Overview of St Maarten and St Martin
Tucked away in a small corner of the Caribbean lies the island of Sint Maarten and Saint Martin, the world's smallest area of land divided into two nations. The French and Dutch have shared this strip of paradise peacefully for more than 350 years, ever since a gin-drinking Dutchman and a wine-imbibing Frenchman allegedly walked around the island to see how much territory they could claim for their country in a day. The French won more land, but the Dutch lay claim to the most prized part.
The Dutch may well have a point. Sint Maarten is known for its beaches, casinos and rum-fuelled festive nightlife. Duty-free shopping is the order of the day for tourists filling the numerous condos and resorts. Those who find it overdeveloped and artificial can get a taste of a different side of the Caribbean on the quiet, picturesque beaches of Simpson Bay and Little Bay, while visitors looking for a more rugged holiday would do well to head north to the French side of the island.
Saint Martin is significantly quieter than its Dutch counterpart. The French side of the island is a lovely mix of white-sand beaches, small town centres and beautiful stretches of mountainside. Shopping is a more relaxed affair at the outdoor markets, offering up some of the finest Caribbean cuisine.
The island as a whole hosts 120 different nationalities, giving it a rich cultural heritage. Food, drink and friendly Caribbean hospitality are all on the agenda. Visitors enjoy snorkeling, diving and jet-skiing, or head inland to hike in the mountains or zip-line through the treetops.
Key Facts
- Language:
- Dutch and English are the official languages. Locals commonly use a language known as Papiamento, a mixture of Portuguese, African languages, Spanish, Dutch and English.
- Passport/Visa:
-
Travellers should note that for some nationalities visa and passport requirements might vary between St Maarten and St Martin - specific requirements should be checked for the desired destination. All tourists, regardless of which side of the island is being visited, must have return or onward tickets, all documents needed for next destination and proof of sufficient funds. Passports must be valid for at least the length of intended stay, but six months of passport validity is recommended. As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travellers travelling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. If departing from the USA a valid passport will be required by immigration authorities. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your
travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
- Currency:
-
On the Dutch side, the currency is the Netherlands Antilles Guilder (ANG), and one guilder is divided into 100 cents. But US dollars are also widely accepted and prices are usually quoted in dollars as well as guilders. There are plans to introduce the Caribbean guilder in the future.
On the French side of the island, the Euro (EUR) is the local currency, although establishments will also accept US dollars. There are numerous bureaux de change and banks on the island and ATMs in the main towns in both national sectors. Major credit cards are widely accepted.
- Electricity:
- 110/220 volts, 50/60Hz. Standard, flat, two- and three-pronged plugs, as found in the United States, are used.
Travel to St Maarten and St Martin
Overview
Hordes of tourists flock each year to Sint Maarten and Saint Martin for the beaches. Long Bay offers peace, quiet and perfect sunsets from luxury resorts. Anse des Peres is a family friendly affair in the northwest, with legendary Full Moon parties at Kali's Beach Bar.
Known as the Saint-Tropez in the Caribbean, Orient Bay is the haunt of celebrities and jet-setters, but suffered large damage by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Galion Beach is the domain of surfers and windsurfers, while Little Bay is a haven for bird life. Visitors can also watch aeroplanes fly infamously close to holidaymakers as they come in to land over Maho Beach.
Marigot, the French capital, is a town home to trendy restaurants, traditional stalls and a lively market full of interesting colours and smells. Philipsburg, on the Dutch side, is the duty-free shopping capital, where jewellery and souvenir shops line the main street and weary travellers can recharge in the endless restaurants and bars. The village of Grand Case comes alive from January to April for the Harmony Nights Festival, a traditional Caribbean celebration of gastronomy, music and art.
Other attractions include treetop tours in the Loterie Farm, and the colourful, soothing atmosphere of the Butterfly Farm, the first of its kind in the Caribbean. Young families will also enjoy the Sint Maarten Zoo, with over 80 species of wildlife and dedicated play area for children.
