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The Basics
Time: GMT -4.
Electricity: 110/220 volts, 60Hz. Standard, flat, two and three pronged plugs, as found in the United States, are used.
Money: On the Dutch side the currency is the Netherlands Antilles Guilder or Florin (ANG), where 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. 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 throughout the island and ATMs in the main towns in both national sectors; travellers cheques and major credit cards are widely accepted.
Currency Exchange Rates
Language: Dutch and French are the official languages, but English is widely spoken. Locals commonly use a language known as Papiamento, a mixture of Portuguese, African, Spanish, Dutch and English.
Entry requirements:
Entry requirements for Americans: United States citizens require a valid passport. No visa is needed for a stay of up to three months in the Netherlands Antilles, but passengers are required to show proof of funds for the duration of their stay (generally calculated as $500 per week). Entry requirements for UK nationals: British passport holders do not require a visa for a stay of up to three months in the Netherlands Antilles. Passengers are required to show proof of funds for the duration of their stay (generally calculated as $500 per week). Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians must have a valid passport. No visa is needed for a stay of up to three months in the Netherlands Antilles. Passengers are required to show proof of funds for the duration of their stay (generally calculated as $500 per week). Entry requirements for Australians: Australians must have a valid passport. No visa is needed for a stay of up to three months in the Netherlands Antilles. Passengers are required to show proof of funds for the duration of their stay (generally calculated as $500 per week). Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans must have a valid passport and a visa for entry into the Netherlands Antilles. Passengers are required to show proof of funds for the duration of their stay (generally calculated as $500 per week). Entry requirements for New Zealand nationals: New Zealand citizens must have a valid passport. No visa is needed for a stay of up to three months in the Netherlands Antilles. Passengers are required to show proof of funds for the duration of their stay (generally calculated as $500 per week).Passport/Visa Note: On 10 October 2010, the Netherlands Antilles were dissolved, however St. Maarten will continue to function as an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. All tourists must have return or onward tickets, all documents needed for next destination and sufficient funds. Passports must be valid for the length of stay. 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.
Travel Health: No vaccination certificates are required for entry into either St Maarten or St Martin, however a yellow fever certificate is required for travellers arriving within six days from infected areas. The Manchionneel tree that grows all over the island, mainly along the beaches, is extremely poisonous: the sap and fruit, which look like small green apples are caustic and burn the skin. The water in the Netherlands Antilles is safe to drink. Medical care on the island is good, but patients are likely to be transferred to the US for anything serious. Medical insurance is strongly advised.
Tipping: 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 10-15 percent if a gratuity is not included in the bill. On French St 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 10-15 percent to the bill, and it is always best to check for this before adding a tip. Taxi drivers and porters expect to be tipped, particularly if they have handled luggage.
Safety Information: Most visits to the island are trouble-free, however crime has been increasing in recent years and visitors should refrain from leaving valuables unattended on beaches, in cars and hotel lobbies. Care should be taken to keep rooms and cars locked, and visitors should refrain from carrying large amounts of cash on them. 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.
Local Customs: Island culture on St Maarten and St Martin is very relaxed, and there are few dress codes aside from high-end restaurants and clubs. Dressing provocatively will attract unwanted attention, however, and wearing beachwear off the beach is considered disrespectful. Though many residents speak English, visitors should not assume this and a little effort to speak French is greatly appreciated.
Business: On St. Maarten/St. 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 parts of the island and is often the language used in meetings. Business hours are generally 9am-6pm Monday to Friday, with a break from 12pm-1:30pm.
Communications: The country code for St Maarten, as part of the Netherlands Antilles, is +599. The code for French St Martin is +590. To dial Dutch St Maarten dial 599-54 plus a five-digit number, and to dial French St Martin dial 590-590 plus a six-digit number. Phoning from one side of the island to the other is considered to be an international call. The outgoing code for both sectors is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are not in use. GSM 900 and 1800 mobile network coverage extends across both parts of the island. Internet access is available at Internet cafes, and in most resorts.
Duty free: Arrivals in St Maarten/St Martin will not have to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco, 2 litres of alcohol and gifts to the value of ANG100. .