Country

Saint-Martin

First trip: one base for 5–7 nights on the French side (Grand Case or Orient Bay) or the Dutch side (Simpson Bay), with day trips across the open border and a ferry day to Anguilla or St Barths.

Open Marigot Plan a trip Compare in Americas

More: share, save offline, report a correction

2 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days

Key facts

Best months: Nov–Jun by month →
Visa: Depends on your passport
Currency: Euro on the French side
Language: French official
Plugs: A · B · C · E · 220 V French side
Time zone: UTC−4 all year

Month by monthIn detail ↓

Rules in force · 3Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bah…

Caribbean ↗Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bahamas and Jamaica) jail visitors for a single stray bullet or cartridge in their luggage; empty every bag and pocket before you pack.
Caribbean ↗From August to October keep a free last day before your flight home and check the national hurricane centre daily; airports close when a named storm approaches.
Caribbean ↗Wearing camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians in several islands, including Barbados, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica; leave it at home, children's clothes included.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…

Understand in one strip

Capital: Marigot (French side); Philipsburg is the Dutch-side capital
Status: French overseas collectivity (since 2007), part of the EU as an outermost region; not in Schengen
Language: French official; English everywhere; Spanish and Creole widely heard
Currency: Euro (EUR) on the French side; Caribbean guilder (XCG) on the Dutch side; US dollars accepted island-wide
Plugs: French side Types C/E, 220 V; Dutch side Types A/B, 110 V — bring both adapters
Driving: Right-hand side; heavy traffic around Simpson Bay lagoon
Emergency: 112 (French side) · 911 (Dutch side)
Time zone: UTC−4 all year

Saint-Martin is the French half of an island shared with Dutch Sint Maarten; there is no border control between the two, but each side has its own rules, currency and emergency services. The French side is an overseas collectivity of France and part of the EU, though not of the Schengen area, so entry rules are French and can differ from mainland France. Most flights land on the Dutch side, and hurricane season (June–November) is the main planning constraint; Hurricane Irma in 2017 showed how hard a direct hit can be.

About Saint-Martin

The smallest island in the world divided between two countries. France and the Netherlands split it in 1648 by the Treaty of Concordia; the French half (about 32,000 people) has been a separate French collectivity since 2007, and the Dutch half (about 44,000) a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands since 2010. Hurricane Irma devastated both in 2017.

Where's good this month

Each region's weather and verdict, holidays, crowds

NovemberGoCrowds medium· Prices medium

Season restarts; 11 Nov Saint-Martin Day on both sides.

Whole islandMarigot, Grand Case, Orient Bay, PhilipsburgPoor
Poorwet: daily rain
Dry, breezy season December–April; hot and humid summer; Irma (2017) showed the risk of the August–October peak.

Holidays and festivals in November

Saint-Martin Day · 11 Nov — Holiday on both sides.

Pick a route

Nights per stop, as the guide plans them

7 days10 days14 days

French side and Pinel

Grand Case, 6 nightsBasic guide

Car rental for the week.

Two sides

Grand Case, 5 nightsBasic guide
Simpson Bay, 4 nightsNo guide yet

Day trip to St Barth by ferry.

Leeward hop

Grand Case, 5 nightsBasic guide
Oranjestad (Statia), 4 nightsArrival + day plans
Marigot, 4 nightsArrival + day plans

Winair to Statia; ferry day to St Barth.

Customize this route Explore cities

Top destinations in Saint-Martin, ranked

For a first or second trip

Ranked for a first beach week.

Grand Case
Basic guide
Food and a calm beach.
3–5 nights in Grand Case · Best Dec–May
Orient Bay
No guide yet
Long beach and Pinel.
3–5 nights in Orient Bay · Best Dec–May
Marigot
Arrival + day plans
Market, fort, marina.
1–2 nights in Marigot · Best Dec–May
Anguilla (day trip)
No guide yet
Ferry beach day.
Day trip nights in Anguilla (day trip) · Best Dec–Jun

Decide the trip

What the country is like, who it suits and how long to give it

Open Decide the tripClose Decide the trip7 partsUnderstand in one strip · At a glance · Understand · First vs second trip · Good for · Time math · Fit my nights

Understand in one stripCapital · Status · Language · Currency · Plugs · Driving · Emergency · Time zone8 parts

Capital: Marigot (French side); Philipsburg is the Dutch-side capital
Status: French overseas collectivity (since 2007), part of the EU as an outermost region; not in Schengen
Language: French official; English everywhere; Spanish and Creole widely heard
Currency: Euro (EUR) on the French side; Caribbean guilder (XCG) on the Dutch side; US dollars accepted island-wide
Plugs: French side Types C/E, 220 V; Dutch side Types A/B, 110 V — bring both adapters
Driving: Right-hand side; heavy traffic around Simpson Bay lagoon
Emergency: 112 (French side) · 911 (Dutch side)
Time zone: UTC−4 all year

Saint-Martin: open now, and what is next

2 regions planned

On this page

1 of 3 regions open, with where to sleep and for how long
1 trip line with arrival paths and day plans
2 basic city guides
How to split 4, 7, 10 days
Money: cash, cards and ATMs
Safety notes and the rules that apply on every page below

Coming as the guide grows

Orient Bay and the east (French side) — Long beach and water sports; access to Pinel islet · 3–5 nights
Dutch side (Philipsburg, Simpson Bay) — Main airport, cruise port, Maho Beach and nightlife · 0–4 nights

Meanwhile

At a glance

1–5, with the reason

Each bar is 1 to 5. Green means the score makes the trip easier, amber is middling, red is harder; the words next to each score say what that end of the scale means, so colour is never the only signal.

