The St. Maarten Vacation Guide for Couples: Best Resorts & Things to Do

When it comes to planning a Caribbean getaway for two, it's hard to think of a place more perfect than St. Maarten. The mid-sized island is a great mix of developed and natural, with plenty of hotels and attractions, but enough remote beaches and dense tropical forest to get away from the crowds.

The island is half French and half Dutch, with a fusion of flavors, languages and traditions that combine European and Caribbean culture. The island offers lots of variety—the best places to visit in St. Maarten range from remote beaches (sunset dinner for two, anyone?) to healthy coral reefs where couples can snorkel with colorful fish. Add in high-end French restaurants, chic resorts on sprawling beaches, and easy access to nearby islands, and it's no surprise that a St. Maarten vacation continues to be popular for an anniversary trip, honeymoon and couples vacation year after year.

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St. Maarten Travel Tips in this Article:

• The Best Time to Travel to St. Maarten
• St. Maarten Travel Tips
• Is St. Maarten Good for a Romantic Vacation?
• Best Places to Visit in St. Maarten
• Things to Do in St. Maarten
• The Best St. Maarten Resorts and Hotels
• What to Pack for a St. Maarten Vacation

The Best Time to Travel to St. Maarten

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St. Maarten's high season and rainy seasons are similar to other islands in the Caribbean, with daytime temperatures generally in the 80s and warm afternoon rain showers possible year-round.

The dry season is the most popular time to visit and runs from about December to March. April, May and June are a little less busy, but still quite nice weather-wise. July and August are the slow season (and also the muggiest), which means some attractions and stores have limited hours. But it also makes those months more affordable and less crowded, which is ideal if you hate fighting for beach chair space or waiting in line at restaurants.

Remember that hurricane season starts in early August and runs through early November. Many businesses close entirely from September through early October, limiting your options for hotels and nightlife.

Taking all that into account, the best time to plan your St. Maarten honeymoon or romantic getaway is between the rainy season and the busy season. Plan for April, May or late November, and you'll have all the perks of the high season with the lower prices and smaller crowds of summer.

St. Maarten Travel Tips

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St. Maarten is one of the most accessible and easy to visit islands in the Caribbean, thanks in part to its very large international airport. St. Maarten's Princess Juliana International Airport, which serves both sides of the island, is quite large. There are usually around 50 to 60 flights a day, and it has an extended runway to accommodate large flights from Europe. Because of this, many US airlines offer direct flights to the island year-round from cities like Miami, Chicago, Boston, New York City and more.

• Safety: St. Maarten is very safe and rated as "level 1" by the US State Department, which is the safest rating available. It's important to take the same general precautions you would anywhere else—don't walk alone late at night, don't flash tons of expensive valuables around the street—but otherwise, there are no pressing safety concerns. The most common crime is pickpocketing, mostly in the tourist areas where you'd expect. But in general, it's a pretty safe island.
• Languages and currency: In St. Maarten (the Dutch side), the official currency is the Netherland guilder. On the French side (St. Martin), it's the euro. However, there's no need to worry about that as US dollars are accepted nearly everywhere; in fact, if you try to use euros for small buys like taxi rides, it'll probably be treated as one-to-one with the US dollar, and you'll often be given change in US dollars. So there's really no need to exchange any cash. Credit cards are also widely accepted in stores, hotels and restaurants.
• Time zone: St. Maarten is on Atlantic Standard Time, so it's either in the same time zone as the East Coast, or one hour ahead (since the island doesn't observe daylight savings time).
• Language: On the Dutch side, the official languages are Dutch and English. On the French side, it's French. However, nearly everyone speaks English, including those who work in tourism. Many islanders also speak Creole or Papiamento. All that said, it's quite easy to get around speaking only English, and everything from signage and menus to tours will use English as the default language.

Is St. Maarten Good for a Romantic Vacation?

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Without stating the obvious, yes! St. Maarten is easy to reach, filled with lodging options, and offers both great beaches and mountain adventures.

Pros of a St. Maarten Vacation

On St. Maarten, you get one island with two cultural experiences. Not only does it have a unique blend of Dutch and French influences, but it's also solidly Caribbean. That means couples can savor both European sophistication and Caribbean charm within the same locale. You can start your day with a delightful croissant in a French café and end it with a romantic seafood dinner at a beachside Caribbean restaurant. The island also has gorgeous beaches, lush inland waterfalls and forests, and easy access via ferries to nearby islands like St. Barts and Anguilla.

