Practical Information for visiting St Martin and Maarten

The island runs two currencies. The French side uses the euro; the Dutch side’s official currency is the Netherlands Antillean guilder, but in practice the US dollar is used everywhere and is what almost all prices are quoted in on both halves.

Bring US dollars. Euros are accepted on the Dutch side and dollars on the French side, though the rate offered is usually poor — paying in the local currency of whichever half you are in is better.

Cards are accepted widely; cash is useful at lolos, markets, taxis and small shops.

ATMs dispense euros on the French side and dollars on the Dutch side, which is worth knowing before you draw.

Tipping: on the Dutch side, 15 to 20 per cent is expected American-style, often added automatically — check the bill before adding more. On the French side service is included and rounding up is enough.

The two halves have separate networks, and this is the practical catch. The French side is served by Orange Caraibe and SFR and is part of the EU for roaming purposes, so a European plan works at domestic rates. The Dutch side uses TelEm and Chippie and is not in the EU, so European phones roam internationally there at full cost.

Because the island is small, phones switch between networks constantly near the border and along the lagoon, and travellers routinely get unexpected bills. Turn off data roaming or lock your phone to one network manually.

Coverage on both sides is good, with 4G throughout.

Wi-Fi is standard in hotels, restaurants and bars, and is the sensible way to stay connected here.

Power differs too: 220 volts with European plugs on the French side, 110 volts with US plugs on the Dutch.

The island is generally safe for visitors, though crime rates are higher than on the quieter French Antilles and both halves have seen an increase since 2017.

• Theft from hire cars at beaches and trailheads is the single most common problem, and rental vehicles are identifiable. Leave absolutely nothing in the car, and do not leave bags on the sand while swimming.
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• Night-time robbery occurs in parts of Philipsburg, Simpson Bay and the lagoon areas. Take a taxi after dark rather than walking.
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• Maho Beach is genuinely dangerous. Jet blast from departing aircraft has thrown people against the rocks and killed at least one visitor. Watch the landings; do not hold the fence behind a departure.
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• Hurricanes from June to November, peaking in September, on an island with no high ground.
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• Sea conditions: currents on the Atlantic-facing beaches and few lifeguards anywhere.
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• Two legal systems — what is permitted on one side may not be on the other.

Medical facilities are limited for an island this size. There is a hospital on each side — the Centre Hospitalier at Marigot and the St Maarten Medical Center — and serious cases are evacuated to Guadeloupe, Martinique or the United States. Insurance covering medical evacuation is important.

EU and EEA visitors are covered by the European Health Insurance Card on the French side only; the Dutch side is outside the EU and the card does not apply there. This catches people out.

Vaccinations: routine cover. There is no malaria.

Dengue, chikungunya and Zika circulate, carried by a day-biting mosquito; use repellent.

Water: the supply is desalinated and safe to drink on both sides, though many people prefer bottled.

Sun and dehydration: the island is dry, exposed and windy, and the breeze disguises how much sun you are getting.

Manchineel trees grow on some beaches and are marked; do not shelter under them.

Remember which side you are on. Two jurisdictions means two sets of rules on drinking age, gambling, driving, drugs and nudity, and the border is unmarked. What is legal in Philipsburg may not be in Marigot.

Nudity: topless sunbathing is normal on the French side and not on the Dutch. Orient Bay has a designated naturist section; elsewhere it is not appropriate.

Dress: swimwear is for the beach. Cover up in towns, shops and restaurants — walking into a Philipsburg shop in a bikini is poorly received.

Greet people, especially on the French side, where bonjour before a question is expected.

Tipping differs between the halves — see payments.

Drugs are illegal on both sides despite the Dutch association; penalties are real.

Photography: ask before photographing people.

The numbers differ by side. On the French side: 112, or 15 for medical, 17 for police, 18 for fire. On the Dutch side: 911, or 912 for ambulance and 919 for fire. Know which half you are in before you call.

Medical. The Centre Hospitalier Louis-Constant Fleming at Marigot and the St Maarten Medical Center near Philipsburg are the two hospitals. Neither handles major trauma or complex cases, which are flown to Guadeloupe, Martinique or Miami — confirm your insurance covers evacuation.

Hurricane warnings are issued separately by French and Dutch authorities; both are broadcast and both should be followed without improvisation. Shelters are designated in advance, and the airport closes well before a storm arrives.

Consular help: the French side goes through French authorities, the Dutch side through the Kingdom of the Netherlands. There are few foreign consulates on the island.