Cost4/5 · expensive

Expensive beds and dining; lolos keep food cheaper.

Cash necessity2/5 · cards everywhere

Cards widely; euros and dollars both work.

English on the ground5/5 · widely spoken

English spoken everywhere.

Connectivity4/5 · fast everywhere

Good coverage; roaming differs by side.

Transport ease3/5 · middling

Car needed; minibuses by day.

Safety3/5 · middling

Petty theft and car break-ins; some robberies at night.

Heat / climate risk3/5 · middling

Hot, breezy.

Understand

People, belief, history that matters on the ground

People: Very mixed: Caribbean islanders, French, Haitians, Dominicans and many others.
Economy: Tourism, duty-free shopping and yachting.
Land: 87 km² (34 sq mi) in total; the French side is about 53 km² (20 sq mi).34 sq mi (87 km²) in total; the French side is about 20 sq mi (53 km²).

History that still shows on the ground · 4 dates

When	What happened	Where you meet it today
1648	Treaty of Concordia divides the island	Two sides, open border.
1848	Slavery abolished on the French side	Abolition Day, 28 May.
2007	French side becomes an overseas collectivity	Separate from Guadeloupe.
2017	Hurricane Irma	Much of the island rebuilt since.

Read or watch before you go

Saint Martin/Sint Maarten history guides from the Saint-Martin Tourist Office.

First trip vs second trip

Which regions, and what to leave

Trip	Go to	Why	Leave for later
Beach week (5–7 nights)	Grand Case or Orient Bay base + Pinel + a ferry day	French food and easy beaches.	Staying by the airport.
Island hopping (10 nights)	Saint-Martin 5 + Anguilla or St Barth 3 + Saba 2	SXM is the hub.	Tight ferry-to-flight connections.

Good for…

Where each kind of traveller does best

Verdict is how well Saint-Martin works for that traveller.

1Grand Case — easy base with food.

Time math

How to split a stay, by total days in the country

4 days in total: One base 4 with a round-island day
7 days in total: One base 6 + a ferry day to Anguilla or St Barths
10 days in total: French side 5 + Dutch side 5, or one base with two ferry days

Which regions fit my nights?

Tick the regions you are weighing up. The nights are the ranges this guide gives for each region.

Regions you want to see

Grand Case and Marigot (French side)French-side capital, market and the restaurant strip at Grand Case3–5 nights
Orient Bay and the east (French side)Long beach and water sports; access to Pinel isletPage still planned3–5 nights
Dutch side (Philipsburg, Simpson Bay)Main airport, cruise port, Maho Beach and nightlifePage still planned0–4 nights

Nights you have

Tick the regions you are considering.

Cities

Regions, cities and the places between them

Open CitiesClose Cities5 partsRegions · Cities · Other destinations · See · Do

Regions

3 regions · 1 open

Grand Case and Marigot (French side)published

French-side capital, market and the restaurant strip at Grand Case

3–5 nights in this region

Marigot

Orient Bay and the east (French side)planned

Long beach and water sports; access to Pinel islet

3–5 nights in this region

Dutch side (Philipsburg, Simpson Bay)planned

Main airport, cruise port, Maho Beach and nightlife

0–4 nights in this region

Cities

The ones to know; each says what Voykit has for it

MarigotArrival + day plans

French-side capital: market, Fort Louis and the marina.

Grand CaseBasic guide

Village of restaurants and lolos along the beach.

PhilipsburgBasic guide

Dutch-side capital and cruise port with Front Street shopping.

Simpson BayNo guide yet

Dutch-side lagoon, marinas and nightlife.

Other destinations

Parks, bays, heritage sites, islands

Place	What	Getting there	Why go / verdict
Orient Bay	Beach	Car, 20 min from Marigot	Long beach, water sports.
Pinel islet	Islet	Boat from Cul-de-Sac	Calm water and snorkelling.
Tintamarre	Nature reserve island	Boat trip	Turtles and empty beaches.
Pic Paradis and Loterie Farm	Hills and forest	Car	Hikes and ziplines.
Maho Beach	Beach by the runway	Dutch side	Planes overhead — keep clear of jet blast.
Anguilla	Neighbouring island	Ferry 20 min	Quiet beaches.

See

By theme, not by list

Marigot

Fort Louis · Marigot
Marigot market · Marigot
Marina Port la Royale · Marigot

Go early before cruise crowds.

Beaches and islets

Orient Bay · East coast
Pinel · North-east
Friar's Bay · Near Marigot

East coast is breezy; west coast calmer.

