St Maarten and St Martin

Visiting St Maarten/St Martin is a unique experience: it is an eastern Caribbean island divided between two sovereign states, France and the Netherlands, with an unpoliced border cutting through its southern portion, allowing you to sunbathe in French St Martin in the afternoon, and stroll over to dine in Dutch St Maarten in the evening.

The French and the Dutch have shared this Caribbean gem peacefully for more than 350 years ever since, as legend has it, a gin-drinking Dutchman and wine-imbibing Frenchman walked around the island to see how much territory they could claim for their country in a day. The Frenchman gained two-thirds of the island, but the Dutch maintain that their representative claimed the prize part of the property.

The Dutch portion is in the south, with the capital Philipsburg being a duty-free shopping Mecca that draws thousands of tourists every day of the year. Dutch St Maarten arguably has the best (certainly the most developed and crowded) beach resorts, clustered along the southwest coast near the island's international airport. French St Martin is more scenic and less developed, but no less popular as a holiday destination.

The island is renowned as being the gourmet capital of the Caribbean and for providing the liveliest nightlife, mostly centred on the island's 35 enticing white-sand beaches. The small island's main attractions are shopping, relaxing on the crowded beach or dipping in the clear turquoise waters; there is little of historic, cultural or architectural interest or natural attractions beyond the sand and sea.

Climate

The island is sunny and warm all year round, with average monthly temperatures varying little throughout the year. Temperatures in coastal areas range from 72-86ºF (22-30ºC) and from 66-81ºF (19-27ºC) in inland areas. Cooling winds buffet the island all throughout the year. Showers can be expected at any time of year but rainstorms pass quickly. Winter and the Christmas/New Year holidays are traditionally the most popular time to visit the island but summer is a great time to visit because lodging rates are much lower and the beaches, roads and restaurants are not crowded.

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.

Passport Visa

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.

Entry Requirements

• 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).
• 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).
• 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).
• 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).
• 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).
• Irish nationals require a passport valid for at least the period of intended stay. 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).
• 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).

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. Water 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.

Embassy Consulates

• Royal Netherlands Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 877 388 2443.
• Royal Netherlands Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7590 3200.
• Royal Netherlands Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 877 388 2443.
• Royal Netherlands Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6220 9400.
• Royal Netherlands Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 425 4500.
• Royal Netherlands Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 269 3444
• Royal Netherlands Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 471 6390.

Foreign Embassies

• American Consulate-General, Willemstad, Curacao (also responsible for St Maarten/St Martin): +599 9 461 3066.
• British Consulate,Willemstad, Curacao (also responsible for St Maarten/St Martin): +599 9 461 3900.
• Canadian Consulate, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (also responsible for St Maarten): +868 622 6232.