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St. Martin.
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Travelling to St. Martin: what to know before you go

Saint-Martin is the French northern part of a Caribbean island shared with the Netherlands, an overseas collectivity of France with French food, beaches and a relaxed pace. The southern part is Sint Maarten, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, covered in its own guide; you can cross freely between the two. The French side suits beach lovers, food lovers and visitors who want a quieter base on the island.

Where to go

• Grand Case. A small seaside town known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean, with French restaurants along its main street and simple open-air grills called lolos serving ribs, lobster and johnnycakes.
• Marigot. The capital of the French side, with a waterfront market, a marina and the ruins of Fort Louis on the hill above, which offer views over the town and towards Anguilla.
• Orient Bay. A long, sandy bay on the east coast with beach clubs, watersports and calm, clear water protected by a reef, sometimes described as the island's Saint-Tropez.
• Pinel Island. A small island a short ferry ride from Cul-de-Sac, with shallow, clear water for snorkelling, beach restaurants and walking trails.

Best time to visit

December to April is the dry season and the busiest time, with sunny days and trade winds. May and June are quieter and still largely dry.

Staying online in St. Martin

Mobile coverage is good across the island, with 4G in most areas. Because the island is split, French and Dutch-side networks overlap, and your phone may switch between them without you noticing, which can matter for roaming charges. Wi-Fi is common in hotels, villas and restaurants. Saint-Martin remains an outermost region of the EU, but check with your provider how your plan treats it. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land, so you have data on both sides of the island.