- Local time
- 07:36
- Currency
- XCG
- Capital
- Philipsburg
- Calling code
- +1721
- Drive on the
- right
Overview
The Dutch side of Saint Martin, an island shared with France: duty-free shopping in Philipsburg, beaches and casinos, nightlife around Simpson Bay and Maho, and planes landing just over Maho Beach.
Sint Maarten is the southern, Dutch part of Saint Martin, a Caribbean island that it shares with French Saint-Martin. There is no real border between the two: only monuments and signs mark the line, and you can cross freely by car or bus. The Dutch side has had its own government since 2010 and is part of neither the European Union nor the Schengen Area.
This is the more developed half of the island. Cruise ships dock at Philipsburg, the capital, whose Front Street is lined with duty-free shops, and large resorts, high-rise flats and casinos have been built around them. Princess Juliana International Airport is here too, its runway ending at Maho Beach. Dutch and English are the official languages, and almost everyone speaks English; and the US dollar is accepted alongside the local Caribbean guilder.
- Maho Beach: The beach at the end of the airport runway, where large planes land just overhead.
- Front Street: The duty-free shopping street of Philipsburg, close to the cruise ship docks.
- Mullet Bay: A beach just beyond Maho, with food and drink vendors and the island's only golf course alongside.
- Simpson Bay Lagoon: A large inland lagoon, also called the Great Pond, crossed by the French-Dutch border.
- Casinos and nightlife: Casinos are found only on the Dutch side, which also has more night clubs than the French side.
- The French side: Marigot and the restaurants of Grand Case are across the open border, and minibuses run often between Philipsburg and Marigot.
Places to visit
Cities
- Philipsburg: The capital of the Dutch side, where most cruise ships dock, with Front Street, a harbour beach and several casinos.
Beyond the cities
- Simpson Bay (area): The strip along the lagoon and the airport road, with marinas, restaurants, bars and night clubs.
- Maho Beach (coast): At the end of the runway of Princess Juliana Airport: planes pass just over the sand, and jet blast can be dangerous.
- Mullet Bay (coast): A beach just beyond Maho with vendors and lounger rental but few facilities; the island's golf course runs along it.
- Cupecoy Beach (coast): A very small beach at the foot of a cliff on the far western tip of the Dutch side.
- Dawn Beach (coast): A beach at Oyster Pond, suitable for snorkelling.
- Simpson Bay Lagoon (area): An inland lagoon divided by the French-Dutch border, with two small islands and marinas for yachts.
Things to do
See
- Watch the planes land Maho Beach: Large aircraft fly just over the beach; most arrive and leave in the early to mid morning and mid to late afternoon. Keep away from the fence: jet blast throws sand and gravel and has injured people.
- Rusty Parrot Pirate Park Dock Maarten Marina: Multimedia presentations on the history of piracy, and workshops on making rum.
- A day on the French side Marigot and Grand Case: Fort Louis above Marigot, the waterfront market and the restaurants of Grand Case are across the open border.
Do
- Kayak and bike tours Dock Maarten Marina: Trisport runs tours on foot, by kayak and by bike on the Dutch side and across the border, and rents kayaks and bikes.
- Sailing day trips Port de Plaisance Marina, Cole Bay: Private sailboat charters for a day or for longer trips to other islands.
- Golf Mullet Bay: The island's one golf course runs along Mullet Bay Beach.
Eat
- St. Maarten Flavors: A year-round programme that showcases the many cuisines of the Dutch side.
Shop
- Duty-free shopping Front Street, Philipsburg: Jewellery, liquor, cosmetics, cameras and electronics, with a small open-air bazaar behind the courthouse and well-priced beachwear and souvenirs on Back Street.
After dark
- Casinos Philipsburg, Maho, Cupecoy and Cole Bay: Casinos exist only on the Dutch side of the island; Philipsburg has five.
- Bars and clubs of Simpson Bay Simpson Bay and Maho: A rooftop lounge over the lagoon, a night club with visiting DJs and a Dutch-style pub with karaoke and live bands.