2 miles (4km) off the coast of Saint Martin lies the wild, rocky and uninhabited Île Tintamarre. It offers some great swimming spots, with lucky snorkellers potentially glimpsing turtles and other curious creatures. Visitors are advised to take supplies for the day, as there are no shops.
Climate in St Maarten and St Martin
The island is sunny and warm all year round, with average monthly temperatures varying little throughout the year. Temperatures in coastal areas range from 72ºF (22ºC) to 86ºF (30ºC) and inland areas range between 66ºF (19ºC) and 81ºF (27ºC). Cooling winds buffet the island throughout the year. Showers can be expected at any time of year but rainstorms generally pass quickly. Hurricane season in the Caribbean lasts from June to November, with the most storms occurring in September. December to May is considered the dry season (though rain can occur at any time of year), and is considered the best time to visit St Maarten and St Martin. Winter and the Christmas/New Year holidays are traditionally the most popular time to visit the island, but summer can also be a good time to visit because lodging rates are much lower and the beaches, roads and restaurants are not crowded.
Health Notes when travelling to St Maarten and St Martin
The Manchineel tree that grows all over the island and mainly along the beaches is extremely poisonous; its sap and fruit, which look like small green apples, are caustic and burn the skin. The water is safe to drink and medical care on the island is good, but patients are likely to be transferred to the US for anything serious, so comprehensive travel insurance is strongly advised.
Safety Notes when travelling to St Maarten and St Martin
Most visits to the island are trouble-free, but petty crime is present and visitors shouldn't leave valuables unattended on beaches, in cars or in hotel lobbies. Care should be taken to keep rooms and cars locked, and visitors should refrain from carrying large amounts of cash. Burglaries and break-ins occur sometimes at resorts, beach houses and hotels, and there have been incidents of armed robbery. Precautions should also be taken against car theft, and insurance cover is advisable.
Customs in St Maarten and St Martin
Island culture on Sint Maarten and Saint Martin is very relaxed, and there are few dress codes aside from high-end restaurants and clubs. Though many residents speak English, visitors should not assume this and a little effort to speak French or Dutch is greatly appreciated.
Duty Free in St Maarten and St Martin
Arrivals in Sint Maarten and Saint Martin don't have to pay duty on any goods. Products such as tobacco, alcohol, cameras and perfume should be limited to an amount needed for personal use.
Doing Business in St Maarten and St Martin
On Sint Maarten and Saint Martin things are fairly informal, but jackets and ties should be worn by men for meetings. English is spoken widely throughout both the French and Dutch regions and is often the language used in meetings. Business hours are generally 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, with a break from 12pm to 1.30pm.
Communication in St Maarten and St Martin
The country code for Sint Maarten is +1 721 while the code for French Saint Martin is +590. Phoning from one side of the island to the other is considered an international call. Mobile network coverage extends across both parts of the island, as does internet and WiFi coverage, especially at cafes, bars and restaurants.
Tipping in St Maarten and St Martin
On the Dutch side of the island, hotel bills include a tax of five percent and often a service charge of 15 percent. Waiters and bar staff should be tipped 10 to 15 percent if a gratuity is not included in the bill.
On French Saint Martin, hotels usually add five percent occupancy tax per person, but a small gratuity is appreciated for good service. Restaurants and hotels usually add a service charge of 10 to 15 percent to the bill, and it's always best to check for this before adding a tip. Taxi drivers and porters expect to be tipped, particularly if they have handled luggage.
Passport/Visa Note
Travellers should note that for some nationalities visa and passport requirements might vary between St Maarten and St Martin - specific requirements should be checked for the desired destination. All tourists, regardless of which side of the island is being visited, must have return or onward tickets, all documents needed for next destination and proof of sufficient funds. Passports must be valid for at least the length of intended stay, but six months of passport validity is recommended. As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travellers travelling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. If departing from the USA a valid passport will be required by immigration authorities. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your
travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Entry Requirements
- Entry requirements for Americans:
-
United States citizens require a valid passport. No visa is needed for a stay of up to 180 days.
- Entry requirements for Canadians:
-
Canadians must have a valid passport. No visa is needed for a stay of up to 90 days.
