2024’s Fresh Update: Frequently Asked Questions about Sint Maarten | Saint Martin

What to know before traveling to SXM! Is it safe? Currency? Language? Best time? How to get around?

What to know before traveling to St. Maarten - St. Martin, Island Information SXM

Table of content – All important information before traveling:

NEW Entry requirements Sint Maarten (October 2024) – Princess Juliana International Airport:

Using the new Entry Form, before you enter Sint Maarten via the Princess Juliana International Airport?

Before traveling to SXM all Travelers visiting, transferring through or residing in St. Maarten are obliged to fill in an official SXM entry form. This new digital form aims to simplify the arrival process for travelers while ensuring safety and compliance with local regulations. In order to fill the form you would need the following information:

  • Identity information – Valid Travel Documents (Passport – ID Card)
  • Contact information – Your details, plus third party details in case of an emergency
  • Accommodation & Flight information – Ticket
  • Recent employment information (if applicable)
Entry form

1. General information, what to know before traveling to Sint Maarten – Saint Martin:

1.1 Is it St. Maarten or St. Martin?

Both the Dutch side is called Sint Maarten and the French side Saint Martin.
Fun Fact: did you know this Island probably has the largest variety of given names by news channels worldwide. San Martin, Saint Marteen, Sint Marteen, San Marteen, Sankt Martin, St. Martens, St. Martins and Saint Martins have all been used.

BUT, the right way of spelling is (Dutch) Sint Maarten and (French) Saint Martin.

1.2 Is it safe to visit St. Maarten?

Yes, completely! All the tourist areas such as cities and beaches are safe to walk around. Especially during the day, there’s nothing to worry about and you can enjoy the Island everywhere.
At night in Philipsburg or Marigot, just like in any other capital, we (We Are SXM) would advise not to wear expensive belongings. For evening activities take a cab drive there or park close. At most companies, you can ask the security for Valet Parking.

1.3 Why visit St Martin/St Maarten?

This green Island has gorgeous beaches, a laidback vibe, and is the most multi-cultural destination worldwide. Furthermore, it has everything to offer: nightlife, casinos, cocktail bars, beach bars, comfort food, and high-end fine dining. In addition, there’s an endless variety of boat tours and activities to explore SXM.

1.5 Why should I visit St. Martin?

Dutch side: St. Maarten is known as the Las Vegas of the Caribbean, with lots of Nightlife, Casinos, Bars, and Restaurants.
As the Dutch side has Duty Free importing and no additional product Tax, it’s the best place to buy jewelry, clothing, alcohol, cigarettes, cigars, cosmetics, and more. Combine this with the most pristine places to stay, beautiful Beaches, and beach bars/restaurants. Your vacation is complete!

French side: St. Martin is known as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean, with fine dining and dishes prepared by world-class chefs all around. On the French side, it is all about tranquility, no loud music, and a Caribbean vibe.
Being part of France, they are also known for being very liberal and so free spirits all around. Therefore several nude beaches and topless sunbathing is accepted by all. Next to this, you’ll find beautiful shops for European clothing; colorful, unique, and with a perfect fit.

1.7 How to travel to St Martin – St Maarten?

With direct flights from New York, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Washington, Charlotte, Forth Lauderdale, Philadelphia, Amsterdam, Paris, Montreal, Toronto, Panama, and many Caribbean destinations, we are only 1 flight away for most!

1.16 Will I be bothered on the streets?

On the Boardwalk in Philipsburg and at other beaches, people will try to rent you their Beach Chairs, don’t feel bad saying “no” and choose the ones you prefer. Outside the cruise-port, they will offer you tours and trips, make sure you arrange everything in advance not to be bothered. We selected only the best companies.
In Philipsburg, several cosmetic stores will try and lure you in with a free sample, realize that you end up paying large commissions for the people selling it to you. In some areas of Philipsburg and Marigot, some might offer you weed, cocaine, or any other drugs they have available. Don’t worry, when you say “no” they will stay respectful of your choice.

1.17 What is the most popular Caribbean Island to vacation?

Due to the endless number of direct flights, Sint Maarten – Saint Martin is undoubtedly one of the most popular Caribbean destinations. The Island has everything to offer for any type of vacationer.

2. Where to stay in Sint Maarten – Saint Martin:

2.1 Which side of St Martin – St Maarten is better?

The Dutch side is vibrant and full of nightlife such as casinos, cocktail bars, piano bars, live music venues, and restaurants. The beaches are more crowded.
The French side has more European calmness, relaxing beaches with high-end beach bars, and fine cuisine. They are known as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.

