Why Sint Maarten for a Honeymoon
Convenience is the headline. Few Caribbean islands are as easy to reach from the US, with nonstops from eight or so East Coast and Florida airports. You can land in the early afternoon and be in the water before sunset.
The Dutch side also packs plenty of variety into about 13 square miles. There are lagoon-view restaurants in Simpson Bay, cliff coves at Cupecoy, a duty-free shopping street in Philipsburg and beach bars at nearly every bay. Evenings bring live music, casinos and late dinners. Couples who get restless after two days of lying on a beach tend to like it here.
It doubles as a hub. Ferries and short flights reach Anguilla, St. Barts and Saba, so you can add a quieter island without a long connection. The island was hit hard by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Much of the hotel stock has been rebuilt or renovated since, which means many rooms feel newer than they look from the street.
Best Time to Visit
December through April is high season, with dry weather, steady trade winds and daytime highs in the low 80s Fahrenheit. Rates peak over Christmas and in February. The island is busiest on days when several cruise ships are docked.
May and June are a strong choice for a honeymoon. The weather is still mostly dry, the sea gets calmer and warmer. Hotel prices dip noticeably. July and early August stay pleasant, if hotter and more humid.
Hurricane season runs June through November, peaking from mid-August to early October. Some hotels and restaurants on the Dutch side close briefly in September, but fewer than on the French side. Mosquitoes can carry dengue here, so pack repellent; if you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices for Sint Maarten.
Sint Maarten's Carnival is held after Easter, usually in late April and early May, with parades and a carnival village in Philipsburg. The Heineken Regatta in early March fills the island with sailors and parties, so book early if your dates overlap.
Where to Go
Simpson Bay is the natural base for most couples, with lagoon-side restaurants, Maho Beach, Mullet Bay and the cliffs of Cupecoy all within a few minutes. Our Simpson Bay guide goes into detail.
Philipsburg, the capital, lines Great Bay with a beachfront boardwalk and Front Street's jewelry and liquor shops. It is lively and handy for ferries, but it fills up when cruise ships arrive. Fort Amsterdam, on the point at Little Bay, makes a short walk with a view back over town.
On the Atlantic side, Dawn Beach and Oyster Pond are quieter, with good snorkeling, sunrise views and a more residential feel. Guana Bay nearby is wilder, with surf and few people.
For something active, Rainforest Adventures at Rockland Estate runs a very steep zip line and chairlift with views over the island. Then cross into the French side for Grand Case dinners, Orient Bay beach clubs and Pinel Island.
Sample 10-Day Itinerary
Days 1 to 4: Simpson Bay. Settle into a lagoon or beachfront hotel. Spend an afternoon at Mullet Bay, watch planes land at Maho at least once and take a sunset cruise on the lagoon. Book one long dinner on the waterfront.
Day 5: Philipsburg. Go on a day with few cruise ships, walk the boardwalk and Front Street, then hike up to Fort Amsterdam.
Days 6 to 8: Dawn Beach or Oyster Pond. Switch to the quieter east coast for sunrise swims and snorkeling. From here, take a day trip to the French side: Orient Bay in the morning, Pinel Island for lunch and dinner in Grand Case.
Day 9: Choose a ferry to Anguilla for its white beaches or a ferry to St. Barts for lunch and boutiques in Gustavia. Bring your passports.
Day 10: Last swim, then an easy ride to SXM, which is never far from anywhere on the Dutch side.
Budget and Costs
Sint Maarten covers a wide price range, which is one of its strengths. All figures here are rough and depend heavily on season.
Condo-style resorts and smaller hotels often start around $200 to $350 a night in high season. Upscale beachfront and kid-free resorts commonly run $400 to $800. A few luxury villas and suites go well beyond that.
Dinner for two at a waterfront restaurant usually costs $100 to $250 with drinks. Beach bar lunches and local spots are far cheaper, especially the roadside barbecue stands.
Rental cars typically run $40 to $80 a day. Taxi fares are set by zone rather than metered, so ask the fare before you go. Day sails and snorkel trips tend to cost about $90 to $150 per person.
Hotel bills include government room tax and often a service charge, which together can add a significant percentage. Check what is included when comparing rates.
Getting There and Around
Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is the island's main gateway, with nonstops from several East Coast and Florida cities and good connections through Miami, Charlotte and Atlanta. Flights take around two and a half hours from Miami and three and a half to four from New York.
The airport sits between Simpson Bay and Maho, so most Dutch side hotels are 5 to 25 minutes away. Philipsburg is about 20 minutes, traffic permitting.
A rental car gives you the most freedom. Driving is on the right, but traffic is heavy around Simpson Bay, Cole Bay and Philipsburg, especially at rush hour and when the Simpson Bay drawbridge opens for yachts. A causeway across the lagoon has eased some of it.
Local buses are cheap and frequent on main routes during the day. Taxis are plentiful. For island hopping, ferries to St. Barts and Saba leave from Philipsburg and nearby marinas. Anguilla boats depart from the Simpson Bay area and Marigot.
Culture and Etiquette
Sint Maarten is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but daily life runs in English with a strong Caribbean flavor. You will hear Dutch in government offices, Spanish and Papiamento among some residents, plus plenty of French from across the border.
Greet people with good morning or good afternoon before diving into a request. It matters here, as on most Caribbean islands.
Beachwear belongs on the beach. Walking Front Street or into a supermarket in swimwear will get looks.
Tipping follows US habits at bars and restaurants, though some bills already include a service charge, so read the check.
At Maho Beach, respect the warning signs about jet blast behind the runway fence. People have been badly hurt holding on to the fence during takeoffs. Watch landings from the sand or a beach bar terrace instead.
Quick tips
- Avoid Philipsburg on heavy cruise ship days
- Allow extra time for Simpson Bay bridge traffic
- Never stand behind jet blast at Maho Beach
