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Back to Philipsburg

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Voykit pocket guide · Saint-Martin

Philipsburg

Spend 1–2 days in Philipsburg for cruise stop, boardwalk, shopping and Fort Amsterdam; add another night if you want beach time.

Philipsburg is the Dutch‑side capital of Sint Maarten, a compact port town with a walkable boardwalk, duty‑free shopping, a short beach and historic Fort Amsterdam. Most cruise visitors spend a day, but a night adds beach and nightlife options.

Grand CasePhilipsburg2 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Saint-Martin
Best months
Dec–May
Avoid
Jun–Nov (rainier, hotter)
Stay
1–2 nights

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
XCG
Money
Currency on the French side is the euro (EUR); US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, and prices are often shown in both.
Daily spend
Budget XCG 120–180 excl. bed · Mid XCG 200–300 excl. bed · High XCG 350–500 excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Orange, Digicel, Flow and others; a French-side SIM may roam on the Dutch side at extra cost — check.
Emergency
Police 911 · Medical 911
Plugs
Types A, B, C, E · 220 V French side · 110 V Dutch side · Check before plugging in.
Tipping
Restaurants: Service often included on the French side; 10–15% extra at your discretion on the Dutch side.; Taxis: 10%.
Water
Tap water is desalinated; most visitors drink bottled.
Toilets
In restaurants and beach bars.

What things cost

ItemPrice
CoffeeXCG 2–4
Street food (e.g., fish tacos)XCG 5–10
Beer (draft)XCG 4–6
Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))XCG 15–20
Ferry to St. Barths (one way)XCG 70–90

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

SXM · Princess Juliana International Airport
Main island airport, 15 min drive north

Typical fares

Bobby's Marina → St. Barths ferry
about XCG 120 round trip (check schedule)
Taxi Philipsburg → Front Street
≈XCG 10–15
Bus Emmaplein day pass
XCG 15
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

The town is walkable; park at Bobby's Marina or Dock Maarten (paid). Local buses from Emmaplein terminal reach Marigot, Maho and the airport. Taxis are available.

See and do

Known for

  • Great Bay Beach
  • Front Street shopping
  • Fort Amsterdam
  • Boardwalk

Day trips

WhereHowTime
St. BarthsFerry from Bobby's Marina (Voyager or Great Bay Express)≈2 h round trip
AnguillaFerry from Bobby's Marina (Voyager)≈3 h round trip
Marigot (French side)Bus from Emmaplein terminal, about 15 min≈30 min total

Sleep

Seaview Beach Hotel
Small beachfront hotel near boardwalk
Horizon View Hotel
Mid‑range, close to Front Street
The Villas on Great Bay
Beachfront villas, 2‑bedroom, up to 4 guests

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Excuse me / SorryPardonpardon
Thank youDank udank u
How much is it?Hoeveel kost het?hoeveel kost het
Where is the bathroom?Waar is het toilet?waar is het toilet

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

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

Scams and watch-outs

  • Parking is paid and limited near the marina; arrive early in cruise season.
  • Peak cruise‑ship hours can make boardwalk crowded.
  • Ferry schedules to St. Barths or Anguilla are seasonal; verify times before travel.

Philipsburg is generally safe for tourists; petty theft can occur in crowded cruise‑ship areas—keep valuables secure.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Philipsburg yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Great Bay Beach
  • Front Street shopping
  • Fort Amsterdam
  • Boardwalk

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Philipsburg

Naar dit adres, alstublieft

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

US consulate is in Philipsburg (check address); other embassies in The Hague (NL) or Washington, D.C.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/philipsburg). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.