2.2 What is the best vacation spot in St Martin – St Maarten?

Orient Bay or Grand Case would fit you perfectly if you enjoy a calm stay with beaches, great food, and early evenings. And if you do like to go out on occasion, the French side has live music during weekends, or you can easily take a taxi to the Dutch side.
However, if you prefer more crowded beaches to mingle and mix with other people, enjoy good food, and have a regular night out enjoying live music, casinos, and nightclubs, the Dutch side would be your best pick.

2.3 Which side of SXM is better?

This is extremely personal, the French side is calmer with quiet beaches, fine-dining, and less nightlife. Orient Bay is more secluded and closed, whereas Grand Case is more public. Marigot is better for shopping or more central for a business visit.

2.4 Where to stay in St Martin/St Maarten for nightlife?

Simpson Bay and Maho are the best places for Nightlife in SXM; with casinos, bars, restaurants, cocktail lounges, and a lot of variety, these areas make the Las Vegas of the Caribbean.

2.5 Where to vacation in St Martin – St Maarten?

Orient Bay, Grand Case, Simpson Bay, and Maho are the best locations for a stay-over vacation. All have their different benefits. See our Top Spots section for more info.

3. What to do in Sint Maarten – Saint Martin:

What to do in St Martin - St Maarten - Beach Visits, Relaxing, Sightseeing

3.1 What to see in the Caribbean island of st martin – st maarten?

Some must-visit places are the Capitals Philipsburg and Marigot, the gorgeous beaches such as the famous Maho Beach, Mullet Bay Beach, Orient Bay Beach, Grand Case Beach, etc. Other great sightseeing places are Pic Paradis (the highest point), Loterie Farm, Lolos in Grand Case, and the local snack shacks, coconut stands, etc.

3.2 What is the most visited place in St Martin – St Maarten?

With over 1 million visitors per year, Maho Beach is the most popular tourism attraction. Here you will see the planes land right over your head while you stand with your feet in the sand.

3.3 What is the best place to visit in St Martin – St Maarten?

Maho Beach is one of the places you should undoubtedly visit to have an experience you can have nowhere else in the world!

3.4 What is the most beautiful place in St Martin – St Maarten?

Mullet Bay Beach, Cupecoy Beach, Orient Bay, Grand Case Beach, Baie Rouge. Our beaches are just amazing, and it’s impossible to pick a “best” one.

3.5 What are the best thing to do in St. Maarten – St. Martin?

From the best activities, watersports and entertainment to world-class dining and nightlife, the choices are endless on St. Maarten – St. Martin! See the activities section for our top 10!

4. Where and what to eat in St. Martin – St. Maarten:

4.1 Where to eat in St. Martin – St Maarten

The culinary capital of the Caribbean is Grand Case, but there are great restaurants all around the island. Within our restaurant section, you will find most of them all listed per category.

4.2 What is the national dish of St Martin?

The national dish of French Saint Martin is Callaloo Soup.

4.3 What is the national dish of St Maarten?

The national dish of Dutch Sint Maarten is the conch and dumplings.

4.4 How expensive is food in St Maarten – St Martin?

The price of food depends on where you go, but in general, you can expect the food to be about 20 to 30% more expensive than back home because everything has to be shipped or freshly flown in.
Fine-Dining: An appetizer will be $12 to $21; the main course in a good restaurant is between $ 18 and $ 36 and can go up to $75 for a large steak or lobster.
Lunch: When you get a sandwich alongside the road, you’ll pay $6 to $8.
Local BBQ or food stands: When you go to a local stand for original BBQ Chicken together with coleslaw, rice and peas you’ll pay approx $8 to $12, and for Ribs $12 to $15, other options will be stuffed crab back, Mahi Mahi, Red Snapper, blood sausages, and lobster.
Lobster and Steak are always the most expensive.

5. Language and country information St. Maarten – St. Martin:

Beaches St Maarten, St Martin, Sint Maarten, SXM

6. Currency and ways of payment in St Maarten – St. Martin:

7 Flight information, how to get to St Maarten – St Martin via the international airport:

Flight information Sint Maarten - St Martin -SXM, All direct Flights

8. Cruise visitors information – all about cruising to Sint Maarten:

Aerial view of two giant cruise ships docked in Port Sint Maarten - Philipsburg

9. Visiting our neighboring islands Saint Barths and Anguilla, what to know:

Gustavia, St. Barths Church - Capital of Saint Barts, Visiting from St. Martin

10. The Do’s and Don’ts when visiting Saint Martin/Sint Maarten:

When visiting The Friendly Island there are some unwritten rules to follow in order to make your stay as pleasant as possible. Below we highlighted some of the most important Do’s and Don’ts when visiting our magical little rock.

