St Maarten Travel Guide 2027: Dutch and French Sides
Sint Maarten is 88 square kilometers shared by two countries, and you can drive across the line in about thirty minutes without ever showing a passport. That one fact shapes every trip here. You can eat French pastries for breakfast, watch a jumbo jet clear the sand at Maho by lunch and be back on the Dutch side for dinner in US dollars. This St Maarten travel guide for 2027 covers what you need before you fly, how to split your days between the Dutch and French sides, when to go, how to get around and what a good five-day plan looks like. Where 2027 details are not confirmed yet, the text says so.
St Maarten travel guide 2027: the basics before you book
The island is one landmass with two governments. The southern part, Sint Maarten, is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The northern part, Saint-Martin, is a French overseas collectivity. Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) sits on the Dutch side and is the main gateway. Grand Case-Espérance (SFG) on the French side mainly serves flights to nearby French islands, according to the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau.
Entry, passports and the online form
Check the rules for your passport before you pay for anything. The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau's entry page says everyone arriving must complete the digital Entry Form at entry.sx. It asks for contact details, accommodation and flight information. One person can fill in forms for a family, but each traveler needs an individual form. The page also states that the form does not guarantee admission, and that immigration makes the final call.
On the passports, immigration and customs page the tourist bureau lists what officers expect: a passport valid on entry and for your stay, a return or onward ticket, a completed entry form and proof of accommodation. Most tourists may stay up to 30 days. US and Dutch nationals can stay up to six months. Canadian, EU, Australian, New Zealand and Japanese nationals can stay up to three months. Cruise passengers in port for 48 hours or less are exempt from the visa rules. Rules change, so confirm them with your airline or the SXM airport immigration page shortly before you leave.
For the French side, the French Caribbean tourism site lists valid passports for US, Canadian and European tourists and a return or onward ticket for all visitors. No vaccination papers are required unless you arrive from an endemic area.
Money: US dollars work on both sides
According to the tourist bureau, US dollars are accepted almost everywhere on both sides. The French side uses the euro, and the Dutch side uses the Caribbean guilder (XCG). In practice, Dutch side prices are usually shown in dollars and French side menus in euros. Keep a little cash in both currencies for parking, loungers and small snacks. Many places do not take traveler's checks, foreign bank checks or American Express. Cash above USD 10,000 must be declared to local customs.
Hurricane season in 2027
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Sint Maarten sits inside the Atlantic hurricane belt, unlike Aruba or Bonaire. Most travelers still visit in those months, because prices drop and the weather is often fine. If you book for the second half of 2027, pick a rate with free cancellation. TropicDrive lets you cancel a rental car free of charge up to 48 hours before arrival, so the car never has to be the part of the plan that locks you in.
Dutch side vs French side: how to split your days
The two sides have no checkpoint. A monument by the road and a change in signs tell you where you are. Shops, prices and rules change too. Dutch side stores generally open from 9 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m. French side shops close for a lunch break from about noon to 2 p.m., according to the tourist bureau.
What to do on the Dutch side
The Dutch side holds the airport, the cruise port and most of the nightlife. Philipsburg runs along Great Bay, with Front Street and the boardwalk next to the cruise terminal. It is convenient and busy on cruise ship days. Simpson Bay is the dining and marina area, and Maho Beach is the spot with planes landing just over the sand. Arriving jets cross the beach at less than 100 feet, as the airport itself notes. Never stand behind a departing aircraft, because jet blast has seriously injured people and killed a visitor in 2017. Mullet Bay is the quieter choice for a long sunset swim. For a full beach by beach breakdown, read our guide to St Maarten beaches by rental car.
What to do on the French side
Saint-Martin is quieter and more open to the Atlantic. Marigot has a waterfront market and a harbor. Grand Case is known for Restaurant Row, where Creole and French kitchens line one street. Orient Bay is the busy beach with loungers, watersports and restaurants. Pinel Island sits just offshore, and the ferry from the Cul de Sac pier costs US$10 round trip according to the tourist bureau. Pic Paradis, the island's highest point, sits inland and gives views over both countries at once.
