St. Maarten/Sint Martin

Caribbean

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Overview

Two countries, one island - Dutch and French sides. Princess Juliana Airport (major Caribbean hub). Features Sonesta resorts, 37 beaches, #1 shopping destination in Caribbean. Famous Maho Beach plane watching, casinos, and duty-free shopping.

7.5/10
Family-Friendly
8.0/10
Romance
7.5/10
Adventure

St. Maarten/Sint Martin at a Glance

Best Time to Visit December-April
Daily Cost $250-450 per person
Main Airport SXM
Language English, Dutch, French
Accommodations 2 options
Activities 3 things to do

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit St. Maarten/Sint Martin is typically December-April when you'll enjoy the best weather with minimal rainfall.

Peak Season

December-March

Shoulder Season

April-May, November

Off Season

June-October

Hurricane Season: June-November. Consider travel insurance and monitor weather forecasts.

Top Beaches

St. Maarten/Sint Martin boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.

Orient Bay Beach

Largest beach in St. Martin with 2 miles of white sand. Water sports, beach clubs, restaurants. Lively Caribbean atmosph...

Maho Beach

Famous beach where planes land just overhead at Princess Juliana Airport. Thrilling experience watching low-flying aircr...

Mullet Bay Beach

Beautiful crescent beach with white sand and turquoise water. Popular with locals and bodyboarders. Relatively calm wate...

Grand Case Beach

Charming beach in culinary capital of Caribbean. Calm water perfect for swimming. Lined with excellent French and Creole...

Things to Do

From water sports to cultural experiences, there's no shortage of activities in St. Maarten/Sint Martin.

Maho Beach Plane Watching

2-3 hours

Loterie Farm Zipline

2-3 hours

ATV & Rhino Safari

2-3 hours

Where to Stay

St. Maarten/Sint Martin offers accommodations for every budget, from luxury resorts to boutique hotels.

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa

Sint Maarten's largest all-inclusive with 420 rooms on 10-acre oceanfront. Oasis Pool with swim-up b...

$$$

Sonesta Ocean Point Resort

Only adults-only 18+ all-inclusive resort in St. Maarten. Exclusive dining, room service, plus acces...

$$$

View all 2 accommodations

Dining & Cuisine

Experience the local flavors and international cuisine available across the island.

Ocean 82

French Fusion, Seafood $$$

Emilio's

Caribbean, International $$$

The Ocean Lounge

European, Caribbean $$

JAX Steakhouse

Steakhouse, American $$$

Travel Tips

  • Passport Required: US citizens need a valid passport. Ensure it's valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates.
  • Currency: Netherlands Antillean Guilder (Dutch side), Euro (French side), USD widely accepted. Credit cards are widely accepted at resorts and restaurants.
  • Language: English, Dutch, French
  • Main Airport: SXM - Princess Juliana International Airport
  • Best to Pack: Light, breathable clothing, sunscreen, reef-safe sunblock, and comfortable water shoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about visiting St. Maarten/Sint Martin.

The best time to visit St. Maarten/Sint Martin is December-April. Peak season runs December-March, offering the best weather but higher prices and larger crowds. Shoulder season (April-May, November) provides a great balance of good weather and lower prices. Note that hurricane season is June-November.

A typical daily cost in St. Maarten/Sint Martin is $250-450 per person per person. St. Maarten/Sint Martin is generally considered a moderate destination.

Yes, US citizens need a valid passport to visit St. Maarten/Sint Martin. No visa is required for US citizens for short stays. US citizens need valid passport. No visa required for stays up to 90 days on Dutch side, 90 days on French side.

The main airport serving St. Maarten/Sint Martin is SXM - Princess Juliana International Airport. The primary language spoken is English, Dutch, French. The currency used is Netherlands Antillean Guilder (Dutch side), Euro (French side), USD widely accepted.

St. Maarten/Sint Martin offers 2 accommodation options ranging from budget-friendly to luxury resorts. Popular choices include Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa, Sonesta Ocean Point Resort.

There are 3 activities and experiences to enjoy in St. Maarten/Sint Martin. Top activities include Maho Beach Plane Watching, Loterie Farm Zipline, ATV & Rhino Safari.

Flight times to St. Maarten/Sint Martin vary by departure city. New York: 4 hours. Miami: 3 hours. Philadelphia: 4.5 hours. Boston: 4.5 hours. Charlotte: 4 hours. Direct flights are available from many major US cities.

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