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. And there are some incredible hikes. But outside of that, it's best to rent a car.

St. Martin (and its Dutch side, Sint Maarten) is generally not considered a walkable island for tourists wishing to see major attractions. While the individual town centers of Marigot and Philipsburg are compact and pedestrian-friendly for shopping and dining, the island's overall geography is defined by steep, winding hills and roads that often lack sidewalks or adequate street lighting. Additionally, the tropical heat and humidity make long walks between beaches or towns physically draining and potentially dangerous due to dehydration. For safe exploration in 2026, visitors are encouraged to use the highly affordable local minibuses, rent a car for a day, or take water taxis between major points. While there are some spectacular dedicated hiking trails for nature enthusiasts, "walking from town to town" is not a standard or recommended way to navigate the island's 37 square miles of varied terrain.