Do

Where, when, what it costs

Activity	Where	Best months	Cost (2026 estimate)	Verdict
Snorkelling	Pinel, Tintamarre, Creole Rock	All year	€10–80 (≈ US$12–95)	Easy from boats or the beach.
Hiking	Pic Paradis	Morning	Free–farm fee	Views over both sides.
Sailing and day boats	Marigot, Simpson Bay	Dec–May	€80–150 (≈ US$95–180)	Catamarans to Anguilla or Tintamarre.

Connect the cities

Ready-made routes, the route builder and the legs between cities

Open Connect the citiesClose Connect the cities3 partsItineraries · Route builder · Between cities

Itineraries by length

Nights per stop (the number after each place); fly the long legs

One base plus ferry days.

7 days

French side and Pinel

Grand Case → Pinel → Marigot → Anguilla day

Grand Case6n

Car rental for the week.

10 days

Two sides

Grand Case → Simpson Bay

Grand Case5n
Simpson Bay4n

Day trip to St Barth by ferry.

14 days

Leeward hop

Saint-Martin → Statia → Saint-Martin → St Barth

Winair to Statia; ferry day to St Barth.

Build a route

Days and interests in, cities, nights, transfers and cost out

Days in Saint-Martin

Interests (optional)

Based on: Two sides (10 days, itineraries by length)

Nights adjusted to 10 days.

Grand Case6 nights
Transfer not on file yet: check the A-to-B tool.
Simpson Bay4 nights

Day trip to St Barth by ferry.

Open the trip planner

What this route costs

StyleTravelers

Grand Case6 nights€3,000≈ US$3,500
Simpson Bay4 nights€1,900≈ US$2,500

Total, 2 travelers

€5,000≈ US$5,500

Per person per day: €250≈ US$300

2026 estimate (check): rooms for two, food, local transport and sights; international flights, visas and insurance excluded. Tweak it in the budget calculator.

Getting between cities

Door to door, fastest first · 2026 estimate, check fares

Between	Fastest	Other ways
Marigot to Grand Case	Car / taxi · about 15 minTaxi 15 min	—	All options →
Marigot to Philipsburg	Bus / van · about 30 minUS$1.50–2.50 — checkMinibus (bus)	—	All options →

How each mode works here Any two places: A-to-B Is a rail pass worth it?

This month

Weather and crowds by month

Open This monthClose This month2 partsYear at a glance · Climate

Year at a glance

Every month in one list: how it rates, how busy and pricey it is, and which holidays land in it.

Good value and quiet: Jun
Busiest or big holidays: Jan–May, Dec
Rated avoid: Sep

Jan
GoodCrowds: highPrices: high
- Christmas and New Year (high impact)
Feb
GoodCrowds: highPrices: high
- French-side Carnival (medium impact)
Mar
GoodCrowds: highPrices: high
- French-side Carnival (medium impact)
Apr
GoodCrowds: mediumPrices: medium
- Sint Maarten Carnival (high impact)
May
GoodCrowds: lowPrices: medium
- Sint Maarten Carnival (high impact)
- Abolition Day (French side) (medium impact)
Jun
GoodCrowds: lowPrices: low
Jul
CautionCrowds: lowPrices: low
- Bastille Day (medium impact)
- Schoelcher Day (low impact)
Aug
CautionCrowds: lowPrices: low
Sep
AvoidCrowds: lowPrices: low
Oct
CautionCrowds: lowPrices: low
Nov
GoodCrowds: mediumPrices: medium
- Saint-Martin Day (medium impact)
Dec
GoodCrowds: highPrices: high
- Christmas and New Year (high impact)

Climate by region and month

When each region works

Zone	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Whole islandMarigot, Grand Case, Orient Bay, Philipsburg	best	best	best	best	ok	ok	hot	storm	storm	storm	wet	best

best: dry, mildok: workablehot: short walking windowswet: daily rainstorm: typhoon or flood risk

Whole island: Dry, breezy season December–April; hot and humid summer; Irma (2017) showed the risk of the August–October peak.

Christmas to Easter is the peak; May–June are quiet with fair weather.

Cost

What a day costs, and how to pay

Open CostClose Cost4 partsMoney at a glance · Daily budget · Costs · Money & passes

Money at a glance

Cash or card, ATMs, a day's spend, tipping

Currency and cash

Euro (EUR) on the French side; Caribbean guilder (XCG) on the Dutch side; US dollars accepted island-wide

Card-friendly; small cash for markets

Cash or card

Cards work widely; carry some cash for beach bars, lolos (local grills) and parking.

ATMs

On landing: Decide euros or dollars; use cards.

A day, per person

Budget€95–180 (≈ US$120–250)
Mid-range€215–395 (≈ US$250–500)
Comfort€460–940 (≈ US$550–1,100)

Per person per day, bed included

What that covers ↓

Tipping

Restaurants: Service often included on the French side; 10–15% extra at your discretion on the Dutch side.
Taxis: 10%.

Also

Currency on the French side is the euro (EUR); US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, and prices are often shown in both.

Money & passes Card, cash or ATM: the cheapest way to pay Tipping calculator

Budget per day, per person

2026 estimate · converted to your currency · totals include a bed

Per person per day, sharing a room at mid and comfort. Flights excluded. 2026 estimate.

