Unvaccinated travelers should avoid nonessential travel to Sint Maarten. Because of the current situation in Sint Maarten, all travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants. See recommendations for fully vaccinated travelers.

U.S. and Canadian citizens must have a passport or a combination of a birth certificate and photo ID, plus a return or ongoing ticket, to enter St. Maarten/St. Martin. All travelers coming from the Caribbean, including Americans, are now required to have a passport to enter or re-enter the United States.

Even though St. Maarten is not part of the Virgin Islands, you should still give it a chance and visit this lovely island at least once in your life. Not only you will be in the heart of the Caribbean, but you will also enjoy a laid-back atmosphere with beautiful sunsets.

Most of the services we provide are also available at our Embassy in Grenada and our Consular Agencies in Antigua and Martinique. U.S. citizens in Dutch St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius are served by the U.S. Consulate General in Curaçao.

Netherlands Antillean guilder

The island is one of the cheaper to reach from both North America and Europe, and there are many direct flights from both continents. Prices in general tend to be in the mid-range for the Caribbean, so it’s not ideal for budget travelers unless you find a good package deal in advance.

As for the amount of money to take, it will all depend on many factors, but general recommendations that we give is EUR/USD 100 per day for an all-inclusive trip, and EUR/USD 200 for non-inclusive trip per day.

Cost of Living in Sint Maarten

There is violent crime amongst members of the illegal drugs world, but this rarely affects tourists. The main tourist areas are generally safe, but you should take sensible precautions. Avoid remote areas at night. Do not take valuables to the beach.

Maarten has been open for international tourism since July 2020. Tourists from most countries can visit, making it one of the easiest-to-visit countries that are open to tourists. All travelers must submit an Electronic Health Authorization System Form at least 12 hours before their departure.

True enough; though slightly larger, the French side attracts a tenth of the cruise traffic, meaning fewer people wind up there. The Dutch side, on the other hand, feels less like Holland and more like the Caribbean. As with much of the region, it is a cultural mishmash — local, Asian, Indian, European and American.

10 unforgettable things to do in St Maarten (and St. Martin)

• Speed down the world’s steepest zip line.
• Relax at Loterie Farm St.
• Watch extreme flyovers at Maho Beach.
• Sip boozy samples at Topper’s Rhum.
• Soak up the sun at Mullet Bay.
• Make your own perfume.
• Wander around St.
• Enjoy a sunset sail.

The French side, Saint-Martin, is 50% larger than the Dutch Sint Maarten. Sometimes, people refer to the whole island as “St-Martin / St Maarten” or “SXM,” which is the IATA airport code for the island’s main airport on the Dutch side, Princess Juliana International Airport.

Beaches: With much more unspoiled shoreline than Sint Maarten, the French side definitely has the advantage for beaches, with popular Orient Bay Beach drawing crowds, and the peaceful Friar’s Bay and appropriately named Happy Bay providing all the white sands and blue waters you’d expect on a Caribbean visit.

Sint Maarten (French: Saint Martin; Dutch: Sint Maarten) is an island in the northeast Caribbean, east of Puerto Rico. Sint Maarten’s Dutch side (often misspelled as St Marteen) is known for its festive nightlife, beaches, jewelry, drinks made with native rum-based guavaberry liquors, and casinos.

Although the island is a beautiful and popular destination spot for tourists, poverty is a problem for the citizens of Sint Maarten. The Sint Maarten poverty rate has not quite reached a state of crisis, but there have been definite warning signs for the country.

Divided into two sides, French and Dutch, Saint Martin is one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful islands. The island’s sparking blue, crystal-like waters ripple under the bight Caribbean sun, making Saint Martin the quintessential destination for gorgeous sights, landscapes, and relaxing destinations.