Saint Martin (French Part) in 5 Days: The Perfect Extended Itinerary

A 5-day Saint Martin (French Part) itinerary centers on Marigot, mixing beach days, coastal drives, food adventures, and quick hops to Grand Case and Orient Bay with easy taxi and bus connections. Expect daily costs from about $90 on a tight budget to $300+ for luxury in 2026.

Tourism on the French side has bounced back strongly since Hurricane Irma, with visitor numbers reaching around 97% of 2019 levels by 2024, according to the French Caribbean central bank (IEDOM). This means more open restaurants, renovated guesthouses, and a lively atmosphere along Marigot’s waterfront.

For this Saint Martin (French Part) 5 day itinerary, you’ll spend most nights in or near Marigot, the administrative capital and main tourist hub on the French side. Taxis from the airport to Marigot run about $25–30 in 2025, while local buses between Philipsburg, Marigot, Grand Case, and Simpson Bay cost roughly $1.50–$2 per ride.

Using the Hello app makes the logistics easier: you can arrive already connected with a Hello eSIM, split taxi costs with friends, and track a multi-currency budget as you cross between the French and Dutch sides. Average restaurant prices on the island in 2026 range from $15–25 for an inexpensive meal and $40–60 for two at a mid-range restaurant, so food planning is key.

Below you’ll find a day‑by‑day Saint Martin (French Part) travel plan with morning/afternoon/evening suggestions, transport tips, and three budget tiers for every day.

Day 1 in Saint Martin (French Part) is about a smooth arrival, settling into Marigot, and getting your bearings along the harborfront, with taxis around $25–30 from the airport and budget dinners starting near $15 per person in 2026.

Morning: Arrival & transfer to Marigot
Most travelers land at Princess Juliana Airport on the Dutch side, then head over to the French capital, Marigot. Standard taxi fares in 2025 are roughly $25–30 from the airport to Marigot, depending on luggage and time of day. Local buses cost much less (about $2) but involve a short walk to the bus stop and a slower ride, which can be tiring after a long flight.

Afternoon: Check-in & harbor stroll
Choose accommodation in central Marigot or the hillside above for easy access to restaurants and ferries. Budget guesthouses run from $80–120 per night, mid-range hotels $150–220, and boutique/luxury stays $280+ in 2026. Once you’ve checked in, stretch your legs along the waterfront promenade, explore the open-air market near the ferry dock, and stock up on basics at a supermarket.

Evening: First French-Caribbean dinner
For dinner, try a bistro in central Marigot: an inexpensive meal averages $15–25 in 2026, while two people at a mid-range restaurant can expect $40–60 for three courses and drinks. Local specialties include accras (salt-cod fritters), grilled fish, and French-style desserts.

This first evening is also the perfect time to open the Hello app to log your taxi, food, and hotel expenses, using AI receipt scanning and automatic currency conversion between euros and US dollars.

Indicative Day 1 budgets (USD, 2026)

• Budget: $90–120 (bus transfer, guesthouse, street food/cheap bistro)
• Mid-range: $170–230 (taxi, mid-range hotel, sit-down dinner)
• Luxury: $320–450 (private transfer, boutique hotel, wine-paired dinner)

Day 2 in Marigot focuses on exploring the old town, hiking up to Fort Louis for panoramic views, and ending with a relaxed beach afternoon, with most activities walkable and daily costs ranging from $70 for budget travelers to $250+ for luxury stays.

Morning: Market, patisseries & old streets
Start your day with a French-Caribbean breakfast: a croissant and coffee at a bakery in Marigot will usually cost $6–10 in 2026. Stroll the open-air market near the ferry dock, where stalls sell spices, rum, and island crafts. Many merchants are used to visitors and appreciate simple French greetings like "Bonjour" and "Merci".

Late morning: Fort Louis hike
From the town center, it’s a short uphill walk (15–20 minutes) to Fort Louis, the historic stone fort overlooking Marigot Bay. Entry is generally free; bring water and sun protection. This is one of the best viewpoints on the French side, with views over the marina and toward Anguilla.