Tier	Bed	Food	Transport	Sights	Extras	Total, bed included
BudgetApartment, lolos, buses	€50–80 (≈ US$60–95)	€30–45 (≈ US$35–55)	€5–15 (≈ US$6–18)	€0–20 (≈ US$0–25)	€10–20 (≈ US$12–25)	€95–180 (≈ US$120–250)
Mid-rangeHotel, restaurants, car, boat trip	€90–160 (≈ US$110–190)	€60–100 (≈ US$70–120)	€30–45 (≈ US$35–55)	€20–60 (≈ US$25–70)	€15–30 (≈ US$18–35)	€215–395 (≈ US$250–500)
ComfortResort, fine dining, private boat	€200–400 (≈ US$250–500)	€120–200 (≈ US$140–250)	€50–80 (≈ US$60–95)	€60–200 (≈ US$70–250)	€30–60 (≈ US$35–70)	€460–940 (≈ US$550–1,100)

Costs per day

Per person, 2026 estimate

Budget

€100–150 (≈ US$120–180)

Apartment or guesthouse, lolos and supermarket, buses.

Per person per day · Includes a bed

Mid-range

€200–320 (≈ US$250–400)

Hotel, restaurant meals in Grand Case, rental car, a boat trip.

Per person per day · Includes a bed

Comfort

€450 (≈ US$550)+

Beach resort, fine dining, private boat.

Per person per day · Includes a bed

Typical price	Amount
Lolo plate (ribs, chicken, rice)	€12–18 (≈ US$14–25)
Dinner main in Grand Case	€30–50 (≈ US$35–60)
Beer at a beach bar	€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
Ferry to Anguilla return	About US$50–70 plus taxes — check
Sun lounger pair, Orient Bay	€20–30 (≈ US$25–35)

2026 estimate, per person. Prices on the Dutch side are in US dollars.

Budget calculator

DaysTravellersStyle

Beds1 room × 10 nights€1,400(≈ US$1,700)
Food and drink2 × 10 days€1,600(≈ US$1,900)
Local transport2 × 10 days€900(≈ US$1,100)
Sights and tours2 × 10 days€800(≈ US$950)

Trip total, 2 travellers

€5,000(≈ US$5,500)

Per person per day: €250(≈ US$300)

2026 estimate. Beds priced per room for two; international flights, insurance and visas excluded. Add a ferry day to Anguilla or St Barth.

Money & passes

Cash necessity: 2/5 (5 means cash for most things)

Currency on the French side is the euro (EUR); US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, and prices are often shown in both.
The Dutch side uses its own guilder but prices are mostly in US dollars.
Cards work widely; carry some cash for beach bars, lolos (local grills) and parking.

Before you fly: eSIM before you fly · Visas and entry

Getting in

Before you go, entry rules and the first day

Open Getting inClose Getting in5 partsBefore you go · Arrive · Entry · Documents · First 24 hours

Before you go

Dated steps for your passport

What to sort, and by when, before a trip to Saint-Martin. Pick your passport and flight date; everything else follows.

My passportI fly on

Add your flight date to turn “weeks before” into dates.

No arrival card
Sint Maarten online ED card for air arrivals (check); no form for the French side.
No visa needed: 90 days
Visa-free on both sides for up to 90 days. Return or onward ticket required at SXM.
Entry rules France-Visas ↗

Passport valid long enough
90 days before
Valid at least 3 months beyond your stay (check).
Passport check
Travel insurance
30 days before
Buy cover that includes medical evacuation and your activities; save the policy number and the 24-hour line offline.
Insurance check
Vaccines and medicines
30 days before
Some vaccines need weeks or two doses; carry prescriptions in their boxes.
Health Medicine rules
Driving permit (only if you drive)(optional)
30 days before
Home licence accepted.
Driving abroad
eSIM or roaming
2 weeks before
Orange, Digicel, Flow and others; a French-side SIM may roam on the Dutch side at extra cost — check.
eSIM finder
Cards and cash
2 weeks before
Card-friendly; small cash for markets (cash need 2/5). Tell your bank you are travelling, check foreign-fee-free cards and ATM limits, and carry a backup card kept apart.
Money & ATMs
US plugs fit
7 days before
Sockets here: type A, B, C, E. Mains is 220 V against 120 V at home: phone and laptop chargers cope (check the label says 100–240 V); hair dryers and straighteners usually do not.

Lead times are Voykit's safe margins, not official deadlines (check the official portal). The full countdown with calendar reminders: Before-you-go countdown · Passport check.

Arrive

SXM

Princess Juliana International (Dutch side)

Main gateway; 20–40 min by car to Marigot and Grand Case

SFG

Grand Case–L'Espérance (French side)

Small regional airport with flights to Guadeloupe and St Barths

Entry: visas and borders

2026 rules — confirm on the official portal

Two sets of rules on one island. The French side follows French rules for overseas collectivities: passports exempt from Schengen visas are visa-free for up to 90 days, while visa-required nationals need a visa valid for Saint-Martin (a standard Schengen visa is not enough — check). Most visitors land at SXM on the Dutch side, where Sint Maarten's rules apply first, including its online embarkation/disembarkation card (check). There is no control at the internal border.

