St. Maarten Sections Getting There Where To Stay Activities Visitor Tips Getting Married Calendar Weather Maps Information Request St. Maarten Main CTW Main	Visitor Information and Tips Getting Around Most visitors rely on taxis and rental cars, but public transportation also is available to all points on the island between 6 a.m. and 12 a.m. Fares can be paid in U.S. dollars. Taxi Service Taxis are ready and waiting at Princess Juliana International Airport and at all major hotels. The cabs have no meters, but drivers must follow official rates for travel throughout the island. After 10 p.m., rates rise 25 percent, and after midnight, 50 percent. Also, hotel tour desks can arrange sightseeing tours by taxi, the only way to go for those not wanting to drive a rental car. Car Rental The best way to sample a selection of beaches, restaurants and shops is by rental car. Many companies rent cars on the island, and most require either a credit card imprint or a cash deposit ranging from $350 to $1,500, plus an additional collision damage waiver. Cars are delivered to any hotel, but cannot be picked up at Princess Juliana International Airport in order to protect the livelihood of island taxi drivers. However, rental car shuttles run between the airport and satellite lots. All foreign driver's licenses are valid for driving on the island. Motorists drive on the right-hand side of the street, and the roadways have been designed by the government to be easily accessible to physically disabled visitors. Time 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 it is on the island. Electricity 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 so a converter and adaptor plugs are needed for travel appliances. Radio and Television Most hotels 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 own video entertainment and direct TV systems. Satellite television reception is also available for private homes. Including DirecTV, DISH Networks. Newspapers In addition to several local newspapers, visitors can pick up one or more of the publications directed toward them. These include St. Maarten Nature Magazine, St. Maarten Events, Discover St. Maarten, St. Maarten Nights, Ti Gourmet and Vacation St. Maarten. Telephone When dialing the Dutch side from the U.S., dial the international access code 011, the country code 599 and the local number. Special codes are required from one side to the other, though only a local number is required when calling the same side. Pet Regulations Animals are admitted temporarily to the island with the following papers: a health certificate dated no more than 10 days before visit and a record of inoculations, including a rabies shot administered no more than 30 days prior to the visit. Medical Facilities St. Maarten Medical Center in Cay Hill and L'hospital General de Gaulle. Airlift is available to Puerto Rico and the continental U.S. in case of extreme medical emergency. Currency As U.S. dollars are widely accepted on both the Dutch and the French sides, visitors do not need to exchange their U.S. money for a visit to the island. Official currency of the Dutch side is the Netherlands Antilles florin or guilder (NAF). Official currency of the French side is the Euro, as in France or in other French holdings around the world. Nearly all prices are listed in U.S. dollars as well as the local currency, so there's no need for calculating exchange rates. Banks Banks are normally open from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. On Saturday, some banks open from 8:30 a.m. until noon. Taxes/Service Charges Government law requires a 5 percent room tax on all hotel rates. Most hotels and guest houses add 10 percent to 15 percent service charge in lieu of tipping. Some also add an energy surcharge. Tipping Most hotels and restaurants add between 10 percent and 15 percent to the bill as a service charge, and this is almost always posted in writing at the entrance, on the menu, etc. Travelers can tip more for special service. Taxi drivers expect 50 cents or $1 for short runs and more for an extended narrated tour. Airport porters should receive $2 per bag St. Maarten Tourism Office Contacts St. Maarten St. Maarten Tourist Bureau Vineyard Office Park WG Buncamper Rd. #33 St. Maarten N.A. Tel: 599-542-2337 Fax: 599-542-2734 E-mail: info@st-maarten.com USA St. Maarten Tourist Office 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1806 New York, NY 10017 Tel: (212) 953-2084 Fax: (212) 953-2145 Toll Free: (800) 786-2278 (1 800 STMAARTEN) Canada St. Maarten Tourist Office 703 Evans Avenue Suite 106 Toronto, Ontario M9C 5E9 Canada Phone: 416-622-4300 Argentina St. Maarten Tourist Office Rodriguez Pena, 2025-9th Floor, A 1021 Buenos Aires, CF Argentina Phone: 54 11 4816 1881 Fax: 54 11 4816 2100 Brazil St. Maarten Tourist Office Av. Ipiranga 318 bl A - 5 Andar Sao Paulo - SP- CEP 01046-010 Brazil Phone: 55-11-214-5588 Fax: 55-11-258-3575 St. Maarten At A Glance - St. Maarten at a Glance Language: Dutch is the official language. Papiamento (a mixture of Portuguese, African, Spanish, Dutch and English) is the commonly used lingua franca. English and Spanish are also widely spoken. Government: Part of the Netherlands Antilles; dependency of the Netherlands since 1630. The Netherlands Antilles consist of Curaçao, Bonaire, St Maarten, St Eustatius and Saba. The capitall of the island group is Willemstad, Curaçao. Capital: Philipsburg Area: 34 sq km (16 sq miles). Climate: St Maarten is hot and humid most of the time, prevailing tradewind keep it comfortableTemperatures in the first half of the year usually hang around a balmy 28°C (83°F). It is driest between February and April, with most rain falling between August and November. The hurricane season for the region is June to November with most activity occuring in August and September. On average only five hurricanes a year blow through the Eastern Caribbean, and severe ones hit even less frequently. Time Zone: GMT/UTC -4 Electricity: Electrical appliances run 110 volts (60 Hz), after the American standard. Currency: Netherlands Antilles Guilder (Florin) Driving: All foreign driver's licenses are valid for driving on the island. Motorists drive on the right-hand side of the street, and the roadways have been designed by the government to be easily accessible to physically disabled visitors. Car Rentals: Rental agencies are located at both airports and at the major hotels. Motorcycles and mopeds are also available for hire. Cars are delivered to any hotel, but cannot be picked up at Princess Juliana International Airport in order to protect the livelihood of island taxi drivers.
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