Itineraries
Four days on the Dutch side (4 days)
- Simpson Bay (3 nights): Planes at Maho Beach, a swim at Mullet Bay, a kayak or bike tour and an evening in the bars; one day by minibus to Marigot and Grand Case.
- Philipsburg (1 night): Front Street, the courthouse bazaar and the harbour beach before you leave.
A cruise stop in Philipsburg (1 days)
- Philipsburg (0 nights): Take the water taxi from the cruise docks to Front Street for shopping and the beach.
- Maho Beach (0 nights): A taxi ride away; in the afternoon you can watch the planes come in.
Holidays and events
- 1 January 2026 · New Year's Day
- 3 April 2026 · Good Friday
- 5 April 2026 · Easter Sunday
- 6 April 2026 · Easter Monday
- 27 April 2026 · King's Day
- 30 April 2026 · Carnival Day
- 1 May 2026 · Labour Day
- 14 May 2026 · Ascension Day
- 24 May 2026 · Pentecost
- 1 July 2026 · Emancipation Day
- 12 October 2026 · Constitution Day
- 11 November 2026 · Sint Maarten Day
- 25 December 2026 · Christmas Day
- 26 December 2026 · St. Stephen's Day
Getting around
| Main airports | SXM |
|---|---|
| International driving permit | Recommended |
There are no border formalities between the Dutch and French sides, but you still need a valid visa for each side you visit if your passport requires one. A ring road runs around both sides of the island. Roads are narrow, sometimes in poor condition and often crowded between Philipsburg and Marigot, with severe congestion in the tourist season from December to April and hazardous driving in the rainy season from October to February. Some drivers speed and ignore traffic laws, and scooters and motorcycles often pass on both sides.
Rental cars are available in a dedicated area outside Princess Juliana Airport. Canada says you may drive with a Canadian licence but should carry an International Driving Permit; turning right on a red light is not allowed, and the minimum driving age is 18. Parking in Philipsburg is scarce and tow zones are poorly marked. Minibuses, with plates marked "bus", serve most places on both sides and run often between Philipsburg and Marigot; ask locally where the stops are. Taxis are plentiful: use registered taxis, note the driver's name and plate, and agree the fare before you get in. Canada reports no ride-sharing apps. In Philipsburg, Simpson Bay and Maho you can walk, but watch the traffic and the narrow or missing pavements.
Flying to Sint Maarten? PartnerCompare fares and find the cheapest datesSearch flightsWhere to stay
- Large resorts: Many large resorts have been built on the Dutch side, and hotels hold property on most of the island's beaches.
- Mid-range beach hotels: For example at Dawn Beach, Oyster Pond, with pools, and restaurants, bars and a casino within walking distance.
- Apartments for longer stays: Multi-bedroom units rented by the week or month, for example on Beacon Hill near Simpson Bay.
| Tourist tax | Taxes and service charges are added to room rates, so check whether a quoted price includes them. |
|---|
Wikivoyage notes that hotel rooms on the island are almost never cheap, and taxes and service charges come on top of the room rate. High season runs from December to April; rates are considerably lower the rest of the year. If you book at the last minute, ask for the "local rate" rather than the walk-in rate. Not every hotel takes every card, so check that yours is accepted. Wikivoyage advises against a hotel too close to the airport.
The practice is less common than it was, but people on the street offering "freebies" or cash usually lead you to a long, high-pressure sales pitch for timeshares or condos, which can take up most of a day.
Eat and drink
Drinks
- Frozen cocktails: A trendy treat against the heat at the beach bars.
- Beer: Cold beer is easy and inexpensive to find, even at petrol stations.
| Tipping | Some restaurants add 15% to the bill as "Tax" or "SC". The island has no dining tax, so treat it as the tip and do not pay another one on top. |
|---|
The island is nicknamed the culinary capital of the Caribbean and has some 300 restaurants. The Dutch side contributes with a wide range of international cuisines, which it showcases all year in the St. Maarten Flavors programme, while the French side is known for French and seafood cooking, especially in Grand Case. At Simpson Bay you will find South American fusion and Mexican food with breakfast buffets; elsewhere there is a Caribbean-inspired menu in an old plantation house and a Rastafarian restaurant that follows Ital principles.
