Visas for Sint Maarten. Single visa for the Caribbean and Aruba

I once thought that the Caribbean islands were purely a fantasy of writers and directors who created images of pirates and sailors to create interesting stories and exciting adventures. But, times go by, and the thought that the Caribbean is something incredible and unknown haunts me. It was with approximately this attitude that I flew to Sint Maarten.

The first interesting detail was that the island consists of two countries that get along well together - France and Holland. They are separated by a conventional border, but movement between them is not difficult in any way, so exploring two countries in one trip is a real adventure!

Gourmets, aesthetes and lovers of everything more expensive remain on the French side, but if you are a real hunter for interesting things, then Sint Maarten is waiting for you now, and all year, and for a very long time. I don’t advise you to delay making a choice, because after reading my article you simply won’t have any left!

Visa and border crossing

So, the first step is to clarify whether Russians need a visa to enter this country? Answer: yes, it is necessary. But don’t rush to get upset and close the page, because its design will not take much time and effort.

First, it is important to clarify that to travel to Sint Maarten you need a special visa - Caribisch gebied. Such a document gives the right to visit not only this country, but also several other islands: Bonaire and St. Eustatius.

Caribisch gebied is issued only at the Visa Application Center or the Consulate of the Netherlands. When you fill out the form, in the “Destination” column, indicate the island you are going to. In our case Saint Maarten.

This type of visa cannot be used to visit Schengen countries, nor can a Schengen visa be used to enter these islands. But, if you have a Schengen multiple entry visa, entry will be allowed without a visa.

All that remains is to submit the documents.

List of documents

• completed in English questionnaire;
• 2 photos size 3.5x4.5 (colored according to Schengen standards);
• photocopies all completed pages of the passport;
• photocopies of the national passports (first page and registration);
• medical insurance;
• hotel reservation;
• bank statement or work certificate about having enough money (about 40 EUR per day).

Consular fee - 35 EUR.

The visa itself takes about 10 working days.

In order to sign up to submit documents, you need to go to the Visa Application Center website and select the purpose of your trip - the Netherlands Antilles, then specify the day and time.

Visa Centers

Address in Moscow: Shchipok street, 11 building 1.

You can submit documents from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and receive them from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Visa Application Center is open from Monday to Friday.

In St. Petersburg You can contact the address: Bolshaya Raznochinnaya Street, 16/7. 2nd floor of the Chkalovsky business center.

The times for submitting and receiving documents are the same: from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Working days: Monday to Friday.

It is also possible to visit Visa Centers in Rostov-on-Don, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Vladivostok, Krasnodar, Novosibirsk and Samara. Detailed information about opening hours and contacts can be found at vfsglobal.com.

With kids

In order for the children to be able to go with you to the resort with joy and pleasure, you need to provide several documents:

• notarized permission to take a child out if he is traveling with one of the parents or a guardian;
• photocopies parental passports;
• if under 14 years old, then the original birth certificates and a copy of the international passport and the international passport itself.

Import and export rules

The import and export of any currency is not limited, but amounts greater than 10,000 USD must be declared.

According to the rules, you can import up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars. Regarding alcohol, the situation is as follows: the import and export of no more than 1 liter of strong alcohol or 3 liters of wine is allowed.

Leaving the country

When you leave the country, do not forget to pay a local tax of 7 USD.

How to get there

Sint Maarten is a state that is not very close to our country, which is certainly sad. But I can assure you that this part of the planet is worth getting here at least once in your life. I'll tell you how you can do this. The most popular and affordable way to get here is by plane. There are a lot of flights to the island with transfers in different countries. You can also get here by ferry, which includes a visit to Sint Maarten as part of the cruise.

By plane

To get to Sint Maarten by plane, you will need only 25 hours, 520 USD and a transfer at New York airport. The flight from Moscow (SVO) is operated by Aeroflot and JetBlue. This is the fastest and cheapest option for Moscow residents.

