In the 1600s, France, the Netherlands and other European naval powers coveted the Caribbean island as a way station between continents and a strategic outpost for staging and surveillance. Today the pearl of the Leeward Islands has lost its military appeal, but its nearness to other Caribbean destinations makes it a great place for exploring the region.
St. Maarten / St. Martin or SXM, as it is called after its airport code, is a hub of culture and commerce, attractive to visitors and investors alike. See our list of suggestions for doing business if you want to make a commercial foothold on this strategic center in the northeastern Caribbean.
It’s easy to get there from Europe and North America, connecting two of Europe’s top four airports and many in North America as well as the region, its proximity to other islands like Anguilla, Saba, St Eustatius (Statia) and St. Barths makes it a great base for exploring the region or organize meetings.
St Maarten boasts two airports. The main international airport is Princess Juliana International Airport on Dutch Side Sint Maarten, that carries airport code SXM.
Grand Case Airport (Airport code SFG ) on the French Side (St Martin) mostly serves French connections like Guadeloupe and Martinique.
In case a connection would be needed, it would take approximately half an hour to get from either airport to the other by taxi.
Explore our ED Card and travel requirements information, Travel Information and island hopping connections to neighboring islands.
For the leisure traveler going for island hopping, board a tour boat and spend the day on Anguilla, a British Overseas Territory known for its tranquil shores and stunning beauty. Or catch the high-speed ferry that whisks you to glitzy French St. Barths, known the world over as a playground of the rich and famous.
Two enchanting Dutch islands as well are a short plane ride away. Visiting Saba is like traveling to a land barely touched by time. It wasn’t until the mid-1930s, in fact, that residents built the island’s first road.
St. Eustatius, or Statia as locals call it, is another special municipality of The Netherlands. It’s known for its natural beauty and is a favorite of divers.
Few other Caribbean islands match this island’s tourism options. That’s why it’s a standard port of call for cruise ships and a top destination for couples who come here to exchange wedding vows in paradise.
In addition, the island’s real estate market holds strong appeal for international buyers looking to own a vacation property in paradise. You’ll find a wide variety of real estate offerings throughout the French and Dutch sides.
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