- Entry requirements for UK nationals:
-
British citizens require a valid passport, but do not require a visa for a stay of up to 90 days.
- Entry requirements for Australians:
-
Australians must have a valid passport. No visa is needed for a stay of up to 90 days.
- Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
-
Irish nationals must have a valid passport. No visa is needed.
- Entry requirements for New Zealanders:
-
New Zealand citizens must have a valid passport. No visa is needed for a stay of up to 90 days.
- Entry requirements for South Africans:
-
South Africans must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay, and a visa for entry.
Tourist Offices
Office of Tourism for Saint Martin, Marigot, Saint Martin: +05 9087 5721 or St Martin: qww.stmartinisland.org
- Tourist Authority Offices in the United States:
-
St Martin Promotional Office, New York, United States: +1 212 838 7855 or newyork@stmartinisland.org
St Maarten and St Martin Embassies
- In the United States:
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Royal Netherlands Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 244 5300.
- In Canada:
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Royal Netherlands Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 237 5031.
- In the United Kingdom:
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Royal Netherlands Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7590 3200.
- In Australia:
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Royal Netherlands Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6220 9400.
- In Ireland:
-
Royal Netherlands Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 269 3444
- In New Zealand:
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Royal Netherlands Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 471 6390.
- In South Africa:
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Royal Netherlands Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 425 4500.
Foreign Embassies in St Maarten and St Martin
- American Embassy
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American Consulate-General, Willemstad, Curacao (also responsible for St Maarten/St Martin): +599 9 461 3066.
- Canadian Embassy
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Canadian Consulate, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (also responsible for St Maarten): +868 622 6232.
- British Embassy
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British Consulate,Willemstad, Curacao (also responsible for St Maarten/St Martin): +599 9 461 3900.
Travel Advisories
Health Information for Travelers to Saint Martin
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hide Vaccines and Medicines
Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor (ideally, 4-6 weeks) before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need.
| | Find Out Why | Protect Yourself |
All travelers You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccines may also be required for travel. |
| Routine vaccines | Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot. |   |
Most travelers Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting. |
| Hepatitis A | CDC recommends this vaccine because you can get hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in Saint Martin, regardless of where you are eating or staying. |  |
| Typhoid | You can get typhoid through contaminated food or water in Saint Martin. CDC recommends this vaccine for most travelers, especially if you are staying with friends or relatives, visiting smaller cities or rural areas, or if you are an adventurous eater. | |
Some travelers Ask your doctor what vaccines and medicines you need based on where you are going, how long you are staying, what you will be doing, and if you are traveling from a country other than the US. |
| Hepatitis B | You can get hepatitis B through sexual contact, contaminated needles, and blood products, so CDC recommends this vaccine if you might have sex with a new partner, get a tattoo or piercing, or have any medical procedures. |   |
| Rabies | Rabies is present in bats in Saint Martin. However, it is not a major risk to most travelers. CDC recommends rabies vaccine for only these groups: - Travelers involved in outdoor and other activities in remote areas that put them at risk for bat bites (such as adventure travel and caving).
- People who will be working with or around bats (such as wildlife professionals and researchers).
|  |
| Yellow Fever | There is no risk of yellow fever in Saint Martin. The government of Saint Martin requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. This does not include the US. If you are traveling from a country other than the US, check this list to see if you may be required to get the yellow fever vaccine: Countries with risk of yellow fever virus (YFV) transmission. For more information on recommendations and requirements, see yellow fever recommendations and requirements for Saint Martin. Your doctor can help you decide if this vaccine is right for you based on your travel plans. | |
All travelers
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccines may also be required for travel.
Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot.
Most travelers
Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.
CDC recommends this vaccine because you can get hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in Saint Martin, regardless of where you are eating or staying.
You can get typhoid through contaminated food or water in Saint Martin. CDC recommends this vaccine for most travelers, especially if you are staying with friends or relatives, visiting smaller cities or rural areas, or if you are an adventurous eater.
