Languages
English is spoken everywhere, but Dutch is the official language of St.Maarten, and French the official language of Saint Martin. On the Dutch side, you can also hear Spanish, Papiamentu, Italian, Hindi, Chinese, and other languages. On the French side, Creole Patois is also spoken

Population
41,000 people live on St.Maarten and 36,000 on Saint Martin.

Climate
Sunny and warm year-round, with some cooling from trade winds. Average temperature during the winter season is 80F (27C) and a few degrees warmer anymore humid in the summer. Occasional showers in late summer and early fall, with average annual rainfall of 45 inches.

Airlines
Air service from the U.S. to Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten is provided by: American Airlines direct from New York, Miami and San Juan with connecting flights to numerous cities throughout the U.S. Plus seasonally by: by Continental from Newark, N.J., with connecting flights throughout the U.S.; Northwest from Detroit and Minneapolis, with connections to other U.S. cities; and by USAir from Charlotte and Philadelphia with connections to other U.S. cities. In addition, numerous charter flights are available from throughout the continental U.S. Other airlines serving the island include: ALM Antillean Airlines from Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire; LIAT from Antigua, Anguilla, St. Croix, St. Kitts, St. Thomas and Tortola; and Windward Islands Airways (WINAIR) from St. Thomas, St. Kitts/Nevis, Saba, St. Eustatius, Anguilla, St. Barts, Dominica and Tortola.

Airline Companies in Sint Maarten / Saint Martin
Air Calypso Address: Grand Case Phone: (590) 590 29-4600 Fax: (590) 590 29-4602	Air Caraibes Address: Marigot Phone: (590) 590 51-0303 www.aircaraibes.com
Air France / Jet Tours Address: Res. Amandiers Phone: (590) 590 51-0202 Fax: (590) 590 51-0368 - Air France special offers >>	Air Guadeloupe Address: Grand Case Phone: (590) 590 87-7659 Fax: (590) 590 87-1080
Air Saint Barth Address: Grand Case Phone: (590) 590 87-1036 Fax: (590) 590 87-1214	Air Saint Martin Address: Aeroport Grand Case Phone: (590) 590 87-1560 Fax: (590) 590 87-1080
American Airlines Address: Les Portes de St. Martin Phone: (590) 590 87-7040 Fax: (590) 590 29-0227	AOM French Arilines Address: rue de la Republique 7 Phone: (590) 590 29-2525 / (590) 590 29-2870 Fax: (590) 590 29-2526
Fleming (L.C.)Travel Address: Les Portes de St. Martin Phone: (590) 590 87-5001 Fax: (590) 590 87-5165	Nouvelles Frontieres Address: Rue du Gen De Gaulle Phone: (590) 590 87-2779 Fax: (590) 590 87-2780
St Barth Commuter Address: Aeroport de L'Esperance Phone: (590) 590 87-8073 Fax: (590) 590 87-9753

Entry Requirements
U.S. citizens need a valid passport effective December 31, 2006
and a return/continuing ticket. Naturalized citizens must show an original naturalization certificate with photo identification. Green Card holders must have a valid passport and a return/continuing ticket.

Canadian citizens need a valid passport and a return/continuing ticket. "Landing permit" with valid passport and return/continuing ticket.

European Community: Valid passport and a return/continuing ticket

Customs
St. Maarten is the only completely duty-free port in the Caribbean. No vaccination certificates are required unless arriving from an area experiencing an epidemic.

Airport Departure Tax
For International destinations, there is a tax for those age 2 and up. For islands within the Netherlands Antilles, the departure tax is US$10.00.

A snack after lunch Accommodations
Island accommodations range from large, comprehensive resort facilities and condominiums to small, intimate guest houses, timeshares and apartments. With over 2,000 rooms on the island, there is a property to suit every taste.

- Book your hotel in Sint Maarten / Saint Martin >>

Dining
St.Maarten expresses its culinary soul not by creating a single cuisine, but by giving voice to cooking styles from the far-flung corners of the globe. Diners can select from more than 300 restaurants offering French, Dutch, Caribbean, Italian, Chinese, Indonesian, Creole and more.

Casinos
The island's 12 casinos are all on the Dutch side and offer gaming in the European mode.

Currency
Local MoneyAs 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 on the Dutch side 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. French side banks generally are open from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on weekdays. Automatic teller machines are available at several locations throughout the island.

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

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.

Media

Radio and Television
Most hotels on both sides of the island 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 & Internet
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.

Marriage
A 127-year-old residency law has been changed allowing non-residents to marry on St. Maarten.

Medical Facilities
St. Maarten Medical Center in Cay Hill and L'hospital General de Gaulle
St. Martin in Marigot offer medical services. Airlift is available to Puerto Rico and the continental U.S. in case of extreme medical emergency.

Hospital de Saint Martin
Address: Marigot
Phone: (590) 590 29-5744
Fax: (590) 590 87-5072

Links & Sources:

• Frommers
• St Maarten Tourist Board
• Map St Martin