Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- XCG
- Best months
- Dec–May
- avoid Jun–Nov (rainier, hotter)
- Airport
- SXM
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Several 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.
- Saint-Martin ↗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.
- Saint-Martin ↗The island has two jurisdictions: Saint-Martin (France) and Sint Maarten (Kingdom of the Netherlands). Laws, currencies and emergency services differ on each side.
- Saint-Martin ↗Ferries to Anguilla, St Barths and Saba are international trips: carry your passport.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Philipsburg911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Philipsburg, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency on the French side is the euro (EUR); US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, and prices are often shown in both.Saint-Martin-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckOrange, Digicel, Flow and others; a French-side SIM may roam on the Dutch side at extra cost — check.Saint-Martin-wide
- Tap waterTap water is desalinated; most visitors drink bottled.Saint-Martin-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Service often included on the French side; 10–15% extra at your discretion on the Dutch side.Saint-Martin-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/E. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Saint-Martin-wide
- SafetyPhilipsburg is generally safe for tourists; petty theft can occur in crowded cruise‑ship areas—keep valuables secure.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsIn restaurants and beach bars.Saint-Martin-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 Medical
- Sundays & holidaysMany French-side restaurants close in September–October; shops close on Sundays.Saint-Martin-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSXM Princess Juliana International Airport (Main island airport, 15 min drive north).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable; park at Bobby's Marina or Dock Maarten (paid).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeXCG 2–4
- Street or quick mealStreet food (e.g., fish tacos)XCG 5–10
- BeerBeer (draft)XCG 4–6
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))XCG 15–20
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personXCG 30
- Mid-range bedDouble room, a night, per roomXCG 300
- High-end bedDouble room, a night, per roomXCG 500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget XCG 120 · Mid XCG 200 · High XCG 350
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SXM Princess Juliana International Airport (Main island airport, 15 min drive north)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Feb
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Dec–May. Avoid: Jun–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Jan (5 rain days), driest May (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Philipsburg: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
4 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
4 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
3 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
3 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
3 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
3 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
4 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
5 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting 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.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
St. Barths
goDoor to door: ≈2 h round trip
Ferry from Bobby's Marina (Voyager or Great Bay Express)
Boats run mainly in high season; check timetable.
Anguilla
goDoor to door: ≈3 h round trip
Ferry from Bobby's Marina (Voyager)
Day‑trip beach option; verify seasonal service.
Marigot (French side)
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Bus from Emmaplein terminal, about 15 min
Cross‑border walkable; markets and Fort Louis.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
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
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- XCG 120–180 excl. bed
- Mid
- XCG 200–300 excl. bed
- High
- XCG 350–500 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room1 × 1 night × XCG 300 | XCG 300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × XCG 200 | XCG 400 |
| Ferry to St. Barths (round trip)2 × XCG 120 · check | XCG 240 |
| Bus day pass (Emmaplein network)2 × XCG 15 | XCG 30 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × XCG 30 | XCG 60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | XCG 103 |
| Trip total≈ XCG 567 per person per day, bed included | XCG 1,133 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | XCG 2–4 |
| Street food (e.g., fish tacos) | XCG 5–10 |
| Beer (draft) | XCG 4–6 |
| Taxi (5 km) | XCG 15–20 |
| Ferry to St. Barths (one way) | XCG 70–90 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Medical
- 911
Pocket card
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PhilipsburgPhilipsburg
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Naar dit adres, alstublieftTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Medical911
Embassy
US consulate is in Philipsburg (check address); other embassies in The Hague (NL) or Washington, D.C.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- 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
Say or show
- Pardon — Excuse me / Sorry (pardon)
- Dank u — Thank you (dank u)
- Hoeveel kost het? — How much is it? (hoeveel kost het)
- Waar is het toilet? — Where is the bathroom? (waar is het toilet)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Philipsburg. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–May · avoid Jun–Nov (rainier, hotter) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night at a beachfront resort for beach time.
- Combine with a day‑trip to St. Barths or Anguilla.
- Use the Emmaplein bus hub for easy island hopping.
Sources
Ask about Philipsburg
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