St Martin / St Maarten is a single island in the Caribbean Sea lying 150 miles southeast of Puerto Rico. This St-Martin St-Maarten General Information will help you while on your St Maarten Yacht Charter. It covers 37 square miles. With Dutch St Maarten on the South spanning 16 square miles. And French St Martin on the North, covering 21 square miles. As a result, two separate governments share this tiny landmass. Philipsburg on Great Bay is the capital of St Maarten. Marigot is the capital of Saint Martin.
As a part of the Netherlands Antilles and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, St. Maarten boasts 77 different nationalities. Saint Martin is a commune of Guadeloupe, an overseas territory of France.
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. As well as Papiamentu, Italian, Hindi, Chinese, and other languages. In addition, on the French side, inhabitants speak Creole Patois.
More than Forty-one thousand people live in St Maarten and 36,000 in Saint Martin.
Sunny and warm year-round, with some cooling from trade winds. The average temperature during the winter is 80F (27C), and a few degrees warmer and more humid in the summer. Occasional showers in late summer and early fall, with an average annual rainfall of 45 inches. The sea is warm enough for swimming all year round. Even though summer is a bit warmer, there’s usually a breeze in the evenings.
American Airlines provides air service from the U.S. to Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten. Direct from New York and Miami. With connecting flights to numerous cities throughout the U.S. United Airlines, Delta, and JetBlue offer service to St. Maarten from major US airports.
In addition, numerous charter flights are available throughout the continental U.S. Other airlines serving the island include ALM Antillean Airlines from Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire. LIAT from Antigua, Anguilla, St. Croix, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, and Tortola. And the Windward Islands Airways (WINAIR) from St. Thomas, St. Kitts/Nevis, Saba, St. Eustatius, Anguilla, St. Barts, Dominica, and Tortola.
U.S. and Canadian visitors must have valid passports. Tourists are granted admission (upon arrival) as tourists for 14 days (maximum three months, upon request). A $20 tax is imposed upon departure from the Juliana Airport.
Those arriving on the French side may stay up to three months, but a visa is required for more extended stays. A 3 euros departure tax is included in the price of airfare for those leaving Esperance Airport.
St. Maarten is the only wholly duty-free port in the Caribbean. No vaccination certificates are required unless arriving from an area experiencing an epidemic. We hope this St-Martin St-Maarten General Information will help you while on your St Maarten Yacht Charter.
St. Marteen has a modern and up-to-par telecommunication system. Three companies offer telephone services and cellular phone services. St. Maarten also has several Internet providers and a cable TV company that offers over 50 different channels.
Government-controlled companies produce and distribute electricity and water for the island. When dialing the Dutch side from the U.S., dial the international access code 011, the country code 599, and the local number. Unique codes are required from one side to the other. Only a local number is required when calling the same side.
St. Maarten is on Atlantic Standard Time year-round. During the fall and winter, noon in New York equals 1 p.m. on the island. During daylight savings time in the U.S., the hour is the same on the Eastern Seaboard as on the island.
Most hotels in St. Maarten are wired as in the U.S.: 110 volts, 60 cycles. On the French side, all run on 220 volts, 60 cycles. Please take along a converter and adaptor plugs for your travel appliances.
Most hotels on both sides of the island have radio and television broadcasts in English. There is cable TV with over 50 channels. All major US networks and some European channels are available. Most hotels have their video entertainment and direct TV systems. Satellite television reception is also available for private homes, including DirecTV, and DISH Networks.
In addition to several local newspapers, visitors can pick up one or more local publications directed toward them.
St. Maarten Medical Center in Cay Hill and L’hospital General de Gaulle St. Martin in Marigot offer medical services. Airlift is available to Puerto Rico and the continental U.S. in case of extreme medical emergencies. We hope this St-Martin St-Maarten General Information will help you while on your St Maarten Yacht Charter.
Island accommodations include large, comprehensive resort facilities and condominiums in addition to intimate guest houses, timeshares, and apartments. With over 2,000 rooms on the island, there is a property to suit every taste.
St Martin / St Maarten General Information: The Euro is the legal currency in St. Martin. In St. Maarten, it is the Antillean florin or guilder. But U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. With an additional hour on the French side. That is Monday to Thursday, 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. And on the Dutch side, Friday is 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Hotels on the French side typically add a 5% occupancy tax per person. But a small gratuity is greatly appreciated for exceptionally good service. Restaurants also add a service charge to the bill. For taxi drivers, it is customary to tip between 50 cents and a dollar. While porters at the airport usually get $1 per bag.
You may take animals to the island temporarily. However, required is a health certificate dated no more than ten days before the visit. And a record of inoculations. Including a rabies shot administered no more than 30 days before the visit.
A 127-year-old residency law changed. Consequently, allowing non-residents to marry there.
The choice of clothing should be casual and comfortable but neat. Refrain from wearing swimming attire while walking around town and inside hotel lobbies. At night, the dress code is somewhat informal. Since casinos and restaurants can get chilly, carry a jacket or shawl.
Getting around from place to place in a car is virtually indispensable. However, most hotels offer shuttle service to the casinos on the Dutch side of the island. Rental agencies are located at both airports and at major hotels. Driving is on the right side of the road. Overall most of the roads are in reasonably good condition. Motorcycles and mopeds are also available for hire.
The Manchineel tree is highly poisonous. It grows all over the island but mainly along the beaches. Deep green leaves and attractive green fruit that look like little apples make it easily recognizable. Both the sap and the fruit are caustic and will burn the skin. In case of contact or ingestion, contact a physician or a pharmacist immediately.
Contact us at 1-321-777-1707 or complete this form to discuss your vacation plans.