Saint Martin is located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and spans an area of 34 miles (88 square km). The island has white sandy beaches, fascinating sea life, friendly locals, superb culinary cuisine, and numerous choices of entertaining activities that offer all travelers an amazing Caribbean experience.
The key to the uniqueness of Saint Martin is that the island has two countries in one. One side is owned by France, the other is owned by the Netherlands. The population of Saint Martin is 39,421 on the French side of the island and 40,733 on the Dutch side of the island. Dutch Sint Maarten is known for being very lively while French Saint Martin is known for being more laid back. Although each side has its own traditions and character, each side of the island adds to the vibrant spirit of the entire island.
The island of Saint Martin has a lot to offer to all kinds of travelers. The things all travelers should know before visiting the island are addressed in this article.
Why should you go to Sint Maarten?
Saint Martin is a beautiful island brimming with culture, delicious and picturesque scenery, this alone is already a good reason to visit Saint Martin. But St. Maarten also possesses so many unique qualities that draw many tourists back to the island year after year. The reasons why you should visit Saint Martin are listed below.
- Gorgeous Beaches: Saint Martin has 37 gorgeous beaches lining 70 km of coastline. Each one of these beaches has a unique beauty, from the remote beaches to beaches that are tourist hotspots. All the beaches on the island are known for their soft sands and crystal-clear water.
- It’s a Dual Owned Island: Saint Martin is split into two, French Saint Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten. Visiting this island is like getting two European vacations in one trip. Since there is no physical border, it is easy to cross from one side to the other. This is the only border that France and the Netherlands share in the entire world.
- Underwater Marine Life: The marine life and colorful reefs of St. Maarten draw people in from all over the world. Snorkeling is available on the many reefs around the island. Saint Martin is also a diverse paradise. There are 55 different dive sights on the island teeming with vibrant coral and fish.
- Water Sports: St. Maarten is the perfect destination for adventurous tourists. There are many different activities available to tourists who love water sports such as jet-skiing, parasailing, banana boating, paddleboarding, and more. These sports are available on most of St. Maarten’s beaches.
- Delicious Cuisine: Saint Martin provides an excellent culinary experience for all travelers with its vast array of different cuisines, ranging from local Caribbean cuisine to French delicacies. The island has over 300 restaurants that have gained influence from at least 100 different nationalities. This is something that truly sets St. Maarten apart from its other neighbors in the Caribbean.
- Nightlife: The entertainment in St. Maarten lasts long after the sun goes down. St. Maarten has a vast array of bars, casinos, and clubs that create a vibrant atmosphere that lasts well into the evening. The island is known for its indoor and outdoor venues that host events and have live music and dancing.
- Carnivals and Festivals: St. Maarten has some of the most spectacular celebrations in the world. The island is well known for the St. Maarten carnival, the SXM festival, and the Grand Parade in Phillipsburg, usually occurring in Dutch Saint Martin. These festivals attract international attention. At these festivals, tourists can see bright costumes, hear exciting bands play music, and have tasty food and drink.
- Beautiful Landscape: St. Maarten has a stunning natural landscape with clear waters and golden sunsets framed by lush green mountains. All the beaches have amazing views and a variety of plant and animal life.
- Duty-Free Shopping: St. Maarten is known around the world for its duty-free shopping status and incredible shopping centers. The entire island is duty-free. This makes St. Martin a go-to destination where you can buy luxury goods at low prices.
What are the travel requirements of Sint Maarten?
The travel requirements of entry into the island of St. Maarten are a valid passport from your country of citizenship and proof of return for onward travel. Naturalized citizens must present their original naturalization certificate and photo ID to enter St. Maarten. Tourists traveling from the United States, Canada, Australia, the EU, and Britain do not require a visa upon entry into Saint Martin unless they plan to stay more than 90 days.
In addition to a valid passport and proof of return from St. Maarten, travelers arriving from countries outside of the United States, Canada, Australia, and the EU are required to have a visa prior to entry into the country, regardless of the length of their stay. This visa should be obtained before departing from their country of residence by contacting the local French embassy in their country. Because of COVID-19 different travel requirements for St. Maarten might be in place, please visit your local/national government information website for the current restrictions.
Are there border crossings in St. Maarten between the Dutch and French side?
No, there are no border crossing restrictions between the French side of St. Martin and the Dutch side of St. Maarten. Since there is no physical border division in Saint Martin between the French and Dutch sides of the island, people can move about freely through both the French and Dutch sides.
What are the best months to visit Sint Maarten?
The best time of year to visit St. Maarten is between the months of January and June. During this time the climate is dry and there is not as much rain as there is during the rainy season. It would be better to avoid traveling to St. Maarten during the months of July to December to avoid hurricane season.
How is the climate in Sint Maarten?
The climate of Saint Martin is tropical all year round. The weather is hot and sunny with a daily average temperature of 77 F (25 C) between the months of January to March and 82 F (28 C) from June to October. At night the temperature rarely drops below 68F (20 C). The annual amount of rain is 40 inches per year. February and March are the months with the least rain and the months with the most rain are from August to November.