10.1 DO’s

  • Do make sure to expect randomly changing weather conditions
  • Do expect random rain showers (which usually last no longer than 15 min)
  • Do expect people to be friendly & extrovert, and be happy to do the same
  • Do dress appropriately to the climate and environment
  • Do expect the locals to greet you throughout the day
  • Do remember everyone’s on island time

10.2 DON’Ts

  • Don’t be surprised by the Caribbean lifestyle & slang
  • Don’t be afraid of asking questions to a local
  • Don’t forget to keep yourself protected from the high sun exposure
  • Don’t focus on touristic traps ask locals for guidance
  • Don’t be surprised to see the island food price
  • Don’t judge our lifestyle
  • Don’t forget to lock your car and take out your valuables
  • Don’t show off valuables in inappropriate ways or locations

11. How to get around in Saint Martin/Sint Maarten:

Funny enough, the Island has only ONE main road going around, and without traffic, it takes you approximately 1,5 hours to drive all the way around. With traffic, some sightseeing stops, and enjoying local delicacies along the way count for about 3 to 4 hours for an island tour.

11.1 Renting a car, use public transportation or Taxi?

When visiting our Island, we advise you to rent a car if you enjoy exploring daily and have the comfort of your own transportation. The cost of a rental car varies between $40 to $80 per day (depending on the vehicle). The best budget option to explore SXM would be to use public transportation. Between 7 am and 8 pm, small buses drive around with signs mentioning their direction. You can hop in or out at the designated bus stops or anywhere alongside the road; simply wave to stop the bus. Depending on your travel distance, these buses charge between $1 and $3 per person. The downside is that these buses don’t follow any schedule, and you might have to hop from one bus to another to get to your final destination.

The last option is to hire a taxi to get around in SXM; we advise you to find a taxi in advance and stick with this driver during your stay for your comfort and the best rates. Taxis must follow the official taxi rates between $8 and $35 per trip. But when using the same driver the entire stay, they might give you an exclusive rate ;) Especially when going out in SXM, we advise you to use a taxi; this way, everyone can have a good time and gets home safely. Our taxis are also the best ambassadors of SXM and know all of the Island’s hot spots.
We collected some of the most trustworthy and fun taxi drivers on the island, read more about them and find the official taxi rates via the button below.

11.2 Tip’s for driving around in SXM:

  • Book an island tour at the beginning of your stay and get to know the Island and its local hot spots before exploring on your own.
  • Check the Simpson Bay bridge times to avoid getting stuck in traffic or see the impressive Super Yachts entering the lagoon.
  • Avoid driving from Simpson Bay to Philipsburg from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
  • Plan your island tour on a day with no or fewer cruise ships for a truly local experience
  • Horn once to “let people pass” and give two short horns to say “thank you”.

11.3 How to use a (multi-lane) round-a-bout in SXM:

  1. Slow down as you approach the roundabout. Once you see a “Roundabout Ahead” sign, the recommended speed is 15 – 20 mph (24 – 32 kph).
  2. Look to your left before entering the roundabout and yield to any oncoming traffic. Traffic already in the roundabout has the right-of-way. Do not enter unless a safe gap is present.
    – Crosswalks are placed one or two car lengths before the roundabout itself. Yield to any pedestrians who are in or about to enter the crosswalk.
    – If a car is in the roundabout, you could look at the direction of its tires, or if it has a signal, this will indicate whether they’re turning or going straight through the roundabout.
  3. Choose which lane to enter based on which direction you want to exit. In multi-lane roundabouts, which usually have three or more possible exits, the lane you choose to drive in is dictated by the kind of turn you want to make:
    – Occupy the left lane if you decide to turn left, make a U-turn, or go straight.
    – Occupy the right lane if you decide to turn right or go straight.
    – Never change lanes in a multi-lane roundabout
  4. Enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in traffic. Maintain a low speed as you maneuver through the roundabout and proceed to your exit.
  5. Look for signs indicating the allowed movements for each lane. These signs are usually located above or alongside the road and/or arrows painted on the road itself.
  6. Engage your turn signal as you approach your desired exit; this will inform other drivers that you wish to exit the roundabout, easing confusion.
  7. Yield only to pedestrians in the crosswalk or emergency vehicles when exiting a roundabout.
  8. If an emergency vehicle is about to enter or has already entered the roundabout, do not stop inside the roundabout. Instead, exit out your original destination and only then pull over.

