St. Maarten / St. Martin is one island split between two countries:
- Dutch Side (St. Maarten) → nightlife, casinos, Maho Beach planes
- French Side (St. Martin) → food, quieter beaches, European vibe
It’s one of the easiest islands to explore because you can drive the entire island in under an hour, visiting beaches, markets, viewpoints, and food spots in one trip.
Top things St. Maarten is known for:
- Airplanes landing low over Maho Beach
- Pinel Island ferry
- Grand Case restaurants
- Orient Bay beach clubs
- Snorkeling + catamaran day trips
A great fit for couples, groups, food lovers, and beach hoppers.
How to Get There
- Airport: SXM (Princess Juliana International Airport)
- Famous for low plane landings over Maho Beach
- Regional airport: Grand Case (SFG) on French Side
Easy flights from:
- U.S. (Miami, NYC, Boston, Charlotte, Atlanta)
- Canada
- Europe
- Caribbean islands
Where to Stay (French vs Dutch Side)
| Side | Vibe | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch Side: Simpson Bay / Maho | Restaurants, nightlife, casinos | First-timers, groups |
| French Side: Grand Case | Best food on the island | Couples, food lovers |
| French Side: Orient Bay | Beach clubs + European feel | Relaxed beach stays |
| Dawn Beach / Oyster Pond | Quiet luxury | Honeymoons |
Budget Tiers
- $ Guesthouses + apartments in Simpson Bay / Orient Village
- $$ Boutique hotels on French side
- $$$ Luxury resorts + ocean villas
Booking Tip:
For nightlife + convenience → Simpson Bay / Maho.
For calm + beauty → Grand Case / Orient Bay.
Booking.com — Find Great Stays Fast
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H10 Hotels — Book Direct
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Janet Howard New York — Contemporary Women’s Fashion
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The Fives Hotels & Residences
Planning Mexico? Explore resort-style stays and residence options in the Riviera Maya—great for couples, friends, and family trips.
- Compare locations + room options
- Great base for beach days & excursions
- Check availability for your dates
Private Tours with Local Guides (GoWithGuide)
Book 100% private, customizable tours—great when you want a local to handle the details and show you hidden spots.
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- Perfect for food, history, and day trips
Trusted Tours: Discount Tickets for Top Attractions
Save time (and usually money) by booking tours, attractions, and museum tickets online—great for planning ahead in popular cities.
- Curated tours + attractions across major destinations
- Buy tickets online in advance (less hassle on trip day)
- Includes a “Lowest Price Guarantee” on many tickets
Best Beaches
| Beach | Why Go | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maho Beach | Plane landings overhead | Crowded but iconic |
| Orient Bay | Long, soft sand + beach clubs | French Riviera vibe |
| Mullet Bay | Turquoise cove + great swimming | Favorite among locals |
| Grand Case Beach | Calm + near restaurants | Snorkel-friendly |
| Kim Sha Beach | Watersports + bars | Simpson Bay area |
| Pinel Island | Calm water + beach restaurant | Small ferry from Cul-de-Sac |
Top Things to Do
1) Watch Planes at Maho Beach
- Aircraft land a few meters overhead
- Check SXM flight schedule for big jets
2) Pinel Island Ferry
- 5-minute boat trip
- Calm lagoon water
- Great for families + couples
3) Grand Case Food Crawl
- “Gourmet capital” of the Caribbean
- Lolos (local BBQ huts) + high-end restaurants
4) Orient Bay
- Beach clubs
- Parasailing
- Jet skis
5) Catamaran Day Trip
Options:
- Anguilla
- Tintamarre (turtles)
- Creole Rock snorkeling
Transportation
- Renting a car is the best option (easy island to navigate)
- Parking is simple
- No border checks between sides
- Roads are good; traffic in Simpson Bay can be busy
Food & Local Culture
Top Food Areas:
- Grand Case (French side food heaven)
- Simpson Bay (bars, sushi, seafood)
- Orient Village (cafés & beach eats)
Try:
- BBQ ribs + fish at the Lolos
- Fresh croissants in French bakeries
- Guavaberry rum
- Cod fritters (accras)
3–7 Day Itineraries
3 Days (Highlights):
Day 1: Maho Beach + Simpson Bay dinner
Day 2: Orient Bay → Grand Case
Day 3: Pinel Island
5 Days (Balanced):
Day 1: Orient Bay
Day 2: Pinel Island
Day 3: Catamaran trip to Tintamarre
Day 4: Mullet Bay + sunset
Day 5: Grand Case food day
7 Days (Full Tour):
Add:
- Dawn Beach
- Anse Marcel
- A day trip to Anguilla or St. Barts (high SEO value)
Safety & Practical Notes
- Very safe island
- Drivers respectful
- Reef-safe sunscreen recommended
- Beaches can get busy on cruise days
- Parking at Maho gets tight around big jet arrivals
Internal Links
- Barbados Guide
- St. Lucia Guide
- Aruba / Curaçao / Bonaire Guides (Caribbean coast comparison)
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen Guide
Spanish Summary — Resumen en Español
St. Maarten/St. Martin es una isla dividida entre dos países.
El lado holandés tiene Maho Beach y vida nocturna.
El lado francés tiene playas tranquilas y la mejor comida.
Las actividades principales son Pinel Island, Orient Bay, y catamarán a Tintamarre.
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