St. Maarten Travel Guide

What is St. Maarten known for?

St. Maarten and Saint-Martin are known for beaches, clear turquoise water, shopping, dining, nightlife, casinos, boating and a unique island culture shaped by both Dutch and French influences.

Maho Beach on the Dutch side is famous for aircraft approaching Princess Juliana International Airport, while Mullet Bay is popular for swimming and relaxed beach time. On the French side, Orient Bay combines a long beach with restaurants and water activities, while Marigot offers markets, dining and historic Fort Louis.

Other popular activities include sailing through Simpson Bay Lagoon, snorkeling, diving, visiting beach bars and exploring Loterie Farm on the French side.

What are the best places to visit in St. Maarten?

Philipsburg is the principal town on the Dutch side, with Front Street shopping, the boardwalk, Great Bay Beach and cruise-port activity. Marigot is the main town on the French side, known for restaurants, markets, marina activity and historic architecture.

How many days should I spend in St. Maarten?

We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. Tripmasters vacation packages are customizable, allowing travelers to select the number of nights, hotel and activities.

What is the best way to get around St. Maarten?

What is the currency in St. Maarten?

On the Dutch side, St. Maarten uses the Caribbean guilder (XCG), which replaced the Netherlands Antillean guilder in 2025. On the French side, Saint-Martin uses the euro (€). U.S. dollars are widely accepted across much of the island.

Credit cards are widely accepted, and ATMs are available around the airport, Philipsburg, Simpson Bay, Marigot and other major visitor areas.

Do people speak English in St. Maarten?

On the Dutch side, Dutch and English are official languages. On the French side, French is the official language. English is widely spoken throughout the tourism industry on both sides of the island.

Visitors can generally communicate easily in English in hotels, restaurants, shops, casinos and excursion businesses.

St. Maarten has warm tropical weather throughout the year, with average daily temperatures generally in the 80s Fahrenheit. Mid-December through mid-April is the main high season, while May, June and late fall can offer a useful balance of warm weather and lower demand.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November. Rainfall is generally more common in late summer and fall, although showers are often brief.

December – April

This is the busiest period of the year, especially around Christmas, New Year and winter school holidays. Popular hotels and resorts should be booked well in advance.

May – June

Late spring often brings fewer visitors and better availability while retaining strong beach and water-sport conditions.

July – November

These months are typically warmer, more humid and wetter. Travelers should monitor weather forecasts and understand hotel, airline and travel-insurance policies during Atlantic hurricane season.

Tipping practices vary somewhat between the Dutch and French sides, but gratuities are common in restaurants, hotels, taxis and tourism services. Always check whether a service charge has already been added to the bill.

Currency: What should I use for tips?

U.S. dollars are widely accepted across the island and are convenient for gratuities. Caribbean guilders are appropriate on the Dutch side, while euros are appropriate on the French side.

Final Thoughts:

Tipping is discretionary beyond any included service charge. U.S. dollars are the simplest common option for visitors traveling across both sides of the island.