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Saint-Martin: hotels, sights and tours

A small Caribbean island shared by France and the Netherlands since 1648. The French north has the restaurants of Grand Case and the beaches of Orient Bay; the Dutch south has the airport, the cruise port, casinos and the famous planes over Maho Beach. In practice there is no border between the two sides.

Photo: Richie Diesterheft from Chicago, IL, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Where to stay on Saint-Martin

All 100 with filters and a map →

The island is small — one base is enough. Grand Case for food lovers and a quiet stay, Orient Bay for the beach, Simpson Bay on the Dutch side for the airport and nightlife.

Hotels 84Guest houses 12Apartments 1Gîtes and chalets 2Motels 1

Grand Case and the north Grand Case and the northThe gourmet capital of the Caribbean 15 options3–7 nightsOrient Bay and the east Orient Bay and the eastThe “Saint-Tropez of the Caribbean”, Pinel and the reserve 21 options3–7 nightsMarigot MarigotThe French capital: the market and Fort Louis 24 options0–2 nightsThe Dutch side The Dutch sideThe airport, Maho Beach, Philipsburg and nightlife 40 options0–3 nights

Most complete listings

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Accommodation collections

Saint-Martin Beachfront hotels and guest houses on Saint-Martin46 places to staySaint-Martin 4- and 5-star hotels on Saint-Martin5 places to staySaint-Martin Guest houses on Saint-Martin12 places to stay

Things to see

All 12 sights →
Fort Louis History Fort Louis An 18th-century fort above MarigotThe Butterfly Farm Nature The Butterfly Farm A tropical garden with hundreds of butterfliesPhilipsburg History Philipsburg The capital of the Dutch side: a boardwalk and duty-free shopsOrient Bay Beach Orient Bay The island's main beach: beach clubs and kitesurfingPinel Island Beach Pinel Island An uninhabited islet five minutes away by boatGrand Case beach Beach Grand Case beach A calm bay with restaurants right on the sandFriar's Bay Beach Friar's Bay A cosy cove with beach barsMaho Beach Beach Maho Beach Planes a few dozen metres above your head

Tours and activities

All 7 tours →
Pinel Island by kayak or ferry Sea and lagoon Pinel Island by kayak or ferryFive minutes across the channel and you are on an islet in the reserve Half a dayAll yearCatamaran to Tintamarre and Creole Rock Whales, dolphins, turtles Catamaran to Tintamarre and Creole RockAn uninhabited island in the reserve: turtles and snorkelling by the rock Half a day to a full dayDecember — JulyA day on Anguilla Sea and lagoon A day on AnguillaBy ferry from Marigot or by catamaran to the beaches of the neighbouring island A full dayAll yearA day on Saint-Barthélemy History and towns A day on Saint-BarthélemyBy ferry to Gustavia: yachts, Shell Beach and Saint-Jean bay A full dayDecember — June; much is closed in September and OctoberZip-lining at Loterie Farm Canyons and thrills Zip-lining at Loterie FarmCables above the forest canopy on the slopes of Pic Paradis 2–3 hAll yearA food evening in Grand Case Rum, wine, vanilla A food evening in Grand CaseLolos, French bistros and infused rum on a single street An eveningDecember — April; street party on Tuesdays

The island on the map

Green dots: sights; blue: beaches; purple: tour departure points. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Coordinates are approximate.

Getting there by air: fares from Paris

One-way from Paris from €456: the cheapest ticket found for each month.

MonthFromFlight dateAirportAirline
October 2026617 €Oct 27 SXMIberia, 2 stops see flights
November 2026714 €Nov 9 SFGAir Caraïbes, 1 stop see flights
December 2026456 €Dec 1 SXMAer Lingus, 2 stops see flights
January 2027675 €Jan 2 SXMAir France, non-stop see flights
February 2027529 €Feb 11 SXMWestJet, 3 stops see flights
March 2027677 €Mar 4 SFGAir Caraïbes, 1 stop see flights

Fares recorded on October 12, 2026 from recent searches on Aviasales: one way, one adult, checked baggage not always included. They are indicative: the actual fare is shown when you search and changes daily. Months with no data are left out of the table.

Rent a car

A car is the easiest way to reach beaches, trails and villages: public transport is scarce outside the towns. Book ahead in high season.

Discover Carscompare rental companies: Saint-Martin QEEQrental comparison site:Saint-Martin

Mobile data and eSIM

The French side of the island is inside the European Union roaming zone, but the Dutch side (Sint Maarten) is not. Near the border and at Princess Juliana airport your phone may pick up a Dutch network billed outside your plan: select the network manually, or use a prepaid eSIM for data.

An eSIM is bought online, installed before you leave and activated on arrival; your phone must be eSIM-compatible and unlocked. Compare the data allowance and validity period before buying.

YesimeSIM plans for the island AiraloeSIM plans for the island

The island at a glance

Status
North: a French overseas collectivity; south: Sint Maarten, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Currency
Euro on the French side, guilder and US dollar on the Dutch side; dollars are accepted everywhere
Time
UTC−4 — 5 hours behind Paris in winter, 6 in summer
Flight
Paris → Princess Juliana Airport (SXM) ≈ 9 h non-stop
Best season
December — April
Hurricanes
June — November, peaking in August and September (Hurricane Irma, 2017)
Languages
French, English, Dutch
Area
≈ 87 km² for the whole island, ≈ 53 km² for the French part
Sockets
French side: 220 V, types C/E; Dutch side: 110 V, American plugs

Right for you if

  • You want beaches and French food
  • You like island hopping
  • You want to see planes over the beach

Not for you if

  • You are after mountains and wild nature
  • You are travelling in September