Some travelers
Ask your doctor what vaccines and medicines you need based on where you are going, how long you are staying, what you will be doing, and if you are traveling from a country other than the US.
You can get hepatitis B through sexual contact, contaminated needles, and blood products, so CDC recommends this vaccine if you might have sex with a new partner, get a tattoo or piercing, or have any medical procedures.
Rabies is present in bats in Saint Martin. However, it is not a major risk to most travelers. CDC recommends rabies vaccine for only these groups:
- Travelers involved in outdoor and other activities in remote areas that put them at risk for bat bites (such as adventure travel and caving).
- People who will be working with or around bats (such as wildlife professionals and researchers).
There is no risk of yellow fever in Saint Martin. The government of Saint Martin requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. This does not include the US. If you are traveling from a country other than the US, check this list to see if you may be required to get the yellow fever vaccine: Countries with risk of yellow fever virus (YFV) transmission.
For more information on recommendations and requirements, see yellow fever recommendations and requirements for Saint Martin. Your doctor can help you decide if this vaccine is right for you based on your travel plans.
Key
- Get vaccinated
- Eat and drink safely
- Keep away from animals
- Reduce your exposure to germs
- Avoid sharing body fluids
- Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment
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Hide Stay Healthy and Safe
Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Saint Martin, so your behaviors are important.
Unclean food and water can cause travelers' diarrhea and other diseases. Reduce your risk by sticking to safe food and water habits.
Eat
- Food that is cooked and served hot
- Hard-cooked eggs
- Fruits and vegetables you have washed in clean water or peeled yourself
- Pasteurized dairy products
Don't Eat
- Food served at room temperature
- Food from street vendors
- Raw or soft-cooked (runny) eggs
- Raw or undercooked (rare) meat or fish
- Unwashed or unpeeled raw fruits and vegetables
- Unpasteurized dairy products
- ”Bushmeat” (monkeys, bats, or other wild game)
Drink
- Bottled water that is sealed
- Water that has been disinfected
- Ice made with bottled or disinfected water
- Carbonated drinks
- Hot coffee or tea
- Pasteurized milk
Don’t Drink
- Tap or well water
- Ice made with tap or well water
- Drinks made with tap or well water (such as reconstituted juice)
- Unpasteurized milk
Take Medicine
Talk with your doctor about taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs with you on your trip in case you get sick.
Hide Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Saint Martin. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.
What can I do to prevent bug bites?
- Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
- Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
- Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
- Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
- Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.
What type of insect repellent should I use?
- FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
- FOR PROTECTION AGAINST MOSQUITOES ONLY: Products with one of the following active ingredients can also help prevent mosquito bites. Higher percentages of active ingredient provide longer protection.
- DEET
- Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD
- IR3535
- Always use insect repellent as directed.
What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?
- Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
- Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.
What can I do to avoid bed bugs?
Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs.
For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites.
Note: Zika is a risk in Saint Martin. For more information, see Zika Virus in Saint Martin.
Hide If your travel plans in Saint Martin include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.
- Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
- Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
- Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
- Heat-related illness, such as heat stroke, can be deadly. Eat and drink regularly, wear loose and lightweight clothing, and limit physical activity during high temperatures.
- If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
- Protect yourself from UV radiation: use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
- Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
- Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.
Stay safe around water
- Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
- Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
- Do not dive into shallow water.
- Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
- Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
- To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.
Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection that can be spread in fresh water, is found in Saint Martin. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.
Hide Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.
Follow these tips to protect yourself:
- Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
- Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
- Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
- Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
- If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.
All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:
- Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
- Go to a doctor right away.
- Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.
Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.
Hide Reduce your exposure to germs
Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:
- Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
- If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
- If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.
Hide Avoid sharing body fluids
Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.
Protect yourself:
- Use latex condoms correctly.
- Do not inject drugs.
- Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
- Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
- If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.
Hide Know how to get medical care while traveling
Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:
- Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
- Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
- Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
- Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Saint Martin’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
- Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.
Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website (www.jointcommissioninternational.org).
In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.
Hide Select safe transportation
Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.
In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.
Walking
Be smart when you are traveling on foot.
- Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
- Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
- Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.