For residents of St. Petersburg, the cheapest option will be a flight with transfers to Sheremetyevo and John F. Kennedy Airport for 530 USD. Travel time - 30 hours. Aeroflot and JetBlue also operate this flight. You can compare ticket prices, for example.

By ferry

An alternative option to get to the island is to take a ferry, or rather a cruise. This type of transport has recently attracted more and more tourists due to its diversity and low price.

Of course, for this you need to be in the USA or Puerto Rico, from where such liners sail.

You can, for example, buy a seven-day cruise and get 6 different islands, including Sint Maarten! Simply fabulous! On board you will be able to have a wonderful rest while the ship is at sea, eat delicious food in chic restaurants, have dizzying entertainment and recharge with positive energy for a long time.

Prices for cruises start from approximately 450 USD and above. It all depends on how early you book your tickets.

Gustavia

Back in the 1950s, the capital Saint Barthélemy was a fishing village. Changes came in the 1960s when wealthy visitors, including the Rockefeller and Rothschild families, came in, followed by super-yachts carrying Hollywood stars and influential Europeans of the 1970s.

Today this port city is nothing less than a majestic piece of land. Although relatively small compared to other giants in the Caribbean, Gustavia has a number of upscale boutiques, upscale restaurants and several historical attractions.

There is a ferry service between Sint Maarten and Gustavia. Tickets can be purchased from the Aqua Mania office located at Pelican Marina, opposite the Simpson Bay Resort.

The company holds swims on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9:00. Departure back at 16:00.

The cost per day is 100 USD for an adult ticket and 60 USD for children from 2 to 11 years old. Children under two years old are free.

Remember: you must have a valid passport as Gustavia has a very strict immigration policy, some nationalities may require a visa. For Russians it necessary apply at the France visa center.

Scooter

Scooters are definitely a cool way to see the sights and will make getting around the island more manageable. But I can only recommend this method if you already have experience in maneuvering. This is especially necessary where there are narrow roads. You can rent a scooter at the airport for the same daily price as a car. for rent.

Car rent

Sint Maarten is a relatively small island, but if you are interested in doing a variety of activities, like me, then renting a car is a big deal. There are many car rental companies on the island, so prices are decent, starting from around 30-40 USD per day for economy cars. Gas and petrol prices are currently quite reasonable, especially by European standards. You can also search for offers in advance on the Internet (for example,).

• At Princess Juliana Airport you can find any well-known car rental company: Budget, Avis, Payless Car Rental, Hertz and others.
• As for the city itself, there are not many rental places here and they are located at a remote location. These companies are Coastal Car Rental and Dollar Thrifty Car Rental.

One word of caution: traffic on the island can be very busy and parking can be challenging. Ask locals about traffic, driving times and hours so you can plan your route and schedule exits to minimize annoyance.

Connection

In Sint Maarten, most cafes, restaurants, and hotels have free access to Wi-Fi and the Internet, so you can easily contact family and friends.

If you need a more mobile option for using the network, then I recommend purchasing a SIM card TelCell on the Dutch side for 50 USD, on which there will be 500 MB of Internet and 150 minutes. The system is postpaid.

The map shows the location where you can purchase the tariff. The company is open Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 16:30. Saturday and Sunday are days off.

Be careful: mobile data does not work when you go to the French side.

Language and communication

English is the dominant language in Sint Maarten, although both Dutch and Spanish are spoken here. The Creole language - Papiamento - is a mixture of Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, English and French, but very few people speak it.

Features of mentality

There is great cultural diversity in Sint Martin, and the true locals far outnumber the immigrants from poorer and less urbanized areas. Clothes that are too expensive and bright can attract unwanted attention, so try to choose the least provocative outfits.

You may also offend some locals if you wander around places other than beaches and swimming pools in a swimsuit: for example, in the local supermarket it is disrespectful, so you will be treated relatively negatively and, at times, hostilely.