Which side should you sleep on?
If you want nightlife, a short airport transfer and restaurants within a walk, stay on the Dutch side around Simpson Bay or Maho. If you want quieter beaches, French food and a slower pace, stay in Grand Case or near Orient Bay. Either way, plan to cross at least once. A rental car makes that easy, because the two sides are about half an hour apart, and taxis between them add up quickly over a week.
Here is how the two sides compare on the details that catch first-time visitors out:
| Detail | Dutch side (Sint Maarten) | French side (Saint-Martin) |
|---|---|---|
| Main currency | US dollar, plus the Caribbean guilder | Euro, with US dollars widely accepted |
| Shop hours | About 9 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m. | Lunch break from about noon to 2 p.m. |
| Restaurant tips | Usually not included, 10 to 20 percent | Often already included in the bill |
| Gas stations | Widespread, typically cash only | Widespread, many open 24 hours |
| Main airport | Princess Juliana (SXM) | Grand Case-Espérance (SFG), regional flights |
The last row of that table is the one that matters for planning. Almost every international traveler arrives through SXM on the Dutch side, even if the hotel sits on the French side. Count on roughly half an hour to reach the French side when you book your pickup time.
When to go in 2027, and what is on
High season runs from December through April. Rental prices in those months run 30 to 50 percent above the quieter months of May, June and November, and Christmas, New Year and Carnival can push them 30 to 60 percent higher. The rest of the year gives you lower rates, thinner crowds and a higher chance of a rainy afternoon.
Three dates are worth planning around, with a note on what we have confirmed:
- The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta runs March 4 to 7, 2027, according to the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau. The same source lists the Caribbean Multihull Challenge for February 4 to 7, 2027.
- Holiday calendars list Carnival Day on April 30, 2027 for the Dutch side. The Carnival organizers have not confirmed the 2027 program in our research, so treat this date as provisional and check the official schedule when it appears.
- The French side holds its own carnival, with a different calendar. We could not confirm 2027 dates, so we leave them out.
If you want a car for any of these weekends, book early. Regatta week and the weeks around Carnival fill up first.
Getting around: rental car, taxi or both
You can do the island by taxi if you stay in one place. As soon as you want two beaches in one afternoon, or a dinner in Grand Case after a morning at Maho, a car wins on cost and freedom.
What a rental car costs
The table below shows indicative from-prices per day for low to mid season, comparing local operators on TropicDrive with international chains at the counter. Prices were last updated on August 27, 2026. Peak periods run 30 to 60 percent higher.
| Category | Local operators via TropicDrive (per day) | International chains at the counter (per day) |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | $25 to $35 | $50 to $70 |
| Compact | $30 to $40 | $55 to $75 |
| Intermediate | $35 to $50 | $60 to $85 |
| SUV or Jeep | $45 to $75 | $80 to $120 |
| Minivan, 7+ seats | $60 to $90 | $100 to $150 |
Our full car rental guide for Sint Maarten explains the pickup points and requirements. If budget is your focus, read how to find cheap car rental on Sint Maarten. For a pickup right after landing, see how renting at Princess Juliana Airport works.
Driving rules and traffic
You drive on the right on both sides. The town and city speed limit is 50 km/h (30 mph), according to the tourist bureau. Seat belts and child seats are mandatory, talking on a phone while driving is prohibited, and alcohol testing is strict on the French side. Renters must be at least 18 with a license held for at least a year, and payment usually requires a major credit card, though some of our local partners accept a debit card or a cash deposit. Gas stations are widespread, and on the Dutch side they are typically cash only.
The weak spot is traffic around Simpson Bay and Philipsburg at peak times, plus the bridge near Simpson Bay. Our guide to driving in St Maarten lists the busiest hours so you can plan around them.