11.4 Do Google Maps and Ways GPS services work on the island of Sint Maarten / St. Martin:

Yes, both Google Maps and Ways work in Sint Maarten and Saint Martin. All you need is a smartphone with a network. If you like to use Google Maps or Ways without the internet, you can download the map to use it offline.
Please don’t hesitate to ask the friendly island people for directions; they will always be happy to help you navigate.

About Sint Maarten | Saint Martin

Our Magical little paradise inhabitants approximately 100.000 citizens spread over the Dutch side (55.000) and the French side (45.000). It’s extremely hard to make an exact count as many are on and off-island due to the Tourism Industry.
Our high-season months are from November until April, mid-season from May to August and low-season September and October due to the Hurricane season.
The average temperature on the island of St. Maarten is approx 80ºF or 27ºC. Within the high-season months there’s a lot more wind and less humidity, where in the low season there’s almost no wind and more himidity.
After Hurricane Irma which destroyed SXM the Island went into a recovery phase. Now a couple of years after the Island is back on track and completely renovated and renewed. Everything on Sint Maarten | Saint Martin is newly built and services are improved compared to pre-hurricane. There are lots of new restaurants, hotels, activities, and watersports to enjoy.

Our island is pleasant to visit all year round so we hope to see you soon!

Dutch Side

Sint Maarten | With years of mostly American tourists (75%) the Dutch side of Sint Maarten became the Las Vegas of the Caribbean, with restaurants, marinas, casinos and lots of nightlife all around.
The dutch side its also famous for its Tax-Free importing and so shopping for luxury brands, alcohol, cigarettes, pharma-products, and cigars are extremely affordable and your savings can make back the trip! Not for nothing, SXM is known as a Sin-Island where you get to leave all your worries behind.

The capital Philipsburg became great for your day-trips and a real hub for cruise-ships. With lots of historical sights, the front street which is amazing for shopping and the boardwalk along Great Bay you can enjoy a traditional Caribbean vacation. There are bars, restaurants, and beach chairs all along the boardwalk for you to soak up some sun. Read more about Philipsburg and the Boardwalk…

In Simpson Bay, Cole Bay and Maho you’ll find several large marinas and hotels. This area became the “Party Central of the Caribbean” with more bar’s restaurants, casinos and nightclubs than you can imagine. Within the high-season months, you can admire some of the world’s largest Mega Yachts. Read more about nightlife…

Oyster Pond on the east coast is more secluded with nice beaches, some great hotels and views on St. Barths. If you like a quiet stay closer to calm beaches such as Orient Bay and the French side than this is a good pick. You can expect a lot more wind on this side of the Island so also for windsurfing or kitesurfing this is the best area.

French Side

Saint Martin | the French side of the island kept its European charm with no high structures, no casinos and almost no fast-food. Not for nothing, it is known as the “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean” as the fine-cuisine and gastronomic know-how is simply amazing!

The capital Marigot has some nice marinas for smaller yachts and sailboats. It is known for European shopping, great restaurants, and its historical sights. Since the Hurricane, a lot has been destroyed but amazing street art from Jimmy Sheik and Mashinart covered areas with love and color.
A little further out from Marigot there’s Pic Paradis, the highest point of SXM and its lush jungle surrounding. Escape in the nature of our unique tropical forest system with wild iguanas, monkeys and lots of birds.

Grand Case is known as the Culinary capital with lots of top-notch restaurants. Experience French gastronomic know-how first hand eating here, the dishes will blow your mind.
Orient Bay is known as the “Cannes of the Caribbean” one long stretched beach with some of the best beach bars, lots of watersports and an elegant European plaza with top-class restaurants.
In Hope Estate there’s a nice shopping mall and other stores with European brands, french food delicacies and unique island souvenirs such as the famous “One Love, One Life, One Island” T-shirts.

If you like to be more secluded there’s also Anse Marcel, a private beach with the secrets resorts one of the islands best beach restaurant and lots of tranquility.
Last you do not want to miss Pinel Island a small secluded island that can only be reached by a Ferry service for a day-visit, on Pinel you’ll feel like you’ve entered a tropical expedition to an inhabited island.

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