This island is divided into two parts: the Dutch St. Maarten and the French St. Martin, which technically is part of Guadeloupe. According to Frommer’s guide, “Legend has it that a gin-drinking Dutchman and a wine-guzzling Frenchman walked around the island to see how much territory each could earmark for his country in a day; the Frenchman walked farther, but the canny Dutchman got the more valuable piece of property.” The southern St. Maarten is the more popular destination for tourists, and is developed with more upscale resorts, hotels, casinos, restaurants, and the airport. The northern French side is better suited for the visitor intent on relaxation, or those longing for French/Creole cuisine. Both sides of the island offer breathtaking beaches to the delight of guests.
Activities on St. Martin revolve around the water, and include swimming, sailing, deep-sea fishing, kayaking, surfing, parasailing, jet skiing, water skiing, snorkeling, and diving?not to mention windsurfing and kiteboarding. Windsurfing is popular at Orient Beach, Galion Beach, and Simpson Bay, to name a few. When not in the water, visitors also enjoy shopping, museums, hiking, casinos, and off-shore excursions.
Several schedules carriers serve passengers flying into Dutch Sint Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport and French Saint Martin’s Esperance Airport.
Departure Tax
US$20
Another winter’s paradise, St. Martin offers plenty of sunshine, breezy trade winds, and average temperatures ranging from 78-80°F in the winter, and 82-84°F in the summer. A rainy season in late summer and early fall contributes to the average rainfall of 45 inches.
International access code for the Netherlands Antilles and St Maarten is +599; and for French St Martin +596. The Dutch side uses a TDMA mobile network from East Caribbean Cellular. The French side has GSM network coverage which reaches both parts of the island. Internet caf’s and resorts offer Internet access.
Dutch side?currency: Netherlands Antilles Guilder or Florin. However, US$ widely accepted.
French side?currency: Euro. Some places accepte US and Canadian dollars.
Both sides?credit cards, travelers checks accepted; ATMs and banks widely available.
Meals
- Low-end: ?2-6
- Middle: ?6-15
- High: ?15-25
- Gourmet: ?25+
Lodging
- Low-end: ?30-60
- Middle: ?60-80
- High: ?80-245
- Deluxe: ?245+
Passport & Visa
US, Canadian, and European Union citizens should have valid passports. Travelers from other nations may require a visa in addition to a passport. All visitors require a return or ongoing ticket.
St. Martin operates on a 220V/50Hz cycle electric current.
- Hepatitis A: Recommended for all visitors.
- Hepatitis B: Recommended for those who may make intimate contact with local residents, especially for stays longer than 6 months.
- Yellow Fever: Required for visitors arriving from a yellow-fever-infected area in Africa or the Americas.
- Routine Immunizations: All visitors should have up-to-date tetanus-diphtheria, measles-mumps-rubella, polio, and varicella immunizations.
Official languages: Dutch and French. English is also widely spoken. Locals speak Papiamento, a mixture of Portuguese, African, Spanish, Dutch, and English.
While the exception and not the rule, St. Martin has seen an increase in crime. Never leave valuables unattended anywhere?the beach, car, restaurant, or hotel lobby. The best place for valuables is the hotel safe. Some burglaries and armed robberies occur each year, and car theft is increasing. But most visitors enjoy a trouble-free stay.
Standard time zone: UTC/GMT -4 hours
Dutch side: A tax/service charge of 20% is added to hotel bills.
French side: A service charge of 10?15% is added to hotel bills, plus a variable taxe de sejour up to about 5%.
Both sides: Check your dining and lodging bill before tipping to be sure the tip is not already included. If not, 10?15% is standard. Tip hotel cleaning staff between $1?5 each night and taxi drivers 10?15%. For help with luggage, tip $1 per bag.
