St. Maarten Travel Overview

GENERAL

Capital

Philipsburg.

Geography

Politically speaking, St. Maarten is an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but until October 2010 it belonged to the Netherlands Antilles; Geographically, St. Maarten is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean and occupies the southern part of an island in the Lesser Antilles, the north of which belongs to Guadeloupe and is called St. Martin. This island is 8 km south of Anguilla, 232 km east of Puerto Rico and 56 km north of St. Eustatius. St. Maarten consists of forested mountains that rise from the white sandy beaches towards the interior of the island. In the west the mountains give way to blue lagoons and salt flats. For information on the northern part of the island s. Guadeloupe.

Government

Constitutional parliamentary-democratic monarchy. After the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, a new constitution was passed in 2010. St. Maarten is now an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as is Curaçao, and is comparable to Aruba. The former Netherlands Antilles, Aruba and the Netherlands, as autonomous regions with internal self-government, have the same status within the Dutch Kingdom. The Dutch king is represented by a governor. Foreign and defense policy are decided by the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom. The parliament (states) of the islands is responsible for domestic political legislation. The routine affairs of St. Maarten are carried out by the Island Council under the supervision of the Lieutenant Governor.

Head of state

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, since April 2013, represented by the governor he appointed Eugene Holiday, since 2010.

Head of government

William Marlin, since November 2015.

Electricity

110/220 V, 60 Hz. Most hotels have 110 V, 60 Hz. On the French side there is only 220 V, 60 Hz.

Time zone

Atlantic Standard Time: CET -5

GETTING THERE

Arriving by plane

KLM (KL) offers flight services to St. Maarten, as does Air France (AF). The government-owned Winair (WM) (Internet: www.fly-winair.com) based at Princess Juliana Airport (SXM) regularly flies to the Lesser Antilles. Winair also offers charter flights to all other Eastern Caribbean destinations.

St. Maarten is also served by United Airlines (UA), Air Canada (AC) and Delta Airlines (DL).

Departure fee

US $ 20 (excluding transit travelers and children under two years of age). US $ 6 for flights to the other islands of the former Netherlands Antilles.

Arrival by ship

Cruise ships from among others Holland America (website: www.hollandamerica.com) and Princess Cruises (website: www.princess.com) run regularly to the island.

There are ferry connections to Saba, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Barth and Anguilla.

ON THE GO

On the way by car / bus

Most of the roads are in good condition. You can get anywhere

with taxis. There are no taximeters, but the tariffs are fixed. After midnight, prices increase by 50%. There is a taxi rank in Wathey Square. Tips are not expected.

Minibuses
run from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. There are regular bus connections between Philipsburg and Marigot.

Rental cars
with and without a chauffeur are available at the airport and in the capital.

Documents:
driver’s license from your own country.

Out and about by ship

Small boats can be rented for trips to the neighboring islands, for fishing, water skiing and diving.

St. Maarten

MONEY

Currency

1 Antilles guilder = 100 cents. Currency abbreviations: NAf, ANG (ISO code). Banknotes are available in denominations of 100, 50, 25 and 10 ANG; Coins in denominations of 5, 2 1/2 and 1 guilder as well as 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.
Note: The Caribbean guilder is to replace the current currency in the future. A date has not yet been set. The Antilles guilder is pegged to the US dollar and replaced the Netherlands Antilles florin on January 1, 2012.
French part: The official currency is the euro.

Credit cards

All major credit cards are accepted by car rental companies, hotels and restaurants. Details from the issuer of the respective credit card.
ATMs

ec / Maestro card / Sparcard

EC cards with the Maestro symbol are accepted worldwide. ATMs are available in all banks and branches.

Attention: Travelers who pay with their bank customer card abroad and want to withdraw money should find out about the options for using their card from their bank prior to departure.

Bank opening times

Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Some banks are open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Foreign exchange regulations

Unrestricted import and export of national and foreign currency, obligation to declare from the equivalent of 20,000 ANG. Silver coins from the Netherlands and Suriname are not allowed to be imported.
French part: s. France.

Currency Exchange

All common foreign currencies can be exchanged in banks and exchange offices. US $ are also accepted as a method of payment.

LANGUAGE

Overview

The official languages are Dutch and Papiamento (native dialect), French and English are also spoken. For information on the language in the northern part of the island see Guadeloupe.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

DUTY-FREE SHOPPING

Overview

The following items can be imported into St. Maarten duty-free (people aged 18 and over):

200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos (3 g each) or 50 cigars or 250 g tobacco;
1 liter of alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of more than 22% or 2 liters of alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of less than 22%;
50 g perfume or 50 cl eau de toilette;
Gifts up to a value of € 183.

Import regulations

If more than the specified amount is imported, the entire amount will be cleared. If the value of the imported items is more than 500 NAG, a customs declaration should be completed. A declaration is required from an equivalent value of US $ 10,000.

Leather goods and souvenirs from Haiti should not be imported.

ECONOMY

Business etiquette

Business meetings are quite formal. Light tropical suit or costume are appropriate. Appointments should be made in advance, great importance is attached to punctuality.

Business hours:
Mon-Fri 7.30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1.30 p.m.-4.30 p.m.

Economy

St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Chamber of Commerce of the Windward Islands)
Cannegieter Street 11, PO Box 454, Philipsburg
Tel: (05) 42 35 90th

Business contacts

St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Chamber of Commerce of the Windward Islands)
Cannegieter Street 11, PO Box 454, Philipsburg
Tel: (05) 42 35 90th

COMMUNICATION

Phone

Fully automated system with self-dialing remote service.

Cellphone

GSM 900. Network operator is Telcell NV (E-Mail: [email protected]). Cell phones can also be rented on site. East Caribbean Cellular operates digital and analog cellular networks (System B) (Internet: www.eastcaribbeancellular.com). The reception / transmission range is limited to St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, Saba, the adjacent sea and the Anguilla Channel.

Internet

Main provider: TelNet (Internet: www.sintmaarten.net).

Post Office

Airmail to Europe is 4 weeks on the way, by sea 6 weeks. Postage stamps are available in stores where postcards can be purchased. Hotel receptions accept letters for a tip of around US $ 1.

Radio

Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.

SHOP

Overview

Good selection in the duty free shops in Philipsburg. Shop opening times: Mon-Sat 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2 p.m.-6 p.m.

NIGHTLIFE

Introduction

Many restaurants and bars offer live entertainment. There are casinos in the big hotels.

CULINARY

ACCOMMODATION

Hotels

There are over 40 hotels with almost 9,000 beds. Most hotels take care of everything from casinos to hairdressing salons to a wide variety of water sports facilities; even the smaller beach hotels offer i. General a swimming pool, restaurant and some water sports equipment. 5% tax and often 10-15% service charge are added to hotel bills. Some hotels also charge 10% extra for electricity. Further information from the hotel association: St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association, WJA Nisbeth Road 33a, PO Box 486, Philipsburg. Tel: (05) 42 01 08. (Internet: www.shta.com)

CULTURE

Religion

The majority of the population is Protestant, there are also Catholic and Jewish religious communities.

Social rules of conduct

Dutch customs and traditions, also reinforced by American influences. Light, casual cotton clothing is recommended. Somewhat more elegant clothes in the evening. Tips: Hotel bills always include 5% tax and sometimes 10-15% for service. Hotel porters, waiters and bar staff expect 10-15%. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.

CLIMATE

Best travel time

The high temperatures (annual average 27 ° C) are mitigated by the cool trade winds.

COUNTRY DATA

Area code +1 721 Area (km2) 34 Population 37132 Population density (per km2) 1092 Population in 2014 Member of the EU No main emergency number 912