How to Get Around St Martin and Maarten

A hire car is the most practical option. The island is small enough to drive across in forty minutes, and you cross the border freely without stopping. Roads are adequate; the single route around Simpson Bay lagoon congests badly, and the bridge openings for yachts stop traffic for twenty minutes several times a day — check the schedule if you have a flight.

Getting in: Princess Juliana on the Dutch side is the main airport and a regional hub, with direct flights from North America and Europe. Grand Case on the French side handles small regional aircraft.

Buses are shared minibuses running between Marigot, Philipsburg and Grand Case, cheap and frequent in daylight, sparse after dark.

Taxis are unmetered with government-set rates by zone; agree the fare first. There is no Uber.

Ferries run to Anguilla from Marigot, and to St Barts and Saba from Philipsburg and Simpson Bay.