Everything St. Martin: the local's guide
One island, two countries and more to do than one trip allows. These are the attractions, beaches, food, nightlife and events we send our own guests to, plus the airport and cruise port tips we wish every visitor knew.
St. Martin at a glance
Know before you go
St. Martin is a Caribbean island shared by two countries: Sint Maarten, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in the south, and Saint-Martin, part of France, in the north.
- Size
- 87 km² (34 sq mi) for the whole island
- Highest point
- Pic Paradis, 424 m (1,391 ft)
- Border
- Open, no passport control between the sides
- Currency
- Caribbean guilder (Dutch side), euro (French side); US dollars widely accepted
- Languages
- English everywhere; Dutch and English on the Dutch side, French on the French side
- Electricity
- Dutch side 110–120 V with US plugs; French side 220–240 V with European plugs
- Time zone
- Atlantic Standard Time (UTC−4)
- Airports
- Princess Juliana (SXM) and Grand Case (SFG)
- Cruise port
- Philipsburg, about a 15-minute walk from town
Top attractions
The best things to do in St. Martin
The places our guests ask for most, on both sides of the island. The easiest way to see several in one day is an island tour.
Maho Beach plane spotting
Stand on the sand at the end of the runway as jets pass just overhead on final approach to Princess Juliana Airport. Beach bars such as Sunset Bar & Grill show the arrival times.
Stay back from the airport fence. Jet blast from departing planes is dangerous.
On our shared island tour
Philipsburg, Front Street and the Boardwalk
The Dutch side's capital packs duty-free shopping on Front Street, the white 1793 Courthouse, free tastings at the Guavaberry Emporium and a beachfront Boardwalk along Great Bay, all about 15 minutes' walk from the cruise pier.
Taxi to Philipsburg
Fort Amsterdam and Little Bay
Walk out to the ruins of Fort Amsterdam, built by the Dutch in 1631, for 19th-century cannons and wide views over Great Bay, then cool off in the calm water of Little Bay below.
Add it to a private tour
Marigot, the market and Fort Louis
The French side's capital has a seafront market that runs Monday to Saturday mornings, with fresh fish on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Climb to Fort Louis, built in 1789, for the best view of Marigot Bay, then browse the boutiques and bakeries.
Marigot is a stop on our shared tour
The Border Monument
This obelisk marks the Treaty of Concordia, signed on 23 March 1648, which divided the island peacefully between France and the Netherlands. There is no border control, so stop for a photo with a foot in each country.
On our private tour route
Topper's Rhum Distillery
Tour the distillery on Welfare Road in Cole Bay and taste rums made right here in St. Maarten. A favorite stop with our guests.
Ask for it on a private tourMore favorites
Grand Case
A 2 km beachfront strip with more than 40 restaurants, from fine French dining to the lolos, open-air barbecue stands serving ribs, chicken and fresh fish. On Tuesday evenings from February to April, Grand Case Tuesdays (Harmony Nights) fill the street with music, parades and craft stalls from 6 to 10 pm.
Book a ride to Grand CaseOrient Bay
The island's most popular beach, on the French side's east coast, lined with beach restaurants and water sports.
Taxi to Orient BayPinel Island
A small island off Cul-de-Sac with calm, clear water, a snorkeling area and beach bars. In high season small ferries cross about every 30 minutes, or you can kayak over.
Ride to the Cul-de-Sac ferryRainforest Adventures
At Rockland Estate on Sentry Hill, ride the Sky Explorer chairlift for views toward Saba, St. Barths and Anguilla, then come down on the Flying Dutchman, billed as the steepest zip line in the world.
Get there by taxiPic Paradis and Loterie Farm
Pic Paradis is the island's highest point at 424 m (1,391 ft). On its slopes, Loterie Farm is a 135-acre nature reserve with restaurants and treetop adventure courses.
Get there by taxiDiving and snorkeling
The Man of War Shoal Marine Park has more than 50 dive sites, including the wreck of HMS Proselyte, a British frigate that sank in 1801.
Ride to your dive shopBeaches
Which St. Martin beach is right for you?
