That is probably true Carol, but it is sometimes about $100 more which seems a lot more than just the departure tax.

The actual taxes combined between SXM and the USA for leaving the country are $92.90, where as they are 34 for going to STT. Unless you read the fine print you miss all the little things they get you for. If you go to STT you just pay the two US International Arrival and Departure taxes. So the difference is more like $60.

US International Departure Tax (US)
$17.70
US International Arrival Tax (US)
$17.70
St. Maarten Airport Improvement Fee (IW)
$5.00
St. Maarten Airport Departure Tax (FH)
$36.00
St. Maarten Passenger Screening Fee (FG)
$10.91
US Customs Fee (YC)
$5.50
US Immigration Fee (XY)
$7.00

The taxes for flights originating in Canada are different so those figures don't apply to us.

You are right in the taxes being a bit different, however I ran a flight from Toronto to SXM and the part that stays the same for sure is the $50 of SXM airport fees. Those don't exist on a STT ticket.

problem is that its not non stop

I purchased round trip tickets to St.Martin from Newark NJ for $423 ...Leaving the last week of October 2015..Non Stop

My BOS-NEW-SXM and back tixs for the last Saturday in Oct going down and return 2 weeks later were only 402....