St. Martin

Dual-Nation Beaches, Cuisine and Culture

North America’s smallest independent country, Saint Martin, spans a compact area of just 34 square miles across two nations: France to the north and the Netherlands to the south. The island covers roughly 87 square kilometers in total. Its land includes sandy beaches along turquoise waters and small hills rising gently toward the center. Local culture reflects both Caribbean traditions and European influences, visible in daily life from food stalls to music played on street corners. Visitors experience a close-knit community where relaxed island rhythms shape everyday routines.

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Island

$$$+

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.5

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	5

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken on both sides of the island, especially in hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions. Most signage is bilingual or trilingual, and communication is easy for visitors.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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St. Martin Summary

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Excellent for beaches and island food culture. Relax on sunny beaches, try Caribbean and French cuisine, enjoy sailing trips and experience lively beach bars.

Place score

7.8

Best at:

Beaches

Islands

Sea

Luxury

Walkable

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

❤️ 9

Couples

🌈 8

LGBTQ+

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for St. Martin

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - April, Dec.
Shoulder season:	May, Nov.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

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Climate details

Hurricane season June to November, with highest risk August to October

Many hotels and restaurants close September to mid October

Heineken Regatta takes place in early March, three days of sailing and parties, with accommodation booked out well ahead

Don't miss

✈️ Watch planes land at the famous Maho Beach
🥾 Hike to the highest point at Pic Paradis
🏖️ Relax on the pristine sands of Orient Bay Beach
🏰 Explore the historic Fort Louis and enjoy panoramic views
🤿 Snorkel among sculptures in the underwater garden

You've been here?

Why travel to St. Martin?

Saint Martin is perfect for travelers who crave variety. The French side (St-Martin) is known for chic beach bars, gourmet dining and a relaxed, European vibe, while the Dutch side (Sint Maarten) brings lively nightlife, casinos and bustling shopping streets. You can snorkel turquoise bays, zipline through rainforest at Loterie Farm or hop a ferry to Pinel Island for a castaway day. Marigot’s markets and Grand Case’s ‘lolos’ (local BBQ shacks) are foodie highlights and the island’s festivals and art scene give it a creative, cosmopolitan edge. But be aware: Saint Martin is busy in high season (December–April), so beaches and roads can get crowded. Traffic jams are common, especially around Marigot and Philipsburg and driving can be hectic – watch for reckless drivers and mopeds. The sun is intense year-round and hurricanes are possible from June to November. Petty theft can occur in tourist areas-don’t leave valuables unattended. Tap water is officially potable, but many prefer bottled water. Still, the friendly vibe, endless activities and stunning scenery make Saint Martin a Caribbean favorite.

🏙️Cities & Regions

1 Sint Maarten
This Dutch side of St. Maarten features wide boulevards, world-class museums and uncrowded coastline stretches. The landscape is more desert than tropical, with cactus-covered terrain and dramatic rock formations along the northern coast.
2 Saint Martin
This Caribbean island in the French and Dutch territories offers stunning beaches, lush rainforests and vibrant culture. Known for its dual heritage, it features historic sites, colorful markets and warm waters perfect for diving and relaxing year-round.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Fort Amsterdam
2 Fort Louis
3 Grand Case
4 Simpson Bay
5 Orient Bay
6 La Loterie Farm
7 Pinel Island
8 Chez Delphine Boardwalk Cafe
9 Maho Beach

🎡Places for activities

1 Ravine de la Loterie

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Simpson Bay Lagoon
2 Long Bay
3 Orient Bay
4 Île Tintamarre
5 Mullet Bay Beach
6 Pic Paradis

🛍️Shopping

1 Marigot Market

🎈Events

St. Maarten Carnival (April/May)
Heineken Regatta (March)
Bastille Day celebrations (July)
Grand Case Tuesdays street festival
Christmas and New Year’s beach parties
St. Martin’s Day (Nov 11)
Caribbean Multihull Challenge (Feb)
Loterie Farm Jungle Pool Party
Art and music festivals
Local food fairs

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Remember it’s two countries; carry ID crossing sides.
Bring euros and a card; dollars often work, but change varies by side.
Rent a car for beaches; roads are narrow, signage limited and traffic builds fast.
For a quieter beach day, take the short boat to Îlet Pinel and bring cash for lunch.

How to travel to St. Martin

Saint Martin is served by Princess Juliana International Airport (Dutch side) with flights from North America, Europe and the Caribbean. Grand Case-Espérance Airport (French side) handles regional flights. Cruise ships dock in Philipsburg. Ferries run to Anguilla and St. Barthelemy. Taxis, rental cars and shuttles are available at airports and ports.

Access summary

From Princess Juliana Airport (SXM): Taxi or shuttle to resorts, about 10–30 minutes.
From San Juan (Puerto Rico): Direct flights to SXM, usually around 1–1.5 hours.
From nearby islands: High-speed ferries from Anguilla or St. Barts, roughly 30–60 minutes.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in St. Martin

Saint Martin offers everything from boutique hotels and luxury resorts to beachside villas and budget guesthouses. The French side is known for chic, quieter stays, while the Dutch side has larger resorts and nightlife. Book early for high season. Camping is not common. Most accommodations are high standard but can be pricey in peak months.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Simpson Bay Resort Marina and Spa

8.7

The Villas At Simpson Bay Resort

8.8

Divi Little Bay Beach Resort

8.1

Adonis Cupecoy

7.9

Hilton Vacation Club Flamingo Beach St. Maarten

9.0

St. Martin Beach Resort and Spa

8.6

The Atrium Beach Resort and Spa Sint Maarten, an Ascend Collection Hotel

8.6

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort Casino & Spa- All Inclusive

8.0

Royal Islander Club Resort La Plage

8.8

Royal Islander Club Resort La Terrasse

9.3

Explore more accommodations

How to get around St. Martin

The island is best explored by rental car – roads circle both the French and Dutch sides, but expect traffic jams in high season. Taxis are plentiful and convenient for short trips. Public minibuses and buses run between main towns, but schedules are irregular. Ferries connect to Pinel Island, Anguilla and St. Barthelemy. Cycling is possible but challenging due to hills and traffic.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

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-16 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 16% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

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Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£145	£368	£953
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£113	£300	£751
🍝 Food per day	£27	£59	£158
🚕 Transportation per day	£5	£8	£43

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£28
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£11.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£6
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£11
☕ Cappuccino	£3.30
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2.20

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.15
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£27
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.05

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£9.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£50
🤧 Cold medication	£4.80
💇 Basic haircut	£17

Safety information overview

General safety

Saint Martin is generally safe, but petty theft can occur in busy areas and on beaches — keep valuables secure and don’t leave belongings unattended. Roads can be hectic; drive carefully and watch for mopeds. Avoid isolated areas at night.

Health & Medical

Medical care is good, with clinics and pharmacies on both sides. Tap water is officially potable, but many prefer bottled water. Mosquitoes can be a nuisance, especially after rain — use repellent and bring any needed medication.

Accessibility

Most main attractions, hotels and beaches are accessible, but sidewalks can be uneven and public transport is limited. Wheelchair access is improving but not universal — check with your hotel for specific needs.

Tap water

Tap water is officially potable, but many visitors prefer bottled water due to taste. Public fountains are rare — carry a refillable bottle, especially for beach days.