My passport

Visa-free90 days

Visa-free on both sides for up to 90 days.

Cost: Free
Form to fill: Passport; Sint Maarten ED card if landing at SXM.
Arrival card: Sint Maarten online ED card for air arrivals (check); no form for the French side.
Passport: Valid at least 3 months beyond your stay (check).
Onward ticket: Return or onward ticket required at SXM.

France-Visas ↗

Who	Rule	Stay	Watch
Schengen-visa-exempt passports	Visa-free	90 days	Sint Maarten ED card at SXM (check).
EU citizens	Free movement (French side)	Unlimited on the French side	Passport easiest because of the Dutch-side airport.
Visa-required nationals	Visa valid for French overseas territories	As granted	Also check Sint Maarten's visa rules if landing at SXM.

By land and river

Crossing	To / from	Mode	Visa there	Trap
French–Dutch internal border	Sint Maarten	Open road, monument at the line	No checks	Different laws, currency and emergency numbers on each side.
Marigot – Blowing Point	Anguilla	Ferry about 20–25 min	Anguilla entry rules; departure tax	Carry your passport; fees payable at the dock.
Marigot / Philipsburg – Gustavia	St Barth	Ferry 45–75 min	French rules continue	Rough in trade winds.
Philipsburg – Saba	Saba	Ferry about 90 min	Caribbean Netherlands rules	Choppy crossing.

SXM also has flights on Winair to Saba, Statia, St Barth and beyond.

Documents checklist

Tick as you go; saved in this browser

0/4 ready

Passportbefore bookingNeeded for SXM, ferries and flights.
Sint Maarten ED cardbefore arrivalOnline before flying into SXM — check.
Return ticketat check-inRequired.
Driving licenceif rentingHome licence accepted.

First 24 hours

Tick these before you leave the airport

Do these on arrival.

Immigration: Clear Sint Maarten entry at SXM with the ED card (check).
Required for air arrivals.
Car: Pick up the rental at SXM.
Taxis add up quickly.
Money: Decide euros or dollars; use cards.
Two currencies.
SIM: Check roaming for both sides.
Different networks.
Dinner: Book Grand Case if it is high season.
Tables fill.

Getting around

Modes, times and the clock

Open Getting aroundClose Getting around2 partsGet around · Local time

Get around

Door-to-door, 2026 estimate

Mode	Marigot → Philipsburg	Cost	Use it when	What breaks
Rental car	Across the island 30–60 min with traffic	US$40–70 a day — check	The practical choice for beaches and restaurants.	Break-ins at beaches; jams around Simpson Bay at rush hour.
Minibus (bus)	Marigot – Philipsburg about 30 min	US$1.50–2.50 — check	Cheap and frequent by day.	No fixed timetable; few after dark.
Taxi	Airport – Grand Case about 30 min	Fixed fares, about US$30–40 — check	Easy for arrivals.	Night and extra-passenger surcharges.
Boat to Pinel and Tintamarre	5–30 min	About €10 (≈ US$12) (Pinel shuttle) — check	Short hop to snorkelling islets.	Last boats in the afternoon.

Local time

What time it is there now, compared with the clock on your device.

Marigot
…
Checking your clock…America/Marigot

Practical

Money rules, safety, holidays, health, phones and phrases

Open PracticalClose Practical14 partsNext 90 days · Holidays · Safety & health · Safety · Safety by region · Health · Scams · Emergency card · Practical · Connect · Talk · Survival phrases · Cope · Who travels

Holidays in the next 90 days

What closes, sells out or costs more

Nov 11
in 10 days
Saint-Martin DaySome impact
Nov 11
Holiday on both sides.
Dec 25
in 54 days
Christmas and New YearBig impact
Dec 25–Jan 1
Peak prices and crowds.

The full holiday list Holidays on your dates Festivals by month

Holidays and festivals

Operational effect, not a calendar

When	What	Impact	What it does to a trip
Feb–Mar (before Lent)	French-side Carnival	medium	Parades in Marigot.
Apr–May (after Easter)	Sint Maarten Carnival	high	Philipsburg Carnival Village; roads closed.
28 May	Abolition Day (French side)	medium	Commemorations and closures.
14 Jul	Bastille Day	medium	Fireworks, French-side closures.
21 Jul	Schoelcher Day	low	Grand Case celebrations.
11 Nov	Saint-Martin Day	medium	Holiday on both sides.
25 Dec – 1 Jan	Christmas and New Year	high	Peak prices and crowds.

Safety and health at a glance

Advice, risky areas, water, shots, numbers, scams

Emergency numbers

Where to take care

3/5 for a careful visitor · Petty theft and car break-ins; some robberies at night.

medium Grand Case and Marigot · Car break-ins, night robberies in quiet streets.
medium Dutch side (Philipsburg, Simpson Bay) · Nightlife areas, jet blast at Maho.

Tap water

Tap water is desalinated; most visitors drink bottled. Tap water by country

Health

Main risks: Jet blast at Maho Beach, Dengue, Sun and currents, Medical care.

Top scams

1. Cruise-day taxi overcharging · Fixed fares are posted; agree before you ride.
2. Car break-ins at beaches · Leave the car empty and unlocked glovebox open.
3. Currency games · Check whether a price is in euros or dollars; change is often given in the other.

