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St. Maarten/St. Martin is one island shared by two countries, and getting around — whether that's a straightforward airport run or a ride across the island — is one of the first things most visitors want sorted out. Here's a practical, no-surprises look at taxi and transfer pricing. Private Airport Transfer Rates Sunita Tours prices private airport transfers by passenger count and by which side of the island you're headed to, since a French-side run to Marigot or Orient Bay is a longer trip than a Dutch-side run to Simpson Bay or Maho. Current fixed rates: Dutch side (Simpson Bay, Maho, Cupecoy, Philipsburg, Cole Bay, Pelican Key): 1-2 passengers $70 · 3-4 passengers $80 · 5-6 passengers $90 · 7-8 passengers $100 · 9-10 passengers $110 · 11-12 passengers $120. French side (Marigot, Grand Case, Orient Bay): 1-2 passengers $80 · 3-4 passengers $100 · 5-6 passengers $120 · 7-8 passengers $140 · 9-10 passengers $160 · 11-12 passengers $180. Rates are quoted in USD. For a larger group, or a pickup point outside these zones, contact us directly for an exact quote. Does Every Taxi Charge the Same Rate? Not necessarily. Rates above are Sunita Tours' own published fixed rates for private transfers booked in advance. Fares can vary between operators and vehicle types, so if you're flagging down a taxi independently rather than booking ahead, it's always worth confirming the fare with your driver before you get in. Private Tour Pricing vs. a Simple Taxi Ride A metered or point-to-point taxi ride is different from a private sightseeing tour, which is priced as a full-day or half-day booking with a guide rather than a single point-to-point fare. If you're weighing up a quick transfer against a guided tour, our private sightseeing tour page breaks down tour pricing by group size. Payment Always confirm accepted payment methods (cash, card, or otherwise) with your driver or operator when you book, since this can vary by service. Booking a Taxi or Transfer with Sunita Tours Sunita Tours is a family-run, Simpson Bay-based taxi and tour operator serving both the Dutch and French sides of the island. Call or WhatsApp +1-721-550-5213 to check availability and book your ride.

Everything to know before you stand under a landing jet on St. Maarten's most famous stretch of sand. Quick answer: Maho Beach sits at the end of Princess Juliana International Airport's runway on the Dutch side of St. Maarten. Landing aircraft pass as low as roughly 30 meters (100 feet) overhead. It's free and open to everyone, busiest around midday arrivals, and the Sunset Beach Bar deck is the classic spot to watch from. Jet blast on departure is genuinely dangerous — stay off the runway fence when a plane is preparing to leave. Why Is Maho Beach So Famous? Maho Beach is famous for one simple reason: geography. Princess Juliana International Airport's runway ends just a few hundred feet from the sand, so aircraft on final approach clear the beach at an altitude low enough to read the livery on the fuselage. It's become one of the most photographed beaches in the Caribbean — not for the water, but for the moment a wide-body jet blocks out the sun for a few seconds before touching down. How Close Do The Planes Really Fly? Close enough that first-timers usually duck. Large commercial aircraft on approach typically pass 30–60 meters (100–200 feet) above the beach, and smaller regional jets can feel even lower. There's no trick photography involved — this is genuinely how tight the approach is, which is exactly why it's worth seeing in person rather than just in someone else's photos. Is Maho Beach Dangerous? The beach itself, while planes are landing, is safe — you're simply standing under a normal approach path, same as anyone living near a coastal runway. The real hazard is jet blast on departure: aircraft power up for takeoff facing the beach, and the wind force from those engines has knocked people off their feet and into the airport fence. Signs around the beach warn against this for good reason — treat them as more than decoration, keep well back from the fence during departures, and supervise kids closely. When Are The Best Times To See Planes Land? Traffic ebbs and flows with the day's flight schedule, and it changes by season, so check a live arrivals tracker for Princess Juliana International (SXM) on the day of your visit rather than relying on a fixed timetable. As a general pattern, mid-morning through mid-afternoon tends to see the most arrivals, which is also when the beach and the Sunset Beach Bar deck get busiest — arrive a little early on a first visit to find a good spot and get a feel for the rhythm before the crowds build. Where's The Best Spot To Watch From? Directly on the sand under the final approach path gives the classic low-angle photo, while the elevated deck at Sunset Beach Bar, right at the edge of the runway, is the more relaxed option — order a drink, and you'll hear the arrivals announced with a countdown before each landing. Both spots are within a short walk of each other, so most visitors end up moving between them over the course of an afternoon. How Does This Fit Into A Sunita Tours Day? Maho Beach is one of the signature stops on our Two Islands, Twice the Fun tour — we time your visit around the day's arrivals, then continue straight across the border into French St. Martin, so you're not spending a whole day just waiting for the next plane. If you'd rather build a day entirely around this one spot and a couple of others nearby, our Private Island Sightseeing Tour can be shaped around exactly that. For the full rundown of other beaches and viewpoints worth pairing it with, see our St. Maarten things-to-do guide. Good To Know Before You Go Parking near Maho Beach fills up fast on high-traffic arrival days, which is one more reason a private driver who already knows the day's pattern is useful rather than driving yourself and guessing. Bring sun protection — there's little natural shade directly on the runway side of the beach — and hold onto hats, sunglasses and loose bags during departures, since jet blast has genuinely sent belongings flying into the water. Sunita Tours is a family-run tour and taxi company based in St. Maarten, and Maho Beach is part of our Two Islands, Twice the Fun day trip — timed to the day's flight schedule so you don't spend your whole visit waiting around.

