Last update: 22 Oct 2026
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Sint Maarten Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
Sint Maarten – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
110 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B
Type A:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG) £1 ≈ ANG 2.40 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 4/5
Cashless payments are accepted in many establishments, particularly in tourist areas, though cash is still used widely.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is customary in Sint Maarten, typically around 10-15% in restaurants, and small tips for taxi drivers and hotel staff. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is allowed in Sint Maarten, and alcohol is commonly consumed in public spaces and at the beach. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces, but designated smoking areas are available outdoors. |
| Emancipation Day (1 July) |
Celebrates the abolition of slavery |
|---|---|
| Christmas (25 December) |
A festive time for families |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 911 |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Yaxi |
| Other: | Sint Maarten is known for its beautiful beaches, luxury resorts, and vibrant nightlife, offering a mix of relaxation and adventure. |
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 Sint Maarten, Sint Maarten
Hurricane season June to November, highest risk August to October; many hotels and restaurants close September to October
Heineken Regatta in early March; hotels book out and prices spike
Don't miss
- ✈️ Watch airplanes land at thrilling Maho Beach
- 🤿 Snorkel vibrant coral reefs at Pinel Island
- 🏰 Explore historic Fort Amsterdam with panoramic views
- 🍽️ Dine on local cuisine in Grand Case village
- ⛰️ Hike to the summit of Pic Paradis for views
- 🏖️ Relax on the beautiful white sands of Orient Bay
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Sint Maarten?
Travelers come to Sint Maarten for its perfect blend of relaxing tropical beaches, excellent water sports and a buzzing social scene. The island’s unique dual French-Dutch heritage creates a colorful mix of architecture, food and culture. While the beaches and underwater coral reefs are spectacular, be cautious of crowded areas near cruise ship ports and take care with sun exposure. Night travelers should also be mindful of personal safety in busy nightlife spots.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
🎈Events
-
St. Maarten Carnival
-
Heineken Regatta
-
St. Maarten Day
-
SXM Festival
-
Zouk Festival
-
International Film Festival
-
Christmas Boat Parade
-
Rotary Regatta
-
Jazz Festival
-
French Quarter Festival
Knowledge before you go
- Check visa requirements; most visitors need a Schengen visa for Sint Maarten.
- Arrive early to avoid crowds at popular beaches like Maho and Orient Bay, especially during peak season.
- Use local taxis or ride‑share apps; confirm fare beforehand to prevent overcharging by unlicensed drivers.
- Explore the Dutch side’s historic Fort Amsterdam for panoramic views of the island’s dual culture and coastline.
How to travel to Sint Maarten
Princess Juliana International Airport is the main gateway, famous for its runway close to Maho Beach. It has frequent international flights from the Americas and Europe. Ferry services also connect Sint Maarten to nearby islands like Anguilla and St. Barts.
Access summary
- Fly direct to Princess Juliana (SXM) from US, Europe, Caribbean.
- From Anguilla, St Barths: Short hops to shared SXM airport.
- Winair based at SXM; no alliance, regional Caribbean flights.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Sint Maarten
Accommodation ranges from luxury beachfront resorts and villas to budget-friendly hotels and guesthouses, mostly concentrated around Philipsburg, Maho and Simpson Bay. The island suits both laid‑back beach holidays and lively nightlife seekers.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
Simpson Bay Resort Marina and Spa
The Villas At Simpson Bay Resort
Divi Little Bay Beach Resort
Adonis Cupecoy
Hilton Vacation Club Flamingo Beach St. Maarten
The Atrium Beach Resort and Spa Sint Maarten, an Ascend Collection Hotel
Sonesta Maho Beach Resort Casino & Spa- All Inclusive
Royal Islander Club Resort La Plage
Royal Islander Club Resort La Terrasse
Sonesta Ocean Point Resort All Inclusive Adult Only
How to get around Sint Maarten
Getting around Sint Maarten is easiest by rental car or taxi. Minibuses run limited routes mainly between Philipsburg, Simpson Bay and Maho. For day trips to nearby beaches or nature spots, car rental provides maximum flexibility.
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.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
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.
Your exchange rate (GBP to ANG) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
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.
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.
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 | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Sint Maarten is generally safe in tourist areas, but petty crime such as theft can occur. Visitors should avoid isolated places after dark and use licensed taxis for transportation.
Health & Medical
Medical facilities are adequate with clinics and a hospital in Philipsburg. Travelers should have health insurance and be cautious with sun exposure and mosquito-borne illnesses.
Accessibility
Many resorts and public spaces have good accessibility, but some beaches and older buildings may have limited wheelchair access. Advance planning is recommended for travelers with mobility challenges.
Tap water
Tap water is generally safe but many visitors prefer bottled water. Hydration is important due to the tropical climate.
Packing recommendations for Sint Maarten
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
🚰
Reusable water bottle
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🕶️
Sunglasses
🪰
Insect repellent
🩱
Swimwear
🤿
Snorkelling gear
🔋
Power bank
🩹
Basic first aid kit
📱
Waterproof phone case
👒
Sun hat
📃
Travel insurance
🪪
Copies of passport and important documents
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
🩺
Prescription medicines
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
🛂
Passport
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