Cons of a St. Maarten Vacation

The most obvious downside of a St. Maarten vacation is the fact that the island sits in the hurricane belt. Aside from that, the only other downside is that the island can get crowded, though that can be avoided with savvy scheduling. Avoid Philipsburg when multiple cruise ships are docked, and try to avoid the peak of high season, from mid-December to the end of January.

Best Places to Visit in St. Maarten

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It won't be hard to fill your St. Maarten travel itinerary—the island is packed with places to go, from nearby islands to secret coves and historic towns.

Maho Beach or Mullet Bay

St. Maarten is no stranger to excellent beaches, but two in particular are true stand-outs. The first beach you won't want to miss is Maho Beach, near the airport. It's famous for its location as it sits directly under the flight path of planes, many of which fly about 100 feet above the beach as they make their final approach. It's a fun experience, and everyone cheers from the beach (and nearby beach bars) when the planes get close.

The second amazing beach in St. Maarten to visit is more relaxed: Mullet Bay. The large beach is developed on the southside with places to rent chairs and snorkel gear, but more undeveloped on the north side, in case you prefer something less commercial.

Philipsburg

Philipsburg is the capital of the Dutch side of St. Maarten, and it's a fabulous place to walk around for an afternoon. In addition to the large public beach lined with open-air beach bars, it's also home to excellent shopping, the cafe-lined "Old Street," and dozens of outdoor murals. If you visit in the slow season (summer), try to go when a cruise ship is in town to ensure all the stores and attractions are open.

St. Barts

St. Maarten is ideally placed to be a basecamp for visiting other islands in the Caribbean, including the luxurious island of St. Barthelemy. There are multiple ferries from St. Maarten to St. Barts, and the ride takes just 35 minutes if you leave from Phillipsburg. That makes it easy to day trip to St. Barts beaches (car rentals are available at the ferry terminal), or splurge for a few nights at a luxurious hotel, bookended by more affordable hotels in St. Maarten.

Things to Do in St. Maarten

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Couples will find no shortage of things to do in St. Maarten. You could spend all day on the water with excursions focused on snorkeling and sailing, or stay on land and visit popular St. Maarten tourist attractions like the tropical Loterie Farm or the sprawling Rockland Estate.

Check Out the Views From the Flying Dutchman<H3>

The Flying Dutchman is the steepest zipline in the world, but that's not the only reason to check it out. It starts from the top of St. Maarten's highest mountain, and the views from the top observation decks (and outdoor bar) are phenomenal, looking out to other nearby islands. It's at the island's Rockland Estate park, and depending on which way the wind is blowing, it may feel like a leisurely float down, or an adrenaline-boosting adventure.

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Go Scuba Diving

On your St. Maarten vacation, why not learn something new together that can become a lifelong shared hobby? St. Maarten is an excellent place to scuba dive. If you're not certified, you can do an introductory dive with SXM Divers. In about half a day, you can try diving in a shallow, safe environment (usually on a shipwreck or underwater art gallery).

If you're already certified, ask them about shark dives. The water around St. Maarten is home to reef sharks and nurse sharks (not dangerous to humans), as well as lots of large green sea turtles.

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Book a Cabana at Loterie Farm

Loterie Farm is a private nature reserve on the French side of the island in a tropical forest. It has several miles of hiking trails, but it's most well known for its huge jungle pool. You can rent daybeds, cabanas or VIP cabanas, with add-ons like bottle service and a private jacuzzi. Weekends are adults only, and there's a themed pool party on the last Saturday of every month. You can make reservations for the pool directly on the farm's website, or book tours that include the farm's treetop adventure park through TripAdvisor.

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Sail to Anguilla and Prickly Pear Caye

Getting from St. Maarten to the nearby island of Anguilla takes just 25 minutes, so it's a great place to visit on a day trip during your St. Maarten vacation. You'll find a handful of catamaran and speedboat cruises from St. Maarten. Usually, they visit several undeveloped beaches and a handful of snorkeling sites. Many also include lunch on the beach and use of snorkeling equipment and paddleboards. This all-day Anguilla catamaran tour also includes an open bar, so you can start your day with a Champagne (or island beer) toast.

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Taste St. Maarten Rhum

The Caribbean is known for making rum, and no place on the island makes better rum than Toppers Rhum Distillery. And yes, that's rhum with an "h." Rhum is made with fresh sugarcane juice, rather than molasses. You'll learn all about that and more when you tour the large distillery and tasting room (naturally, it includes multiple rhum tastings).

