travelling with autistic children. The island is small, easy to navigate and divided between Dutch and French sides, giving you variety without constant long transfers. Whether you are watching planes land at Maho Beach, strolling along the calm Philipsburg boardwalk or enjoying a quieter beach day near Grand Case, Sint Maarten offers compact distances and clear daily structure.
This page is your step-by-step Sint Maarten planning guide. Instead of simply listing posts, it walks you through how to plan a trip to Sint Maarten with an autistic child — from practical preparation and airport navigation to choosing the right area to stay, selecting suitable activities and reducing day-to-day uncertainty.
If you follow this in order, you can plan your entire Sint Maarten trip with confidence.
Step 1: Before You Book – Entry, Health and Practical Planning
Before booking flights, there are a few practical things to check.
Entry requirements and passport
Sint Maarten is the Dutch side of the island, while Saint Martin is the French side. There is no physical border between them, but technically you are moving between two jurisdictions.
UK passport holders can usually enter visa-free for short tourist stays, but always check the latest official government guidance before travelling. Entry requirements can change, particularly for Caribbean territories.
Healthcare and travel insurance
Healthcare on the island is good for routine needs, but serious medical issues may require evacuation to another island or mainland territory. Comprehensive travel insurance is essential — especially if your child has additional medical or neurodivergent needs.
Check:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Medication coverage
- Emergency evacuation cover
- Lost medical equipment
Do not assume a standard policy will cover complex needs. Read the wording carefully.
Vaccinations
There are no unusual vaccine requirements for most UK travellers, but check NHS travel health advice before departure. Routine UK vaccinations should be up to date. The most reliable source for up-to-date travel vaccination guidance is the FitForTravel by the NHS (which has now retired and is integrated into the standard NHS Inform website and the Travel Pro website).
Read: NHS Inform travel vaccine information and TravelPro travel vaccine information
Currency
On the Dutch side (Sint Maarten), the official currency is the Netherlands Antillean guilder, but US dollars are widely accepted everywhere. On the French side (Saint Martin), the Euro is official, but again US dollars are commonly accepted.
In practice, most visitors use US dollars across the island.
Card payments are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and excursions. Smaller beach bars may prefer cash.
If you travel frequently between countries or cruise ports, a multi-currency travel card reduces the risk of frozen transactions. When travelling between jurisdictions or switching SIM cards, banks sometimes flag unusual activity.
I use Wise because:
- You get a digital card as backup
- You can hold multiple currencies
- The app gives instant spending alerts
If you want a travel card that reduces the risk of frozen transactions while travelling between countries, you can explore Wise using my referral link: Wise referral
*Wise was previously known as Transferwise
SIM cards and eSIM
Mobile coverage is generally strong across the island. Because the island is split between Dutch and French networks, your phone may switch providers automatically as you move around.
For autistic children who rely on devices for regulation, communication apps or visual schedules, stable data matters. An international eSIM or regional Caribbean data plan avoids surprise roaming charges and keeps routines intact.
I use a mix of Trip.com eSIMs for local data and Airalo for regional plans. If you want to try Airalo, you can use my referral code NATASH7173 for £2.50 off your first eSIM.
Language
English is the official language. For everyday life, many people in Sint Maarten speak English, but on the Dutch side they also speak Dutch. Prepare key phrases in advance if your child finds language barriers stressful.
Read: Why it is important to learn key phrases related to your disability when you travel (with links to a free eBook with disability translations in many languages)
Medication rules
Always travel with medication in original packaging and carry a copy of your prescription. Check regulations in advance if travelling with controlled medications.
This stage is about reducing uncertainty before you commit.
Step 2: Booking Flights and Managing the Airport
Most visitors arrive via Princess Juliana International Airport.
This airport is famous for planes landing low over Maho Beach. For aviation-loving children, this can be exciting. For noise-sensitive children, it could be overwhelming.
