Sonesta Maho Beach Resort Casino And Spa
All-InclusiveSt Maarten
St Maarten
From Toronto (YYZ)Air Canada VacationsDeparts Thu, Nov 12
- 7 nights
- Oasis Pool View Double
- Flights incl.
From
$3,329
per person · taxes incl.
or $277/mowith FlexPay
St Maarten / St Martin
Dutch & French beach resorts · Direct flights from Toronto
4.4 · 3,900+ St Maarten vacations booked by Canadians
Flights Included · Direct from Toronto
Vacation Packages to St Maarten
7-night beach resort packages with return flights from Canada — illustrative 'from' pricing
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At a glance
Everything you need to know about St Maarten
St Maarten is the smallest inhabited landmass shared by two nations: the Dutch south (Sint Maarten), with its capital Philipsburg, the casinos and nightlife of Simpson Bay, and the famous jet-blast beach at Maho; and the French north (Saint-Martin), home to the gastronomic village of Grand Case, the market town of Marigot and the long golden crescent of Orient Bay. There are 37 beaches on 87 square kilometres, calm reefs for snorkelling off Pinel and Tintamarre, and no border formalities between the two sides. Sunny and trade-wind cooled through the dry season, it's one of the Caribbean's easiest — and most cosmopolitan — beach escapes.
St Maarten, Northeast CaribbeanClimate
Climate
27–31°C · sunny & breezy
JanDec
PeakShoulderAvoid
Warm, sunny and trade-wind cooled. Driest and sunniest December to April; hurricane belt August to October.
Currency
USD & Euro
USD on the Dutch side, Euro on the French side · USD widely accepted
Entry
Visa-free
Valid passport only
Top Experiences in St Maarten
Maho BeachJet-Blast Plane Spotting at Maho
Stand on the sand as jumbo jets skim the fence on their final approach to Princess Juliana — the Caribbean's most thrilling beach show, with a cold drink at the Sunset Bar.
French sideOrient Bay & Its Beach Clubs
Lounge on the island's liveliest golden crescent, with beach clubs, watersports and a boat hop to nearby Pinel and Green Cay.
Pic ParadisLoterie Farm & the Rainforest Ziplines
Escape the beach for a shady tropical hideaway on the slopes of Pic Paradis, with jungle ziplines, hiking trails and a spring-fed pool lounge.
Essential info for Canadian travellers
Passport: A valid Canadian passport is all Canadians need for both the Dutch and French sides of the island — no visa required.
One island, two nations: There are no border checks between Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint-Martin — you can drive freely between Philipsburg, Marigot, Grand Case and Orient Bay.
Travel insurance: Provincial health plans do not cover medical care in St Maarten. Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation is essential.
Currency: The Dutch side runs on the US dollar (and Antillean guilder); the French side on the euro. USD is accepted almost everywhere — carry some euros for French bistros and markets.
Power, plugs & time: The Dutch side uses 110V Type A/B plugs (same as Canada); the French side uses 220V Type C/E, so bring an adapter. The island runs on Atlantic Standard Time, one hour ahead of Toronto in winter; traffic drives on the right.
Best time to visit St Maarten
Dec – AprPeak season
Dry, sunny and breezy. Busiest and priciest for Canadians escaping winter.
May – JunShoulder season
Hot with warm seas and great value before the hurricane season sets in.
Jul – OctQuietest & wettest
Peak hurricane season with the highest humidity and rain; lowest prices, but some businesses close in September.
NovShoulder season
Rains ease and crowds are thin as the dry season begins — good value with reliable sun.
Where to stay
St Maarten zones & neighbourhoods
From the casinos and jet-blast beaches of the Dutch side to the gourmet villages and quiet coves of the French north, here's how to choose your base on St Maarten.
Maho & Simpson Bay
Dutch side (south-west)
The island's entertainment strip — Maho's plane-spotting beach, casinos, beach bars and the marinas and restaurants of Simpson Bay lagoon, all near the airport.
Best for
- Nightlife
- First-timers
- Beach bars
Philipsburg & Great Bay
Dutch side (capital)
The Dutch capital on Great Bay, with a mile-long boardwalk, duty-free Front Street shopping and easy walking-distance beach and cruise-port energy.
