Getting Around Saint Martin

As with all Caribbean countries, most western nationals do not need a visa to visit Saint Martin. All you require to carry with you while you travel is a valid passport and a return or onward ticket. Citizens from other foreign counties require a French visa to visit Saint Martin. The L’Esperance Airport is the main airport on Saint Martin; however, it is quite small and only accommodates prop planes from the nearby islands of St Barths, Martinique and Guadeloupe.

The main airport on the island is on the Dutch Sint Maarten side. The Juliana Airport receives flights from the following airlines, all of which fly within the Caribbean. Winair, BWIA, American Eagle, Caribbean Star and the Caribbean Sun all offer regular flights to Saint Martin/Sint Maarten.

Saint Martin is also a popular cruise ship destination, with over a dozen cruise companies offering stop offs here. With its excellent shopping and gourmet eateries, Marigot is a great stopover for the discerning traveler. If you like you can also get to Saint Martin by ferry with boat services running from Marigot, Oyster Pond and Simpson to St Barth, Saba and Anguilla.

Once on Saint Martin, the best way to get around is by bus. Plentiful and inexpensive, traveling by bus gives you the chance to get a feel for the local culture and also lets you mingle with the locals. Buses run between most major towns on the island. Another great way to get around Saint Martin is by bicycle. Cheap and economical, you can even have a bicycle tour of the island arranged for just US$ 20.

Taxis and rental cars are the best way to see Saint Marin if you are pressed for time. To hire a cab just dial 147 day or night. Taxi tours of Saint Martin can also be set up. If you would like to rent a car, there are a number of car rental agencies in Marigot to choose from.