Car Rental in Sint Maarten: Tips & Best Routes

The so-called ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao) are popular travel destinations, but did you know that the smaller Sint Maarten is also a lot of fun? Although it’s less than 100 square kilometers in size, there’s more than enough to do there. St. Maarten is a unique Caribbean destination because it’s divided between two countries—the southern Dutch Sint Maarten and the northern French Saint-Martin—but functions as a single vibrant island. There’s no physical border and no customs checks. So you can drive freely all over the island in a rental car.

Rent a car in Sint Maarten and take an unforgettable trip! A rental car offers unparalleled freedom to discover the island’s charm. Whether you’re looking to relax on one of the beaches, seek adrenaline-fueled adventures, enjoy family fun, or take a romantic getaway, Sint Maarten has something for everyone. Use our guide to plan a fantastic road trip!

Explore Lively Towns by Rental Car

Philipsburg

Philipsburg is the charming capital of the Dutch side and a great place to start your road trip in a rental car. It’s also known as the premier shopping destination in the entire northeastern Caribbean. Front Street is best known for its duty-free luxury shops, ranging from designer jewelry stores to clothing boutiques. Running parallel to it is Back Street, which focuses more on souvenirs and spices. Old Street is a frequently photographed alleyway located between the two.

The indigenous people called Sint Maarten Soualiga, “land of salt.” At the time, salt was considered “white gold” and was therefore highly sought after by Europeans. To protect the salt pans, the Dutch built Fort Amsterdam in 1631. Over the years, this fort has alternately been in the hands of Spain, France, and Great Britain. It has had an eventful history, but unfortunately, little of the fort remains today. However, a few antique cannons are still standing there.

At the Sint Maarten Museum, you’ll learn more about the island’s history. You’ll see tools and pottery from the indigenous people, the Arawak Indians, learn how various rulers profited from the salt pans, and discover how a distinct culture developed.

During the high season (the winter months), the city is visited daily by several cruise ships. Most of them depart in the evening, making that a great time to explore Philipsburg. The easiest place to park your rental car is at the marina.

That marina is also the starting point for a unique snorkeling adventure: Under SXM. You’ll take a small boat to Little Bay and snorkel above an underwater sculpture garden!

Kids thinking about becoming pirates can learn all about it at The Rusty Parrot, a fantastic museum about the real Pirates of the Caribbean. Adults can mix their own version of the pirates’ favorite drink: rum.

Marigot

Marigot, the chic center of French St. Maarten, is less crowded than Philipsburg, so you’ll have no trouble finding a parking spot for your rental car. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, there’s a lively market featuring local products, spices, artisanal goods, and souvenirs that reflect the town’s Creole and French influences.

Perched high on a hill is Fort Louis, which was built 150 years after the Dutch fort. It was intended to protect the warehouses storing local products (rum, salt, coffee, and sugarcane) from British and Dutch pirates. It was originally a wooden fort, but when expansions were added in the early nineteenth century, it was rebuilt in stone.

It’s not something you’d typically do with a rental car, but from Marigot you can easily take a day trip to the British island of Anguilla. Ferries make the crossing in less than half an hour.

Grand Case

It’s a ten-minute drive by rental car from Marigot to Grand Case, which is known for its delicious French cuisine. People come from all over the island to these restaurants on the beachfront promenade. It’s often crowded in the evenings, and many restaurants are closed on Mondays.

You don’t have to go to a restaurant—there are also plenty of so-called “lolos”: open-air grills. Most offer the same menu: grilled lobster and other seafood, as well as chicken and spare ribs. The portions are quite large, and the atmosphere at these grills is very relaxed.

Rent a car on Sint Maarten and visit the most beautiful beaches

The island may be small, but you can choose from no fewer than 37 beaches! Each beach has its own character—from quiet family-friendly coves to rugged surf spots. Here’s an overview of the beaches you absolutely must see, all of which are easily accessible by rental car. Good to know: sometimes a beach may seem reserved for a hotel or resort, but that’s not the case— all beaches on Sint Maarten are public.

Maho Beach

Maho Beach is perhaps the most famous beach on Sint Maarten, but not because it’s a quiet place to swim. It’s actually quite noisy, since the runway at Juliana Airport runs right behind it. Incoming planes fly just a few meters above your head, and the engines of departing planes roar right behind the beach. The best time to go is in the early afternoon, when the larger jumbo jets are landing. It’s a paradise for plane spotters, but be sure to bring earplugs!

Mullet Bay Beach

Just around the corner from Maho, but a world of difference in terms of atmosphere. Mullet Bay is one of the island’s most beautiful beaches: a crescent-shaped stretch of white sand, turquoise water, and a backdrop of palm trees. It’s great for swimming and snorkeling, especially along the rocks on either side. On days with a north wind, surfers come here to catch waves.

