Nine Key Travel Tips for Traveling to St. Maarten / St. Martin
Are you coming to “the Friendly Island” soon? Whether it is your first time or you are one of our loyal guests, it is always good to have an updated list of things to think about before traveling. Here is an updated list of essentials to bring and not to bring, and some other fun pre-holiday preparation information.
1. Entry.sx ED Card
Launched in fall 2024, country St. Maarten now asks its travelers to fill in an ED-card before traveling when flying to Princess Juliana International Airport or visiting by yacht. Collecting this data enables the government to make your future travel even more seamless. Completing it before travel is not mandatory but highly recommended. There are computers available to complete this at the airport, but filling in the ED Card in advance will speed up your arrival process. See the dedicated page for more entry.sx ED Card details and whom it applies to.
2. 110 v 220 volt
If you are staying on both sides of the island, do not forget the French side has 220 volt sockets (continental European) and the Dutch side 110 volt (American). Should you not switch sides during your stay but you have one, it still can’t hurt to bring an adapter allowing you to charge phones on both sides of the island.
3. US Dollars
Neither the new Caribbean Guilder nor the Euro is the most used currency on St. Maarten / St. Martin, but the United States Dollar. If coming from the United States, no need to change currencies!
4. Passport
St. Maarten is neither part of the United States nor from the European Union (French side St. Martin is). So in any scenario, a passport is required when traveling to main hub Princess Juliana International Airport or sailing in via the many marinas. In case of coming with a cruise ship, other rules apply.
5. SXM Taxi App
St. Maarten taxis are now available on the SXM Taxi App, making both availability and pricing of your journey more clear than ever before. It can’t hurt to download this app before traveling so you are ready to go at the airport.
6. Mosquitoes
If you have it, you can bring mosquito repellant. Do note these are also widely available as a free service at hotels, bars and restaurants you might go to, and for sale in all supermarkets. The brand “off” is mostly what you ask for when going out, but local export product SXM Nectar is said to be at least as effective – and a great souvenir!
7. Protection from the Sun
The sunny St. Maarten weather can be tough, the more when you are going on an outdoor excursion. A water bottle against dehydration is always good to have, a comfortable long-sleeved shirt and especially your favorite sunscreen (level) a must. If packed light, these can also be bought on island at most supermarkets and pharmacies.
8. Not needed: Guides “How to Say it in Dutch or French”
Visitors new to binational St. Maarten / St. Martin might get confused what language is used on island, the more if they read that we have over a 100 nationalities represented within the population. For centuries, English has been the key language of the island, whereas Dutch and French remain especially the legal and policy languages. Spanish is possibly as widely spoken as Dutch and French. So no need to take language courses in either Dutch or French before arriving.
9. Pre-vacation fun planning extra: event calendar(s) & activity lists
Though its annual calendar of monthly and yearly events was already widely available for a decade, the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA) has asked its restaurant members to also list fun specials, small events and theme nights that are available on a weekly basis. The same applies for an overview of activities of its excursion providers, in conjunction allowing for great pre-vacation planning and booking fun!