Afternoon: Nearby beach escape
Take a taxi or bus to a nearby beach. Baie Nettle and Galisbay are reachable in 10–15 minutes by car; taxis cost roughly $10–15 one-way within the Marigot area, or $2 by bus. Rent sunbeds for $10–20 per person, or just throw down a towel.

Evening: Waterfront dinner
Return to Marigot for dinner along the harbor. Casual restaurants run $20–30 per person including a main and drink, while fine dining for two can reach $80–120 with multiple courses and wine in 2026. Consider trying fresh mahi-mahi, colombo-style curries, or French-style steak frites.

Use the Hello app to split the day’s taxi and beach costs among friends in different currencies, as it handles multi-currency expense splitting with automatic exchange rate conversion.

Indicative Day 2 budgets (USD, 2026)

• Budget: $70–100 (walking, bus, simple meals)
• Mid-range: $150–200 (taxis, sunbeds, mid-range restaurant)
• Luxury: $230–300 (private beach club, cocktails, fine dining)

Day 3 of your Saint Martin (French Part) travel plan is dedicated to Grand Case, the island’s most famous foodie village, combining a scenic coastal drive with beach time and a gastronomic evening.

Morning: Transit Marigot → Grand Case
From Marigot, hop a bus or taxi to Grand Case, about 15–20 minutes along the northern coast. In 2025, bus fares between Marigot and Grand Case hover around $1.50–$2, while taxis typically charge $10–20 depending on time and group size. The road passes viewpoints over the bay and occasional roadside fruit stands.

Afternoon: Grand Case beach & lolo lunch
Grand Case’s main beach is perfect for a relaxed afternoon. Sunbed rentals again run $10–20 per person, though you can sit on the sand for free. For lunch, try a lolo—small local grill stands serving ribs, chicken, and fish. Expect $10–15 per person for a generous plate with sides and a soft drink in 2026.

Evening: Gastronomic strip
Grand Case’s main street is lined with restaurants ranging from simple creole spots to high-end French cuisine. A mid-range dinner for two averages $40–60, while upscale tasting menus easily reach $80–120 for two, especially with wine. Book ahead in high season (January–March), when occupancy rates on the French side hover in the mid-50% range according to regional tourism reports, making popular restaurants busy.

To keep your budget on track amid tempting menus, log estimated dinner costs in your Hello app trip plan and set a daily spending target. The app’s AI-powered categorization will group your food, transport, and activity expenses automatically.

Indicative Day 3 budgets (USD, 2026)

• Budget: $80–110 (bus, lolo lunch, modest dinner)
• Mid-range: $160–220 (taxis, sunbeds, mid-range dinner)
• Luxury: $260–350 (private transfer, premium wine-paired meal)

Day 4 of this Saint Martin (French Part) 5 day trip centers on Orient Bay’s long sandy beach and watersports, with typical activity costs from $30–80 and detailed budget tiers from backpacker to luxury style.

Morning: Travel to Orient Bay
From Marigot or Grand Case, taxis to Orient Bay usually cost $15–25, reflecting 2025 standard island fares, while buses are cheaper but less frequent. Orient Bay is known as one of the island’s liveliest beaches, with a strip of bars, restaurants, and watersport operators.

Afternoon: Watersports & beach clubs
Orient Bay offers jet skiing, paddleboarding, parasailing, and snorkeling trips. In 2026, you can expect prices such as $50–80 for a jet ski session, $30–40 for a paddleboard or kayak rental, and similar for short boat trips. Beach clubs charge around $15–25 for a lounger and umbrella package, though some refund part of the fee if you order lunch.

According to regional tourism assessments, Saint Martin welcomed roughly 625,000 visitors in 2024, a 14% increase from 2023, with the French side alone recording over 100,000 arrivals at Grand Case airport that year. This means Orient Bay can be busy in peak months, so arrive by late morning for the best spot.