Is traveling to Sint Maarten safe?
Yes, Saint Martin is generally considered a safe island to visit. The crime rate is relatively low compared to other countries. Most crimes are petty theft crimes that occur due to valuables being left out. As when traveling to any other tourist destination, safety precautions should be taken such as being aware of your surroundings, traveling in groups, and traveling around the island with a minimum amount of jewelry, cash, and other valuables.
In Saint Martin, one of the biggest crimes is passport theft, so be sure to bring your original driver’s license with you as well as a photocopy of your passport. If you are renting a car, It may also be wise to purchase rental car insurance, as rental cars are sometimes broken into on the island. Along with purchasing insurance, be sure to not leave any valuables on the seats of the car.
What time zone is St. Maarten in?
St. Maarten is located in the Atlantic Standard time zone (AST). St. Maarten is a small island located between the Caribbean and the Atlantic sea. St. Maarten is located south of the island of Anguilla, east of the British Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands, and north of the Leeward Islands. Find more information about the time zone in St. Martin in this article.
Are vacationers in St. Maarten affected by the time zone?
Yes, it is very possible for travelers to be affected by jet lag when visiting Saint Martin and traveling in general. “Jet Lag” is a temporary sleep problem that can affect anyone who travels quickly across multiple time zones. The severity of the Jet Lag can vary depending on which of the 24 time zones you are coming from and the number of hours that differ.
What is the time difference between St. Maarten and the USA?
There is a time difference of 1 to 6 hours between St. Maarten and the USA. There are 6 different time zones in the USA including Eastern Standard Time (EST), Central Standard Time (CST), Mountain Standard Time (MST), Pacific Standard Time (PST), Alaska Standard Time, and Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time. All of these time zones have a 1 to 6 hour difference between the Atlantic Standard time zone in St. Maarten. Most travelers coming from the USA will not normally be heavily affected by jet lag when traveling to St. Maarten.
What is the time difference between St. Maarten and European Countries?
There is a time difference of 4 to 6 hours between St. Maarten and Europe. There are 3 different time zones in Europe including Western European Time (GMT), Central European Time (CET), and Eastern European Time (EET). All of these time zones have a 4 to 6 hour difference between the Atlantic Standard time zone in St. Maarten. Most travelers coming from countries in Europe such as France, England, the Netherlands, etc. can be mildly affected by jet lag when traveling to St. Maarten.
What is the time difference between St. Maarten and Asian Countries?
There is a time difference of 7 to 13 hours between St. Maarten and countries in Asia. There are 11 different time zones in Asia some of which include Japan Standard time (JST), Korean Standard Time (KST), China Standard Time (CST), Western Indonesia Standard Time (WIST), Indochina Time (ICT), Bangladesh Standard Time (BST), India Standard Time (IST), etc. All of these time zones have a 7 to 13 hour difference between the Atlantic Standard time zone in St. Maarten. Most travelers coming from countries in Asia such as China, Japan, India, etc can be greatly affected by jet lag when traveling to St. Maarten.
What is the time difference between St. Maarten and African Countries?
There is a time difference of 5 to 8 hours between St. Maarten and countries in Africa. There are 6 different time zones in Africa including West Africa Standard Time (WAT), East Africa Time (EAT), Central European Standard Time (CET), South Africa Standard Time (SAST), and Central Africa Time (CAT). All of these time zones have a 5 to 8 hour difference between the Atlantic Standard time zone in St. Maarten. Most travelers coming from countries in Africa such as Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, etc can be greatly affected by jet lag when traveling to St. Maarten.
What is the time difference between St. Maarten and Australia?
There is a time difference of 12 to 16 hours between St. Maarten and Australia. There are 3 different time zones in Australia including Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), Australian Central Standard Time (ACST), and Australian Western Standard Time (AWST). All of these time zones have a 12 to 16 hour difference between the Atlantic Standard time zone in St. Maarten. Most travelers coming from Australia can be greatly affected by jet lag when traveling to St. Maarten.
What should you know about the culture of Sint Maarten?
The culture of Saint Martin is generally very friendly, the locals are known to be happy and helpful to tourists. For this reason, St. Maarten is often called “The Friendly Island”. The French side of the island is known for its peaceful laid-back nature and the Dutch side of the island is known for its more lively and vibrant nature.
There are currently 120 different nationalities on the island of St. Maarten, but there have been many influences from the past that have contributed to the vast culture of the people of Saint Martin. The culture of the island stems from Dutch, French, British, and African heritage.
What languages are spoken in Sint Maarten?
The languages spoken on the island of St. Martin are English, French, Dutch, Spanish, Creole, and Papiamento. English is widely spoken in both French Saint Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten, as it is the official language of both sides of St. Maarten.
What should you wear in Sint Maarten?
The standard of dress in St. Maarten is generally informal. With the warm climate, it is best to wear lightweight clothes with cotton fabric. Some commonly worn items are sports clothes for the beach, jeans, polos, shorts, dresses, sandals, and boat shoes. Swimwear is common for the beach, but it is not considered proper in town, so it’s best to bring a cover-up.
What is the currency in Sint Maarten?
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