Tipping : If the gratuity is not included in the final bill, then a 10 to 15 % tip is standard. In St. Maarten and St. Martin, airport porters generally expect a tip of about $1 USD per bag, taxi drivers usually get a $0.50 USD to $1 USD tip depending how long a taxi trip was taken, and if they handled any luggage.

On the island of St. Martin (the French side) and St. Maarten (the Dutch side), tipping taxi drivers is customary but not mandatory. In 2026, most visitors follow the standard North American practice of tipping 10% to 15% of the total fare, especially if the driver has been particularly helpful with heavy luggage or has provided "tour guide" style information during the ride. On the Dutch side, where the culture is more Americanized, tips are strongly expected. On the French side, while service is often "included" in many sectors, taxi drivers still appreciate a rounded-up fare or a few extra Euros. It is important to note that many taxis in St. Martin do not have meters; fares are typically fixed based on the destination and the number of passengers. You should always confirm the price in USD or Euros before you get into the car to avoid any confusion. If you are paying in cash (which is still preferred by many local drivers), simply telling the driver to "keep the change" is a perfectly acceptable and polite way to handle the tip for a standard airport or beach transfer.