Safety Stay healthy Emergency card Scam spotter Health check

Safety

Traffic drives on the right on both sides; traffic jams are common around the lagoon.
Petty theft and car break-ins happen at beaches: leave nothing in the car.
Emergency on the French side: 112.
Sun and sea: the sun is strong all year; watch for currents and rip tides on unpatrolled beaches, and swim where locals swim.
Hurricane season (Jun–Nov): follow local warnings and your airline; if a storm is forecast, leave early or shelter where your accommodation tells you.

The island is a regional hub: ferries and small planes go to Anguilla, St Barths, Saba and Sint Eustatius.

What four governments say

Comparison not available yet for this country

Read each government's own advice: US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australia Smartraveller, Canada Travel Advice.

Strikes and disruptions

Official notices for the next 90 days. Open the full calendar.

No official-source strike or disruption notices for the next 90 days

That is not a promise that nothing is planned. This calendar lists only what a government or a public authority has published. Check US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australia Smartraveller, Canada Travel Advice and the transport operator for your dates.

Safety by region

Risk to a careful visitor, not a crime index

Petty crime and break-ins are the main risks.

Region	Risk	What to watch
Grand Case and Marigot	medium	Car break-ins, night robberies in quiet streets.
Orient Bay and east	low	Beach theft.
Dutch side (Philipsburg, Simpson Bay)	medium	Nightlife areas, jet blast at Maho.

Stay healthy

Risk	Where / when	Do this
Jet blast at Maho Beach	End of the SXM runway	Stay back from the fence; people have been injured and killed.
Dengue	Island-wide	Repellent.
Sun and currents	Beaches	Sunscreen; swim where locals swim.
Medical care	Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital (French side), SMMC (Dutch side)	Insurance; serious cases evacuated to Guadeloupe or the US.

Scams and overcharges

Trap	Where	Defence
Cruise-day taxi overcharging	Philipsburg	Fixed fares are posted; agree before you ride.
Car break-ins at beaches	Mullet Bay, Orient, Cupecoy	Leave the car empty and unlocked glovebox open.
Currency games	Shops	Check whether a price is in euros or dollars; change is often given in the other.

Emergency card

Numbers, disasters, who to call

Saint-Martin emergency numbers — screenshot this card

112

European emergency (French side)

Also 15 ambulance, 17 police, 18 fire

911

Emergency (Dutch side)

Sint Maarten

Natural and on-the-ground hazards

Hazard	When / where	Do this
Hurricanes	Aug–Oct	Follow Préfecture and local orders.
Jet blast	Maho Beach	Stay away from the runway fence.

Alerts and apps

Météo-France app for storm alerts.

Police, embassies, paperwork

Lost passport: police report, then your consulate (often in Guadeloupe or Curaçao — check).

Insurer and 24-hour linePolicy numberWhere I'm staying

Kept only in this browser; nothing is sent anywhere.

Emergency card · Saint-Martin

My passport: — · find my embassy
Insurance: —
Staying at: —

Hospitals with emergency care

Centre Hospitalier Louis-Constant Fleming · Marigot, Marigot
St. Maarten Medical Center · Cay Hill, Dutch side, Marigot

Emergency numbers, every country

Practical

Plugs, water, tips, hours

AtypeBtypeCtypeEtype

220 V French side · 110 V Dutch side

Check before plugging in.

Tap water: Tap water is desalinated; most visitors drink bottled.
Toilets: In restaurants and beach bars.
Weekly closing days: Many French-side restaurants close in September–October; shops close on Sundays.

Tipping by situation

Situation	What locals do
Restaurants	Service often included on the French side; 10–15% extra at your discretion on the Dutch side.
Taxis	10%.

Opening hours

What	Typical hours	Watch
Marigot market	Morning, busiest Wed and Sat	Cruise days are busy.
Restaurants	Dinner 18:30–22:00Dinner 6:30 PM–10:00 PM	Book Grand Case on Tuesdays (Harmony Nights).

Connect

Orange, Digicel, Flow and others; a French-side SIM may roam on the Dutch side at extra cost — check.
EU roam-like-at-home plans may cover the French side (check with your operator).

Google MapsWhatsApp (used by restaurants and boat operators)Your airline's app for schedule changes

Numbers: +590 (French side), +1 721 (Dutch side).

Talk

French is official, English is universal; Caribbean English and Creole are the street languages.

Where	Lingua franca	English	Note
French side	French, English	High	Say 'bonjour' first.
Dutch side	English, Dutch, Papiamento	Native	Spanish widely spoken.

Menus on the French side are often in French and English.

Survival phrases

5 phrases · tap one to show it full screen

Translate a sign or menu Diet and allergy card

Cope

Embassies, laundry, lockers, media, lost things

Supermarkets: Large French supermarkets near Marigot and Hope Estate.
Banks: ATMs give euros on the French side, dollars on the Dutch side.

Travellers with specific needs

Short and factual

Traveller	On the ground	Do this
Families	Easy beaches (Orient, Friar's Bay), Pinel islet.	Rent a car with child seats.
LGBTQ+	Legal on both sides; French side follows French law.	Relaxed at resorts.
Wheelchair users	Mixed; some newer hotels adapted.	Ask about beach access.

