Travel Guide Saint Martin
This is the West Indies. One comes to St. Martin to enjoy the pleasures of the beach and a festive atmosphere in the evening, accompanied by his travel guide so as not to miss any of the good deals. The passage of Hurricane Irma in September 2017 devastated this paradisiacal and touristy island that has since recovered. Located north of Guadeloupe and east of Haiti, St. Martin occupies the northern part of one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea. This island is shared with Sint Maarten, its Dutch part. Sint Maarten alternates between popular resorts and secluded coves. It's up to you to choose with the help of your Saint-Martin travel guide! This destination is also known for its fusion cuisine and duty-free shopping for jewelry and alcohol. The water temperature is always around 27°C. The sea is turquoise and the vegetation in the island's interior is lush. A visit to the Loterie Farm, a 54-hectare nature reserve nestled on the Pic Paradis, the highest point of the island, is a must. The Loterie Farm offers breathtaking views and tourist services to make the most of the local lifestyle. Accessible only by car, it is located less than 4 km from the Fort Louis marina (Marigot). On the sea side, there is also boating which is developing and on the land side, eco-tourism with the discovery of the environment on foot, on horseback or by bicycle depending on the site.
What to visit Saint Martin?
Suggested addresses Saint Martin
When to go to Saint Martin?
When to go to Saint-Martin ? The climate in Saint-Martin is ideal... all year round. The dry season also corresponds to the high tourist season. At this time of year, morning and night temperatures are cooler, but do not fall below 20°C on average. There are two or even three tourist seasons in St. Martin. December to the end of April is the high season. Prices are at their highest and tourists flock to the island. From May to the end of November is the low season, at least for European vacationers. July and August represent an intermediate period. The long vacations allow West Indian residents living in Martinique or Guadeloupe to return home. The prices of tourist services increase and airline tickets are quite expensive. The wet season or winter season is generally associated with the hurricane season which runs from June to December. In St. Martin, the contrast between the dry and wet seasons is less pronounced than in islands further south, such as Guadeloupe and Martinique.
Weather at the moment
As in the whole of the West Indies, the climate is tropical, with an annual average of 27°C, with peaks of 32°C for maximum temperatures and rarely less than 20°C for minimum temperatures. The island benefits from the trade winds, hence the constant temperatures. The contrast between the seasons is less important than in the islands further south and the squalls are generally quite short. In spite of this constancy in the temperatures and the mildness of the climate, there are two seasons: the dry season, from December to April, and the winter period, from May to November.
The local currency is the Euro. Most credit cards are accepted everywhere and you can withdraw money from bank machines. Please note that checks issued by people who do not have a bank branch on the island are not accepted. Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 12pm and from 2:30pm to 4pm. For your stay, count on average 100 € per person and per day in organized travel, significantly less if you negotiate on the spot, especially in low season.
It is a destination of the DOM-TOM. European citizens and Swiss citizens do not need a visa. A valid passport or identity card is sufficient to enter the territory and stay there without time limit. Your children must have their own ID.
Vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A and B, whooping cough. Even if malaria has disappeared, the risk of dengue fever, chikungunya and Zika, justifies effective individual protection against mosquito bites (skin and clothing repellents, mosquito nets). The Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital was operational the day after the hurricane.
Practical information
- When to travel?
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Formalities
- Health
- How to travel by yourself?
- How to get organized?
- Getting around
Media
How to go to Saint Martin? Our advice & tips
Saint-Martin is a destination widely proposed in all inclusive by the travel agencies. You can choose the degree of luxury of the accommodations that will determine the price of your stay. You have stays oriented towards nautical pleasures, ecotourism, hiking, cultural discovery, etc.
Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destinationNo problem to go to Saint-Martin alone. You generally transit through Guadeloupe. On the French side, the airport is located in Grand-Case. Air Caraïbes and Saint-Barth Commuter take off and land at Grand-Case. From Guadeloupe or Martinique, you can also make the crossing by cargo ship (10 to 12 days of navigation). On the island, you can easily find accommodation and food.
The roads were heavily damaged by Hurricane Irma. If many are now reopened to traffic, ask locals for directions or take public transportation or a cab to get around the island.
