St Maarten car hire

Surrounded by 37 beaches, Dutch and French influences collide in perfect harmony to make this island one of the best in the Caribbean. Arrange cheap car hire in St Maarten and you’re in for a treat as you flit between two very different styles of colonialism.

Language: Dutch | Currency: Netherlands Antillean guilder | Avg. Flight time: 12 hrs 5 mins

Go Dutch, or do it the French way. With car rental, St Maarten can become your Caribbean playground...

There can be few destinations as captivating as the island of St Maarten in the Caribbean. With an area of just 37 square miles, this lovely place with its dramatic mountain peaks and white-sand beaches is the perfect holiday destination. For those wishing to travel the length and breadth of St Maarten, car hire means that you can drive to the highest points on the island and drink in the remarkable views.

The island is a blend of Caribbean life with influences from its colonial past. Sint Maarten is the name given to the Dutch south side of the island, while Saint Martin is preferred for the French north. The island was an important place for colonists seeking their fortunes from gold, rum and the slave trade. Visiting St Maarten also provides the chance to go to Caribbean islands, such as Anguilla, that are only a ferry hop away. There are great facilities for water sports and hiking at Saba and Friar's Bay give those of an adventurous spirit ample opportunity to get out and be active.

Having arrived at the Princess Juliana Airport (SXM), with its scary beach-end runway at Maho Bay, car hire in St Maarten could not be easier to arrange as the main rental depots are situated just outside the airport terminal. This is the best way to travel and to experience the pace of life on the different sides of the island.

Booking in advance is the surest way to find low prices on car rental. For the best deals on St Maarten car hire, use TravelSupermarket to compare prices and then book the package that suits you.

From lively restaurants and bars to tranquil beaches and cool museums, St Maarten ticks all the boxes on most holiday wish lists...

After being sure to experience market days in Phillipsburg and Marigot, the island's two capitals, many will head down to the Grand Case Beach Club, which is rightly considered to be the gourmet capital of the Caribbean.

With everything so easily accessible by car, tourists can really get the most out of a holiday in St Maarten.

Of course, first stop for many will be the beach. And with 37 of them to choose from you don’t have to go far to find what you’re looking for. In the north-east of the island – about a 10-minute drive from the airport – you’ll find the Baie Orientale resort. This is considered to be the best beach on the island. However, at only 1.2 miles long and close to several hotels, it can get a little busy. Head south east or south-west and you’ll find some less crowded, but still stunning, beaches among the shallow bays.

For a delightful day out – particularly if you’re travelling with children and have decided to rent a car – St Maarten has a delightful butterfly farm. You’ll find it in the east of the island at Quartier d’Orleans (about a 10-minute drive south-east of the airport). There are more than 40 species of butterfly and your ticket can be used as many times as you want during your stay.

A natural wonder that should be seen on St Maarten is the Great Salt Pond. It can be found in the south, next to the small town of Philipsburg, some 20 minutes from the airport. The pond was once the centre of the salt industry, though production ceased across St Maarten in the 1960s. The Great Salt Pond is now a picturesque nature reserve.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.