Travel + Leisure names St. Maarten among Caribbean’s best places to buy a home

GREAT BAY--St. Maarten has been named by Travel + Leisure as one of the nine best places in the Caribbean to buy a home, with the international travel publication highlighting the country’s favorable tax environment, comparatively reasonable real estate prices, established residential communities and new luxury development as factors strengthening its appeal to buyers.

The recognition appeared in an August 13, 2026 article titled 9 Best Places in the Caribbean to Buy a Home, including Island Nations Where You Can Become a Citizen. The article was compiled with input from Caribbean real estate professionals and examined factors that can influence where buyers choose to invest, including accessibility, international air connections, weather, government stability, the strength of the real estate market and proximity to major business regions.

For St. Maarten, Travel + Leisure pointed specifically to the country’s business environment and the value that can still be found in its property market. Caribbean real estate advisor Dan Merriam of Sotheby’s International Realty told the publication that St. Maarten remains attractive from a business perspective, while its price per square foot remains reasonable and buyers can choose from a number of established neighborhoods popular with international residents.

The publication also pointed to a new wave of luxury hotel and residential development that is expected to add further momentum to the real estate market. This combination of existing communities and continued high-end development was presented as another reason St. Maarten stands out for persons considering Caribbean property ownership.

A major factor highlighted by Travel + Leisure was taxation. The magazine described St. Maarten as having a favorable tax environment for property owners, specifically noting the absence of property taxes, inheritance taxes and capital gains taxes. The tax structure, combined with property values and further development, helped place St. Maarten among the publication’s preferred Caribbean destinations for homebuyers.

Unlike several other destinations on the list, St. Maarten’s inclusion was not centered on citizenship-by-investment. Instead, the publication’s case for the country focused more directly on the fundamentals of owning property and living or doing business here, including real estate value, established neighborhoods, taxation and anticipated investment in luxury hospitality and residential projects.

St. Maarten was named alongside Nevis, St. Barts, St. Lucia, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Dominica, the Cayman Islands, and Antigua and Barbuda.

Among the other destinations, Nevis was highlighted for lower entry prices compared with several more expensive Caribbean markets and for its citizenship-by-investment program. St. Barts was singled out for exclusivity, limited development and its high-value luxury market, while St. Lucia was identified as offering comparatively good value, stronger airlift and opportunities in pre-construction and larger land investments.

The Bahamas was recognized for its proximity and connections to the United States, variety of real estate options and residency pathways connected to investment. Turks and Caicos, particularly Providenciales, was highlighted for its expanding luxury second-home market, North American demand and absence of property taxes.

Dominica was included for its emerging eco-tourism and luxury property sector, while the Cayman Islands was recognized for political stability, a tax-neutral environment, financial services industry and established luxury market. Antigua and Barbuda rounded out the list, with Travel + Leisure pointing to its natural appeal, comparatively accessible luxury property prices, growing resort development and citizenship-by-investment program.

Travel + Leisure said the Caribbean destinations were selected with the understanding that buyers have to weigh more than beaches and lifestyle when deciding where to purchase. Value, accessibility, long-term market potential and the wider economic and legal environment were among the considerations, areas in which St. Maarten received recognition as the country continues to attract new residential and hospitality investment.

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