Cupecoy Beach & Cave

Cupecoy Beach consists of several small coves nestled beneath golden limestone cliffs. It’s the perfect spot to watch the sunset. You can park your rental car at the Beach Bar.

Baie aux Prunes

If you’re looking for a quiet spot, Baie aux Prunes (Plum Bay) is the perfect destination. It’s a little harder to reach because it’s remote, but you can enjoy a beach with just a few villas in the background. There are no amenities, so it’s never crowded.

Friar’s Bay

On the northwest coast, just a ten-minute drive by rental car from Marigot, lies Friar’s Bay. It’s an easily accessible beach that’s popular with families—the water is calm and shallow, perfect for children.

Happy Bay

Happy Bay is a hidden gem that requires a short walk to reach. From Friar’s Bay, a trail (Anse Guichard trail) leads over a small hill to this secluded beach. It’s a ten- to fifteen-minute walk, and you’ll enjoy stunning views along the way. The beach is often nearly empty, but be aware: some visitors choose to sunbathe nude there due to its secluded location. There are no restaurants, so be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks.

Anse Marcel

The powder-fine sand and calm bay of Anse Marcel make it a wonderful spot for swimming and splashing around. This beach is ideal for families with small children, as there are virtually no waves. You can reach the beach via a somewhat steep road, and you can park your rental car at the marina or the beach entrance.

Orient Bay

Orient Bay is often called the Saint-Tropez of the Caribbean. It’s one of the longest beaches on the island and is home to many restaurants and bars. It’s also a great place to enjoy Saint Martin’s nightlife. And it’s where the sun rises, if you enjoy sunrise walks on the beach.

Guana Bay / Geneve Bay

Guana Bay is a beautiful sandy beach surrounded by rugged cliffs. Swimming here can be risky due to the currents, but it’s a wonderful setting for a walk. Park your rental car at Guana Bay and walk along the coast to Geneve Bay. Along the way, you’ll pass a natural pool where you can go for a swim.

Sports and Activities on Sint Maarten

The Best Surfing Beaches

It’s often windy on Sint Maarten, which whips up the waves at sea, making it a perfect island for surfing. Orient Bay on the east coast is a favorite spot for experienced (kite)surfers because it often has high and powerful waves. Other popular beaches include Sandy Island, Mullet Bay, Cupecoy, and Guana Bay. Beginner surfers tend to choose Le Gallion, as the water there is usually a bit calmer. There’s also a surf school where you can rent equipment or take lessons.

Snorkeling / Diving Around Sint Maarten – Perfect for Beginners

Experienced divers aren’t easily impressed by the dive sites around Sint Maarten, since they aren’t as colorful as those in other parts of the world. But it’s a fantastic island for learning the sport. There are some interesting shipwrecks and reefs to explore, where you’re sure to encounter Caribbean reef sharks, lobsters, squid, and sea turtles. Barracudas, tuna, and stingrays also swim around the island. On the French side, you have a good chance of seeing dolphins between January and May.

The best place to snorkel is at Little Bay, near Philipsburg. Underwater in this bay, you can see, among other things, a helicopter that was deliberately sunk here. Another great snorkeling spot is Roche Creole, also known as the Creole Rock. Boats sail there and dock at specially designated mooring spots. The rock and the surrounding waters are a protected nature reserve, so you’re not allowed to climb the rock itself.

Kayaking

One of the largest saltwater lagoons in the Caribbean is Simpson Bay Lagoon, where you can enjoy beautiful kayaking trips. You can rent a kayak to paddle around on your own, but there are also guided tours where you’ll learn more about the ecosystem and the animals that live there, such as the upside-down jellyfish and strange sea cucumbers.

On the northeast coast, you can rent kayaks to paddle out to the small island of Pinel on your own. You can also take a ferry there, and there’s plenty of parking available for your rental car at the harbor.

Zip line

The main attraction at Sentry Hill is the zip line from the top, but there’s more to see. At the foot of the hill, you’ll find the Emilio Wilson Museum, which tells the story of Trace Wilson—who was born on the estate as a slave in 1818—and her descendant Emilio Wilson, who bought the estate and turned it into a museum about plantation life.

Next, take two chairlifts to the top. Halfway up, you can slide down a course in an inner tube. Once you reach the very top, you’ll whiz down on the steepest zipline in the world.

Explore nature on Sint Maarten with a rental car

St. Maarten has beautiful flora and fauna, but you’ll need to drive your rental car a bit outside the tourist centers to discover them.

Sint Maarten Nature Reserve

The Réserve naturelle de Saint-Martin is a protected marine and coastal area in the northeastern part of the island. It consists of coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, small lakes, and dry coastal forest. There is a beautiful hiking trail (Sentier des Froussards) that runs from Anse Marcel to the small beaches of Petites Cayes. Park your rental car in the parking lot along Rue de l’Anse Marcel and walk back a short distance along that road. This will bring you to the trailhead. It’s a fairly strenuous hike—very rocky with a significant climb, and the descent is quite steep—but you’ll end up at a beach that’s simply perfect!

