St. Maarten and St. Martin Hotels

10 ways to Enjoy St. Martin/St. Maarten

• Experience the exhilaration of sailing on a past America's Cup yacht.
• Try to hit the jackpot at the numerous casinos on the DUtch side.
• Spend some time at the St. Maarten Museum to get a good idea of the islan's history and culture.
• Windsurfers can test their skills at Orient Beach on the French side or Simpson Bay on the Dutch side.
• Go to the top of Paradiese Peak for views of the island and tropical rain forest below.
• Horseback ride through the country.
• Shop at the market set up in Marigot each Wednesday and Saturday morning.
• Try your hand at fishing for blue marlin and wahoo.
• Buy men's or women's frangrances made right on the island.
• Choose on eot he many gourmet restaurants in Grand Case, known as the dining capital of the Caribbean.
  

Documents Needed for Travel

United States passport holders must have a valid passport, or other proof of citizenship, such as an original birth certificate and official photo ID (driver's license is acceptable), plus marriage certificate if your name has changed. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days, if holding a Tourist Card/FMT form issued free of charge by airlines.

Language

Dutch is the official language of St. Maarten, and French of St. Martin. English is spoken everywhere on both sides of the island, particularly in hotels, shops and restaurants. Papiamento, the dialect of the Netherlands Antilles, is widely spoken on the Dutch side. On the French side, the residents will welcome your efforts to speak French.

Time Zone

From late October to early April, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time. From early April to late October, St. Maarten/St. Martin is the same as Eastern Standard Time.

Beaches

St. Maarten/St. Martin has a variety of beaches - 37 beaches ranging from short patches wedged between rocky cliffs to seemingly endless stretches of white sand. Both sides of the island are bordered by rows of rustling palms, and sea grape trees surround some areas with leaves resembling paper fans. Limestone cliffs overhand one narrow beach, and a walking trail winds through a tropical forest to reveal another. There are crowded shores where people engage in water sports of every kind as well as quiet strands that offer beauty and solitude.

Climate

St. Maarten/St. Martin's temperatures remain constant year-round, averaging 80degF; the water temperature averages 78degF. Trade winds provide some cooling on the coasts. There are occasional rain showers in the late summer and early fall, with an average annual rainfall of 45".

What to Wear

Attire on St. Maarten/St. Martin is mostly informal - cotton and linen are a must! However, swimwear is not appropriate anywhere but the beach. In some restaurants, as well as in the casinos, you will feel more comfortable wearing something more formal than shorts and a T-shirt.

Currency and Credit Cards

On the French side, currency is the French franc although U.S. dollars are eagerly accepted almost everywhere. On the Dutch side, the currency is the Netherlands Antilles guilder but U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere. On both sides, you will most often find prices in U.S. dollars or in all three currencies. When paying with cash or a credit card, you should tell the cashier which currency you prefer for your transaction. Exchange rates are posted in most hotels. Most shops and restaurants have a $25 minimum when charging on your credit card.

Electricity

110 volts/60 cycles in St. Maarten, the same as the United States. 220 volts in St. Martin. Be sure to bring an adapter/converters, as it can be very expensive to rent them.

Marriage Requirements

Please contact us to obtain marriage requirements.