Food and drink

The most important tip I can give you about the local cuisine of Sint Maarten is stay away from McDonald's. This is the only way that will make you rise from being a tourist to becoming a true traveler immersed in the local culture. Sint Maarten has some amazing local food that is definitely worth trying. Go to local cafes and go where the locals go. For me, food, wine and even water are part of the journey.

There are approximately 300 restaurants on the island with a wide variety of offerings available to both tourists and locals. There are restaurants that are American, Mexican, Chinese, Italian, vegetarian and many more. If you don't like restaurants, there are supermarkets with an excellent selection of American, European and other products.

Seafood such as salmon, lobster and red snapper are very popular on the island and are prepared in a variety of styles and variations. Local spices are used in stews, curries and, for example, in products such as blood sausage (boudin).

Most restaurants include a tax of about 10-15% of the check amount. Also be prepared for the fact that your order will take quite a long time to prepare, as it is customary here to take your time during lunch or dinner.

A few useful terms to know on the island:

• lambi (shell);
• gambas (shrimp);
• poulet (chicken);
• colombo (curry).

5 dishes worth trying

Sint Maarten is a great place to try something new and different. I'll tell you about some of the dishes that you should definitely try:

Shopping

Sint Maarten is a Caribbean island owned by the Dutch. You can buy truly unique Dutch items on this island that you can't get on other islands. If you're planning on shopping, here are some tips to keep in mind when buying chocolate, alcohol, jewelry or other interesting items while shopping in Sint Maarten.

What you need to know about shopping in this country

For shopping in Sint Maarten, I would like to give you some valuable tips:

1. Travel further inland to shop at a great price. Vendors and shops closest to the cruise port have higher prices than those further inland.
2. Before purchasing jewelry, ask Is the brand approved? The cruise lines have a list of jewelers on the island that they have approved. It is known that the company, which is approved by the cruise line, sells real jewelry, and not cheap fakes for unknowing tourists.
3. Last tip. When you shop in Sint Maarten, look for shops and products duty free trade. These items are cheaper because you don't pay the standard import duty.

Best cities for shopping

If you are looking for a place for good shopping, then without a doubt this will be it. Philipsburg. In this city all the shops are concentrated where you can buy any thing from the smallest to the largest. So, here are the best places to spend your money:

What to bring from this country

There are several things that you should definitely bring home, both for yourself and as a souvenir:

• Guavaberry liquor. This liqueur, made from ripe rum berries and cane sugar, is a famous product of the island. It is made right in the capital at the famous Guavaberry Emporium, along with other flavored liqueurs and hot sauces.

• Jewelry made from precious stones. The country is particularly famous for its gemstones, and many stores offer diamonds at half the retail price. Most of the outlets are directly associated with diamond cutters and the savings are passed on to their customers. You will find museum masterpieces at affordable prices.

Perhaps the best store to buy jewelry is Joe's Jewelry International. Here are the best examples of luxury that will surprise even the most discerning buyer. Open every day from 9:00 to 18:00. The price varies from 100 to 10,000 USD. As they say, for every taste and color, eye and wallet.

• Paintings

If you want to take some of Sint Maarten's most vivid memories with you, then head to one of the fine art galleries where you can find original masterpieces by major local artists such as Ras Mosera and Francis Eck. Or check out the colorful silk paintings of Gaynor Noyce. At the market you will find many colorful pieces of art from local artists at a great price.

Go to Artcraftcafe Gallery in Philipsburg and experience the beauty of island art, paint and buy a masterpiece yourself. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 17:00, closed on Sunday. The cost of painting an original painting is about 50 USD.

I also recommend running to Dreams International Art Gallery & Auction House which is nearby. Very nice place. There is a huge amount of wonderful work on display here. You can always drop by here any day from 10:00 to 17:00.

Sint Maarten is a duty free zone.

Vacation with children

Personally, I think the Caribbean is one of the best places to go on vacation with kids because you can find anything, swim with anyone, and eat anything. Sint Maarten is a wonderful piece of our planet for this; not only children, but also parents will be delighted here.