Riding/Driving
Choose a safe vehicle.
- Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
- Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
- Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
- Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
- Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
- Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.
Think about the driver.
- Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
- Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
- Arrange payment before departing.
Follow basic safety tips.
- Wear a seatbelt at all times.
- Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
- When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
- Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Saint Martin may be poor.
- Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
- Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
- If you choose to drive a vehicle in Saint Martin, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
- Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
- Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
Flying
- Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
- If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
- Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.
Medical Evacuation Insurance
If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.
Helpful Resources
Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.
The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.
Hide Maintain personal security
Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.
Before you leave
- Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
- Monitor travel warnings and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
- Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
- Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.
While at your destination(s)
- Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate.
- Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
- Follow all local laws and social customs.
- Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
- Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
- If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.
Hide Top
Hide Healthy Travel Packing List
Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Saint Martin for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.
Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?
It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.
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Hide Travel Health Notices
Be aware of current health issues in Saint Martin. Learn how to protect yourself.
Alert Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions
- Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the Caribbean November 14, 2017 Beginning on September 6, 2017, Hurricane Irma crossed the Caribbean, followed on September 16 by Hurricane Maria. These storms caused severe damage in a number of countries and territories, including Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, Cuba, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, Turks and Caicos, and the US Virgin Islands.
- Zika Virus in Saint Martin August 29, 2017 Zika virus (or Zika) has been reported. Public health officials have reported that mosquitoes are infected with Zika and spreading it to people.
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If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic. Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.
For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel.
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Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.
Currency
On the Dutch side, the currency is the Netherlands Antilles Guilder (ANG), and one guilder is divided into 100 cents. But US dollars are also widely accepted and prices are usually quoted in dollars as well as guilders. There are plans to introduce the Caribbean guilder in the future.
On the French side of the island, the Euro (EUR) is the local currency, although establishments will also accept US dollars. There are numerous bureaux de change and banks on the island and ATMs in the main towns in both national sectors. Major credit cards are widely accepted.
St Maarten Airport (SXM)
Princess Juliana International Airport
http://www.sxmairport.com
Location: St Maarten The airport is located nine miles (15km) west of Philipsburg in St Maarten.
Time: GMT -4.
Contacts:
Tel: +599 546 7777.
Getting to the city:
There is no public transport to and from the airport, but taxis are available and some hotels will arrange transfers.
Car rental:
Car hire desks can be found in the arrivals area. Among those represented are Avis, Hertz and Alamo.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis, regulated by the Airport Taxi Association, are available outside arrivals, where there is a taxi desk. Tipping is expected.
Facilities:
Airport facilities at Princess Juliana include a bank, ATM, restaurant, refreshments, Business Class Lounge and duty-free shopping.
Parking:
There are pick-up/drop-off areas outside the terminal, and parking is located within walking distance of the entrance. Parking is charged at US$1 per half hour for the first eight hours, and US$1 every two hours after that. Daily parking is US$24 and weekly rates are US$120.
Overview of the Attractions in St Maarten and St Martin
Hordes of tourists flock each year to Sint Maarten and Saint Martin for the beaches. Long Bay offers peace, quiet and perfect sunsets from luxury resorts. Anse des Peres is a family friendly affair in the northwest, with legendary Full Moon parties at Kali's Beach Bar.
Known as the Saint-Tropez in the Caribbean, Orient Bay is the haunt of celebrities and jet-setters, but suffered large damage by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Galion Beach is the domain of surfers and windsurfers, while Little Bay is a haven for bird life. Visitors can also watch aeroplanes fly infamously close to holidaymakers as they come in to land over Maho Beach.
Marigot, the French capital, is a town home to trendy restaurants, traditional stalls and a lively market full of interesting colours and smells. Philipsburg, on the Dutch side, is the duty-free shopping capital, where jewellery and souvenir shops line the main street and weary travellers can recharge in the endless restaurants and bars. The village of Grand Case comes alive from January to April for the Harmony Nights Festival, a traditional Caribbean celebration of gastronomy, music and art.
