste local spices and spirits.
-Get as close as you’ll ever be to a landing plane:
Go to Maho Beach, where the landing strip at Princess Juliana airport starts just a few feet away. Join the crowd looking up, waiting for airplanes to fly over for that pic, and to feel that you can almost touch it
How to Get to St. Maarten/St. Martin
By Air
The island’s major airport is the Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) located in Sint Maarten, next to Simpson Bay. You can fly non-stop to Sint Maarten from Amsterdam, Toronto (Canada), from major cities in the United States, and from other islands in the Caribbean.
If you’re not planning to rent a car you’ll find taxi stands at the airport, there’ s no Uber/Lyft on island. Or you can book a shuttle in advance (some hotels and resort in Sint Maarten include this service) to your destination.
There is a smaller airport in Saint Martin, the Aéroport de Grand-Case L’Espérance (SFG) with flights to and from neighbouring islands (mainly Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Barth, and Antigua and Barbuda), and France.
By Sea
You can visit St. Maarten/St. Martin from other Eastern Caribbean islands. There are ferries sailing to and from Saba, Anguilla, St. Barth, St. Eustatius (Statia), and St. Kitts. Be aware that your trip can be cancelled at any time due to rough seas.
You can take a day trip to St. Maarten/St. Martin from some of these islands (although I recommend to stay longer if you have the time).
Getting Around St. Maarten/St. Martin
If you’re going to spend less than three days on island and your itinerary is not packed with things to do and you’re staying around Simpson Bay or Philipsburg or Grand Case and you don’t plan to visit the more secluded beaches, you can get away with using the public bus (be aware that buses don’t work after 8PM – or earlier).
There are routes from Philipsburg to Marigot (and from Marigot you can take a bus to Grand Case), and from Philipsburg to Mullet Bay (going through Simpson Bay and Maho Beach). The island may be small but traffic is insane so give yourself enough cushion when planning your day activities.
If you want to explore further, visit the less crowded beaches, go on several hiking trails, you’ll need to rent a car.
Taxis are widely available (no Uber or Lyft), and expensive. At the end if may add to the same amount of a car rental minus the convenience of total freedom and not waiting around for a pick up.
Some areas can be explored on foot, but remember to bring water, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and comfortable shoes. It’s hot and some roads don’t have sidewalks.
Blog Posts About St. Maarten/St. Martin
Best Booking Resources
These are the go-to resources we use all the time to find where to stay, book flights, and get travel insurance
- Agoda: we’ve found great deals in apartments, guesthouses, and boutique hotels through this site.
- Airbnb: rent a whole house or a room directly from the homeowner through Airbnb. We’ve used it to book apartments and private rooms.
- Booking.com: you’ll find any type of property you can think of in their massive listing, with one of the most comprehensive filters. We’ve found great deals on boutique hotels and apartments.
- Great Escape: it combines the listings from Expedia, Kiwi, Kayak, and Skyscanner (on the premium service) to find the best airfares.
- Hotwire: the first site I check when we plan to stay at a hotel for a few nights. You can save anything from 20% to 60%. Use the search filter to find what you want and you’ll end up with three listings that match your criteria. You’ll know which one you’ll get after you book. If you can handle a little bit of uncertainty you can score big savings.
- House Sitting: you take care of people’s pets and house for free while staying for free. It’s the closest thing to experiencing a place “like a local”. But it comes with responsibilities. Are you an animal lover? You may want to give it a try.
- Momondo: we check Momondo to find great deals to book our flights.
- SafetyWing: travel medical insurance gives us peace of mind knowing that we’re covered in case of emergency. It’s convenient, affordable, and great for digital nomads who spend a long time outside their home country.
Check my Resource Page to learn about the brands I use and trust during my travels and how they can save you time and money. More sightseeing and more cocktails for you!