Best eSIM for St. Martin/St Maarten Travel: Stay Connected Across the Island
- BookStMartin
- 06/01/2026
- Travel tips
Exploring the island of Saint Martin / Sint Maarten without losing your internet connection is essential — whether you’re navigating, sharing your trip on social media, or staying in touch with family back home.
With an eSIM, there’s no need to hunt for a physical SIM card after landing: everything is set up before you leave, directly on your smartphone.
Why use an eSIM in St. Martin/St. Maarten?
An eSIM (embedded SIM) lets you activate a mobile data plan without inserting a physical SIM card. It works on most recent iPhones and Android phones, with prepaid data plans tailored to the length of your stay.
✔ No expensive roaming fees
✔ Activated before arrival
✔ No need to find a store after landing
✔ Works on iOS & Android
Island coverage: two networks, two realities
Saint Martin is a unique island divided into two territories:
- 🇫🇷 Saint-Martin (French side)
- 🇳🇱 Sint Maarten (Dutch side)
Cellular networks are separate on each side of the island. A local eSIM on the French side may not automatically work on the Dutch side — and vice versa.
What this means for you:
- A standard local eSIM may work only on one side of the island.
- An international or “Regional Caribbean” eSIM covers the entire island, avoiding the need to switch profiles every time you cross the border.
Best eSIM options to stay connected
1. Airalo – Regional Caribbean eSIM
Often cited as the best option for both sides of the island, since it covers the entire Caribbean region (French + Dutch sides included).
💡 Highly recommended by travelers for its flexibility and the ability to move freely across the island without changing eSIMs.
Pros
- Activate before departure
- Wide Caribbean coverage
- Easy setup via the app
2. Saily eSIM – Affordable local plans
Local eSIM data plans for Sint Maarten starting at around $8 to $33, depending on duration and data allowance.
Best if
- You’re staying mostly on the Dutch side
- You want a simple, budget-friendly data plan
⚠️ Note: A local plan may not include coverage on the other side of the island unless you choose a regional option.
3. Holafly / Roafly / SimOptions – International plans
These providers focus on international travel plans, often offering unlimited data or strong 4G/5G coverage across the entire island.
Best if
- You want to avoid any network limitations
- You prefer an all-in-one solution with 24/7 customer support
Practical tips before you go
Install your eSIM before landing
This ensures you’re connected as soon as you exit the plane — very helpful for taxis, GPS, and local information.
Check phone compatibility
Make sure your phone supports eSIM (iPhone XR/XS and newer, recent Google Pixel and Samsung models, etc.).
Visiting both sides of the island?
Choose a global or Caribbean regional eSIM rather than a single-side local SIM for the smoothest experience.