Evening: Dinner by the bay & return
Grab dinner at a beachfront restaurant—casual meals at these spots average $20–30 per person. Return to Marigot by taxi, particularly after dark when buses may be scarce.

Staying connected at the beach with Hello eSIM for Saint Martin (French Part) (Hello eSIM for Saint Martin French Part) helps you check live weather, book activities, and keep your friends updated without hunting for Wi‑Fi.

Indicative Day 4 budgets (USD, 2026)

• Budget: $90–130 (bus, minimal watersports, casual meals)
• Mid-range: $170–230 (taxi, 1–2 activities, beach club)
• Luxury: $280–380 (multiple activities, premium beach club, cocktails)

Day 5 wraps up your Saint Martin (French Part) itinerary with last-minute shopping in Marigot, optional cross-island sightseeing, and a smooth departure to the airport or ferry.

Morning: Marigot shopping & café time
Use your final morning for souvenirs and gourmet items—local rum, spices, and French pastries are popular choices. A coffee and pastry still runs around $6–10 in 2026, and small souvenirs range widely from $5 trinkets to $50+ artisanal pieces. Practice polite bargaining at market stalls but keep it friendly; fixed prices are more common in boutiques.

Afternoon: Optional Dutch side side-trip
If your flight is later in the day, you might squeeze in a visit to Philipsburg or Maho Beach on the Dutch side. From Marigot to Philipsburg, bus fares are roughly $2, or taxis cost $20–25. Watching planes land at Maho Beach is free, though nearby bars and restaurants charge typical resort prices ($20–30 per person for simple meals).

Evening: Departure logistics
Plan to arrive at the airport 2–3 hours before your international flight. Taxis from Marigot to Princess Juliana Airport remain around $25–30, consistent with 2025 published fares. If you’re leaving via ferry to nearby islands, check schedules ahead of time, especially in low season when frequency drops.

Before you go, export your trip’s expenses from the Hello app (CSV or PDF) to keep a record of your 5-day Saint Martin (French Part) travel plan. This helps if you’re budgeting for future Caribbean trips to places like Guadeloupe or Martinique.

Indicative Day 5 budgets (USD, 2026)

• Budget: $70–100 (bus, modest souvenirs, simple meals)
• Mid-range: $140–200 (taxi, more shopping, sit-down lunch)
• Luxury: $220–320 (private transfer, premium shopping, upscale lunch)

A 5-day Saint Martin (French Part) itinerary is enough to explore Marigot, Grand Case, and Orient Bay comfortably, with average daily costs starting around $90 for budget travelers and reaching $300+ for luxury, depending on accommodation and activity choices.

Q: Is 5 days enough for Saint Martin (French Part)?
Yes. Five days let you base yourself in Marigot, add day trips to Grand Case and Orient Bay, and even hop over to the Dutch side once. Tourism reports show that visitors typically stay several nights, with occupancy rates around 55–56% in peak season, indicating a popular short-stay pattern.

Q: How much should I budget per day?
In 2026, meals at inexpensive restaurants cost about $15–25 per person, while mid-range dinners for two sit around $40–60, and fine dining for two can reach $80–120. Add local bus fares of $1.50–$2 per ride or taxis at $10–30 per trip, plus accommodation from $80 for guesthouses to $280+ for luxury.

Q: Do I need a car?
Not necessarily. For a classic Saint Martin (French Part) 5 day itinerary, buses and taxis are usually enough, especially if you stay centrally in Marigot. A rental car can be helpful for exploring remote beaches but adds $50–70 per day plus fuel.

Q: How can I manage my budget and stay connected?
Download the Hello app before your trip, purchase an eSIM from Hello for instant data when you land, and use the app’s budget tracking and AI receipt scanning to keep your Saint Martin (French Part) 5 day plan on target.

Sample daily cost comparison (USD, 2026)