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Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

country

Saint-MartinSaint-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.

Not field-verified

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.

Regions

Grand Case and Marigot (French side)planned

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

3–5 nights

Orient Bay and the east (French side)planned

Long beach and water sports; access to Pinel islet

3–5 nights

Dutch side (Philipsburg, Simpson Bay)planned

Main airport, cruise port, Maho Beach and nightlife

0–4 nights

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

Time math

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

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.

Money & passes

Cash necessity: 2/5

  • 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

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.

Open Americas

Sources