Consider:
- Booking airport special assistance in advance
- Understanding airline disability codes (DPNA for autism support)
- Using the Sunflower Lanyard for hidden disabilities
- Pre-selecting seats for predictability
- Preparing noise-cancelling headphones
The airport is compact compared to major European hubs, which many families find more manageable.
Helpful guides:
- How to get help at the airport as a disabled person
- Airport and airline disability codes
- The Sunflower Lanyard
Peak season (December to April) can be busy due to cruise ships and winter sun tourism. Shoulder periods often feel calmer.
Step 3: Choosing Where to Base Yourself
Because the island is small (roughly 34 square miles), where you stay will shape your daily rhythm.
Philipsburg (Dutch side)
Philipsburg offers:
- Flat boardwalk promenade
- Cruise port access
- Walkable layout
- Supermarkets and pharmacies
- Calm Great Bay Beach
Read: Philipsburg with autistic children – coming soon
This area works well if you want everything within walking distance and minimal transport planning.
Maho / Simpson Bay (Dutch side)
Simpson Bay offers:
- Resorts and apartments
- Restaurants within walking distance
- Close proximity to the airport
- Boat excursions
Be aware of aircraft noise near Maho Beach. If your child is noise-sensitive, stay slightly further from the runway.
Grand Case (French side)
Grand Case offers:
- Quieter beaches
- Calmer atmosphere
- Small village layout
- Excellent food scene
Grand Case works well if your child regulates best in low-density, slower-paced environments.
Step 4: Getting Around Sint Maarten
Transport options include:
- Rental car (most flexible)
- Local minibuses (cheap but less predictable)
- Taxis
- Private transfers
If predictability reduces anxiety for your child, rent a car. The island is small and drives are short. This allows:
- Flexible timing
- Quick returns to accommodation
- Avoiding crowded minibuses
- Control over air conditioning and noise
Road signs are clear, and distances are manageable.
Step 5: Choosing Activities That Suit Your Child
Sint Maarten is beach-focused with optional boat trips and light sightseeing.
Beaches:
- Maho Beach – exciting but loud
- Great Bay – calmer and walkable
- Orient Bay – spacious with facilities
- Grand Case Beach – quieter and scenic
Boat trips:
- Private catamaran charters
- Snorkelling trips
- Short sunset cruises
If your child struggles with crowds or long durations, choose:
- Shorter excursions
- Private tours
- Morning departures
- Activities with clear exit points
Other activities:
- Loterie Farm nature walks (shade and open space)
- Fort Amsterdam viewpoint (short visit, big views)
- Marigot market (French side – busier but colourful)
When choosing activities, consider:
- Heat and humidity
- Shade availability
- Queue times
- Toilet access
- Food predictability
- Clear exit routes
The Caribbean sun is intense. Early mornings and late afternoons are usually more manageable.
Step 6: Visual Planning and Familiarisation
Before travelling, familiarise your child with:
- Airport layout
- Beach types
- Hotel room setup
- Street environments
- Aircraft landings if staying near Maho
Visual planning and familiarisation resources
Use Google Street View, YouTube walkthroughs and hotel room videos. Visual predictability can dramatically reduce anxiety.
Step 7: Visual Supports and PECS
If your child uses visual communication, prepare in advance.
- Bumper pack of travel PECS
- Caribbean travel PECS – coming soon
- Free travel PECS
I continue creating destination-specific PECS as we travel so other families can benefit.
Step 8: Practical Autism Travel Guides
- How to set up Google Maps accessibility feature
- Airport special assistance
- Airport and airline disability codes
- Cruising with autistic children
These guides handle the practical details that reduce last-minute stress.
Affiliate and booking information
Disclaimer: this page includes affiliate links. If you use one of them to make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Read: My GetYourGuide discount and download links
Planning to explore further? You might also find these helpful:
- North America travel hub
- Sint Maarten with autistic children
- St. Kitts and Nevis with autistic children
- Antigua with autistic children
This Sint Maarten hub is designed to move you from uncertainty to clarity. Keep it structured. Choose your base carefully. Build in shade and downtime. Plan exits before you need them.
For a full list, check out our Sint Maarten archives.