St Maarten Travel Guide

A tropical paradise home to beautiful beaches, lush rainforests and out of this world local and international cuisine!
 
 
 
 

You’ll find all the information you’ll need in our St Maarten travel guide. St Maarten is located at the tip of the N. Eastern Caribbean & direct flights from international airports make travel to St Maarten a breeze! Miami is 2.5 hours away and 4 hours from New York. Paris & Amsterdam connect the island with Europe in just 9 hours.

Travel to St Maarten and you’ll find paradise offering visitors a fusion of cultural experiences & cuisine, 37 pristine beaches and a happening atmosphere. Peacefully divided in 1648 between the Netherlands and France, today Dutch St Maarten and French St Martin is the smallest landmass in the world shared by two sovereign nations. The climate is sunny and warm with a cool topical breeze all year round.

With the south side of the island forming Dutch St Maarten, you’ll find St Maarten Resorts, entertaining boardwalks, lively beach bars, and more than a dozen casinos. To the North, you’ll find French St Martin, with its harbor full of St Martin Yacht Charters, quaint homes and luxurious villas in Les Terres Basses built up into the cliffs, reminiscent of a Mediterranean fishing village.

 
 

Where to Stay

 
 
 
 

This tiny 37 square mile island is divided almost equally into the Dutch St Maarten and French St Martin. It’s been that way since colonial times, and no one seems to mind. The beaches are beautiful, with the year-round temperature between 78 and 88 degrees, and it really is a perfect vacation getaway. It’s like getting the best of three worlds: Caribbean, French and Dutch.

There is a wide range of places to stay on St Maarten, including four and five star resorts, luxury boutique hotels, and rooms tailored towards the budget traveler. While most of the high-end all-inclusive resorts and hotels are located on the coastal hills and, of course, the beaches, quality hotel rooms can be found throughout the island. The “Dutch” side of the island offers resorts with casinos and tends to cater more to groups, while the “French” side tends to have more boutique style. There is something for everyone on the island, and, best of all, almost every kind of accommodation –from budget hotels to 5 star resorts – are on or near the beach.

 
 
Booking.com
 
 

Getting Here

 
 
 
 
St Maarten is conveniently located just a couple hours away from North America with non-stop service from many major US and Canadian cities, and just 9 hours from Europe with direct flight service from Paris and Amsterdam. Click on the airlines below for flight deals or click here to book your flight to St Maarten!
 
 
Air France St Maarten Flights

Air France

American Airlines St Maarten Flights

American

jetBlue St Maarten Flights

jetBlue

united st maarten flights

United Airlines

 
 
st-maarten-cruise

St Maarten Cruise Guests

SXM Airport

St Maarten SXM Airport

 
 
St Maarten Entry Requirements and Visa

Visa & Entry Requirements

 
 

St Maarten Travel Essentials

In this St Maarten Travel Essentials section, you’ll find a collection of articles & tips that should help you as you plan your trip and make your vacation safer and more enjoyable.
 
 
 
 

St Maarten Travel - FAQs

Traveling to St Maarten? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions.
 
 
1Do I need a visa to travel to St Maarten?
In some cases, a visa is required for travel to St Maarten. Read about St Maarten visa entry requirements here.
2Can I travel with my pet to St Maarten?
Yes, you can travel with your pet to St Maarten with proper and current documentation including certification of rabies shots and good health. Your vet can help you prepare these documents. Here is a list of St Maarten pert friendly hotels.
3What is the legal drinking age in St Maarten?
The legal drinking age in St Maarten is 18 years old. Travelers should have proper identification if asked for, such as a valid passport, ID card or driver's license. Drinking and driving is strongly discouraged.
4When is the best time to visit St Maarten?
Although we welcome travelers to the island year-round, click here for more information on when is the best time to visit St Maarten.
5What currency is used in St Maarten - St Martin?
In Dutch St Maarten, the USD$ is commonly used at a fixed exchange rate of US$1 = 1.80 Guilders. It is possible to dispense both US$ and local guilders at ATMs on the Dutch side. On French St Martin, the US$ is widely accepted, however at the current exchange rate to the official currency, the Euro. ATMs on French St Martin will dispense Euros.
6What credit cards are accepted in St Maarten?
Euro/ MasterCard and Visa are the most popularly accepted credit cards throughout the entire island. American Express is accepted at a growing number of locations.
7What timezone in St Maarten on?
St Maarten - St Martin is in the Atlantic timezone (GMT-4).
8Do I need electrical adapters?
Electrical plugs are 110 volts in Dutch St Maarten and 220 volts in French St Martin. It is recommended that you travel with the right adapter for use of electronics when staying in French St Martin.
9What emergency services are available in St Maarten?
On Dutch St Maarten:
  • St Maarten Hospital: St. Maarten Medical Center - 910
    • Ambulance Services - 912
  • Police Department - 911
  • St Maarten Coast Guard - 913
  • Fire / Disaster Services - 919