st. martin and st. maarten  travel tips

Tourist Information Currency Holidays & Events Language Population

Sailing Telecommunications Transportation Weather

The official currency of Dutch St. Maarten is the Netherlands Antilles florin or guilder (NAF). On French St. Martin the official currency is now the Euro. The US Dollar is also widely accepted on both sides and there is usually no need to exchange your dollars. Yahoo! has a page for currency exchange rates - note that you won't receive rates as good as you see there - you should expect to lose a few percent in any exchange.

These events have a tendency to change venue and date rapidly. We strongly suggest calling or writing the Tourist Board to get exact information.

• New Year's Day, January 1
• Carnival, early February
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• Ascension Day, early May
• Whit Monday, May
• Bastille Day, July 14
• Schoelcher Day, July 21
• Assumption Day, August
• All Saints Day, November 1
• Concordia Day, November 11
• Christmas Day, December 25

The official language of St. Maarten is Dutch, while the language of St. Martin is French. English is also widely spoken, especially on the Dutch side.

The estimated population of St. Maarten is 32,000, with approximately 28,000 living on St. Martin.

Our Caribbean Sailing Resources page includes lists of upcoming regattas, boat charter information and links to other sailing related sites.

To call Dutch St. Maarten from the US, first dial the international access code 011, followed by the country code 599, the 5, and then the local number (for calls to cell phone calls it is 599-690-local number)

To call French St. Martin from the US, first dial the international access code 011, followed by the country code 590, and then the local number.

To call Saba from the US, first dial the international access code 011, followed by the country 599, and then the 7 digit local number.

To call St. Eustatius from the US, first dial the international access code 011, followed by the country code 599, and then the 7 digit local number.

Taxis:
Taxis are a good way to see the island. Taxis are unmetered, but they are required to carry a list of fares. The average fare from Juliana Airport to Philipsburg is $10, while the fare from Juliana Airport to the Mullet Bay Hotel is $5.

Car Rentals: Use the form below to start your St. Martin Car Rental search. You'll find cars from many major international agencies and local agents at great prices.

Use the following 3 letter airport codes in the "Pick Up Location" field below to narrow your search:

• Philipsburg, St. Maarten (SXM-All Airports)
• Grand Case, St. Martin (CCE)
• Grand Case, St. Martin (SFG-Esperance)

RESERVE YOUR CAR NOW AND SAVE Pick-up location: Pick-up: (MM/DD/YY) 12:00 AM1:00 AM2:00 AM3:00 AM4:00 AM5:00 AM6:00 AM7:00 AM8:00 AM9:00 AM10:00 AM11:00 AM12:00 noon1:00 PM2:00 PM3:00 PM4:00 PM5:00 PM6:00 PM7:00 PM8:00 PM9:00 PM10:00 PM11:00 PM Car class: Drop-off: (MM/DD/YY) No PreferenceEconomyCompactMidsizeStandardFull SizePremiumLuxuryConvertibleMini-vanSport Utility Vehicle 12:00 AM1:00 AM2:00 AM3:00 AM4:00 AM5:00 AM6:00 AM7:00 AM8:00 AM9:00 AM10:00 AM11:00 AM12:00 noon1:00 PM2:00 PM3:00 PM4:00 PM5:00 PM6:00 PM7:00 PM8:00 PM9:00 PM10:00 PM11:00 PM

• Avis: avis@sintmaarten.net
  Airport Road #120
  Simpson Bay, St. Maarten
  Tel: 5995-52847 or 800-331-2112
  Fax: 5995 52470
• Budget
  Tel: 5995-54030
  Tel: 800-527-0700
• Cannegie Car Rental: cangie@sintmaarten.net
  • Front Street, Philipsburg, St. Maarten - Tel: 5995-22497
  • Philipsburg - Tel: 5995-22397
  • Princess Juliana Airport - Tel: 5995-54329
  • Simpson Bay - Tel: 5995-53465
• Hertz
  Tel: 5995-54314
  Tel: 800-654-3131

General:
See our car rental, airline, cruise line and tour operator listings for more information.

Please visit our Caribbean Weather Page for the latest forecasts and weather news.

St. Martin - St. Maarten Hotel Specials

• Hotel Beach Plaza Sale! Save 20% on this Stay. from $169
• La Terrasse Suite Hotel at Maho Village Limited Time Offer! Save 20% on this reservation. from $135
• Grand Case Beach Club 7th Night Free from $220
• Le Domaine de Lonvilliers 7th Night Free from $382
• Wyndham Sapphire Beach Club & Resort Paradise Sale: Get Your 0th Night Free from $150
• Alamanda Resort 7th Night Free from $200
• Divi Little Bay Beach Resort 7th Night Free from $159
• L'Hoste Hotel Free Breakfast for 2 Daily from $169
• Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino Sale! Save 25% on this Stay. from $135
• The Westin St. Maarten, Dawn Beach Resort & Spa from $182

The Hedonist: World Travel Guide by Dr. Brett Tate (Paperback) - Usually ships in 24 hours