How many towns to visit: I advise three towns: the harbor capital, one beach village and one fishing or farming hamlet. The island measures about 25 square kilometers, so more than three means repeated check-ins and extra driving without adding much variety. Each stop needs only half a day to a day.
Prioritizing by travel style: On a tight budget, put the harbor capital first, since it has the supermarkets, bakeries and the widest range of rooms. Choose the beach villages if swimming and snorkeling matter most, and accept the higher prices. Pick the western hamlets for local lunches and quieter evenings.
What it costs: Expect €120 to 200 a day even when thrifty. A basic room runs €100 to 250 a night, and there is almost no dormitory space, so book early for winter. Supermarket picnics cost €10 …
read more 👉 How many towns to visit: I advise three towns: the harbor capital, one beach village and one fishing or farming hamlet. The island measures about 25 square kilometers, so more than three means repeated check-ins and extra driving without adding much variety. Each stop needs only half a day to a day.
Prioritizing by travel style: On a tight budget, put the harbor capital first, since it has the supermarkets, bakeries and the widest range of rooms. Choose the beach villages if swimming and snorkeling matter most, and accept the higher prices. Pick the western hamlets for local lunches and quieter evenings.
What it costs: Expect €120 to 200 a day even when thrifty. A basic room runs €100 to 250 a night, and there is almost no dormitory space, so book early for winter. Supermarket picnics cost €10 to 15 a meal, while a restaurant lunch is €25 to 45. A rental scooter or small car costs about €40 to 90 a day, plus fuel. Beaches and town walks are free. The ferry from St Martin runs about €60 to 90 each way, and the short flight costs more. Small planes enforce strict baggage limits, so pack light to avoid surcharges.
Costs and delays that catch travelers out: Booking late in December or January means paying peak rates or finding nothing, so reserve months ahead. Many shops close at midday and on Sundays, so buy groceries the day before. Parking in the harbor town is limited and fines are real, so arrive early or park outside the center. Rental cars sell out in winter, so reserve one with the room.
Safety and local etiquette: Crime is low, but do not leave valuables visible in a parked vehicle. Roads are narrow with sharp hairpins, and scooter accidents are the most common trouble for visitors, so ride slowly and wear a helmet. Greet people with “bonjour” before asking anything, and cover up away from the beach, since swimwear in shops and restaurants is frowned on. Camping is not permitted, and wild anchoring in protected marine areas draws fines.