Philipsburg

31 hand-picked places in 9 lists. Tick the categories you want to see on the map.

8 places on the map

Instagrammable

Opens Google Maps with these places, ready to save to your own list.

Ride the minibuses: Shared vans marked BUS run between Philipsburg, Simpson Bay, Marigot and other towns cheaply; flag one down.
Agree taxi fares: Taxis use set rates rather than meters; confirm the price per person before setting off.
Cross freely to the French side: There's no border control between Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin, so you can easily explore Marigot and Grand Case.

Don't leave valuables in cars: Break-ins at beach car parks happen; take valuables with you or leave them at your hotel.
Beware jet blast at Maho: Standing behind the fence at Maho Beach during takeoffs is dangerous; enjoy plane spotting from a safe distance.
Plan for hurricanes: June to November is hurricane season; follow forecasts and consider travel insurance.

Visit on non-cruise days: Prices and crowds in Philipsburg rise on cruise ship days; check the port schedule.
Eat at lolos: Local roadside barbecue stands serve ribs, chicken and johnny cakes at better prices than restaurants.
Shop duty-free carefully: Front Street has duty-free shops; compare prices and know what you'd pay at home first.

Pack for tropical heat: It's warm and sunny year-round; bring light clothes, swimwear and reef-safe sunscreen.
Expect brief showers: Short tropical showers can pop up anytime; a light rain jacket or umbrella is handy.
Bring a cover-up: Wear a shirt or wrap over swimwear when leaving the beach for shops and restaurants.

Try guavaberry liqueur: The island's traditional liqueur is made from local guavaberries; sample it in Philipsburg shops.
Enjoy Carnival: Sint Maarten's Carnival in spring features parades, music and food villages.
Know the two cultures: The Dutch and French sides have different languages, currencies and vibes; enjoy both.

Walk the Boardwalk: Great Bay's beachfront Boardwalk has bars and chair rentals right in town.
Visit Fort Amsterdam: Walk to the ruins for history and views of Great Bay and Little Bay.
Use US dollars: US dollars are widely accepted, so you rarely need to change money for short visits.

Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.

Day 1 of 3

🕘 9:30–16:45📍 6 stops

Day 2 of 3

🕘 9:30–12:00📍 3 stops

Day 3 of 3

🕘 9:30–12:15📍 3 stops