| St. Maarten Facts |
Capital: Philipsburg
Population: 30,000
Size: 37 square miles total; 16 Dutch and 21 French.
Electric Current: 110
Time: 15:54 pm (GMT/UTC -4)
Official Language: Dutch officially but English is common.
Currency: Netherlands Antillean florin, U.S. dollars widely accepted.
Tipping and Taxes: 8% government tax and service
Dress Code: Casual for day, dressier in the evenings. Swimwear is not appropriate to wear in town. No topless or nude sunbathing.
Telephone: Local numbers have seven digits. For directory assistance dial 150. To make a local call within St Maarten you need only dial the seven-digit number.
Calls between the Dutch and French sides of the island are considered international calls. To call Fr |
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For travelers who'd like to mix a Caribbean-style beach vacation with European food and flair, the Dutch/French island of St. Maarten/St. Martin is an ideal choice.
Tucked at the top of the Guadeloupe Archipelago, just 144 miles from Puerto Rico, this island's two sides share beautiful beaches, hilly terrain, a host of coves and bays and hotels in every price range, but the pace and personality of each side differs tremendously.
If nightlife, casino gambling and a go-go atmosphere are for you, then the Dutch side, St. Maarten, is your best bet.
If you like to shop, Philipsburg, St. Maarten's capital city, is peppered with art galleries, jewelry stores, souvenir shops and even the minute and adorable Sint Maarten Museum.
Best of all, visitors can sample the sights and sounds of both, St. Maarten and St. Martin, without much trouble. At 37 square miles, it's relatively easy to get around, but make sure to bring along a good map, as many roads are less than well marked. Many travelers opt to rent a car for a day or so to soak up the island's full flavor; others opt for public bus service, or take a taxi after negotiating a rate.
Visitors often spend a day frolicking on the beach, head to the restaurant-rich village of Grand Case on the French side, St. Martin, for a sumptuous meal and repair to the casinos of the Dutch side, St. Maarten, before calling it a night.
In addition, St. Maarten is an ideal jumping-off point for visits to tiny Saba and neighboring Anguilla, both of which can be reached by ferry. English is widely spoken on St. Maarten. |
| Entry Documents: |
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Beginning January 2007, US citizens need a passport for all travel to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada.
U.S. citizens require one of the following: A valid passport and a return/continuing ticket, birth certificate with raised seal and photo identification and a return/continuing ticket.
Naturalized citizens must show an original naturalization certificate with photo identification and a return/continuing ticket.
Permanent Resident (Green Card) holders must have a valid passport and a return/continuing ticket.
A Valid Passport is required for Everyone Effective January 8, 2007.
Canadian citizens require one of the following: A valid passport and a return/continuing ticket, a certified copy of birth certificate, a photo identification and a return/continuing ticket.
Canadian residents require a "Landing permit" (Permanent Resident Card) with valid passport and return/continuing ticket.
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| Airport: |
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International Airport of Juliana |
| Departure Tax: |
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US$20 |
| Driving: |
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On the right. A valid foreign or international driver's license is required for car rentals. |
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| Process: |
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Application for a temporary tourist permit and permission to marry must be submitted to the Lt. Governor on the island. The response time can take up to 2 months. Once approved, there is a 10 day waiting period before the couple can marry. Cost: Up to US$275.55 and includes civil ceremony, marriage books, stamps and certificates. |
| Phone: |
Imperial Bldg., WJ Nisbeth Rd. 23St. Maarten, N.A. |
| Phone: |
599 542 2337 |
| Fax: |
599 542 2734 |
| Website: |
www.st-maarten.com |
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Caribbean 
