Car Rental in Sint Maarten, the Dutch Side of St Martin
St Martin is a single island shared by two countries: the French side to the north, and Dutch Sint Maarten to the south. Most international flights land on the Dutch side, at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). Golfe Car Rental offers car rental in Sint Maarten — car hire, as many international visitors call it — with your vehicle ready when you arrive. The border between the two sides is open: with a car, you move freely from one to the other. A local agency based in Grand-Case for over 25 years.
Sint Maarten and St Martin: one island, two sides
The island is explored as a whole. To the south, Sint Maarten (the Dutch side) holds the international airport, Philipsburg and Simpson Bay. To the north, the French side brings together Marigot, Grand-Case and the northern beaches. Between them, the border is crossed with no checkpoint and no formality — just a road, usually marked by a welcome sign.
That is what makes a car so useful here. You can stay on the Dutch side and have dinner in Grand-Case in the evening, or the other way round, without relying on taxis. A car collected on arrival keeps you independent for your whole stay, on both sides of the island.
Landing on the Dutch side, at Princess Juliana Airport (SXM)
Princess Juliana International Airport (code SXM), on the Sint Maarten side, handles most long-haul flights to the island. For an arrival at SXM, we prepare your vehicle and arrange the hand-over on site — see the full pick-up details on our car rental at St Martin airport page. You then drive straight to your accommodation, on the Dutch or the French side.
What to do on the Sint Maarten side with a car
The Dutch side holds much of the island's activity:
- Philipsburg — the main town on the Sint Maarten side, with its waterfront and shops.
- Maho Beach — the beach at the end of the airport runway, famous for planes passing low over the sand.
- Simpson Bay — restaurants and nightlife along the lagoon.
The island's roads are hilly and sometimes narrow: a nimble vehicle is enough for most trips, and parking is easy outside peak hours. To reach a beach down a track or travel as a group, see our SUVs and 4x4s or browse the full vehicle catalogue.
Crossing freely to the French side
From Sint Maarten, the French side is a few minutes' drive away. Marigot, its marina and market, Grand-Case and its bay, the northern beaches: all reachable by car without changing vehicle or showing any document at the border. Our office is in Grand-Case, on the French side — a handy landmark for both pick-up and return.
Which vehicle to choose to explore the whole island
The right vehicle depends on your plans:
- City car — economical, easy to park in Philipsburg, Marigot or Grand-Case, ideal for a couple.
- SUV or crossover — comfortable on the hilly roads, a good fit for a family.
- 7- to 9-seater — for groups and larger families travelling together, luggage included.
- 4x4 — to reach beaches down the tracks; see our 4x4 and SUV rental page.
Our fleet includes recent Nissan, Kia, Citroën and Hyundai models — see them all in our vehicle catalogue. All our rates include insurance, with roadside assistance if needed.
Car hire in Sint Maarten: book ahead, especially in high season
In St Martin, the tourist high season runs from December to April. During this period, vehicles go fast and arrivals follow one another at the airport. Booking your car hire in Sint Maarten in advance means securing the model you want at the quoted price, instead of chasing an available vehicle once on the island. Off-season, early booking is still recommended: it makes pick-up simpler as soon as you land.
Frequently asked questions about car rental in Sint Maarten
Yes. It is a single island shared by two countries: Dutch Sint Maarten to the south, the French side to the north. You move from one to the other freely, with no border control.
Yes — "car hire" and "car rental" mean the same thing. Whichever term you use, Golfe Car Rental provides a vehicle ready for your arrival in Sint Maarten, with insurance included and free movement across both sides of the island.
We arrange the hand-over when you land at Princess Juliana Airport. Give us your flight number and time when booking. Full details are on our car rental at St Martin airport page.
You drive on the right on both sides of the island.
A valid driving licence, a piece of ID and a credit card in the driver's name. A deposit is taken when the vehicle is picked up.