Tipping and everyday costs
Restaurant tips are generally not included on the Dutch side, and the tourist bureau puts normal tipping at 10 to 20 percent. Many French side restaurants already include service in the bill, so check before you add more.
A five-day plan for 2027
This plan uses only places covered above and keeps the driving short. Adjust it to the wind and your energy.
Day one stays on the Dutch side. Pick up your car at the airport, check in and head to Simpson Bay for a calm swim and a late lunch. Drive a few minutes to Maho for the afternoon arrivals, then finish at Mullet Bay for sunset.
Day two is Philipsburg. Park near Great Bay, walk the boardwalk and Front Street in the morning, and leave before the cruise crowd peaks. In the afternoon, take a swim at a quieter beach and return for dinner along the bay.
Day three crosses to the French side. Start in Marigot at the market, drive to Grand Case for lunch and a calm swim, then continue to Orient Bay for loungers and watersports. Stay for dinner on the sand.
Day four is for the Atlantic coast and the hills. Drive up to Pic Paradis with a compact SUV or Jeep for better comfort on the steep roads. In the afternoon, take the ferry from the Cul de Sac pier to Pinel Island.
Day five is a slow morning. Return the car at the airport with plenty of time before your flight.
Practical tips for first-time visitors
Save a screenshot of your Entry Form confirmation and keep your passport in your day bag, because you will cross between sides without a checkpoint but may still need ID for a rental pickup. Park in the beach lots where you can and take valuables with you. Roadside parking at busy beaches invites opportunistic theft on any Caribbean island, and a bag left visible on a car seat is an easy target. Carry water and reapply sunscreen after every swim, because the trade winds hide how strong the sun is. Watch the wind at Maho and keep a safe distance from the fence when large jets depart. Finally, keep a few euros and a few dollars in the glove box for parking machines and small roadside stands, since a card is not always accepted.
Book your rental car with TropicDrive
TropicDrive does not rent cars itself. We compare more than 30 local operators on Sint Maarten in one search, with over 1,000 cars on the platform and live availability. The price you see includes taxes and insurance, you pay a small part online and the rest at pickup, and cancellation is free up to 48 hours before arrival. Payment runs through iDEAL, Wero or credit card via Stripe. Every partner is screened on business registration, insurance and fleet quality, and your money stays with local entrepreneurs.
Sarah M. says she saved over $200 compared to airport prices and found the local company fantastic. Michael R. found the booking process easy and the customer service great, and says he will use TropicDrive again. With a 4.8 star rating from more than 10,000 customers, that pattern holds. Start on our Sint Maarten car rental page, see why travelers book with us or read the FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a passport to visit St Maarten?
Yes. The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau says visitors need a passport valid on entry and for the length of stay, a return or onward ticket, a completed Entry Form at entry.sx and proof of accommodation. Check the latest rules with your airline before you travel.
Do I need cash in euros or dollars?
US dollars are accepted almost everywhere on both sides. The French side uses the euro, and many shops and restaurants there quote in euros. Carry a little of each for parking, snacks and small purchases, and use a card for larger bills.
How many days do I need on St Maarten?
Five days covers both sides at an easy pace. A long weekend works if you stay on the Dutch side. Allow a full day for each of Philipsburg, the French side beaches and the Pic Paradis and Pinel Island trip.
When is the best time to visit in 2027?
For the driest weather and the busiest crowds, go between December and April. For lower prices, pick May, June or November. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, so choose flexible bookings for the second half of the year.
Can I drive between the Dutch and French sides?
Yes. There is no border checkpoint, and you drive freely between Philipsburg and Marigot in about half an hour. Keep euros for parking and small purchases on the French side.
Is a rental car worth it on St Maarten?
For most travelers, yes. Taxi fares add up fast across a week, and the best beaches and restaurants are spread across both sides. A local economy car starts from roughly $25 to $35 per day outside peak periods.
