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Voykit pocket guide · Saint-Martin
Marigot
Marigot is a compact market town: do the fort and the waterfront in the morning, the market on Wednesday or Saturday, lunch at the marina, and take the ferry to Anguilla if the sea is calm.
Marigot is the French-side capital, small enough to walk in an hour and quiet on Sunday afternoons. What goes wrong is the arrival: most flights land on the Dutch side and the road to Marigot passes bridges that open for boats. Four small areas cover the town; beaches, Grand Case and the Dutch side are short rides from one kept bed.
- Country
- Saint-Martin
- Best months
- Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · Dec
- Time zone
- America/Marigot
- Stay
- 1 days: Waterfront and market, Fort Louis, lunch at the marina
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Cards work almost everywhere; carry some euros for the market, buses and small stalls. US dollars are widely taken but at a poor rate.
- Daily spend
- Budget €60–100 excl. bed · Mid €100–200 excl. bed · High €200+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Install an eSIM before you fly; French-side SIMs work with roaming rules that differ from mainland France, so check your plan.
- Emergency
- Police (French side) 17 · Ambulance 15 · Fire 18 · Mobile 112
- Plugs
- 230 V, 60 Hz on the French side; European sockets (types C and E); bring an adapter for US devices.
- Tipping
- A service charge is usually included on the French side; leave a small extra amount for good service. Round up for drivers.
- Water
- Tap water is treated; many visitors drink bottled water.
- Toilets
- Cafés, the marina, shopping centres and hotels.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | €2–4 |
| Croissant or baguette sandwich | €2–9 |
| Sit-down lunch | €18–35 |
| Beer: bottle in a bar | €3–5 |
| Taxi across Marigot | €10–20 |
| Ferry to Anguilla, one way | €20–30 |
| Bottle of water | €1–2 |
| Sunscreen (reef-safe) | €10–20 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM)
- SXM to Marigot: one taxi at a set fare, about 25–50 minutes — the risk is a bridge opening or a late flight with no ride arranged, not the distance.
By rail and road
| Station | Serves | To the centre |
|---|---|---|
| Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) (Aéroport Princess Juliana) | International flights | Taxi 25–50 min, €25–40 |
| Grand Case-Espérance airport (SFG) (Aéroport de Grand Case) | Small planes to nearby islands | Taxi 15 min |
| Marigot ferry pier (Gare maritime de Marigot) | Ferries to Anguilla and Saint Barth | Walk from the centre |
| Bobby's Marina and Simpson Bay (Dutch side) (Bobby's Marina) | Ferries to Saba and Saint Eustatius (check) | Taxi 30–40 min |
Typical fares
- Airport → Marigot, taxi
- €25–40, 25–50 min (bridges)
- Marigot → Grand Case, taxi
- €20–30, 15 min
- Marigot → Orient Bay, taxi
- €25–40, 20–25 min
- Ferry to Anguilla
- €20–30 one way (check)
Show 8 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Eat, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk inside Marigot and take taxis or a hire car between towns. Buses are cheap and slow; the island is too small for other transport.
| How | Fare | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | Free | Inside Marigot |
| Taxi (zone fares) | €10–40 | Between towns and beaches |
| Hire car | €35–60 a day (check) | Beaches and the island loop |
| Local buses | €2–3 | Marigot–Grand Case and Marigot–Philipsburg |
| Ferry to Anguilla or Saint Barth | €20–100 | Day trips |
| Scooter hire | €30–50 a day | Confident riders only |
Fares are estimates; check before you ride.
- Passes
- No pass. Taxi fares are set by zone and quoted in US dollars or euros: ask before you get in.
- Late at night
- Buses run on a few routes and stop in the early evening: book a taxi back.
See and do
01Marigot waterfront market (Wed or Sat)
The best morning in town: spices, fruit and crafts on the bay.
Hours: best 07:30–09:30 · Price: Free; buy small · Time: 45–60 minHours: best 7:30 AM–9:30 AM · Price: Free; buy small · Time: 45–60 min · 18.0676, -63.0838
02Fort Louis
The best view of Marigot Bay and Anguilla.
Hours: best Morning or late afternoon · Price: Free (check) · Time: 45 min · 18.0733, -63.0822
03Marina lunch
Shade, boats and a seated lunch.
Hours: best 12:00–14:00 · Price: €18–35 · Time: 1–1.5 hHours: best 12:00 PM–2:00 PM · Price: €18–35 · Time: 1–1.5 h · 18.0725, -63.0890
04Boulevard de France
A flat waterfront walk with cafés.
Hours: best Morning or evening · Price: Free · Time: 30 min · 18.0668, -63.0836
05Anguilla by ferryGare maritime de Marigot
A short crossing to another island.
Hours: best Morning · Price: €45–70 · Time: Full day · 18.0666, -63.0859
06Musée de Saint-Martin
The island's archaeology and colonial story.
