Caribbean
Saint Martin
The French half of a shared island, with Grand Case's restaurants, quiet beaches and easy access to the Dutch side. Euro prices, French feel and limited public transport.
- US travel advisoryLevel 1Exercise normal precautions
- CurrencyEURUS$1 ≈ €0.89Details
- English3/5Common in tourist areas
- PlugsType C, D, E220 V, 60 HzDetails
- Emergency112Police 17 · Ambulance 15 · Fire 18 · All emergencies 112
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is desalinated and meets French standards, though many prefer bottled.
- LGBTQ+Marriage equalityFrench law protects LGBTQ+ people, including marriage and anti-discrimination rules; island society is more conservative than mainland France, so discretion is common outside tourist areas.
- DrivingOn the rightEU licences are valid; other foreign licences are accepted for short stays, ideally with an IDP or French translation.
Where to go in Saint Martin
1 place with full guides. Comfortable monthly budget for one person, rent included.
| Place | Safety | Month, comfortable | Best months | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint-MartinIsland | 4/5 | $4,280–6,190 | Dec–Apr | — |
When to visit Saint Martin
December–April is dry and busiest; May–November is hotter, wetter and hurricane-prone (peak August–October).
Good to know
Entry
- Outside the Schengen area: a Schengen visa or ETIAS does not automatically cover it. Check France-Visas for your nationality.
- A yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk.
- Entry to the Dutch side may need its own immigration form; the border is open between both sides.
Laws visitors break by accident
- French law applies, including a 0.5 g/l drink-driving limit.
- Topless sunbathing is common; nudity is allowed only at designated beaches.
Etiquette
- Say 'bonjour' on entering shops and restaurants
- Lunch is long and many places close at midday
- Topless sunbathing is accepted at many beaches
Tipping
Service is included in prices; round up or leave a few euros for good service.
Neighbouring countries
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: Saint Martin
- France-Visas
- Saint-Martin Tourist Office
- World Bank open data
Country facts are researched by SoloSquare; advisory levels, crime, health and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.