St. Maarten in 3 days

Two countries on one island: Dutch beach bars, French bistros, and planes landing over Maho Beach. Best time to visit: December-April (dry season). Average daily budget: $110 to $220 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Philipsburg, The Dutch capital: Front Street shopping, the boardwalk, and cruise crowds.

Morning: Plane-spotting at Maho Beach. Watch wide-body jets skim the sand on final approach to Princess Juliana.

Afternoon: Explore Philipsburg, The Dutch capital: Front Street shopping, the boardwalk, and cruise crowds.

Evening: Dinner in Grand Case. French bistros and open-air lolo grills on one legendary beachfront strip.

Eat: Grilled ribs and johnnycakes at a Grand Case lolo

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: Simpson Bay, The Dutch side's nightlife hub: bars, restaurants, marina, and a long beach.

Morning: Boat trip to Pinel Island. A five-minute ferry to a tiny island with shallow, calm turquoise water.

Afternoon: Explore Simpson Bay, The Dutch side's nightlife hub: bars, restaurants, marina, and a long beach.

Evening: Day trip to Anguilla or St. Barths. Fast ferries to two of the Caribbean's most exclusive neighbours.

Eat: French pastries and baguettes on the northern side

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: Maho, Beach beside the runway, famous for jets landing metres overhead.

Morning: Happy Bay, reached by a short walk from Friar's Bay, usually near-empty.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Maho, Beach beside the runway, famous for jets landing metres overhead.

Evening: The Loterie Farm rainforest trails and pools on Pic Paradis, the island's high point.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Fresh conch and snapper on the Dutch boardwalk

Hidden gems

Happy Bay, reached by a short walk from Friar's Bay, usually near-empty.
The Loterie Farm rainforest trails and pools on Pic Paradis, the island's high point.
Lolo barbecue shacks in Grand Case for ribs and johnnycakes at a fraction of bistro prices.
Sunday afternoons at Le Galion, a shallow lagoon-like beach popular with local families.

Getting around

Princess Juliana International sits on the Dutch side beside Maho Beach and serves the whole island plus regional hops. There is no border control between the Dutch and French halves, so you simply drive across. Public minibuses run cheaply along the main routes but are infrequent at night. Taxis are unmetered with fixed zone rates, so agree the price first. Renting a car is the most practical option; driving is on the right.

Safety

St. Maarten is generally welcoming, but car break-ins and petty theft from beaches are the main risks, especially at quieter bays and trailheads, so leave nothing visible in a parked vehicle. Take normal precautions at night around Philipsburg and Simpson Bay. Some beaches have strong surf and undertow on the Atlantic-facing east coast. The island lies in the hurricane belt, so check forecasts between June and November.

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