In this company, everything is arranged for the recreation and entertainment of children aged 3 years and older. An experienced instructor and his team gather children into groups onto small boats. For kids there are mini masks, mini fins and mini goggles to make the journey more comfortable and fun. Places for underwater exploration include Creole Rock and Turtle Reef. On the company's website you can see a wide variety of tours and choose the most suitable one for your child.

And, of course, what would a vacation be without delicious ice cream! It seems to me that this is the main indicator of an excellent holiday according to children.

Safety

Most visits to the Caribbean are safe. The main tourist areas are generally quiet, but you should take reasonable precautions.

The Caribbean islands continue to be used to smuggle illegal drugs from South America to Europe and North America. You should have a heightened sense of awareness of this problem. Never leave bags unattended.

Popular types of scams

Some of the most popular types of scams on the island are:

• Petty theft and street crimes. Try not to carry anything in the pockets of your clothes or bags. Always keep them in front of you so you don't lose sight of things.
• Mobile phone theft. This type of scam is extremely common here, so be very careful. If possible, try not to take your phone with you at all.
• Change in fare. Many drivers, taking advantage of the slowness and inattention of tourists, do not indicate the exact amount for transportation to the required place. Upon arrival, you may be charged a very large amount, so be sure to negotiate the price of travel BEFORE before you get on a bus or taxi.

5 things you definitely shouldn't do

1. Show your valuables on city streets.
2. Walk after 16:00 and especially at night in places you don’t know.
3. Provoke people into conflict or argument.
4. Take some things if you are asked to “just help carry them to the door.”
5. Walk alone.

5 things you must do in this country

For each country it is possible to find several things that are definitely worth doing, seeing and exploring. I advise you to do the following without fail:

Taxi price from Philipsburg is about 15 USD.

Nearby countries

Perhaps, after all is said and done, few countries will be able to capture your heart as much as Sint Maarten. I would like to highlight the most striking countries in terms of travel and new discoveries:

Puerto Rico

Hotels- don’t forget to check prices from booking sites! Don't overpay. This !

Rent a Car- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!

Anything to add?

Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint Martin. How to get to Sint Maarten and where is the best place to live there? Visa control in Sint Maarten. Car rental at Princess Juliana Airport and public transport in Sint Maarten. Shops in Sint Maarten and St. Maarten. Prices in Sint Maarten and St. Maarten. Currency of Sint Maarten / Currency of Saint Martin. Bank cards and ATMs in Sint Maarten / St. Maarten. Safety in Sint Maarten/Saint Maarten. Electricity and communications are on in Sint Maarten/Saint Maarten.

How to get to Sint Maarten? The most popular arrival routes to Sint Maarten are from Amsterdam, Paris and mainly from the USA. When flying through the States, you need to remember that you need a US visa.

On December 28th we flew to New York by Aeroflot. We are welcome in America - friends met us at JFK airport. We already lived with them for a week on our last trip to the States. They took us to their home in Brooklyn, treated us to a delicious dinner, discussed the fate of our distant Motherland, and in the morning they took us to Newark, for which we thank them very much.

Liberty Airport Impressed by the size. Before that, in addition to the huge JFK, we flew from what seemed to us a small LaGuardia in Queens. Liberty is not much inferior in scope to JFK - in 2015, passenger traffic at JFK amounted to almost 57 million people, at Liberty - 37.5 million (for comparison, at Sheremetyevo - 34 million, at LaGuardia, which we unfairly underestimated - 31.4 million, and in his native Eburg Koltsovo - 4.3 million according to data for 2015-2016).

In anticipation of the New Year, not knowing what to expect from prices on the islands (everything there was supposed to be quite expensive - everything was imported), we allowed ourselves a little luxury by buying a bottle of Veuve Clicquot at Duty Free. Later it turned out that the island prices are quite divine (the whole of Saint Martin / Sint Maarten is officially a duty free zone). The same Veuve Clicquot can be bought in a supermarket there for 64 dollars versus 72, which we gave at Liberty. Sparkling Martini Rose in Sint Maarten cost 18 USD. And in general, the range of wines in supermarkets on the island of St. Martin exceeded all expectations. Perhaps due to the influence of the French part of the island? But, on the other hand, in both Curacao and Aruba, purely Dutch territories, the situation was similar - the wines were in perfect order.

