Useful Info
Government
of Sint Maarten
Useful Info
Government
of Saint Martin
Useful Info
Tourism Office
of Sint Maarten
Useful Info
Tourism Office
of Sint Maarten
Useful Info for Saint Martin / Sint Maarten – Getting around the island
BUS
The bus service is mainly provided by mini-buses along the main roads, without a fixed schedule. Bus stops are more or less respected…
You can also find various bigger buses which offers the same services as the mini ones. Prices remains the same.
Most often, to take a bus to Saint-Martin, you just have to hail a driver, who will stop at your level.
TAXIS
Several transport links are available between Marigot, Philipsburg, other villages and airports.
Grand Case Airport:
+59 0590 97 53 03
Marigot: +59 0590 87 56 54
Philipsburg: + 1 721 542 2359
Princess Juliana Airport:
+ 1-721-545-5757
Orleans district: +59 0590 87 31 44
CAR RENTALS
Driving is on the right and road signs with international standards. It is relatively complicated to navigate on an island, as throughout the Caribbean, the indications are often very vague.
To fully enjoy your stay in Saint Martin and visit the island, it is highly advised to rent a car.
Saint Martin offers a wide selection of international and local car rental agencies.
SCOOTERS / ATV
It can be really funny to discover the island with the warm wind blowing in your hairs. Maybe not for your entire stay but one or two days could be a great experience of freedom.
You will find several companies offering that kind of services, with or without guides.
Just drive carefully, especially if you aren’t really experimented with that kind of vehicules.
Useful Info for Saint Martin / Sint Maarten – Airports
Sint Maarten Airport
Princess Juliana International Airport, first military airfield became a civilian airport in 1944. Its name comes from the former Queen of the Netherlands, Juliana. It is the only airport on the island to receive large aircraft. At present, it welcomes more than 2.5 million passengers a year.
More than 30 companies, American and foreign, transit through this airport.
French airlines have their traffic on this airport which requires travelers to have their passport updated. A taxi service is available right out of the airport. Car rental companies are located outside the airport, along Airport Road.
Princess Juliana International Airport
Airport Road – Simpson Bay
+1 721 544 0626 or +1 721 544 1483
https://www.sxmairport.com/
Saint Martin Airport
Located in Grand Case, the airport of Saint Martin is reserved for the traffic of medium-sized aircraft, the runway not allowing the take-off of large aircraft. AIR ANTILLES and AIR CARAIBES are the two companies that operate on the airport. On site you will find all-round car rental companies and taxis.
Since 2011 and for a period of 25 years, the airport is managed by SESMA (St Martin Airport Operations Corporation). As part of a public service delegation, the company committed to implementing a development plan for the Caribbean platform.
Aéroport de Grand Case
Route de l’Espérance – Grand Case
+59 0590 27 11 00
http://www.saintmartin-airport.com/
Useful Info for Saint Martin / Sint Maarten – Electricity
- French side: 220 V. 60 Hz. European plugs.
- Channel side: 110 V. 60 Hz. American plugs.
On both sides of the island, electronics stores offer household appliances, stock transformers and European and US plug adapters. Electrical appliances can therefore be used on both sides of the island.
Useful Info for Saint Martin / Sint Maarten – Telephone
The international codes for St. Martin are +590 (French side) and +1 721 (Dutch side).
- To call Metropolitan France or the French part of the island from the French side, simply dial the 10-digit number of your correspondent.
To call the Dutch side on the French side, dial 001 721, then your correspondent’s 7-digit number.
- To call the French side on the Dutch side, dial 00 590, then the 6-digit number (to call a mobile phone: 00 690, then the 6-digit number).
Useful Info for Saint Martin / Sint Maarten – Local time
- Compared to metropolitan France:
-5 hours in winter (from the end of October to the end of March) and
-6 hours in summer (late March to late October).
- Compared to New York:
+1 hour in winter (from the end of October to the end of March)
In relation to universal time (GMT): -4h00
Remember that in the tropics, the sun rises early (between 5:00 and 6:00) and goes to bed early (between 17:30 and 18:30).
Useful Info for Saint Martin / Sint Maarten – Water
As the island has no natural spring or river, the water comes exclusively from desalination factories.
Many mineral waters are also available in grocery stores and supermarkets. Water is scarce and expensive.
We count on your action to preserve it and avoid waste.
Useful Info for Saint Martin / Sint Maarten – Currencies
The euro on the French side and the Netherlands Antillean guilder (NAF) on the Dutch side are the official currencies, but the US dollar is accepted on both sides of the island.
Travelers checks and major credit cards are accepted everywhere.
Many foreign exchange offices are available on the island.
Useful Info for Saint Martin / Sint Maarten – Languages
Thanks to bilingualism, the French part of the island speaks both French and English.
The Dutch side speaks English. In addition, Dutch, Creole or Papiamento are also spoken.
Useful Info for Saint Martin / Sint Maarten – Ferries to Neighbouring Islands
Pinel Island
PINEL FERRIES
+59 0690 10 31 35
+59 0690 40 90 95
Anguilla
THE LINK FERRIES
www.linkferry.com
+1 264 772 4901
+1 264 772 6208
GB FERRIES
www.gbferries.com
+ 1 264 235 6205
St Barth
GREAT BAY EXPRESS
www.greatbayferry.com
+1 721 542 0032
+1 721 520 5015
VOYAGER
www.facebook.com/VoyagerStBarth
+59 0590 87 10 68
Saba
THE EDGE
www.stmaarten-activities.com
+1 721 544 2640
DAWN II
www.sabaferry.com/dawn2
+599 416 2299
+599 416 5044
Useful Info for Saint Martin / Sint Maarten – Hurricanes
Hurricane Luis 1995 @David Tuttle.
Twice, the island of St Martin experienced cyclones of force majeure.
Luis, in 1995 and Irma, in 2017.
These hurricanes have damaged the tourist activity and especially caused a movement among the population.
Some, having lost everything, decided to leave the island, others came for reconstruction or to settle permanently. Each time the island has recovered thanks to the will of its inhabitants and with the help of France and Holland.
Hurricane Irma @Wikipédia.
Useful Info for Saint Martin / Sint Maarten to inform you about the cyclonic activity or about the specificities of climatic phenomena:
NATIONAL
HURRICANE CENTER
CARIBBEAN
HURRICANE NETWORK
SXM
CYCLONE
METEO France
ANTILLES / GUYANE
METEO
FRANCE