Hours: best Weekday morning · Price: About €5 (check) · Time: 45 min
07La Vie en RoseLa Vie en Rose
A French bistro on the water.
Hours: best Lunch · Price: €20–40 · Time: 1 h
08The lolos of Grand CaseLes lolos de Grand Case
The island's barbecue tradition.
Hours: best Early evening · Price: €15–35 · Time: 1.5 h
09Friar's Bay beach afternoon
A calm beach with beach bars.
Hours: best Afternoon · Price: Free plus a taxi · Time: 3 h
10Orient Bay
The longest beach and water sports.
Hours: best Morning · Price: Free plus a taxi · Time: 3–4 h
Hours and prices are desk estimates (checked 2026-09); anything marked (check) is not confirmed. Coordinates open in any map app.
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Anguilla | Ferry from Marigot about 20–25 min | Full day |
| Grand Case | Taxi or car about 15 min | Half day or evening |
| Philipsburg (Dutch side) | Taxi or car about 25–40 min | Half day |
| Orient Bay | Taxi or car about 20–25 min | Half day |
Eat
| Where | What · area | Price | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market snack stalls | Crêpe or accras · Marigot waterfront | €5–12 | Budget |
| Boulangeries of Marigot (bakery counters) | Baguette sandwich · Rue de la République | €5–9 | Budget |
| The lolos of Grand Case (barbecue stalls) | Grilled chicken or ribs plate · Grand Case | €12–25 | Budget |
| Marina terrace cafés | Fish of the day · Port La Royale | €20–35 | Mid-range |
| La Vie en Rose (Boulevard de France) | Plat du jour · Boulevard de France | €20–40 | Mid-range |
Per person, one dish or one meal, 2026 estimate. Addresses change: check the day before.
Sleep
| Band | Price a night | Where | What |
|---|---|---|---|
| budget | €45–70 shared or basic room · €90–140 double | Marigot centre and Sandy Ground | Guest houses, small hotels |
| mid | €150–350 | Marigot, Grand Case | Boutique hotels and apartments |
| high | €400–1,000+ | Anse Marcel, Grand Case, Orient Bay | Resorts and villas |
Per room per night in euros, 2026 estimate; the winter season and holidays add 30–100%.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Bonjourbon-zhoor |
| Thank you | Mercimehr-see |
| How much is this? | Combien ça coûte ?kom-byan sah koot |
| The bill, please | L'addition, s'il vous plaîtlah-dee-syon seel voo pleh |
| Please take me to this address | Pouvez-vous m'emmener à cette adresse ?poo-vay voo mahm-nay ah set ah-dress |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greetings: Say bonjour when entering a shop or café; a small greeting is expected.
- Beach dress: Swimwear is for the beach; cover up in town and in restaurants.
- Topless and naturist: Topless is common on French-side beaches; naturist areas are marked (Orient Bay); do not photograph people.
- Tipping: Service is usually included; leave a small extra for good service.
- Queues: Orderly in shops; loose at the market.
- Lunch: Restaurants serve lunch 12:00–14:30 and then close; dinner from about 18:30.
- Photos: Ask before photographing people, especially at the market.
- Environment: Do not touch or stand on coral; use reef-safe sunscreen.
Red lines
- Cover up away from the beach: swimwear is for the beach.
Scams and watch-outs
- Taxi drivers who do not name a fare: agree the total and the currency before you get in.
- Currency mix-ups: check whether a price is in euros or US dollars, and count your change.
One and two days
1 day
A cruise stop or a day between flights. Skip: Grand Case and the Dutch side.
- 08:008:00 AMMarigot market (Wed or Sat)
- 09:309:30 AMBoulevard de France
- 10:3010:30 AMFort Louis
- 12:3012:30 PMMarina lunch
- 15:003:00 PMFriar's Bay beach
2 days
The usual short stay. Skip: A second beach day.
Day 1 — Market and marina
- 08:008:00 AMMarket (Wed or Sat)
- 10:0010:00 AMBoulevard de France
- 12:3012:30 PMMarina lunch
Day 2 — Fort and beach
- 08:308:30 AMFort Louis
- 11:0011:00 AMMuseum or beach
- 19:007:00 PMDinner in Grand Case
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Saint-Martin Tourist Office: www.st-martin.org/
- Princess Juliana International Airport: www.sxmairport.com/
- Wikivoyage — Marigot: en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Marigot
- Wikivoyage — Saint Martin: en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Saint_Martin
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Marigot
Pouvez-vous m'emmener à cette adresse ?
Please take me to this address
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
Take me to
- Gare maritime de MarigotMarigot ferry pier (Anguilla and Saint Barthélemy)
- La Vie en RoseLa Vie en Rose (Boulevard de France)
- Les lolos de Grand CaseThe lolos of Grand Case (barbecue stalls)
Consular help is on the Dutch side or in nearby islands (check); the French administration is in Marigot.
Show the address with the street name; taxis know the main landmarks. Carry euros in small notes.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/marigot). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.