Best for
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Value
Grand Case
French side (north)
The 'gastronomic capital of the Caribbean' — a single beachfront street of fine restaurants and lolos (grills), with calm swimming and a boutique feel.
Best for
- Foodies
- Couples
- Boutique stays
Orient Bay
French side (east)
A long golden bay backed by beach clubs and watersports, and the launch point for boat trips to Pinel Island and the Tintamarre reef.
Best for
- Beach
- Watersports
- Snorkelling
Beyond the resort
Day trips & excursions from St Maarten
St Maarten packs two cultures, 37 beaches and some of the Caribbean's best snorkelling into one small island. Every excursion below can be booked through ShopTravel or your resort desk.
Signature ExperiencePinel Island Snorkel & Beach Day
Full day · 5 hrsOff the French east coast · 5-min ferry from Cul-de-Sac
Hop the short ferry to the tiny nature-reserve isle of Pinel to snorkel over shallow reefs, laze on white sand and lunch at a beach grill.
Insider tips
- Reef-safe sunscreen only
- Rent snorkel gear at the Cul-de-Sac jetty
On the WaterCatamaran to Tintamarre & Creole Rock
Full day · 6 hrsNorth-east reefs & islet · By boat from Grand Case
Sail to the uninhabited island of Tintamarre and the protected reef at Creole Rock for snorkelling, with lunch, open bar and swim stops aboard.
Insider tips
- Book a morning departure for calmer seas
- Bring a towel and a light cover-up
Island HighlightsPhilipsburg & Marigot Two-Nations Tour
Half day · 4 hrsDutch & French capitals · By coach
Cross the invisible border between the Dutch and French sides — duty-free Front Street in Philipsburg, the harbour market and Fort Louis in Marigot, and the Border Monument between them.
Insider tips
- Bring both USD and a few euros
- Fort Louis has the best photo view over Marigot
AdventureLoterie Farm Zipline & Pic Paradis Hike
Half day · 3 hrsCentral hills, French side · 25 min by car
Trade the beach for the rainforest on the slopes of Pic Paradis, the island's highest peak, with jungle ziplines, marked trails and a spring-fed pool lounge.
Insider tips
- Wear closed shoes for the ziplines
- Book the Fly Zone in advance in peak season
● Limited availability — book now
Your St Maarten escape awaits
Dutch and French beach resort packages with direct flights from Toronto, starting at
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Good to know
St Maarten travel FAQ
Everything Canadian travellers ask before booking
Do Canadians need a visa for St Maarten?
No. Canadians don't need a visa for either the Dutch (Sint Maarten) or French (Saint-Martin) side — just a valid passport. There are no border formalities between the two sides.
What's the difference between the Dutch and French sides?
The Dutch south (Sint Maarten) has the airport, casinos, Maho's plane-spotting beach and the capital Philipsburg; the French north (Saint-Martin) is quieter and more European, with gourmet Grand Case, the market town of Marigot and Orient Bay. You can drive freely between them.
How long is the flight from Canada to St Maarten?
Direct flights are about 4h 50m from Toronto to Princess Juliana International (SXM), with Air Canada, WestJet and Sunwing during the winter season.
When is the best time to visit St Maarten?
December to April is the dry, sunny peak season. May–June and November offer great value with reliable sun; July–October is the wetter, quieter hurricane season.
Which side or area should I stay in?
For nightlife, casinos and easy beaches, base on the Dutch side at Maho or Simpson Bay. For gourmet dining and calmer beaches, choose the French side at Grand Case or Orient Bay.
What currency should I bring?
The Dutch side uses the US dollar and the French side the euro. USD is accepted almost everywhere, so carry USD cash for tips and excursions and a few euros for French restaurants and markets.
Can I really watch the planes land at Maho Beach?
Yes — Maho Beach sits right at the end of the SXM runway, and low-flying jets on final approach are one of the island's most famous sights. Check the daily arrivals board at the Sunset Bar for the big-jet landings.
Can I book excursions through ShopTravel?
Yes, you can add excursions like the Pinel Island Snorkel and the Tintamarre Catamaran Cruise to your trip at checkout.