Famously divided with a French section in the north and a Dutch section in the south, the combined island of St. Martin/St. Maarten is usually considered a single market when it comes to holidays. There’s one major airport and hotel listings are usually bunched together as well.
| Population | 80,000 |
| Area | 80,000 |
| Timezone | UTC-4 |
| Currency | Euro/Netherlands Antillean Guilder |
| Airports | Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) |
There are close to 100 different hotels and resorts on the entire island, plus an increasing number of timeshares and condominium developments on the Dutch side. There’s very little in the budget accommodation category, but the mid-range (for the Caribbean) is loaded with options, while the high-end is well represented too.
The best time to visit the island as far as both weather and prices are concerned is during May and early December. During this time, known as the shoulder season, you’ll find decent prices, great weather and fewer crowds.
If you decide to vacation during the winter months, be prepared to be faced with higher prices for hotels and plane flights. The summer months through fall see the lowest prices of the year with some hotel rates dropping about 25 percent in comparison to the winter rates. This time of the year is called the low season. It’s also the season where the fewest amount of travelers visit the area.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
 | - |
| 123.00 - 170.00 |
| 132.00 - 221.00 |
| 227.00 - 283.00 |
| - |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | - |
| Location | Description | Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speedboat Tour | Take a half day tour around the island with snorkeling stops along the way. | ages 3 to 11 adults | 69.00 139.00 |
| Cruise Charter | Enjoy the day while cruising around with other individuals as you explore the ocean, both above and below with a great snorkeling session. | all ages | 140.00 |
| Jet Ski Rentals | Enjoy a half hour out while riding around your rentals and discovering the area. An hour is nearly double the price. | all ages | 60.00 |
| Food Type | Description | Price(USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Local Breakfast | If you're feeling a bit adventurous, make sure to try bubble tea with your morning meal. | 3.00 - 9.00 |
| Local Lunch | Chinese food can be found almost everywhere and is a common lunch time choice. | 9.00 - 16.00 |
| Local Dinner | If you're interested in having a small dinner, or one on the go, make sure to check out one of the local food trucks. | 12.00 - 25.00 |
| Beer | The local drinking age is 18 so don't be surprised if you end up drinking next to a teenager. | 3.00 - 6.00 |
If you are coming from any farther than a nearby island you’ll be flying into Princess Juliana International Airport, which is one of the larger and busier airports in all of the Caribbean. It’s the main airport for both the Dutch and French sides, though it’s located in the Dutch part.
Nonstop flights from:
San Juan, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York-JFK, Newark, Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Toronto, Montreal, Paris, Amsterdam
| Month | High F | Low F | Precip (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 84 | 74 | 1.4 |
| February | 84 | 74 | 1.3 |
| March | 85 | 75 | 0.9 |
| April | 86 | 76 | 1.8 |
| May | 87 | 78 | 1.8 |
| June | 89 | 79 | 1.7 |
| July | 89 | 80 | 1.9 |
| August | 89 | 80 | 2.4 |
| September | 89 | 80 | 2.5 |
| October | 89 | 79 | 2.9 |
| November | 86 | 77 | 3.8 |
| December | 85 | 76 | 1.8 |
Temperatures tend to stay pretty consistent throughout the year with not much difference between winter and summer. If you vacation by the coastline, you’ll find that the average temperature is generally a few degrees warmer during the day and at night. The farther inland you go, the cooler it gets.
Hurricane season is from June to November though with a little planning and a close eye on the weather, you should be fine.
Make sure to pack both light clothes and a sweater if you plan to venture inland during anytime of your trip.
| 21 Mar | 6:16am | 6:24pm |
| 21 Jun | 5:38am | 6:50pm |
| 21 Sep | 6:01am | 6:10pm |
| 21 Dec | 6:39am | 5:42pm |