About St Martin/St Maarten
LOCATION: Click here for location on Google Maps (opens in new window)
SIZE: The island of Sint Maarten/St Martin covers 37 square miles, with Dutch Sint Maarten on the south spanning 16 square miles and French Saint Martin on the north covering 21.
LANGUAGE: English is spoken everywhere, but Dutch is the official language of St. Maarten, and French the official language of St. Martin. On the Dutch side, you can also hear Spanish and Papiamento, the dialect of the Netherlands Antilles. On the French side, Creole Patois also is spoken.
CURRENCY: Official currency of the Dutch side is the Netherlands Antilles Florin (NAF). Official currency of the French side is the Euro. However U.S. Dollars are accepted on both sides.
TIME: New York: Fall & winter: -1 hour / Spring & summer: same time. Paris: Fall & winter: -5 hours / Spring & summer: -6.
ELECTRICITY: Dutch side: 110 volts, 50 cycles. French side, all run on 220 volts, 60 cycles.
CASINOS: The island's twelve casinos are all on the Dutch side and offer gaming in the European mode : subdued and sophisticated. Most open from noon until 4 a.m.
DINING: Diners can select from more than 300 restaurants offering French, Dutch, Caribbean, Italian, Chinese, Indonesian, Creole cuisine and more.
SHOPPING: As the only completely duty-free island in the Caribbean, St. Maarten/St. Martin offers some of the best shopping in the Caribbean, and no duty is paid on imports arriving on either side. The Maho shopping and entertainment area has shops that stay open until 10 p.m. or later. Shopping includes everything from Swiss watches, French perfume, British cashmeres, Chinese embroidery, Japanese cameras and electronics, Indonesian batiks and Italian leather goods, plus fine jewelry, crystal, linens, porcelain and liquor.
SPORTS ACTIVITIES: Recent years have seen the growth of many sports on the island aimed at both fitness and fun. Golf, tennis, volleyball, horseback riding, mountain biking and, naturally, a variety of water sports are offered, including scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, jet-skiing, water-skiing, kayaking, wind surfing, para-sailing and deepsea fishing. In addition, the island offers numerous spas and fitness centers for those preferring gym equipment, free weights, aerobics, stretch classes, massages, facials, steam rooms, whirlpools, saunas, manicures, pedicures and the like.
AIRLINES: Air service to Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten is provided by : Air France (daily) and Corsair (bi-weekly) direct from Paris (CDG/ORY) and KLM direct from Amsterdam (weekly). American Airlines, Continental, Delta and U.S. Airways fly direct from New York, Miami, Charlotte, Philadelphia and San Juan with connecting flights to numerous cities throughout the U.S. In addition, numerous charter flights are available from throughout the continental U.S. Other airlines serving the island include: DCA Dutch Caribbean Airlines from Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire; LIAT from Antigua, Anguilla, St. Croix, St. Kitts, St. Thomas and Tortola; and Windward Islands Airways (WINAIR) to St. Kitts/Nevis, Saba, St. Eustatius, Anguilla, St. Barts and Tortola.
AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX: A tax of U.S. $30 is levied on everyone over the age of 2 leaving for international destinations. There is a tax of U.S. $10 for those age 2 and up leaving for other islands in the Netherlands Antilles.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Tourists need a current passport. There are no Customs facilities on the island because it is the only completely duty-free port in the Caribbean. No vaccination certificates are required unless arriving from an area experiencing an epidemic.
TAXI SERVICE: The cabs have no meters, but drivers must follow official rates for travel throughout the island. After 10 p.m., rates rise 25 percent, and after midnight, 50 percent.
CAR RENTAL: Many companies rent cars on the island, and most require either a credit card imprint or a cash deposit plus an additional collision damage waiver. All foreign driver's licenses are valid for driving on the island.
SEA EXCURSIONS: Several one-day sailings are offered from Bobby's Marina, Great Bay Marina and Captain Hodge's Pier, all in Philipsburg. Catamarans are a popular way of reaching St. Bart's. Other options include water trips to Saba, Anguilla, St. Bart's, deserted Prickly Pear Island and the stark French Tintamarre.
TIPPING: Most hotels and restaurants add between 10 percent and 15 percent to the bill as a service charge. Travelers can tip more for special service.
MARRIAGE: A 127 year old residency law has been changed allowing nonresidents to marry on St. Maarten.
MEDICAL: St. Maarten Medical Center in Cay Hill and l'Hôpital Général de St. Martin in Marigot offer medical services. Airlift is available to Puerto Rico and the continental U.S. in case of extreme medical emergency.
