Saint Martin may be small but it packs a big cultural punch being shared by two nations—France and the Netherlands. The Dutch side is more built up, and so we send our travelers to the calm and refined French side for a laid-back, family-friendly experience. Combine Caribbean beauty and culture with a touch of European flare (and French croissants!).
With 37 beautiful beaches, you’re bound to find one your kids love in French Saint Martin, from the bustling Orient Bay Beach to the stunning remote Pinel Island. Families love how easy it is to get around by car to explore the beaches–and also the very walkable towns!
The mix of French and Caribbean creole culture is evident everywhere in Saint Martin, from morning pastries and seaside wine to the open-air “lolos” serving casual Creole cuisine. The restaurant scene is phenomenal, offering a mix of fine dining, casual eateries, and local shops. Whether you’re staying in a boutique hotel or a spacious villa, French Saint Martin provides a charming, relaxing, and unforgettable family vacation.
Maternity leave trips will always have a special place in my memories. We traveled to Saint Martin as our first international trip post-COVID with a 4-month old baby and a 4-year old girl, and shared a villa with other friends also on maternity leave. It couldn’t have been easier (though the photo above might suggest otherwise….).
The villas in Saint Martin are really some of the best value for luxury villas in the Caribbean, and we found it’s a great place for a villa stay, since you can get out and around the island very easily. For nights that you want to feel the amenities of a hotel, bring in private chef and take advantage of villa concierge services. Have a French croissant for breakfast at Croissant Royale in Marigot and you’ll settle into vacation in no time.
– Lee, Mango Tree Travel Founder
French Saint Martin is famous for its pristine beaches, high-end shopping in the capital of Marigot, and its incredible food scene, blending French and Creole influences.
French is the official language on the French side of Saint Martin, though many locals also speak English, making it easy for travelers to communicate and navigate.
The Euro is the official currency on the French side, but many places will accept U.S. dollars, especially in tourist areas.
French Saint Martin has a unique blend of Mediterranean elegance and laid-back Caribbean charm. This half of the island spans about 21 square miles, with a population of roughly 36,000 people. It takes roughly 45 minutes to drive from end to end.
Renting a car is the best way to explore Saint Martin with kids. The island is small and easy to navigate, with short drives between beaches, restaurants, and attractions—a perfect setup for families looking to explore.
For private luxury villas, stay in Terres Basses. Grand Case offers a more authentic Caribbean vibe with a handful of boutique hotels walkable to world-class restaurants. For Mediterranean beach club vibes, Orient Bay Beach is your best bet, with restaurants just a short stroll away.
Peak Season: Mid-December through April (peak demand, high prices). Sargassum may increase in April, so earlier in season is better.
Shoulder Season: Early December; May and June (still great weather, better prices). A fantastic destination to rent a villa for Thanksgiving, before peak season and before Sargassum season.
No Go: August through October are the low season when hotels undertake reservations.
Fly direct to SXM from many East Coast cities. Saint Martin’s airport is a central hub in the Caribbean, making travel here accessible to many. You can also combine your trip with nearby islands like St Barths or Anguilla via ferry or hopper flights, or hop a little further to other French and Dutch islands.
Saint Martin proves you don’t need an all-inclusive resort to have a stress-free trip with kids. The island is full of kid-friendly restaurants and beaches with amenities, especially in walkable towns like Grand Case and Marigot, making it easy to explore without feeling confined to a resort. Plus, you get:
Grand Case, St. Martin
$ – most rooms under $500
$$ – most family rooms $400-$1000
$$$ – family rooms $1000+
This is our go-to beach bag for island getaways: It comes in multiple cool patterns, is water resistant, folds down into a suitcase, and can fit tons of travel toys and snacks.
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If you want to get your kids comfortable snorkeling, getting them their own gear will get them excited, involved, and give them a practice in the pool.
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Give your kids extra confidence for ocean swimming, beach walks, and snorkeling with water shoes to keep them sure-footed. These low profiles shoes are easy to pack and come in lots of colors.
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We've tried a lot of face sunscreens, and these clear sunscreen sticks are really the best no-tears solution. Goes on wet or dry, and reef safe too!
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There’s a new gem in the market for mom swimsuits! Change of Scenery, an accessible but luxurious resort wear and swimwear line, designed by Jamie Banks, working mom of three, will make you feel fantastic on your next beach trip.
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Our founder spent hundreds of hours researching the best lightweight, waterproof baby carrier with sun protection for her Caribbean travels, and this is the winner. Beach naps baby.
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Table of Contents If choosing the best Caribbean islands with kids feels like another impossible task on your already chaotic to-do list—hi, welcome. We created Mango Tree just for you. And we’ve made it our mission to become the experts in traveling to the Caribbean with kids, especially to the characterful islands that offer more […]
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Table of Contents Learn how to plan a Caribbean vacation with kids that’s anything but cookie-cutter. Your time is too precious to do it the boring way. Our primary goal at Mango Tree Travel has always been – and will always remain – to help parents plan easier and better family vacations. For us, that […]
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Table of Contents For a food-focused Caribbean vacation, it’s hard to do better than the restaurants of Saint Martin. When Mango Tree clients tell me that good food is a priority for their Caribbean family vacation, my mind immediately wanders to the best restaurants in Saint Martin. We’ve created a lot of island travel guides […]
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You don’t need to go all the way to France to practice your French. For something a little closer to home, visit one of the French speaking countries in the Caribbean. Your French practice can come with a relaxing side of sand and sea. What pairs better with a tropical beach getaway than a laissez-faire attitude, […]
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Headed to St Martin with kids? You won’t regret it. The island is full of great beaches, delicious French food, and more. But with 37 beaches, it’s hard to know which ones to visit. Which are the best beaches in St. Martin for kids? We’re here to help guide your way. At the end of my […]
Learn MoreOur trip was amazing! St. Martin felt like the perfect destination for our first Caribbean vacation and for our kids’ current ages. We loved Grand Case Beach Club for so many reasons – the kids loved the pool, we loved the views and proximity to the two little beaches (plus the quick access to other beaches around the island), and it was so fun to walk into town for dinner almost every night. We really appreciated your recommendations for things to do around the island. We did lots of fun stuff, but felt like there was enough that we didn’t quite get to that we could easily see ourselves going back! Minus the constant conflict I assume most travelers feel between returning to a place you loved vs. seeing a new place, of course. . . Overall, all of our Grand Case restaurant experiences were similar to this – places that I wouldn’t necessarily think of as “kid friendly” were so friendly towards our kids. 🙂
Cristina, Fall 2024
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