If you ask for water in a restaurant, staff assume you mean bottled water, which is sometimes more expensive than beer or wine: say clearly that you want tap water. When you sign a card receipt, check whether the full card number is printed on the merchant copy and scribble it out. The legal drinking age is 18.
Entry requirements and visas
| Passport validity | Valid for the whole of your stay, according to Canada |
|---|
| Passport | Entry | Max stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | Visa free | No tourist visa for stays of up to 3 months. |
Other nationalities: check the official source below.
Canadians do not need a tourist visa for stays of up to 3 months. Wikivoyage notes that Sint Maarten is outside the EU and Schengen, with border controls for travel from the European Netherlands. Travellers who need a visa can use a valid Schengen visa or a visa for Saint-Martin; otherwise you need a visa that covers Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the Caribbean Netherlands for up to 90 days in 180, with no more than 30 days in a row on one island.
Customs officials may ask for a return or onward ticket, proof of enough money for your stay and the address where you will stay. You must hand in a completed immigration form at Princess Juliana Airport, and Wikivoyage reports that the online embarkation and disembarkation card is expected before arrival. Entering through the French side does not require it, but the open border does not exempt you from a visa: you can be arrested and deported without one. A departure tax is charged at Princess Juliana and on departure by sea. Rules depend on your passport and can change: check the official link before you book.
Money and payments
| Currency | XCG |
|---|---|
| Cards | Common |
The official currency is the Caribbean guilder (XCG, ƒ), shared with Curaçao and pegged at US$1 = ƒ1.79, though 1.80 is the rate most often used. US dollars are widely accepted, and so is the euro; for small cash purchases expect change in guilders. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but many places do not take them, so ask first and carry some small notes for small purchases and transport.
Shopping is duty free. Merchants pay a 5% turnover tax, and a few may try to add it to your bill as a separate item, which the tax authority tells them not to do. Card and ATM fraud occurs, and do not carry large amounts of cash. Negotiating in a friendly way can save you a little on larger purchases.
Health
| Required vaccines | Yellow fever, but only if you arrive from a country where yellow fever occurs |
|---|---|
| Recommended vaccines | Routine vaccines, including measles (MMR), Hepatitis A, recommended for all travellers, Hepatitis B, recommended for all travellers, Rabies, if you will work with wildlife |
| Tap water | Safe |
Canada reports no risk of yellow fever, but you need proof of vaccination if you arrive from a country where it occurs. Zika and chikungunya are spread by mosquitoes, so protect yourself from bites at all times; if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk to a doctor about Zika before you go. Check with a travel health professional before your trip. According to Wikivoyage, tap water comes from desalination and is drinkable, although most residents filter it or buy bottled water.
Medical care is generally good but limited: the only hospital on the Dutch side is the St. Maarten Medical Center in Cay Hill, and you have to pay before treatment. Serious cases may need evacuation to a neighbouring country or the United States, which can be very expensive, so take travel insurance that covers medical evacuation and hospital stays. Some prescription medicines may not be available: bring enough in their original containers, with a copy of the prescription. The sun burns quickly, so use sunscreen and reapply it often.
This is general information, not medical advice: check with a travel health professional before you go.
Safety
- United States: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (2026-10-20)
- Canada: Take normal security precautions (2026-10-20)
Canada advises normal security precautions. Petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching occurs, and there are reports of theft from vehicles, especially rental cars, and from boats, as well as armed robberies and tourists being followed by people on motorcycles. Villas are more exposed to burglaries. Leave nothing of value in a parked car, keep your documents secure, avoid isolated or poorly lit places, including beaches, and do not leave valuables unattended on the beach or on boats. Never leave food or drinks unattended. Women travelling alone may face harassment.
Coastal waters can be dangerous and riptides are common; most beaches have no lifeguards or warning flags, so ask locally where it is safe to swim and dive only with a well-established company. At Maho Beach, jet blast from departing planes can throw sand and gravel and has caused serious injuries. The Dutch side regularly has power outages, which can affect flights, water, phones and banking, so keep water, food and an emergency kit at hand. Drink-driving is especially risky on roads near cliffs and the sea. The hurricane season runs from early June to the end of November.