Liberty also surprised us with new approaches in the field of aviation security. At Liberty Airport Duty Free you cannot immediately pick up bottles of alcohol that you have paid for. They write down your flight number and your last name, and deliver your purchase to the boarding gate, where it is handed over. Not everyone understands how this works - there were passengers who boarded the plane without picking up or waiting for their packages, and as a result they were brought into the cabin.

Passenger service in UnitedAirlines fully commercialized. For a movie - pay (8 USD for connection, payment by card through a terminal connected to the video monitor). At the same time, you cannot choose from a film library, as is usually the case with other airlines, but are forced to be content with a dozen channels in English or Spanish with continuous broadcasting of various films, programs and TV series - if you didn’t get to the beginning, watch from the middle. The only free food is a bag of peanuts and juices.

The flight takes just over four hours - nothing after a ten-hour flight to New York. Our seats were on the left side. The plane crosses the entire island when landing, and we were able to admire Philipsburg - the capital of the Dutch Sint Maarten, the view of which was exactly from our side. Over the sea there is a turn, descent and then landing, passing a couple of tens of meters above the onlookers joyfully greeting the planes on the legendary Maho Beach.

Princess Juliana Airport quite small (designed for a passenger traffic of 2.5 million passengers annually - and this is for an island with a population of 75 thousand people), but decent, clean and modern. We took our suitcases and grabbed a free advertising booklet with a map attached. There were no hiccups at passport control, they worked efficiently and went through it quickly. I wrote about questions about whether there are any difficulties with arriving through Princess Juliana Airport on the Dutch side of the island to stay on the French side.

Sint Maarten, coconut tree

Transport in Sint Maarten. For me, it is most convenient to rent a car. Renting a car in Sint Maarten like me already, does not cause much trouble. Taxi service is also well developed on the island. From the airport to the farthest point (Anse Marcel, French Cul de Sac, Mount Vernon) you can get there for 45 USD. To the capitals - Philipsburg and Marigot - for 20 USD. Our Oyster Pond is about 30 years away.

Taxi prices in Sint Maarten fixed by government-approved tariffs:

It is worth noting that the prices are for 1-2 passengers and include one suitcase per person. Each additional unit is two dollars. Large boxes - 3 each, large strollers - 5 each.

More than two people – already a group rate. Child seats are included in the price. Children from 0 to 2 years old - free, from 3 to 4 - 50%, 5 years old and older - full rate.

If a taxi is ordered not to a certain point, but for a period of time (shopping, etc.), then a waiting cost of 40 USD per hour is added to the tariff; waiting time of more than 15 minutes is rounded up to an hour.

Evening tariff – plus 25% from 22:00 to 24:00, night – plus 50% from 24:00 to 6:30

Sightseeing trip around the island - from 85 USD for two (and from 20 USD per person for a trip of 8 people) for a 2.5 hour tour up to 250 USD for a full day - 5-6 hours for up to 6 people.

Taxis can be ordered in advance on the website The Dutch St. Maarten Taxi Association (DSTA) or take a taxi at the port/airport.

Paying for a taxi in Sint Maarten occurs in US dollars.

Public transport in Sint Maarten limited to small private businesses providing transportation between the main towns. There is no schedule, no stops. You see a bus/minibus with a route sign (starting and ending points) on the windshield - vote, ask if it goes where you want. When you need to get off, just tell the driver. The price of public transport in Sint Maarten is 1-1.5 USD depending on the distance, and have some change ready - you may not have change. In the evening, buses rarely run, and after 23:00 - almost never.

