Sint Maarten · Caribbean

St. Maarten

Two countries, one island — and the wildest airport approach in aviation

St. Maarten/St. Martin is literally two countries on one island — the Dutch Sint Maarten (south) and French Saint-Martin (north) — with seamless movement between them and two distinctly different cultures. The Dutch side has casino-lined Philipsburg; the French side has clothing-optional beaches and bistros. And then there's Maho Beach, where planes from Princess Juliana Airport pass 100 feet overhead.

Budget/day

$120–$200

Best time

December, January, February, March +2 more

Currency

USD

US Visa

Visa-free

Top things to do in St. Maarten

Watch a Boeing 747 blast tourists off the sand at Maho Beach — the world's most famous airport approach
Spend a day on Orient Bay (French side) — voted one of the Caribbean's best beaches
Eat fresh fish at the Marigot market on the French side on Wednesdays and Saturdays
Shop duty-free in Philipsburg's Front Street for genuine savings on liquor and jewelry
Day-sail to nearby Tintamarre island for a deserted-beach picnic

What a St. Maarten trip actually costs

Estimates for a 7-night trip for 2 people from a major US hub, all-in.

Round-trip flights (2 people)Varies by origin — see our search

Hotel (7 nights, 1 room)~$770 mid-range

Food & daily spending (per person)$120–$200/day

Rental car (optional, 7 days)$45–$80/day depending on availability

Entry fees & activitiesBudget $20–$80/person/day

TripBudget calculates your all-in number. Enter your budget and origin airport and we'll show you exactly what you can afford in St. Maarten — flights, hotel, food, and car together.

Search St. Maarten trips in your budget

Best time to visit St. Maarten

Jan

Best

Feb

Best

Mar

Best

Apr

Best

May

Best

Jun

Jul

Aug

Avoid

Sep

Avoid

Oct

Avoid

Nov

Dec

Best

St. Maarten travel tips for US visitors

Visa: No visa required for stays up to 90 days on the Dutch side.

1USD is accepted everywhere; French side often prefers Euros but accepts dollars.
2Rent a car to explore both sides — local bus exists but is slow.
3Hurricane Irma (2017) caused significant damage; most facilities have since been rebuilt.

Maho Beach plane spottingTwo countries one islandOrient BayDuty-free shopping