Every beach on the island is open to the public. Here is how we match our guests to the right sand.
| Beach | Side | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Maho Beach | Dutch | Planes landing overhead, beach bars |
| Mullet Bay | Dutch | Calm turquoise water next to Maho, a local favorite |
| Great Bay | Dutch | Walking distance from the cruise port, right on the Boardwalk |
| Little Bay | Dutch | Calm water below Fort Amsterdam |
| Dawn Beach | Dutch | Sunrise on the east coast |
| Orient Bay | French | Beach restaurants and water sports |
| Baie Rouge | French | A quieter west-end beach framed by rocky headlands |
| Friar's Bay | French | A relaxed bay near Marigot with beach bars |
| Pinel Island | French | Snorkeling, a short ferry ride from Cul-de-Sac |
| Grand Case Beach | French | A swim before dinner on the boulevard |
Beach hopping? Our 24/7 taxi takes you to any beach on either side and picks you up when you're done.
Food & drink
Where to eat and what to try
The lolos and restaurant row
Grand Case is the island's dining capital. Eat at the lolos, casual open-air barbecue stands, or book one of the French restaurants along the boulevard for dinner.
French bakeries and market lunches
Start the day with croissants and pastries in Marigot, then graze the market stalls, which also sell traditional cooked dishes to take away at lunchtime.
Guavaberry, the national liqueur
Guavaberry is the national liqueur of Sint Maarten / St. Martin. Taste it free at the Guavaberry Emporium on Front Street, where the Guavaberry Colada was created in 1973.
Topper's Rhum
Rum made on the island, with distillery tours and tastings on Welfare Road in Cole Bay.
Nightlife
St. Maarten after dark
Happy hours here often last all afternoon. These are the areas locals head to at night.
- Simpson BayThe island's busiest nightlife strip, with bars, restaurants and clubs such as Lotus Nightclub.
- Maho VillageBars and restaurants steps from Maho Beach. Start with sunset and planes at Sunset Bar & Grill.
- Philipsburg BoardwalkBeach bars and long happy hours along Great Bay, including The Pier and Dutch Blonde Beach Bar.
- Grand Case TuesdaysMusic, parades, craft stalls and street food every Tuesday evening from February to April.
- CasinosThe Dutch side has several casinos for a late night out.
Getting home: call or WhatsApp our 24/7 taxi on +1 721-550-5213. We pick up at any hour, on either side.
Shopping
Duty-free on the Dutch side, chic on the French
Philipsburg is a duty-free port, so jewelry, watches, liquor and electronics are often cheaper than at home.
Front Street
Duty-free jewelry, watches, liquor, electronics and cigars along the island's best-known shopping street.
Back Street and the craft market
Affordable fashion on Back Street, and arts, crafts and souvenirs at the market behind the Courthouse.
Boutiques and the market
European boutiques (prices in euros) and the seafront market for spices, crafts and infused rums, Monday to Saturday mornings.
Events calendar
What's on through the year
Dates move a little each year, so check before you book. Big event weeks fill up fast, and so do our tours and taxis.
| When | Event | Side |
|---|---|---|
| February | Carnaval, the French side carnival before Lent | French |
| Feb – Apr, Tuesdays | Grand Case Tuesdays (Harmony Nights), 6–10 PM | French |
| Early March | St. Maarten Heineken Regatta | Dutch |
| Mid-March | SXM Festival (music) | Island-wide |
| Late April – early May | Sint Maarten Carnival | Dutch |
| 27 April | King's Day | Dutch |
| 28 May | Abolition of Slavery Day | French |
| 1 July | Emancipation Day | Dutch |
| 14 July | Bastille Day (Fête Nationale) | French |
| 21 July | Schoelcher Day | French |
| 11 November | St. Martin's Day | Both |
Weather: December to April is the drier peak season. Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November.
Arriving by air
SXM airport and getting to your hotel
Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on the Dutch side is the island's main airport, right next to Maho Beach. Grand Case L'Espérance Airport (SFG) on the French side handles small regional flights.
From SXM it is about 5–10 minutes to Simpson Bay, 20 minutes to Marigot, 25 minutes to Philipsburg, 30 minutes to Grand Case and 40 minutes to Orient Bay, depending on traffic.
Skip the taxi line: a Sunita Tours driver can meet you outside arrivals holding a sign with your name. Private transfers start at $70 for 1–2 passengers to the Dutch side and $80 to the French side, and we track your flight.
Arriving by cruise ship
Philipsburg cruise port tips
Ships dock at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities. Philipsburg is about a 15-minute walk away, or take a water taxi to Captain Hodge Wharf, Walter Williams Jetty or Bobby's Marina on the waterfront. Taxis wait at the terminal, and Sunita Tours guests meet us at the EDC parking lot, a 5 to 10 minute walk from the pier.
- Ship in early, leaving late afternoon: the shared 360° island tour leaves at 9:30 AM and takes 5–6 hours.