In another part of the national park, in Cul-de-Sac, you can walk along wooden boardwalks beside the Etang de la Barrière. The mangroves in this salt lake attract various bird species, which you can observe through openings in a viewing wall.

Pic Paradis – the highest point on Sint Maarten

At 424 meters, Pic Paradis is the highest point on Sint Maarten. It offers a stunning panoramic view of the entire island and the surrounding islets. You can start the hike from the former Loterie Farm sugar plantation, which is now an open-air water park. If you’ve rented a 4×4, you can drive a little further. Park your rental car at the end of the paved road.

It’s a challenging climb. Only attempt this hike in sturdy hiking boots, bring water, and make sure you have sunscreen with you. On a clear day, from the summit you can see the entire circumference of the island, plus the neighboring islands of Anguilla, Saba, and Saint-Barthélemy. At that highest point, two hiking trails lead down to the coast, toward Orient Bay and Happy Bay. A third route leads to two other hills: Mont des Accords and St. Peters Hill.

Trou de David – the Devil’s Hole

One of the most interesting natural attractions on the island is undoubtedly Le Trou de David, also known as the Devil’s Hole. A collapsed cave has formed an impressive sinkhole, dozens of meters wide and ten meters deep. Two small natural bridges allow the sea to continue flowing into the former cave. When the sea is rough, the spot resembles a massive cauldron of boiling water.

The road to Trou de David passes through a gate that closes off a private road from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. During the day, you can simply continue driving in your rental car. There is parking at the end of the road, and the hole is located about fifty meters to the left. Depending on the tide, you’ll need to wade through the fairly shallow water to climb down into the sinkhole. On the edge of the sinkhole, you’ll often see large iguanas sunbathing on the rocks.

La Belle Creole – a spooky history

Near the Duivelsgat stand the ruins of La Belle Creole, which was once a luxurious resort but never really got off the ground. In 1995, the complex was virtually destroyed by a hurricane. According to local legends, the resort was built on the grave of an Arawak Indian. That is why the place is cursed and the hotel could never succeed. Other stories say that the small island off the coast was used to house people with leprosy. They were brought to the island and left there to die. That’s why many people say this place is haunted!

In any case, it’s fascinating to see how nature is reclaiming the area, and you’ll also enjoy fantastic views, including of that leper island.

Renting a Car on Sint Maarten: Our Tips

Driving a Rental Car on Sint Maarten

The road network on Sint Maarten consists of a single main road that circles the entire island, with branches leading to the various neighborhoods and beaches. The roads are mostly paved and in fair to good condition, although they can be narrow, winding, and steep in hilly areas. Traffic can be very heavy during rush hour and when cruise ships are docked in the port of Philipsburg.

In Philipsburg, you need to be very careful where you park your rental car. Some areas have towing regulations, but these are by no means always clearly marked. Therefore, it’s best to park in a lot that is clearly designated for parking. You should also watch out for speed bumps, potholes, and scooters and motorcycles speeding by on Sint Maarten.

Although you can travel freely around the entire island in your rental car, you’ll notice the difference between the two parts based on the road signs. In the north, the signs are in French, while in the south you’ll find signs in English or Dutch.

There’s also a difference between the French and Dutch parts when it comes to payment. In the Dutch part, the Caribbean guilder is the official currency; in the French part, it’s the euro. Many gas stations and stores also accept the U.S. dollar , especially in the Dutch part, since the Caribbean guilder is pegged to the dollar.

Why Rent a Car on Sint Maarten?

Renting a car on Sint Maarten is by far the best way to get to know the island. There are buses, but they only serve the more well-known places. Moreover, they run irregularly, and the minibuses often stop along the way.

A rental car on Sint Maarten offers the most flexibility for exploring every corner of the island and gives you the chance to discover lesser-known beaches. As you explore Sint Maarten by car, you’ll discover a world of breathtaking landscapes, charming villages, and endless azure-blue vistas.

Compare Car Rental Prices in Sint Maarten

Most travelers to Sint Maarten rent a car at Juliana Airport, the island’s main airport. The airport in the French part of the island is primarily used for flights to and from Guadeloupe and Saint Barthélemy.

Choose a car that fits your travel plans. If you plan to explore rougher terrain, such as the route to Pic Paradis, opt for an SUV with enough engine power to handle steep inclines. For flatter drives on the island, a compact rental car will suffice, though your choice ultimately depends on your personal preferences.

For a worry-free vacation on Sint Maarten, rent a car with our Worry-Free label. That way, you can be sure you’re dealing with a reliable car rental company. Furthermore, such a rental car comes with a favorable fuel policy, all necessary insurance coverage, and your deductible is covered in the event of damage.