St. Maarten and St. Martin look like one island on the map — because they are. What surprises a lot of first-time visitors is that this single 37-square-mile island is shared by two entirely different countries, with no border checkpoint, fence, or passport control between them. One Island, Two Countries The island has been divided since 1648, when the Dutch and French agreed to split it under the Treaty of Concordia. Today the southern two-thirds is Sint Maarten, a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the northern third is Saint-Martin, an overseas collectivity of France. You can drive from one side to the other in minutes; the only sign you've crossed is a small monument on the road and a change in road signs. Currency: Guilders, Euros, and US Dollars The Dutch side's official currency is the Caribbean guilder (XCG), introduced in March 2025 to replace the Netherlands Antillean guilder. The French side's official currency is the euro. In practice, US dollars are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, and tour operators across both sides of the island, but it's still a good idea to have some local currency on hand, especially on the French side away from the main tourist areas. Language Dutch and English are the official languages on the Dutch side, and English is what you'll hear most day to day. French is the official language on the French side, though English is widely spoken in restaurants, shops, and hotels in the main tourist areas like Marigot, Grand Case, and Orient Bay. Which Side Should You Visit? Most visitors end up seeing both, and honestly, that's the appeal — Dutch-side beach clubs and the cruise-ship energy of Philipsburg feel very different from the French-side charm of Marigot's market and Grand Case's restaurant row. It's exactly why our "Two Islands, Twice the Fun" tour covers highlights on both sides in a single day. See Both Sides with Sunita Tours Sunita Tours runs private, guided day tours covering the Dutch and French sides, plus private airport transfers and taxi service island-wide. Call or WhatsApp +1-721-550-5213 to plan your day.

The "Two Islands, Twice the Fun" tour is Sunita Tours' signature day trip, covering both Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint-Martin in a single outing. Here's what to expect. Two Cultures, One Unforgettable Day You'll experience two distinct cultures in one day, crossing between the Dutch and French sides of the island, each with its own atmosphere, architecture, and cuisine. Where You'll Go Oyster Pond Lookout Point Bai Lucas Lookout Point Iguana Man Orient Bay Marigot French-Dutch Border Monument Maho Beach Bells Lookout Point Seamless, Stress-Free Logistics Transportation and logistics are handled from start to finish, so you can focus on the views and the experience instead of directions or timing. Price and Meeting Point The tour is $55 per person. Guests meet at the EDC parking lot, with arrival by 9:20 AM sharp and the bus departing at 9:30 AM. Book Your Spot Ready to book? Visit the Two Islands, Twice the Fun page on sunita-tours.com or call +1-721-550-5213.

Flying into Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM)? Here's exactly what to expect from your Sunita Tours private airport transfer, from the moment you land to the moment you're dropped off. Meeting Your Driver at SXM Your driver will be waiting right outside the arrival terminal holding a personalized sign with your name for instant recognition. Flight Delays Are Covered Sunita Tours actively tracks your flight number. If your flight arrives early or late, your pickup time automatically adjusts at no extra charge, so you're never left waiting curbside or paying more because of a delay. Transfers to Both Sides of the Island Private airport transportation is available to all hotels, Airbnbs, and villas across both Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint-Martin, so it doesn't matter which side of the island you're staying on. Areas Served Simpson Bay Maho Philipsburg Orient Bay Grand Case Marigot Book Your Transfer Ready to book your SXM airport transfer? Visit the Airport Transfer page on sunita-tours.com or call +1-721-550-5213.

When you're trusting a driver or guide with your day on the island, real reviews from real travelers matter. Here's where you can read genuine, independently-hosted reviews of Sunita Tours, and where you can leave your own. TripAdvisor Sunita Taxi & Tours St Maarten is listed on TripAdvisor, where guests leave reviews independently of our own site. As of August 2026, the listing shows a 4.9 out of 5 rating. Read the full reviews here: Sunita Taxi & Tours St Maarten on TripAdvisor. Viator Both of our signature tours are also bookable and reviewed on Viator, where every review comes from a verified booking: The Best of St Maarten Private Sightseeing Tour and Two Islands, Twice the Fun. Google You can also find Sunita Tours on Google, where past guests have left reviews visible on Google Maps and Search. Leave Your Own Review Just finished a tour, transfer, or ride with us? We'd genuinely appreciate a review — it helps other travelers, and it helps our small, family-run business. Leave a Google review here. Questions Before You Book? Call or WhatsApp us at +1-721-550-5213 — we're happy to answer questions about any of our tours, transfers, or taxi service before you book.