Customs and etiquette
Wearing a swimsuit away from the beach or pool is illegal, and dressing too revealingly can attract unwanted attention. Topless sunbathing is common on the island, but on the Dutch side nude sunbathing is only tolerated at the far western end of Cupecoy Beach; elsewhere the police can fine you for indecent exposure. Some high-end restaurants and night clubs have a dress code, so check in advance.
The law requires everyone over 12 to carry valid identification; a photocopy of your passport is accepted. Penalties for drugs are severe, and marijuana is not legal. Same-sex relationships are legal, but LGBTQ travellers may face discrimination and public displays of affection may not be well tolerated; some bars in Philipsburg fly the rainbow flag. You must apply in advance to bring a pet or a plant, and pets also need an import permit.
Language
| Official languages | Dutch, English |
|---|---|
| English | Widespread |
What to pack
- A copy of your passport: Everyone over 12 must be able to show identification.
- Sunscreen and a brimmed hat: You can burn in a very short time.
- Insect repellent: Zika and chikungunya are spread by mosquitoes.
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation: There is one hospital, and serious cases may be evacuated abroad.
- A torch and an emergency kit: Power outages are regular.
- Small notes in cash: Many places do not accept cards, and you need cash for transport.
- Clothes to wear over your swimsuit: Swimwear is illegal away from the beach or pool.
Quick reference
Country facts
| Capital | Philipsburg |
|---|---|
| Population | 43,923 (2025) |
| Area | 34 km² |
| Time zone | America/Lower_Princes (UTC-4) |
| Calling code | +1721 |
| Driving side | right |
Staying connected
| SIM and eSIM | Mobile reception covers the whole island and is reliable for emergency calls, according to Canada. |
|---|---|
| Roaming | The Dutch side is outside the EU, so EU mobile plans cost more here than on the French side. Calls between the two sides are charged as international calls: the Dutch side uses +1 721, the French side +590. |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Sint Maarten?
Canadians can stay up to 3 months without a tourist visa. A valid Schengen visa or a visa for Saint-Martin also gives access. Check the official link before you book.
Is there a border between Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin?
There are no border formalities and you can cross freely, but you still need a valid visa for each side if your passport requires one.
What currency is used in Sint Maarten?
The Caribbean guilder, pegged to the US dollar. US dollars are widely accepted and so is the euro, though for small cash purchases expect change in guilders.
Is it safe to watch the planes at Maho Beach?
Watch from a distance and keep away from the airport fence: jet blast from departing planes throws sand and gravel and has caused serious injuries.
Is tap water safe to drink in Sint Maarten?
Wikivoyage says tap water comes from desalination and is drinkable, though most residents filter it or buy bottled water.
Is there a departure tax?
Yes, when you leave from Princess Juliana Airport or by sea, though some airlines include it in the fare. There is none at Grand Case-Espérance Airport on the French side.
Sources This guide was last checked on · 10 sources
- Wikivoyage: Saint Martin · Overview, Places to visit, Things to do, Itineraries, Getting around, Where to stay, Eat and drink, Entry requirements and visas, Money and payments, Health, Safety, Customs and etiquette, Language, What to pack, Staying connected, Frequently asked questions
- Wikidata: Sint Maarten · Overview, Money and payments, Country facts
- Government of Canada: Sint Maarten travel advice (updated 26 May 2026) · Overview, Getting around, Entry requirements and visas, Money and payments, Health, Safety, Customs and etiquette, What to pack, Staying connected, Frequently asked questions
- Nager.Date: public holidays in Sint Maarten, 2026 · Holidays and events
- ISO 4217 (SIX), published 2026-09-17 · Money and payments
- US CDC: Travelers' health, Sint Maarten · Health
- US Department of State: Sint Maarten travel advisory · Safety
- World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL · Country facts
- World Bank, AG.LND.TOTL.K2 · Country facts
- IANA Time Zone Database, zone.tab · Country facts
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