Philipsburg

Travel Guide

Guana Bay Beach featuring a beach and landscape views
Philipsburg
Philipsburg
Philipsburg
Philipsburg
Explore the impressive shopping avenue, learn about the fascinating history and relax on the beach in this beautiful Dutch Caribbean settlement.

As the capital, the town of Philipsburg is one of the main commercial and cultural hubs of Sint Maarten. It has a shopping street, a thriving port and an array of white-sand beaches. Wander along the beachside roadway for captivating sights, great shopping opportunities and excellent views of the Caribbean Sea.

Get a sense of the local culture and history with a trip to the Museum of Sint MaartenOpens in a new window. Learn through the intriguing exhibits about the island’s past slavery, its salt industry and its first inhabitants, known as the Arawaks. A few blocks northwest is the Cyrus Wathey Square in the heart of the waterfront shopping district. Relax on a bench to rest your feet and watch people going by.

The main attraction of the square is the historic Philipsburg Courthouse. Gaze up at the pineapple that marks the top of the building. The structure is part of the national flag. Admire the colonial style of the off-white façade, which serves as a scenic backdrop in photos of the plaza.

Stroll along the famous Front Street and browse the many quaint and independent shops lining the streets. Note that much of the shopping on the island is duty free.

Enjoy the year-round hot weather with a trip to the beach. The dry season runs from January through June. Choose from the main urban beaches and Little Bay Beach, a little southwest of Philipsburg. Despite its name, this beach is particularly long and serene. Travel to the town’s eastern outskirts to reach Guana Bay BeachOpens in a new window via nature trails.

The town is on the Dutch southern half of the island of Saint Martin in the eastern part of the Caribbean. Fly to the Princess Juliana International Airport, which is one of the busiest transportation hubs in the Caribbean. Travel in the town on minibuses and vans, which can take you around the entire island in about 90 minutes.

Philipsburg is a Caribbean treat, with busy shopping avenues and excellent beaches.

Where to stay in Philipsburg

Default Image

Indigo Bay

While Indigo Bay isn't home to many top sights, Little Bay Beach and Indigo Beach are some notable places to visit nearby.

Indigo Bay
#Lunchtime Buddha Beach Bar.  Great relaxing lunch spot on the water.

Point Blanche

While Point Blanche isn't home to many top sights, Museum of Sint Maarten and Sint Maarten Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

Point Blanche
Peaceful Bliss!

Belair

While Belair isn't home to many top sights, Little Bay Beach and Great Bay Beach are some notable places to visit nearby.

Belair
Default Image

Vineyard

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Vineyard and surrounding area, you can visit Sint Maarten Park and Museum of Sint Maarten.

Vineyard
Default Image

Sucker Garden

Sucker Garden might not have many top sights, but Guana Bay Beach and Sint Maarten Park are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Sucker Garden
Default Image

Hope Estate

While Hope Estate might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Sint Maarten Park and Guana Bay Beach.

Hope Estate
Divi Little Bay Beach Resort
Divi Little Bay Beach Resort
4 out of 5
Little Bay Road, Philipsburg
The price is P25,799 per night from 12 Feb to 13 Feb
P25,799
P31,980 total
includes taxes & fees
Feb 12 - Feb 13
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in Philipsburg. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,005 reviews)
"Staying at property was good. The beach front rooms have excellent views. Beach is maintained and clean. My only issue was when calling the front desk feom my room was horrible. I had to call 3 to 5 times before someone picked up. Also, the wait time for getting food from the Shack was very long...there ..."

Reviewed on Feb 8, 2025

Divi Little Bay Beach Resort
Holland House Beach Hotel
Holland House Beach Hotel
4 out of 5
Front Street 45, Philipsburg
The price is P18,283 per night from 26 Feb to 27 Feb
P18,283
P21,939 total
includes taxes & fees
Feb 26 - Feb 27
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Philipsburg. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"Checkin and checkout were excellent as the reception staff are top notch. Food in Ocean was very good but two disappointing events. First on Friday night we could not order off the bar menu in the dining room. My wife wanted something light off the bar menu and I wanted an entree off the main restaurant ..."

Reviewed on Feb 8, 2025

Holland House Beach Hotel
Seaview Beach Hotel
Seaview Beach Hotel
3 out of 5
#85C Front Street, Philipsburg
The price is P5,966 per night from 11 Feb to 12 Feb
P5,966
P7,160 total
includes taxes & fees
Feb 11 - Feb 12
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Philipsburg. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.2/10 Good! (572 reviews)
"From the time we checked in until we left, all staff extremely friendly and welcoming made us feel like family! Local motel directly on boardwalk and beach , not in room much so pool, beach, bar and market next door was absolutely amazing!! We will be back real soon to visit our new Caribbean family ..."

Reviewed on Jan 22, 2025

Seaview Beach Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
July Apartments
July Apartments
3 out of 5
A.T. Illidge Road 117, Philipsburg
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Philipsburg. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (105 reviews)
"Very comfortable accommodation, was able to have window open during stay, no need for the AC. Yosef was very friendly and helpful. Bianca spent time explaining and diagramming the local “bus” routes."

Reviewed on Jan 27, 2025

July Apartments
Sea Palace by Capital Vacations
Sea Palace by Capital Vacations
3 out of 5
Front Street 147, Philipsburg
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Philipsburg. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Maho Beach and Orient Bay ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (93 reviews)
"Was lively/noisy if window was open at night. We were facing road. Was issue with AC at arrival. Staff was very responsive to such issues."

Reviewed on Jan 18, 2025

Sea Palace by Capital Vacations
Cozy one-bedroom & mezzanine apartment
Cozy one-bedroom & mezzanine apartment
3 out of 5
11 Goldfinch Rd. sin, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Philipsburg. Enjoy free WiFi, an airport shuttle (surcharge), and balconies. Popular attractions Orient Bay Beach and Maho Beach ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (16 reviews)
"Clean. Nice. Need car."

Reviewed on Dec 27, 2024

Cozy one-bedroom & mezzanine apartment
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do