Example: if you need to go from Maho to Simpson Bay, stop the bus to Philipsburg and get off along the road where you need to go. To get from Marigot to Simpson Bay, take the bus to Philipsburg, get off at the T-junction (look for the KFC - Kentucky Fried Chicken sign) and wait for the bus to Mullet Bay.

Typical road in Saint Martin

Car rental companies at Princess Juliana Airport do not have their own counters in the arrival hall. You need to look for their representatives outside. To the right of the exit, a few tens of meters away, you will see signs with the names of rent-a-car companies, from where shuttles pick up clients. But the SIXT I needed was not there. I asked the locals hanging around nearby: “Where has SIXT gone?” - “So he’s running around here somewhere.” They caught me a guy in an orange branded Peruvian SIXT jacket - he brought several more people from the arrivals hall. We were all seated in a minibus, which took us to the office in literally three to five minutes. The decor is unhurried in the Caribbean style. We got a white Toyota Yaris. Scratches and chips were noted in good faith.

The owner of the hotel we booked, Sol'Hôtel in Oyster Pond on the French side, sent me directions from the airport to the hotel in advance. But I still got a little lost, taking the wrong turn in Philipsburg. I asked the locals several times how to get there - they all speak excellent English, are friendly and helpful, so in the end we got there without any problems.

When we later drove around the island, having become accustomed to it, when traveling through Philipsburg, we took as a landmark a noticeable T-shaped intersection with a roundabout: to the left of it there is a lake, straight along the mountain, a turn to the right - to the port of Philipsburg, to the left - towards the French part of the island (signpost in the French Quarter). Further along the road there will be signs for Oyster Pond. From the airport to Oyster Pond the drive is no more than 40 minutes if there are no traffic jams. And they do happen on the island of St. Martin, no matter how strange it may sound.

Most traffic jams occur due to bridge openings. The opening of bridges in Sint Maarten occurs according to the following schedule:

— Simpson Bay Bridge on the Dutch side opens daily from December to April at 9:00, 9:30, 11am, 11:30, 16:30 and 17:30pm

- Sandy Ground Bridge on the French side 8:15, 14:30 on weekdays, on holidays and weekends - 8:15 and 17:30.

The border between the Dutch and French Saint Martins is marked with signs.

Somewhere the pointers are simple:

Somewhere more impressive:

Border of Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint Martin

Border monument in honor of Sint-Martin-Saint-Martin friendship

Apparently, another memorial plaque will appear in 2018 - 370 years of unity and friendship on the island

Interestingly, the border between the French and Dutch parts of the island of St. Martin was established back in 1648, and the locals have a funny story about this. You can read more about this story, and about the history of Sint Maarten and Saint Martin.

Where to live in Sint Maarten / Saint Martin?

Where to live in Sint Maarten / Saint Martin depends on your preferences.

Sint Maarten (Dutch part) is considered more attractive for young people and unbridled recreation. It's loud and loose, with lots of pubs, clubs, casinos and a vibrant nightlife. Sint Maarten is an autonomous state within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which is why almost everything is permitted there as in Holland. Except drugs (including mild ones). On the Dutch side there is the famous Maho Beach, famous for its photographs of planes flying a couple of tens of meters above the heads of holidaymakers. The most popular area is Simpson Bay.

View of Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten

Saint Martin (the French part) is positioned as a quieter and more prestigious holiday destination for older tourists, or simply those who prefer a relaxing holiday and fine cuisine - it is believed that the best restaurants are in Saint Martin (for this is where the influence of refined traditions is present French cuisine). The town of Gran Cas is considered the gourmet capital of the island (and some argue of the entire Caribbean region).

The French part of the island also has more gorgeous beaches. There is Orient Beach - the largest beach on the island, which also has a corner officially belonging to the nudist Orient Club. On the French side lies Galion Beach, the beach most popular with surfers.

Grand Cas and Orien Bay are the most popular places to stay in Saint Martin.

