St Maarten Forum (2024)

FAQs

What to avoid in Sint Maarten? ›

Protecting yourself and your belongings

• avoid isolated areas, particularly after dark.
• use licensed taxis.
• avoid taking valuables to the beach.
• avoid carrying large amounts of cash or jewellery.
• make sure purses and handbags are closed and not easy to snatch.
• leave valuables in a safety deposit box or secure hotel safe.

Safety and security - St Maarten travel advice - GOV.UK

GOV.UK

https://www.gov.uk

GOV.UK

https://www.gov.uk

The island's weather is pleasant year-round, but these are times when rain showers are less likely. Summer and early fall are not good for a vacation; many hotels close in this offseason and there's a chance of hurricanes. Also avoid visiting in winter and early spring (mid-December to April) if you can.

VERDICT: If you want more calm and laid-back properties, stay on the French side. If you want convenience and easy access to nightlife, stay on the Dutch side.

The answer whether St. Maarten is a safe place to travel to is, yes.

Tap water on the island comes from desalinated seawater and is drinkable. We do recommend drinking bottled water which is readily available throughout the island.

Top 9 Things to Eat in St. Maarten

• Conch and Dumplings.
• Callaloo.
• Johnny Cakes.
• Codfish Fritters.
• St. Maarten Spareribs.
• Locri.
• Whelk Soup.
• Crabmeat-Stuffed Shells (Crab Backs)

More items...

Top 9 Things to Eat in St. Maarten | Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruises

https://www.carnival.com

Carnival Cruises

https://www.carnival.com

Internet and Communications

The island has several cellular phone carriers, namely TellCell and UTS (Flow) on the Dutch side. Visitors can purchase SIM cards at many locations for as low as $10 (plus $10 for prepaid phone minutes).

4.4 How expensive is food in St Maarten – St Martin? The price of food depends on where you go, but in general, you can expect the food to be about 20 to 30% more expensive than back home because everything has to be shipped or freshly flown in.

Flying to Sint Maarten

Cheapest plane ticket found	$108
Cheapest month to fly	October
Average flight time	4 hrs, 9 mins
Possible destinations	1
Most popular airline	Qatar Airways

1 more row

$108 Cheap flights to Sint Maarten in 2024 - Skyscanner

Skyscanner

https://www.skyscanner.com

Skyscanner

https://www.skyscanner.com

The euro is used in the North (in St. Martin). Despite having two different official currencies, the US Dollar is accepted on both sides, with St. Maarten using the US Dollar the most.

Which is safer, St. Maarten or St. Martin? ›

Maarten remains ranking amongst the safest destinations in the Caribbean, and by extension the world. For an overview, a recent article on Thrillist.com lists a large sample of Caribbean countries and their safety level. Whereas French side Saint Martin is listed explicitly, Dutch side St.

St. Maarten / St. Martin is known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean. Little wonder as 100 cultures and two nations brought their herbs and recipes together.

Sint Maarten - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Sint Maarten. If you decide to travel to Sint Maarten: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezii) are a popular sight for divers in the waters off Sint Maarten, as they play a critical role in maintaining a healthy reef ecosystem. Their presence helps control other fish populations, which subsequently prevents overgrazing on seagrass beds and coral reefs.

Taxis are safe:

Taxis in St. Maarten are regulated by the government, so you can be sure that the drivers are licensed and insured.

St. Maarten/St. Martin – a local's guide to the ...

The Traveling Island Girl

https://thetravelingislandgirl.com

The Traveling Island Girl

https://thetravelingislandgirl.com

If you are planning a trip to or you are about to travel or move to St. Maarten/Saint Martin, this article will prove quite useful to you. You most probably alr...

Please help me decide if St. Maarten is right for ...

Fodors Travel Guide

https://www.fodors.com

Fodors Travel Guide

https://www.fodors.com

Caribbean Islands - Please help me decide if St. Maarten is right for us - My husband and I are considering a trip to St. Maarten this February, but are unsure ...

Useful Information about St. Maarten / St.Martin ...

Ire-Vacations

https://irevacations.com

Ire-Vacations

https://irevacations.com

Capital. Dutch side, Sint Maarten – Philipsburg French side, Saint Martin – Marigot · Climate. The island offers a year-round, warm and sunny tropical cl...

Crime. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs. There have been reports of theft from vehicles, especially rental cars. Armed robberies and tourists being followed by people on motorcycles have also been reported.

Stick to commercially bottled water for drinking and ice cubes, and avoid food that you can't peel, cook or boil. Zika, dengue fever and chikungunya are all present in Sint Maarten, so take care to avoid mosquito bites. Use a reliable insect repellent and wear clothing that covers as much skin as possible.