- AirportPrincess Juliana (SXM)
- CurrencyEuro (French side), Caribbean guilder (Dutch side); US$ widely used
- LanguageFrench, Dutch, English
- Best timeDecember to April
This small island is split between French Saint-Martin in the north and Dutch Sint Maarten in the south, with no border controls in between. The French side is known for food in Grand Case and calm beaches like Orient Bay; the Dutch side for Philipsburg's shops, casinos and nightlife.
Maho Beach, at the end of the airport runway, is famous for jets passing just overhead. The island is also a hub for day trips to Anguilla and St Barths.
Top things to do
- Watch the planes land at Maho Beach
- Eat at the lolos and restaurants of Grand Case
- Relax at Orient Bay
- Ferry to Anguilla's Shoal Bay
- Hike Pic Paradis for views over both sides
Tours & excursions on St Martin / Sint Maarten
Compare guided trips, boat days and tickets.
Landmarks on St Martin / Sint Maarten
Maho Beach
Jets roar a few metres overhead on final approach.
Read guide →
Shoal Bay East, Anguilla
A day trip by ferry to one of the Caribbean's best beaches.
Read guide →Map
Where to stay
Simpson Bay
central, near the airport and marinas
Grand Case
the French side's food capital
Orient Bay
beach clubs and watersports
Getting there & around
Princess Juliana has direct flights from North America and Europe, and regional hops to St Barths, Anguilla and Saba.
Search flightsCompare car hire
Cross over: nearby islands & regions
Combine St Martin / Sint Maarten with a neighbour. Distances are straight-line.
British Virgin Islands172 km away
Antigua and Barbuda173 km away
US Virgin Islands198 km away
Guadeloupe256 km away
Cartagena & Colombia's CaribbeanNeighbouring region · 1,590 km
BermudaNeighbouring region · 1,592 kmHeader photo: Aldo Bidini, GFDL 1.2
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