Villa in Saint Martin, near Frair`s Bay beach

The average cost of a hotel room in Sint Maarten / St. Maarten is 130-160 US dollars per night. But you can find something cheaper and simpler, from 50 dollars. Renting an apartment in Saint Martin is also not difficult. Prices are about the same.

We stopped at Sol'Hotel on the French side in a small village (town?) Oyster Pond, divided by the border between Sint Maarten and St. Maarten. Sol'Hôtel has a high rating and many good reviews. And ours included - we liked it there.

Sol'Hôtel, Oyster Pond

After dropping our things off at the hotel, we made our way to a small local grocery store. Aux Pains d'Epices. The assortment is good, there is everything you need - meat, cheeses, fruits, a decent line of wines.

Prices in Saint Martin, as I wrote above, European. What is the currency in Sint Maarten/Saint Maarten? This is also a question that often confuses island guests.

Currency of Sint Maarten- Netherlands Antilles Guilder, abbreviated NAF. It is pegged to the US Dollar - 1.79 NAF = 1 USD. Netherlands Antilles Guilder was the common currency of the Netherlands Antilles, as can easily be assumed, and still (as of 2017) remains the currency for Sint Maarten and Curacao. By law, prices in Sint Maarten must be quoted in NAF. But the US dollar is accepted equally with NAF without restrictions. Therefore, prices on the Dutch side are usually indicated in double prices - in NAF and USD. Euros are not accepted on the Dutch side.

But on the French side, in Saint Martin, all price tags are in euros. NAF is not accepted. But the US dollar is easy. The dollar to euro exchange rate in Saint Martin is tied to stock exchange quotes. In December-January 2014, dollars on the French side were usually taken at the rate of 1.32-1.38 per 1 euro. But often the dollar is accepted as payment at a more favorable rate, sometimes even 1:1, depending on your luck. Sometimes restaurants already write at the entrance that they accept dollars at a rate of 1:1 to euros. In any case, it is always worth having dollars with you, and, before paying in euros, ask what the exchange rate is. Most likely it will be cheaper in dollars.

The US dollar turns out to be the universal currency for the island. You won't need NAF if you have dollars. Well, or if we don’t have an unhealthy need to hold and save exotic currencies for our collection. I have such a disease.

Small change can be given from dollars in eurocents on the French side and NAF on the Dutch side. Accordingly, they can also give change in American change if there is no exchange in the appropriate currency.

Bank cards in Sint Maarten. Both MasterCard and Visa are accepted equally. There may be problems with American Express. Bank cards are needed mainly for renting cars and paying for hotels. Very often, restaurants and shops do not accept cards, only cash. Cash in Sint Maarten can be withdrawn from a bank card at banks or automated teller machines (ATMs) without any problems. Finding ATMs is also not difficult - I specifically withdrew a certain amount in Netherlands Antillean guilders. On the Dutch side. ATMs in Sint Maarten will offer you the choice of withdrawing money in NAF, USD or EUR. ATM in Saint Martin (French) – Euro only.

At the same time, as they say, there is one caveat: if your card is linked to an account in USD, withdraw dollars in the Dutch part, because this way you will only pay a commission for withdrawing funds from an ATM. If you withdraw euros on the French side from a card linked to a dollar account, then on the ATM screen the conversion rate at which you will receive euros may look attractive. But this is the local bank rate. And your bank may have a higher conversion rate, and as a result, the final conversion cost for you will be higher. Therefore, the locals advise that if you had to withdraw euros from a bank card on the French side, then go and exchange them at the bank for dollars. This will usually give you a better exchange rate. Plus, on the French side it is often more profitable to pay in dollars than in euros.

In the store, of course, we picked up wine, cheese, and smoked meats. And, on the advice of Kolet, the hostess Sol'Hotel, mosquito repellent candle. Mosquitoes on Sint Maarten are present. We left the candle burning at night - the floor in the room was made of tiles - no one ate us. On the terrace in the evenings it happened that people were bitten. But the local small, half-dead mosquitoes are no match for the Ural monsters - their buzzing is almost inaudible, they sting unnoticed, and the bite mark does not last long.

