Saint Martin or St. Maarten is a small island shared by two nations: France and the Netherlands. There is a limit here, but it is more symbolically marked as a white milestone.
St. Martin is for vacationers a little piece of paradise. Here you can buy cheap luxury goods. There are also some houses from the colonial times in Marigot to be admired. Marigot is the capital of the French part of the island. You should definitely experience the weekly market there. There is a very special flair here, the French is combined with the Caribbean way of life.
But the island is also definitely recommended for water sports enthusiasts and those looking for relaxation. St. Martin has more than thirty beaches to offer and because of the trade winds in the eastern part of the island absolutely fantastic conditions for windsurfing.
Divers get their money’s worth especially in Baie Rouge. There is a fantastic beach and an even more exciting underwater world that calls for exploration. On St. Martin you can go on horseback riding, hiking or cycling to get to know the island better. It is also worth taking a rental car as gasoline is very cheap here. There are plenty of restaurants on the island, regardless of whether they are French or Dutch. There are also several casinos on the island.
Money on St Martin
Local currency: the euro has been the official currency on Saint Martin since 1999. 1 euro equals 100 cents.
Currency abbreviation: €, EURO
Banknotes are issued to the value of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, coins to the value of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1 and 2 euros.
Currency exchange is possible in banks and exchange offices. Prices are often quoted in euros and US dollars. For visits to the Dutch island side of Sint Maarten you should have US dollars with you.
Credit Cards: The common credit cards (especially Visa and Mastercard) are often accepted as means of payment.
ATMs: You can withdraw cash from the numerous ATMs with credit cards and EC / Maestro cards. Withdrawing cash is usually cheaper than exchanging cash.
Travelers checks should preferably be made out in euros.
Foreign exchange regulations: There are no restrictions on the import and export of currencies when traveling within the European Union.
When entering and leaving the EU, cash and checks with an equivalent value of 10,000 euros must be declared.
Bank opening times: Mon – Fri 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
St Martin – Health and Diseases
Vaccination against tetanus, diphtheria and hepatitis A is recommended for trips to St Martin. For a longer stay and vaccination against hepatitis B and typhus is recommended on backpacking trips.
A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is issued by traveler who are older than a year and who have been in a yellow fever infection area within the last 6 days upon entry.
Malaria
There is currently no risk of malaria in St Martin.
Diarrheal diseases
Most diarrheal diseases can be prevented with adequate drinking water and food hygiene.
Some basic rules
The drinking water on St Martin is chlorinated and can cause slight stomach upset in the first few days of your stay. In the beginning you should buy drinking water in bottles, but make sure that the original cap is not broken. Restaurants and hotels serve food and drinking water that are safe to consume.
Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis can be found in rivers and ponds on St Martin, so avoid wading or swimming in these waters. However, in well-maintained pools that use chlorinated water, there is no risk of schistosomiasis.
Dengue
Mosquito-borne dengue virus infections occur on Martin. It is recommended to use mosquito nets and / or mosquito repellants to protect against insects.
We strongly recommend taking out health insurance for travel abroad. This health insurance should also cover repatriation in the event of an emergency.
When traveling to St Martin, take a specially designed first-aid kit with you and protect it from high temperatures on the way.
In addition to my general disclaimer, please note the following important note:
A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information and liability for any damage that may occur cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.
St Martin – important addresses
Office de Tourisme St. Martin : 30, rue Saint Marc,
75002 Paris, France
Telephone: 0033 1 5329 9999, Fax: 0033 1 4296 1516
email: [email protected]
The St Martin Tourist Office in France is responsible for all of Europe.
As an overseas territory of France, St Martin has no diplomatic missions of its own. The interests of St Martin are represented by the French embassies. Any necessary visas can be applied for at the French embassies.
Germany, Switzerland and Austria have no diplomatic missions on St Martin; the respective embassies in Paris, France are responsible.