Culture and food

Rules, manners, what to eat, where to sleep and what to buy

Open Culture and foodClose Culture and food6 partsRules · Respect & laws · Eat · Drink · Sleep · Buy

Country rules

Inherited by every page below

Entry rules follow France for the French side, and those for French overseas territories can differ from mainland France: check official French sources for your passport. Arriving through the Dutch-side airport, check Sint Maarten's rules too.
The island has two jurisdictions: Saint-Martin (France) and Sint Maarten (Kingdom of the Netherlands). Laws, currencies and emergency services differ on each side.
Ferries to Anguilla, St Barths and Saba are international trips: carry your passport.

Etiquette

French is the official language on the French side, Dutch on the Dutch side; English is spoken everywhere.
Say 'bonjour' when entering a shop on the French side.
Topless sunbathing is common on some French-side beaches, and Orient Bay has a naturist section; cover up away from the beach.

Carnival (before Lent, French side; after Easter, Dutch side): Parades close roads in Marigot and Philipsburg.
Christmas–New Year: Peak season and highest prices.
Hurricane season (Jun–Nov, peak Aug–Oct): Storms can close airports and ports for days; ferries and small flights are cancelled first.

Respect and laws that surprise

What gets visitors fined, refused or arrested

Topic	The rule	What happens
Two sides	Know which side you are on for laws, police and emergency numbers.	Confusion in emergencies.
Beachwear	Topless is common on French beaches; cover up in town and shops.	Disapproval.
Drugs	Illegal on both sides.	Arrest.
Wildlife	Don't feed iguanas or step on coral.	Fines in the nature reserve.

Everyday manners

Situation	Do	Avoid
Greeting	'Bonjour' on entering shops	Launching straight into English
Dress	Cover up in town	Topless away from beaches
Dining	Relax: service is unhurried	Rushing the bill

Eat

Regional food, diets, allergy card

French cooking meets Creole and Caribbean food: Grand Case restaurants for fine dining, lolos (roadside grills) for ribs, chicken and lobster, bakeries for croissants.

Region	Style	Order this
Grand Case	French and Creole restaurants, lolos	Lobster, ribs, accras
Marigot	Cafés and market food	Croissants, johnny cakes

Dish finder

Region

Diet

11 of 11 dishes

AccrasFrench side
Accras de morue
Salt-cod fritters.
Starter · Usually has fish/seafood, egg, milk
Lolo ribsGrand Case
Ribs au lolo
Barbecue pork ribs with rice and peas.
Lunch or dinner · Usually has pork
Grilled lobsterCoast
Langouste grillée
Spiny lobster from the grill.
Dinner · Usually has fish/seafood, milk
Johnny cakesIsland-wide
Johnny cakes
Fried dough breakfast bread.
Breakfast · Usually has milk · vegetarian version exists — ask
SaltfishIsland-wide
Saltfish
Salt cod with onions and peppers.
Breakfast · Usually has fish/seafood
ColomboFrench side
Colombo de poulet
Creole curry of chicken.
Lunch · Usually has chicken
Boudin créoleFrench side
Boudin créole
Spicy blood sausage.
Snack · Usually has pork
Conch and dumplingsIsland-wide
Conch and dumplings
Conch stew with flour dumplings.
Lunch · Usually has fish/seafood
BlaffFrench side
Blaff de poisson
Fish poached in lime and herb broth.
Lunch · Usually has fish/seafood, fish stock or sauce
Coconut tartIsland-wide
Tarte coco
Sweet coconut pastry.
Dessert · Usually has egg, milk · vegetarian version common
CrêpesMarigot
Crêpes
French pancakes, sweet or savoury.
Snack · Usually has egg, milk · vegetarian version common

Tags describe the usual recipe, not every kitchen. Stocks and sauces hide animal products: ask, or show the allergy card below.

Table manners

Book Grand Case dinners in high season; lolos need no booking.

Allergy / diet card — show it, do not say it

Je suis gravement allergique à ___. Ce plat contient-il ___ ?

“I am severely allergic to ___. Does this dish contain ___? (French; English also works everywhere)”

Peanuts: arachides / cacahuètes
Tree nuts: fruits à coque
Shellfish: crustacés et fruits de mer
Fish: poisson
Milk: lait / produits laitiers
Egg: œuf
Wheat / gluten: blé / gluten
Pork: porc

Diets: the reality

Diet	On the ground	Do this
Vegetarian	Good in French restaurants; limited at lolos.	Ask for légumes and rice.
Shellfish allergy	Seafood everywhere.	Use the card.

Drink

Laws, what to order, what it costs

Legal age: 18.
Drink-driving: French limits on the French side; police checks.

Drink	What it is	Typical price
GuavaberryGuavaberry liqueur	The island's rum-based berry liqueur.	€5–8 (≈ US$6–10)
Ti' punchTi' punch	Rhum agricole, lime and cane syrup.	€5–8 (≈ US$6–10)
Carib or PresidenteBeer	Regional lagers.	€3–6 (≈ US$4–7)

Happy hours on the Dutch side are cheap.

