Sint Maarten
Sint Maarten, officially the Country of Sint Maarten, is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands located in the Caribbean region of North America.
With a population of 58,477 as of June 2023 on an area of 34 km2 (13 sq mi), it encompasses the southern 44% of the divided island of Saint Martin, while the northern 56% of the island constitutes the French overseas collectivity of Saint Martin. Sint Maarten's capital is Philipsburg. Collectively, Sint Maarten and the other Dutch islands in the Caribbean are often called the Dutch Caribbean.
Getting to Sint Maarten
General Entry Information: ED Card Since 2024, a St. Maarten Embarkation / Disembarkation card is requested to be filled in before arriving at Princess Juliana International Airport. Communications are somewhat contradictory about whether completion is obliged: the process is not mandatory, but "highly recommended to expedite entry".
- 01Princess Juliana International Airport
This airport on the Dutch side is the larger airport on the island and one of the Caribbean's busiest.
- 02Grand Case-Espérance Airport
The other airport is near Grand Case to the north, and primarily serves inter-island flights, commercial and private.
Worth seeing
- 01Simpson Bay Lagoon
The largest inland lagoon in the Caribbean, also known as The Great Pond, separated by the French-Dutch border.
- 02Fort Louis
A French fort built in the 18th century overlooking Marigot on the French side.
Things to do
Pic du Paradis, Route de Pic du Paradis from Friars Bay Beach. Pic du Paradis is the highest point on the island (1400 ft/427 m) with two viewing areas that provide great views. The road is steep and isolated and four wheel drive is required. This is also an isolated area and is safest seen as part of an excursion or tour. Loterie Farm, Rte. de Pic du Paradis, or.
Where to eat
The island has the nickname "Culinary Capital of the Caribbean". The French side will claim this is due to high-end French and seafood cuisine in especially Grand Case, but specialised ethnic cuisines of the more cosmopolitan Dutch side highly contribute to this reputation too.
Getting around Sint Maarten the local way
- Get inEmmaplein bus terminal is the main bus terminal on island and right were cruise and ferry visitors arrive.
- Get inMakana Ferry runs services to Saba, Statia and St.
- Get inThere is also inter-island day trips and private yacht charters departing and returning to the marina, like PYC and Eagle Tours .
- Go nextFrom Philipsburg's Marina, boats depart for day trips or Caribbean island hopping to Anguilla, St.
From Wikivoyage: Philipsburg, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Gordon Leggett (see Commons), Wikimedia Commons.