How long does it take to get from one side of St. Maarten to the other?
You can drive from one end of the island to the next in as little as 30-45 minutes (without traffic), and explore the best things to do on St Maarten.
People Also Ask
We often get the question that how long does it take to drive around St. Maarten. Well, it depends very much on the traffic. Without any traffic, around 50-60 minutes, but roads can get very busy during peak hours in Simpson Bay, Cole Bay and Marigot.
Martin and St. Maarten is proud of its dual heritage and customs. There is no physical border between the French and Dutch territories and people and goods may travel freely between both sides of the island.
To get an idea of the area covered by St. Martin, just imagine that it only covers 14.8 km (9.2 miles) from West to East and 13.2 km (8.2 miles) from North to South! But not to worry, this is the biggest small island in the world.
The island extends about 12 miles (19 km) from north to south and about the same distance from east to west, including a narrow looping sand spit that extends westward from the hilly main part of the island.
VERDICT: If you want more calm and laid-back properties, stay on the French side. If you want convenience and easy access to nightlife, stay on the Dutch side.
There is no physical border between the French and Dutch territories and people and goods may travel freely between both sides of the island. The Dutch side's official currency is the Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG) while the official currency of the French side is the euro (EUR).
When you visit St. Maarten there's so much more to get out of your vacation, and an endless amount of opportunities to discover. Island hopping can be an amazing day trip or the ultimate St.Maarten getaway.
Maarten in Philipsburg. You will need a passport to travel to and from St. Martin but rest assured that you can travel freely between the island's French and Dutch sides. A tourist visa is not required to enter the island, but a return ticket is required unless you are of Dutch or French nationality.
There are regular cabs available to get around from Marigot, from Philipsburg and from all tourist sites. There are regular cabs available at both airports (regional and international) seven days a week. If you do not want to rent a car on St. Martin, a cab is the ideal compromise.
Many people prefer Dutch Sint Maarten since it is more developed. This indicates that the amenities and services are more plentiful on this side of the island. However, those who choose a more relaxed setting stay at French Saint Martin. In addition, it has a more “Caribbean vibe”.
The dry season, from December to April, is the most pleasant. This is also the peak season for tourists who come to enjoy the agreeable weather and summer temperatures. The sunshine is almost constant during this period, with hardly any rain.
Walking to this beach from the cruise pier is easy and possible, and there is always the option of a water taxi. The water taxi ride costs about $4 per person. This beach's convenience makes it a hot spot for many tourists who are looking to relax and have some fun. So, go there early to get a good spot on the beach.
This is something you'll definitely want to consider when planning a trip to St. Maarten. Even though it's only 37 square miles in size (and you can drive all around the small island in a mere 2 hours), it's not very walkable. Of course, you can walk around the capital cities and villages.
In St Maarten, we believe in the old saying, “work hard, play hard.” In fact, St.Maarten is known for its exciting nightlife where the guava berry liqueur flows, and the casinos invite you in for a night of luck.
Dollars are accepted all over the island of St Maarten/St Martin. You can use Euro's on the Dutch side many places, but it will not be a favorable exchange rate.
A famous jet-set getaway, Sint Maarten is known as one of the more expensive islands in the Caribbean. Gary Meenaghan proves it's possible for a family to stay, and enjoy, for a month without breaking the bank.
I live on SXM and absolutely love St Lucia. It is probably the most beautiful island in the Caribbean. That said, SXM has nicer beaches and a more international flavor and definitely better restaurants. If you love beaches and great food, then St Maarten is the choice for you.