Philipsburg

The landings are safe to watch from the beach side of the fence — that's why everyone goes. The takeoffs are the problem. A 57-year-old visitor died in February 2026 after being knocked down by jet blast from a departing aircraft at Princess Juliana International, and dozens of others have been injured over the years doing the same thing. The fence is posted with 'Do not stand. Danger. Jet Blast' signs for a reason. Watch landings from the sand, move well back from the fence for departures, and do not 'fence-surf'. The famous photos are of arrivals, not departures.

US dollars are accepted everywhere on both sides of the island — Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint-Martin. On the Dutch side the local currency is now the Caribbean Guilder (XCG), which replaced the Netherlands Antillean Guilder on March 31, 2025; the rate is fixed at $1 USD = 1.79 XCG. On the French side menus often quote in euros but will take dollars at a posted (and not always favorable) shop rate. Carry small US bills, use a card with no foreign-transaction fee for anything over $20, and don't bother changing money for a one-day call.

Mostly yes, but the cruise port is the one place that attracts the freelancers. Sint Maarten taxis run on a published rate card — fares are per-zone and per-person with a two-person minimum, not metered. The official rate from the cruise port to Maho is around $7 per person, to Marigot around $20 per person, with a small bag and after-hours surcharges. The scams are usually water-taxi touts at the pier quoting $20 instead of $7, and unlicensed drivers offering 'private tours'. Use the dispatch booth at the pier exit and ask the driver to confirm the rate before you get in.

Marigot is a 25-minute taxi ride and a real change of register — French bakeries, a Wednesday and Saturday market on the waterfront, and Fort Louis above town for the view. It's worth it if your ship is in late and you've already done Maho or Front Street. Orient Beach is further (about 35 minutes) and famous for its clothing-optional and historically topless tradition at the south end; the rest of the beach is family-friendly with paid sunbed clubs at €25–40. Don't try Marigot plus Orient plus Maho on a single nine-hour call.

The U.S. State Department lists Sint Maarten at Level 1 — exercise normal precautions, the lowest tier. Daytime Front Street is busy with cruise crowds and feels fine; the documented issues are pickpocketing on crowded sidewalks, theft from rental cars left at beach lots, and the occasional taxi or water-taxi overcharge. Don't leave bags visible in any rented vehicle, skip ATM withdrawals after dark, and you'll have a normal day. Violent crime against tourists is uncommon.

Technically yes, in practice no — not without spending most of the day in a taxi. The Dutch and French sides share an open border (no passport check on land), and a taxi loop hitting Marigot, Grand Case, Orient, and back via Maho runs about $80–100 per person on a shared excursion. The math only works if you skip Front Street entirely and accept that you're sightseeing through a windshield. Pick one side. Come back another time for the other.