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Visitor
Information
Traveling Around the Island
Driving
For getting around from place to place a car is virtually
indispensable although most hotels offer shuttle service
to the casinos on the Dutch side of the island. Rental
agencies are located at both airports and at the major
hotels. Driving is on the right side of the road, and
most of the roads are in fairly good repair. Motorcycles
and mopeds are also available for hire.
 Taxi
Sample taxi fares from Juliana Airport to:
Marigot--$12.00
Grand Case--$20.00
Nettle Bay--$15.00
Orient Bay--$25.00
Jitneys
An inexpensive way to get around the island is hopping
aboard the little vans that are the usual mode of transportation
for the islanders. The "jitneys" have signs
that indicate where they are going and you can hail them
to pick you up. Your colorful ride will be to the accompaniment
of native zouk and soca music.
Currency
In St. Martin, Euro is the legal currency currency, and
in St. Maarten it is the Antillean florin or guilder,
but U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere. Banks are open
Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, with an additional
hour on the French side Monday to Thursday 2:00 pm to
3:00 pm and on the Dutch side, Friday 4:00 pm to 5:00
pm.
Tipping
Hotels on the French side typically add 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.
Clothing
Choice of clothing should be casual and comfortable but
neat. Swimming attire is not appreciated in hotel lobbies
or for walking around town. At night dress remains somewhat
informal, but jackets and shawls are recommended since
casinos and restaurants can get a little chilly.
Language
Officially, French is the language of St. Martin and Dutch
in St. Maarten, but almost everyone speaks English, and
many speak Spanish as well. French Creole and Papiamento,
a Creole language of the Netherlands Antilles, is spoken
here locally, especially in the southern parts of the
island.
Telephone
Dialing from abroad, the country code for French St. Martin
is (590)590 followed by the local number witch is six
digits long. The country code for Dutch St. Maarten is
(599)5 followed by the five digits of the local number.
Calls between the two countries are also international.
From St. Martin to St. Maarten, remember to use the prefix
00599 54 then the number for fixed phones or 00599 55
or 00599 5 the the number for cellular. Calling the other
way requires the prefix 00 (590) 590 then the number for
fixed phones or 00 (590) 690 the the number for cellular.
Phone cards, which must be used for all public phones,
must be prepaid and bought at the post office or at some
stores in downtown Marigot.
Electricity
Electrical appliances run at 220 volts (50 Hz), following
the European standard, in St. Martin, and at 110 volts
(60 Hz), after the American standard, in St. Maarten.
Visitors to the island should bring the appropriate converters,
depending on where they plan on staying.
Health
No vaccine required unless coming from an affected zone.
Water dessalination plants provide totally safe drinking
water additionally, Fondor and La Magnifique are local
bottled waters .
A broad range of medical services are available.
Poisonous Plants
The Manchionneel tree is extremely poisonous, and it grows
all over the island but mainly along the beaches. It can
be recognized by its deep green leaves and attractive
green fruit that look like little apples. 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.
St. Martin Tourist Office Contact Information
In St. Martin
Office du Tourisme
Route de Sandy Ground
97150 Marigot, St. Martin
Phone: 590-875721
Fax: 590-875643
email: sxmto@aol.com
In the United States
New York
St Martin Tourist Office
675 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017 - suite 1807
Phone: 212-475-8970
Phone: 877-956-1234
e-mail: sxmtony@msn.com
Chicago
French Government Tourist Office
645 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 3360
Chicago, ILL 60611
Phone: 312-751-7800
Los Angeles
French Government Tourist Office
9454 Wilshire Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Phone: 310-271-6665
In Canada
Montreal
French Government Tourist Office
1981 Avenue McGill College, Suite 490
Montreal, Quebec H3A 2W9
Phone: 514-288-4264
In Europe
Paris
Offices du Tourisme de Saint-Martin
30, Rue St-Marc
75002 Paris
Phone: 01-53-29-99-99 Fax 01-42-96-15-16
email: otsxmparis@aol.com
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St.
Martin At A Glance
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Language:
Officially, French is the language of St. Martin and Dutch
in St. Maarten, but almost everyone speaks English, and
many speak Spanish as well. French Creole and Papiamento,
a Creole language of the Netherlands Antilles, is spoken
here locally, especially in the southern parts of the
island.
Government:
Sub-prefecture of Guadeloupe (an overseas départment
of France)
Capital:
Marigot
Climate:
St Martin is warm and humid, but tradewinds help temper
the humidity, especially from January to April. Temperatures
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.
Time Zone:
GMT/UTC -4
Electricity:
Electrical appliances run at 220 volts (50 Hz), following
the European standard, in St. Martin, and at 110 volts
(60 Hz), after the American standard, in St. Maarten.
Visitors to the island should bring the appropriate converters,
depending on where they plan on staying.
Currency:
Official currencies are the French Franc and Euro on the
french side. Prices are commonly posted in US Dollars
which ave accepted everywhere, as are most major credit
cards Most banks are equipped with ATM machines.
Driving:
Traffic is on the right, international signs. The island's
roads are not designed for speed.
Rentals:
Rental agencies are located at both airports and at the
major hotels. Motorcycles and mopeds are also available
for hire.
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