Sleep

Types, registration, booking

Type	Price (2026 estimate)	Use it for	Watch
Guesthouse / apartment	€80–150 (≈ US$95–180)	Grand Case, Marigot	Car needed.
Beach hotel	€180–350 (≈ US$250–450)	Orient Bay, Grand Case	Many closed Sep–Oct.
Resort	€400 (≈ US$500)+	Dutch side, Anse Marcel	Resort fees.

Registration and the law

Tourist taxes added per person per night (check).

Booking reality

Book Christmas and March months ahead.

Buy

Tax-free, bargaining, customs

Duty-free on the Dutch side (Front Street), French goods and markets in Marigot.

Prices and bargaining

Fixed prices in shops; some haggling at stalls.

What to bring home

Item	Where	Watch
Guavaberry liqueur	Philipsburg	Local speciality.
French products	Marigot	Wine, cheese, cosmetics.

Customs allowances on arrival

What	Limit or rule
Return to EU/US	Normal duty-free allowances apply

Deep dive

Questions, where next, photos, reading and every source

Open Deep diveClose Deep dive3 partsGo next · Deep dive · Sources

Go next

Marigot

City page

Places and arrival.

Sint Eustatius

Winair 20 min

Diving and history.

Guadeloupe

Flight from SFG or SXM

French Caribbean continues.

Antigua and Barbuda

Short flight

Beaches and English Harbour.

Caribbean

Subregion

Island pairs.

Sources compared: Wikivoyage — Saint Martin · Wikivoyage — Sint Maarten. Section coverage was checked against these community guides (CC BY-SA) as secondary sources; the text on this page is Voykit's own, with facts cross-checked against the official sources above.

Deep dive

2 min read · 4 chapters

Saint-Martin is the northern, French half of an 87 km² island shared with Dutch Sint Maarten — the smallest landmass in the world split between two states. The four chapters cover the division, the salt and sugar past, the island as a regional hub, and the long rebuild after Hurricane Irma.

1One island, two flags1 min

French and Dutch settlers both held parts of the island by the 1630s. In 1648 the Treaty of Concordia split it: France took the larger north, the Netherlands the south with its salt pond. The border moved several times in wars until 1817 and has been open ever since — a monument marks it on the road between Marigot and Philipsburg.

Today the French side is a collectivity of France and part of the EU; the Dutch side is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Each has its own police, courts, currency and emergency numbers, and visitors cross without noticing.

Treaty of Concordia: 1648
French collectivity: Since 2007

See itFort Louis, Marigot →

2Salt, sugar and freedom1 min

The great salt pond by Philipsburg drew the Dutch; sugar and cotton plantations worked by enslaved Africans spread over both sides. France abolished slavery in 1848, and enslaved people on the Dutch side crossed the border to claim freedom long before Dutch abolition in 1863.

Abolition Day on 28 May and Emancipation Day on 1 July remember those years. The island stayed poor until tourism and duty-free trade took off in the 1960s and '70s.

French abolition: 1848
Dutch abolition: 1863

See itMarigot market →

3A hub for the northern Leewards1 min

Princess Juliana airport on the Dutch side has long-haul jets from Europe and North America and small planes to Saba, Statia, St Barth, Anguilla and the Virgin Islands. Ferries from Marigot and Philipsburg make the island the easiest base for hopping.

The same role brings cruise ships, yachts and a very mixed population: people from dozens of countries live here, and English, French, Spanish, Dutch, Creole and Papiamento are all heard in a day.

SXM runway: Ends at Maho Beach

See itMarina Port la Royale →

4After Irma1 min

Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm, struck on 6 September 2017 and damaged or destroyed most buildings on the island. Hurricane Maria followed two weeks later. Power, water and the airport were out for weeks; tourism took years to return.

Rebuilding brought stronger building codes, a rebuilt airport terminal and new hotels, but also debates about planning on the coast. Visitors still see the scars in a few ruins, and the island takes storm warnings seriously every autumn.

Irma landfall: 6 September 2017

See itMarigot →

Read, watch, wordsGlossary · Sources2 parts

Glossary

Term	Local	Meaning
Lolo		Roadside barbecue stall (Grand Case).
Concordia		The 1648 treaty that divided the island.

Read for this deep dive

Background reading only: the text above is written by Voykit, not copied from these pages.

Sources

secondaryWikivoyage — Saint Martin
secondaryWikivoyage — Sint Maarten
officialUK FCDO travel advice: St Martin
officialFrance-Visas (overseas territories)
officialCollectivité de Saint-Martin
officialSaint-Martin Tourist Office

Open Marigot Up to Caribbean

Ask about Saint-Martin

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About Saint-Martin

Holidays and festivals in November

Read or watch before you go

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Budget calculator

By land and river

What four governments say

Strikes and disruptions

Natural and on-the-ground hazards

Alerts and apps

Police, embassies, paperwork

Tipping by situation

Opening hours

Etiquette

Everyday manners

Dish finder

Table manners

Diets: the reality

Registration and the law

Booking reality

Prices and bargaining

What to bring home

Customs allowances on arrival

Glossary

Read for this deep dive

Ask about Saint-Martin