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    Sint Maarten Trip Cost: How Much Does It Cost to Visit in 2026?

    Daily budget guide for Sint Maarten (prices in ANG)Updated

    • BudgetANG 90–ANG 230 / day
    • Mid-rangeANG 230–ANG 550 / day
    • LuxuryANG 550–ANG 825 / day
    Plant Flying at Sint Maarten Island
    Daily budget

    What a day in Sint Maarten costs

    Budget

    ANG 90–ANG 230 / day

    ≈ $50 USD

    Hostels or guesthouses, street food and markets, public transport.

    Mid-range

    ANG 230–ANG 550 / day

    ≈ $128 USD

    Comfortable hotels, sit-down restaurants, a few paid activities.

    Luxury

    ANG 550–ANG 825 / day

    ≈ $307 USD

    Boutique or five-star stays, fine dining, private tours and transfers.

    Estimates are per person, per day, in ANG. USD equivalents use open.er-api.com exchange rates from 3 Sep 2026.

    Make it your trip

    What could your trip cost?

    Choose your pace and travel style. Start with the published daily estimate, then make room for the things you care about.

    Estimated trip budget · ANG

    ANG 1,610–ANG 3,850

    7 days · 1 traveler · Mid-range

    Daily budget per person
    ANG 230–ANG 550
    Season adjustment
    ×1

    An editorial estimate, not a booking quote. Daily budget × days × travelers × season adjustment. Add flights, insurance, and any costs outside the guide separately. Shared rooms and child rates may change your total.

    Cost of living

    Everyday prices

    Inexpensive meal
    $8-12 (lolo)
    Mid-range meal for two
    $20-35
    Local beer
    $3-6
    Cappuccino
    $3-5
    Single transit ticket
    $1.50 (public bus)

    Typical prices at the time of research, in ANG; expect variation by neighbourhood and season.

    Seasonal pricing

    Prices through the year

    • Low×0.75
    • High×1.5
    • Shoulder×1.05

    Dec-Apr (dry season, peak). May-Jun shoulder for fewer crowds and good weather. Jul-Oct hurricane season—lower prices but higher risk.

    Overview

    Sint Maarten (Dutch side) and Saint-Martin (French side) share the smallest landmass governed by two nations in the world. This 37-square-mile island in the northeastern Caribbean delivers an extraordinary two-for-one cultural experience — cross an invisible border from Dutch casinos and duty-free shopping to French bistros and nude beaches without showing a passport. The island is famous for Maho Beach, where jumbo jets land just meters above sunbathers heads at Princess Juliana Airport. The dual currency system (Netherlands Antillean guilder on the Dutch side, euro on the French side) adds to the charm, though US dollars are accepted everywhere.

    Daily Budget Breakdown

    Budget travelers ($90/day): Stay in guesthouses on either side, eat at lolos (local BBQ stands) and food trucks, ride minibuses between areas, and enjoy the island s 37 free beaches including world-famous Maho Beach and Orient Bay.

    Mid-range travelers ($230/day): Book a beachfront hotel, enjoy the incredible dining on both sides — French cuisine in Grand Case and island fare on the Dutch side — rent a car to explore all 37 beaches, and add a catamaran day trip or snorkeling excursion.

    Luxury travelers ($550+/day): Stay at luxury resorts or oceanfront villas, dine at Grand Case s renowned French restaurants (the Gourmet Capital of the Caribbean), charter a boat to nearby Anguilla or St. Barts, and enjoy spa treatments and private beach access.

    Where to Save

    Lolos on the French side — specifically in Grand Case and Marigot — serve spectacular BBQ ribs, grilled chicken, and lobster at $8-15 per plate. Maho Beach, one of the most unique beaches on earth, is completely free. Minibuses cover both sides of the island for $1-3 per ride. French supermarkets sell excellent wine for 3-8 EUR per bottle — far cheaper than any restaurant. All 37 beaches are public and free. The border between the two sides is unmarked and requires no documents to cross. Visit during hurricane season (June-November) for rates that drop 30-40%.

    Where to Splurge

    Grand Case, on the French side, is known as the Gourmet Capital of the Caribbean — a single street lined with French, Creole, and fusion restaurants that rivals any dining destination in the Caribbean. A day sail to the neighboring island of Anguilla reveals some of the most pristine beaches in the world. Watching a 747 land at Maho Beach from a beachside bar with a cocktail in hand is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A lobster dinner at a lolo in Grand Case — where you pick your lobster fresh — is one of the best values in Caribbean fine eating. The hilltop viewpoint at Pic Paradis, the island s highest point, offers 360-degree views of neighboring islands.

    Tips

    Stretch your budget

    Ways to save
    • Eat at lolos (local BBQ grills) on the French side for $8-12 plates — authentic Caribbean food at half tourist prices
    • Visit May-November (off-peak) for up to 50% lower hotel rates — weather is still warm and sunny
    • Rent a car for $25/day instead of relying on $30+ taxi rides — the island is small and easy to drive
    • Take public buses for $1.50 one-way to major beaches and towns — cheapest transit on the island
    • Cook from local supermarkets if your accommodation has a kitchen — restaurant meals average $20-35
    Budget tips
    • The island is split between French (Saint-Martin) and Dutch (Sint Maarten) sides with no border controls — you get two countries in one trip. Eat at lolos (local BBQ shacks) on the French side for incredible ribs and chicken at $8-12 per plate. Maho Beach, famous for planes landing just overhead, is free. The French side is generally pricier for accommodation but cheaper for food and wine. Rent a car to explore both sides easily. Visit May-November for lower rates.
    Worth the splurge
    • Stay at a luxury villa or five-star beachfront resort on either the French or Dutch side
    • Charter a private catamaran to Anguilla, Tintamarre, or hidden snorkel spots
    • Book a chef-driven French-Caribbean dinner with sea views
    • Arrange a private island tour with beach hops, shopping, and sunset cocktails
    Free things to do
    • Watch planes land inches overhead at Maho Beach — the worlds most famous airport beach (free, thrilling)
    • Swim at 37 free public beaches — Mullet Bay, Great Bay, Orient Bay (French side), and hidden coves
    • Hike the Salt Pond Trail for scenic views and access to secluded beaches
    • Explore Philipsburg boardwalk and Front Street — duty-free shopping, colorful buildings, and harbor views
    • Walk between the Dutch and French sides — no border control, two countries with distinct character on one island
    FAQ

    Frequently asked questions

    Is Sint Maarten expensive?

    Moderate for the Caribbean — budget travelers spend $80-120/day. The French side has cheaper local food (lolos). All 37 beaches are free. Renting a car ($25/day) is much cheaper than taxis. Off-season cuts hotel costs 50%.

    Whats the difference between Dutch and French sides?

    Sint Maarten (Dutch) has cruise ships, casinos, and duty-free shopping. Saint-Martin (French) has better food, topless beaches, and a more European vibe. No border checkpoint — you can freely walk or drive between both.

    When is the cheapest time to visit?

    May-November is off-peak with 50% lower hotel rates. Hurricane season (August-November) brings occasional storms but deep discounts. June-July is a sweet spot — warm, fewer storms, and affordable.

    Planning the trip? Read the full Sint Maarten guide.

    Updated Data: Editorial research · Published daily-cost surveys · Open exchange rates