GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

With a total population of 85 000, St Maarten is the second most northerly Island on the eastern Caribbean chain of Islands. Its coordinates are 18 degrees north and 63 degrees west, and forms part of the Leward Islands/ Lesser Antilles.

Its terrain is hilly with limestone exteriors and a heavy volcanic interior. The air is constantly flushed by the north east trade winds.

GETTING THERE

Getting to St Maarten should be no problem at all. The Dutch side of St Maarten boasts an international airport providing numerous flights and servicing many major airlines such as AA, US Air, Air Canada, Air Transat, KLM, Northwest, Continental and Air France.

In addition, St Maarten has a state of the art Cruise facility catering to over 1.4 million cruise passengers a year. Most cruises to the Island originate in Florida.

Flights from the US are easily accessible from all along the Atlantic coast of the US and many convenient connections throughout the rest of the country.

Most other flights originating in Europe and the rest of the world generally connect through Western Europe (England, Paris), Miami, and San Juan Puerto Rico.

Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport (San Juan) is the largest hub in this area serving the northern and eastern caribbean chain of Islands conveniently connecting them with the outside world.

The are numerous other regional and domestic flights that operate throughout the neighboring Islands.

CALLING ST MAARTEN

Calling the Dutch side of the Island requires you to enter 001 721 and then the phone number. (001 721 - xxx - xxxx)

Calling the French side requires you to enter 00 590 or 00 690 and then the phone number.

Land line (00 590 - xx xx xx) - Cell Phone (00 690 - xx xx xx)

POLICE

Dutch Side - 001 721 542 2222 / 545 5500
French side - 00 590 87 88 33

RED CROSS

Airport Road 34 PO Box 964 - Tel: 001 721 545 5263 - Fax: 2333

HOSPITALS

Hospitals on both sides of the Island can be considered small relative to the size of the population.

Dutch side: 001 721 543 1111 or 140 - Ambulance: 130
French side: 00 590 29 57 57

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Tel: 001 721 545 4222 - 542 6001 - Quick Dial - 120

VOLTAGE

Dutch side: 110v
French: 220v

MAJOR TOWNS

Philipsburg is the capital of Dutch side
"St Maarten" and Marigot is the Capital of the French side "St Martin".

Philipsburg is bustling with commerce and is host to a mega cruise facility accommodating over 1.4 million cruise ship guests per year.

There's also Simpson Bay neighborhood which in recent years has had a steady increase of development.

Then there's Grand Case which is known as the gourmet capital of the Caribbean with the most concentrated restaurants found in one strip.

Grand Case has kept its colloquial and cultural flavor until now.

DRIVING

All cars are left hand driven and use the right hand side of the road. We encourage drivers unfamiliar to this system to drive slowly until they've got the hang of it. DONT PANIC!

Driving in St Maarten can be quite a daunting task. You might want to be armed with the bridge opening times of Simpson Bay Bridge.

Being 1 minute late for the bridge could mean the difference between catching your flight or not. You should pay close attention to the following time table.

SIMPSONS BAY BRIDGE OPENING TIMES

December - April

9:00am - Outbound
9:30am - Inbound
11:00am - Outbound
11:30am - Inbound
4:30pm - Outbound
5:30pm - Inbound

May - November

9:30am - Outbound then inbound
11:30am - Outbound then inbound
5:30pm - Outbound then inbound

If you are a mariner and would like more information on the Simpsons bay bridge and lagoon please visit this great resource.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

When visiting St Martin/St Maarten, visitors MUST be in possession of a valid passport. Citizens of countries who might require an entry visa are responsible for obtaining the necessary documents before arrival. Tourists must be in possession of a return or continuing ticket out of the island.

If you are unsure of wheather you'll need a visa for entry to St Maarten please see Visa Requirements.

Passage between both sides of the Island is allowed through the two border lines. It is a good Idea to travel with your documents at all times regardless of the side that you're staying on. It is advised though that when planning excursions to the other neighboring islands that entry and reentry is permitted back to the shores.

TIME ZONE

St Maarten/St Martin remains on a year round eastern standard time. There is no day light saving switch.

LANGUAGES

Dutch is the official language on St Maarten

French is the official language on St Martin

English is extensively spoken and can be considered the tongue of choice.

However, there is a host of other languages spoken on the Island. With over 140 different nationalities one can imagine the diversity.

Here are a dominant few: Papiamento, Spanish, French Creole, Hindi, Italian and Chinese.

In addition to these there are tons of variations of English dialect.

CURRENCY

Dutch side: The Antillean Guilder "NAF"
French side: The Euro "EURO"

Although the above are the official currencies on the Island, the US dollar is extensively used on both sides. Most major credit cards and traveler’s checques are accepted. ATM's are available throughout the Island.

CLIMATE

Like most other Caribbean Islands, St Maarten/St Martin boasts an average yearly temperature of 84 degrees F and an average rain fall of 45 inches.

Showers generally last about 10 minutes at a time. During the late summer months an increase of showers is evident. Hurricane season runs from June 01 until Nov 30.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Shared holidays on both sides - (C) dates change, check your local calendar

New Years Day January 01
Good Friday - (c) March or April
Easter Sunday - (c) March or April
Easter Monday - (c) March or April
Ascension Day - (c) May
Labor Day - May 01
St Martin's Day - November 11
Christmas Day - December 25
Boxing Day - December 26

French side holidays
VE Day - May 08
National Bastille Day - July 14
Schoelcher Day - July 21
All Saints Day - November 01

Dutch Side holidays
Queens Birthday - April 30
Public Holiday - May 02
Antillean Day - October 21

LEAVING THE ISLAND

Leaving any vacation destination can be confusing and laborious task with out the necessary information. Here are a few tips for first time visitors and repeats alike, which will get you off on the right foot when leaving St Maarten.

I suppose the most important thing would be getting to the airport on time.

It is a good idea for those staying beyond the Simpson's Bay Bridge in the direction of Philipsburg to plan that day as though there was no spare time.

Some continuing flights will connect through San Juan PR and warrants a very early check in time. This is considered relatively simple in terms of traffic.

However, the bulk of departing flights occur after midday. Your entire vacation can turn into a nightmare if your knowledge of the bridge opening times and prediction of the traffic density is obscured.

My advice