A First-time guide to St. Martin that you will need!
St Martin is the French Side of a dual-nation Caribbean island. Unlike the Dutch Side of the island, their are no casinos or big nightclubs in the French part. Instead, St Martin is known for its beautiful viewpoints, longest beach of the island and a delicious culinary cuisine.
When to visit St Martin?
The weather temperature is 26-28℃ the whole year long. December to April are the high season months. If you are looking for budget-friendly options, visit the island from May to August. Hurricane season runs from June through November. The rainiest months are September and October so we advice you to not travel to St Martin in that period. If you like big events, you should visit St Martin in February or March for Carnival and for the Gastronomy Festival in November.
How to get around in St Martin?
You can easily fly to the Dutch Side’s Princess Juliana International Airport or use Grand Case-Espérance Airport for flights to nearby islands. The island is also reachable by cruise. Marigot on the French Side has a cruise ship port, but this one is a lot smaller than the Philipsburg Cruise Port. There are bus schedules on the island, but car rentals are recommended due to their unpredictable bus schedule.
Ideal trip length + things to do in St Martin?
You should be able to visit St Martin in two to three days. Something you definitely have to do is restaurant hopping in Grand Case. This place is know as SXM’s Gourmet Capital, with diverse eateries and a charming beachside atmosphere. While St-Martin has several gorgeous beaches, you can’t miss a visit at Baie Orientale/Orient Bay. Wander around the town of Marigot. Explore markets, historic Fort Louis and nearby Loterie Farm. Do not forget to take a speedboat to the beautiful Îlet Pinel.
Where to stay in St Martin?
St Martin is full of boutique hotels, like La Samanna or Le Petit Hotel. Hommage Hotel & Residents, La Playa Orient Bay and Domaine Anse Marchel Resort are also beautiful locations to stay at while you are visiting St Martin.
Costs?
Expect to spend reasonably, with hotel rooms ranging from €150-500 and meals varying from €15-180. Credit cards are widely accepted, though some smaller vendors may require cash.
Travel Tips
The whole island speaks English, however it is helpful to know some of the basics in French. St Martin has European round-prong electric plugs. The Dutch Side however has U.S. plugs.
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