Other attractions include treetop tours in the Loterie Farm, and the colourful, soothing atmosphere of the Butterfly Farm, the first of its kind in the Caribbean. Young families will also enjoy the Sint Maarten Zoo, with over 80 species of wildlife and dedicated play area for children.
2 miles (4km) off the coast of Saint Martin lies the wild, rocky and uninhabited Île Tintamarre. It offers some great swimming spots, with lucky snorkellers potentially glimpsing turtles and other curious creatures. Visitors are advised to take supplies for the day, as there are no shops.
Philipsburg Voorstraat
The Voorstraat (Front Street) faces south onto the ocean and is the main tourist attraction in Philipsburg. At its eastern end is Wathey Square, just a minute's walk from the Great Bay Beach and two casinos: the Rouge et Noir and the Coliseum Casino. The impressive white wooden courthouse built in 1793 now serves as a post office, while just off the square is the quaint Methodist church built in 1851. Further along Voorstraat is a group of elegant colonial houses, as well as a small museum and two large marinas. Voorstraat is also known as the best shopping area in Philipsburg, boasting a number of jewellery stores and perfume boutiques taking advantage of the island's duty-free status.
Historic Forts
The town of Philipsburg boasts the remains of two historic forts bearing witness to its one-time strategic importance to the Dutch. The first Dutch military establishment in the Caribbean, Fort Amsterdam was built in 1631 on a peninsula between Great Bay and Little Bay, but it was captured almost immediately by the Spanish. The other Dutch fortification, Fort Willem, bears the crown of a television transmission tower. Both are worth the walk to visit, particularly for the beautiful views. Fort St Louis was built according to plans sent from France by Louis XVI in 1767 to guard the settlement from invaders. It's Saint Martin's largest historical monument and looks out over Marigot, the hilltop ruins offering gorgeous island panoramas.
Sint Maarten Beaches
Sint Maarten's prime beach resorts extend from Philipsburg along the southwest coast of the island, reaching a grand finale at the great spread of Simpson Bay, site of the international airport. From the headland at the western end of Great Bay stretches the secluded Cay Bay. This quiet beach can only be reached by dirt road or horse trail. Simpson Bay Lagoon is surrounded by resort developments and enjoys a series of white sandy beaches. Maho Bay is Sint Maarten's largest resort, with well-developed facilities, a casino and its popular Sunset Bar. Mullet Bay is usually the most crowded, loved for its gentle surf and shady stretch of palm trees. Cupecoy is favoured by nudists, and has dramatic sandstone cliffs and caves.
Marigot Archaeological Museum
Next to the Marina Port la Royale on the southern end of Marigot is an archaeological museum dedicated to preserving Saint Martin's history and culture. It houses numerous exhibits, such as a variety of pre-Columbian treasures and several interesting exhibitions on Arawak culture. There is also a reproduction of a 1,500-year-old burial mound and ceramics dating from 550 BC. The island's more recent history is encapsulated in evocative black and white photographs of quiet streets populated by a handful of children and donkeys, and of labourers toiling in the salt industry.
Address: Rue de la Liberté, Marigot
Grand Case
Fronted by a sweeping curve of beach, the little fishing village of Grand Case at the northern tip of Saint Martin is famed for its great cuisine and distinctive look of its architecture: the small wooden houses are painted pastel colours and decorated in gingerbread-style, with numerous elaborate embellishments. Many fine restaurateurs have chosen to congregate in the town's main street, which has become one of the best dining centres in the region and earned Grand Case the epithet 'Gourmet Capital of the Caribbean'. Tuesdays are dubbed Harmony Nights, with live music and entertainment spilling out into the streets, while the beaches are also lovely, with calm and safe waters ideal for refreshing dips.
Website: http://www.grandcase.com
Paradise Peak
Paradise Peak, Saint Martin's highest point, rises from the centre of the island to a height of 1,390 feet (424m), and is crowned with a communications tower. Visitors can climb through thick woods home to colourful birds and twisted vines, reaching a summit providing spectacular views of the island and nearby Anguilla.