- Shorter stop or a late arrival: the private tour has five start times, from 9 AM to 1 PM, and you choose the stops.
- Either way: we plan backwards from your all-aboard time, with our on-time port return guarantee.
Getting around
Taxis, buses and driving
The island is small, but traffic around Simpson Bay and Philipsburg can be slow. Here is how locals and visitors get around.
Taxis
Taxis don't use meters. Agree on the fare before you ride, or book Sunita's 24/7 taxi and we tell you the price up front.
Minibuses
Local minibuses run along the main roads and are the cheapest way around. For sightseeing on a schedule, a taxi or private driver is faster.
Driving
Traffic drives on the right. Allow extra time around Simpson Bay and Philipsburg at rush hour and on busy cruise days.
Crossing the border
Drive or walk straight across. There are no border checks between the Dutch and French sides.
Guest reviews · 4.9 / 5 from nearly 1,800 reviews
Seen the island with Sunita
Great island tour with RAJ
“Saw essentially everything from the planes landing at Maho beach to great views of the island and some shopping. … there were 2 cruise ships in port on the day of our tour with almost 10k passengers and Raj got us around the island to see all the sights effortlessly.”
Amazing Tour
“My family went on this tour as it was the first time to St Maarten. It was a wonderful experience. Our guide was informative and super personable. … Maho Beach watching the planes come into the runway was our favorite experience.”
Fantastic tour of the island and we could not have asked for a better tour guide!
“This tour was our first day on Saint Martin and it was the perfect way to start a fun family trip. Our tour guide Cindy was so kind, and helpful. This tour in particular, was great because it showed us highlights of the entire island and where we would like to go back to during the rest of our stay.”
Traveled with us? Your review helps the next family find us.
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St. Martin questions
Quick answers for visitors
What are the best things to do in St. Maarten / St. Martin?
Top picks are plane spotting at Maho Beach, Front Street and the Boardwalk in Philipsburg, Marigot's market and Fort Louis, dinner in Grand Case, Orient Bay beach, a ferry hop to Pinel Island, the Flying Dutchman zip line at Rainforest Adventures and the hiking trails around Pic Paradis. An island tour that covers both sides is the easiest way to see the highlights in one day.
Can you see both the Dutch and French sides in one day?
Yes. The whole island is only 87 km² (34 sq mi) and there is no border control between Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin, so a 5–6 hour island tour comfortably covers both sides.
What currency is used in St. Maarten and St. Martin?
The Dutch side uses the Caribbean guilder (Cg), introduced on 31 March 2025 and pegged at 1.79 per US dollar. The French side uses the euro. US dollars are widely accepted across the whole island.
What plugs and voltage does St. Maarten use?
The Dutch side uses 110–120 volts with US-style Type A and B plugs. The French side uses 220–240 volts with European Type C and E plugs, so bring an adapter.
How far is the cruise port from Philipsburg?
About a 15-minute walk. Ships dock at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities; water taxis run to Captain Hodge Wharf, Walter Williams Jetty and Bobby's Marina on the Philipsburg waterfront, and taxis wait at the terminal.
Where is the best nightlife in St. Maarten?
Simpson Bay has the busiest strip of bars and clubs, Maho Village has bars around the airport beach, Philipsburg's Boardwalk has beach bars and happy hours, and on the French side Grand Case Tuesdays (Harmony Nights) run from February to April. Book a 24/7 taxi so you get home safely.
Is it safe to watch planes at Maho Beach?
Watching the landings is safe from the sand, but jet blast from departing aircraft is extremely powerful and has injured people and caused a death in 2017. Stay away from the airport fence and follow the posted warning signs.
When is the best time to visit St. Maarten?
December to April is the drier peak season and brings big events like the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta in early March and Carnival (February on the French side, late April into early May on the Dutch side). Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November.
How do I get from SXM airport to my hotel?
Pre-book a private transfer or take a taxi from the rank. Sunita Tours meets you outside arrivals with a name sign and drives you to any hotel, villa or the cruise port on either side of the island, from $70 for 1–2 passengers to the Dutch side.
Book in two minutes
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Pick your tour and number of passengers to see your price. Your request goes straight to our inbox and a real person on the island replies by email or WhatsApp.
- Best of St. Martin Private TourPrivate vehicle for your group only · $450 for up to 4 passengers, +$50 each extra
- Two Islands Twice the FunShared bus with other travelers · $50 per person · full 360° island loop