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Take a Romantic Dinner Cruise

You can't plan a St. Maarten vacation for two without spending at least one evening enjoying the sunset. And there's no better way to enjoy a sunset than via a dinner cruise aboard a catamaran, enjoying a traditional island dinner followed by dancing under the stars. It includes an open bar and leaves from Simpson Bay, on the Dutch side.

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Take an Eco-Tour of the Island

Much of St. Maarten is still pretty undeveloped, with lots of natural areas that don't have hotels or businesses. Taking an eco-tour is one of the best ways to spend a day on your St. Maarten vacation if you're interested in seeing the wild side of the island, with stops at hidden beaches and more remote areas. It also includes snacks, lunch, an open bar and use of any snorkeling gear you'll need.

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Explore the Coast on a Jet Ski Tour

For a high-octane adventure, book a half-day jet ski tour of the island. It's one of the best things to do on St. Maarten for couples drawn to adventure, as you'll get to drive, and there's no one to stop you from hitting the gas. While it may not be the most relaxing activity on the island, it's certainly one of the most exciting.

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Sample the Island's Dining Scene

With a creative mix of French, Caribbean, Dutch, Creole and Caribbean cuisine, the island's food scene is one of the most unique in the Caribbean. And the best restaurants on St. Maarten reflect that, though there's a lot of variety when it comes to formality, cost and atmosphere.

For a restaurant with a romantic atmosphere and delicious blend of French and Creole cuisine, head to L'Auberge Gourmande on the French side of the island (5/5 on TripAdvisor). Reservations are recommended. If you're after something less traditional, try Emilio's (4.5/5 on TripAdvisor). It serves up Euro-Caribbean fusion cuisine in a pretty, stone-walled restaurant at the island's Rockland Estate.

The Best St. Maarten Resorts and Hotels

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From hillside escapes to beachside gems, there's a hotel for everyone on this scenic island.

Oceans at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort

Divi Little Bay Beach Resort checks a lot of boxes for a romantic St. Maarten hotel: It has multiple pools, sits on a huge beach and has phenomenal sunset views. But even better is Oceans at Divi Bay, a high-end resort within a resort at Divi Bay. Rooms have private balconies, fantastic ocean views, kitchens and living rooms so you have plenty of space to spread out and relax. It's also a great spot for a St. Maarten wedding, if you have a pretty beach elopement in mind.

Little Bay Rd, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten

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Hotel L'Esplanade

Hotel L'Esplanade is a romantic seaside villa in the style of a European island chalet. It's on the French side of the island near the elegant town of Grand Case and includes amenities like complimentary daily yoga, fast Wi-Fi and private balconies or terraces in each room. It's not on the beach, but the hillside location ensures every room has a stunning ocean view. And guests get access to all the beach amenities at the resort's sister hotel, Le Petit Hotel.

Les Panoramique de Grand Case, Grand-Case 97150, St. Martin

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Secrets St. Martin

Also on the French side of the island is Secrets, which has several romantic packages available. Options range from a honeymoon package with breakfast in bed to a more robust package with a private dinner on the beach, spa services and French cookies left nightly during turndown service. But there's another reason this may be the best hotel in St. Maarten: It's home to the biggest pool in the Western Caribbean (and sits on the beach, too).

97056 Rue de l'anse Marcel, Marigot 97150, St. Martin

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The Morgan Resort Spa and Village

The Morgan is a chic beachside hotel near Maho Beach and Simpson Bay on the Dutch side of the island. It's modern, with a gorgeous infinity pool surrounded by loungers and cabanas, plus multiple beach bars and an on-site spa where you can get a couples massage on a platform overlooking the ocean.

No. 2 Beacon Hill Road, Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten

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What to Pack for a St. Maarten Vacation

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You don't need to pack anything special that you wouldn't pack for any other beach vacation, though there are a few specific items you'll want to ensure you don't forget. St. Maarten's tropical climate means rain is possible year-round, so be sure to bring a lightweight rain jacket. Closed-toe shoes are required for activities at Rockland Estate and the ropes course at Loterie Farm, but they'll also come in handy for hiking. Bug repellent and sunscreen are also very expensive on the island, so either bring them with you, or buy a small one and rely on clothing with built-in SPF protection.