The Loterie Farm Nature Reserve nestles on the slope of Paradise Peak. The reserve has many miles of groomed hiking trails through beautiful forest, where visitors can spot local flora and fauna. Guided tours provide fascinating historical, cultural and scientific insights regarding the area, but the most popular attraction at Loterie Farm is the zipline: divided into three zones for children, adults and thrill-seekers, visitors glide through the canopy between centuries-old mango and mahogany trees.
Website: loteriefarm.com
Saint Martin Beaches
There are a number of good beaches on the French side of the island that are very popular with tourists. Orient Beach, the largest and most popular in Saint Martin, is known for watersports, and borders a number of restaurants, beach bars and a nudist resort. Plum Bay is frequented by surfers while Rouge Beach offers great snorkelling and is regarded as the island's most beautiful beach. Long Beach has little shade and barely any breeze, while Le Galion Beach is the island's best windsurfing spot with shallow, calm waters. Anse Marcel is usually quiet and favoured by French tourists. Just north of Marigot, Friars Bay is backed by a lagoon, while nearby Happy Bay is beautiful and peaceful because it's relatively difficult to reach.
The Butterfly Farm
A popular family attraction in Sint Maarten, the Butterfly Farm is a large greenhouse housing more than 40 different varieties of butterflies and moths. Guests can take a guided tour explaining the lifecycle of the butterfly and its place in the ecosystem, with guides helpful in advising which plants will attract butterflies to your garden. Guests are free to handle and interact with the butterflies, and morning is the best time to visit the Butterfly Farm as new butterflies emerge from their cocoons. The farm is wheelchair accessible, and there are snacks and drinks available.
Address: Le Galion Beach Road, Quartier d'Orleans
Website: http://www.thebutterflyfarm.com
Public Holidays in St Maarten and St Martin
| |
2020 |
2021 |
| New Year's Day |
Wed. January 1 |
Wed. January 1 |
| Good Friday |
Thu. April 10 |
Wed. April 2 |
| Easter Monday |
Sun. April 13 |
Sat. April 5 |
| King's Day |
Sun. April 27 |
Sun. April 27 |
| Labour Day |
Thu. May 1 |
Thu. May 1 |
| Ascension Day |
Wed. May 21 |
Tue. May 13 |
| Whit Sunday |
Sat. May 31 |
Fri. May 23 |
| St Maarten Day |
Tue. November 11 |
Tue. November 11 |
| Christmas Day |
Thu. December 25 |
Thu. December 25 |
| Boxing Day |
Fri. December 26 |
Fri. December 26 |
| Emancipation Day |
Tue. July 1 |
Tue. July 1 |
Port of Call - Philipsburg
In Dutch St Maarten, the port city of Philipsburg has become one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world. Grown from a Dutch colonial past the picturesque bay city has been rebuilt as a tourist haven.
The most loved activities in Philipsburg are shopping and enjoying the pretty beaches, and both shops and beaches are in good supply.
The Dr A. C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facility is a small city in itself. The cruise passenger service section, named Harbour Village and John Craane Cruise Terminal, consists of restaurants, shops and an entertainment centre so entertaining that some passengers don't ever leave the cruise terminals. About four cruise liners can dock at once, with additional cruise ships anchoring in the bay and tendering passengers to the Tender Jetty.
Shopping in Philipsburg
Shopping in Philipsburg is rewarding for bargain-hunters looking to take advantage of the island's duty-free status. Shoppers are first introduced to Harbour Village shopping centre at the cruise docks but the best shops and markets are found in the city centre. Front and Old Streets are great for window shopping and higher-end boutiques and many of the connecting alleys offer lovely crafts and souvenirs.
Dining in Philipsburg
Mark's Place - Caribbean cuisine in a convenient central location
Daniel's By the Sea - good seafood and western favourites right on the beach
Greenhouse - Lively haunt with local and international dishes
Things to do in Philipsburg
Party on nearby St Barths Island
Charter a boat to Anguilla
Deep-sea fish the day away
Visit the island's French side
Golf in Mullet Bay
http://www.portstmaarten.com
Tourist information is available from A.C. Wathey Pier
