Weather

Warm and sunny tropical climate all year round. Temperatures between 25 and 33 centigrade. The coolest season is between November and May, the warmest and rainy between June and September.

Languages: French, Dutch, English, Spanish, plus Creole and Papiamento.

Currency and banking services
Euro on the French and Netherlands Antilles Guilder on the Dutch side.
The US dollar is used everywhere on the island. Due to the strength of the Euro, many shops, bars and restaurants on the French side charge 1 Euro for 1 USD.
The main credit cards and Travelers Checks are accepted on both side of the island, but not everyone accepts American Express. There is a Western Union service on the island. ATM's are available all over the island. Banking services are generally fast and reliable.
On the Dutch side, banks are usually open from 8.30 am to 3.30 pm. On the French side, the opening hours are usually from 8.30 am to noon and from 2 to 5 pm.

Transportation
The newly build "Princess Juliana International Airport" on the Dutch side is the main international airport. There is a smaller airport in Grand Case on the French side. Air France, Air Caraibes, and KLM are operating direct flights from Paris and Amsterdam to St. Maarten/St. Martin. Corsair flights from Paris have a stopover in Guadeloupe. Air Caraibes also flies to Paris. Several American airlines operate direct flights to the island from different US airports. (American Airlines, Continental, US Airways, American Eagle , Jet Blue and more).Regional flights connecting St. Maarten/St. Martin to the other islands of the region are available at both airports. (Air Caraibes, Winair, BWIA, Liat).

Communications - Phone and internet services

Phone cards for public phones are available on both sides of St.Martin. So are Sim-cards for your cell phone, offered by several companies. You can also rent cell phones. When making an international call, use the prefix 00 on both sides of the island. To call from the French to the Dutch side, dial 001 721followed by the number. To call from the Dutch to the French side, dial 00590590 followed by the number, or 00590690 followed by the number if you call a cell phone.

There are many internet-shops all over the island, and most hotels also offer high speed internet services. Postal services are available in several locations on both sides of the island.

Media - Information

Cable and Direct TV (satellite) are available everywhere on the island, with American channels on the Dutch and French and American channels on the French side. Plenty of local newspaper and magazines in English, French and Spanish as well as a good choice of international ones are distributed all over the island. Make sure you consult the local press for detailed information about time tables, schedules and all kind of event taking place on the island. On top, many radio channels provide entertainment and information in several languages. (see links to medias and radio channels on our web site.)

Entry requirements

EU, US and Canadian citizens need a valid passport and a return ticket. Citizens of those countries can stay up to 3 months. On the French side, EU citizens can stay forever. For citizens of other countries who might need a visa, please consult your nearest Dutch or French embassy for more information.

Health services
There are modern hospitals on both sides of the island, as well as several excellent specialists and private doctors in every field. Information about health services, hospitals, doctors and emergency services are available in the local phone books.

Further services

If you intent to do business, buy a property or invest, there are plenty of lawyers and notaries on both sides of the island. We strongly suggest you to consult them whenever there is a need. Please, also check our section about "Offshore Services", as well as the list of our sponsors on the right side bar of this page. You will find information about all kind of services available on the island, like car rentals, tours, flower shops, lawyers and consultants, hair dressers, construction companies and many more profesionals.