It’s worth saying that the next day after our arrival, on the way to Philipsburg, we came across a large supermarket in Sint Maarten with reasonable prices and an excellent assortment - The Fresh Market. Wines are mainly from France, then from Chile, Argentina, California, beer from Holland, USA, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and others.

Christmas arrangement at The Fresh Market, Sint Maarten

There is also Carrefour in Saint Martin. Finding supermarkets in Sint Maarten, thanks to Google, is not very difficult these days - just type in Google “supermarkets in sint maarten” or “supermarkets in st maarten” and you will be happy - supermarkets of both Sint Maarten and Saint Maarten will be shown . But if you search for “supermarkets in saint martin”, you won’t be happy, because there are plenty of Saint Martins in the world, and Google will look for them in Europe, the USA, and other places remote from the desired point.

Safety onSint Maarten.

Still, it is worth drawing attention to the fact that although we have never encountered any aggression or problems on the island, there are occasionally reports on the Internet about robberies of tourists (especially on Peak Paradise), theft of their cars and thefts. Therefore, as with everything, it is worth exercising reasonable caution.

Walking along Oyster Pond late one night, we witnessed how the gendarmes arrived either to respond to a call, or to trigger an alarm, or to make an arrest. Just like in the movies, about 6 people poured out of the minibus and technically took up positions near the fence of the house, after which two, under the cover of the others, ran, bent down, to the entrance. My wife didn’t let me watch any further, considering it better to leave this free show.

Be that as it may, the vast majority of those who had the opportunity to live on the island longer consider Sint Maarten / St. Maarten to be a completely safe place, calmer than Prague (where I felt quite comfortable walking at night in the central and not very areas), not to mention comparisons with Jamaica, St. Thomas and Santa Lucia. It is still advised not to be alone on deserted beaches at night, to avoid residential areas of Sandy Ground, French and Dutch Quarter at night, not to wander unnecessarily along dark alleys in Philipsburg and Marigot, not to wave your wallet in public, and not to leave it in plain sight. place of value in the car.

The map is loading. Please wait.
The map cannot be loaded - please enable Javascript!

Sandy Ground: 18.058687 , -63.104846

Quartier D\"Orléans (French Quarter): 18.069668 , -63.037934

Dutch Quarter: 18.049903 , -63.045600

Some people believe that when renting a car, it makes sense to ask for a car with a license plate not of the Dutch Sint Maarten (which has the symbol R - rented), but of the French Saint Maarten (the rental companies on the Dutch side always have them), because such The license plate gives away the visitor and may provoke a desire to scam him.

Registration number for a rental car in Sint Maarten

Yes, does anyone else remember the popular scheme for selling time shares in the late 90s in Russia? On the island of St. Martin this theme is in full bloom. Persuasive promoters will pester you on the streets, inviting you to watch a presentation in exchange for a gift. At the presentation, they will pour you a glass and tell you how great it is to have a timeshare in Saint Martin (the right to use resort real estate - an apartment or a villa - for a certain time over a certain number of years), after which they will immediately insistently offer to sign a contract and then pay for it. During the season, a timeshare will cost several tens of thousands of dollars. Not that much? It's a shame, but you can get it cheaper in the off-season. Or even cheaper, but in low season. But you need to pay right now and urgently.

In fact, a timeshare is only needed in one case - if you really intend to live in this place every year and are sure that it will be so. Then this may be reasonable, but it is worth first calculating how much. In other cases, it's money down the drain. You can go to a presentation if you have nothing to kill time with, you want to receive a gift (for example, a spa voucher) for free and you are sure that you yourself will sell what you want to someone who will try to sell you something. If you are kind, trusting, and believe in the best, then it is better to pretend that you do not understand what we are talking about and go sunbathe and swim on the beach, thereby maintaining faith in humanity and a fair amount of personal savings.

Electricity and electrical outlets in St. Maarten / Sint Maarten.

What electrical outlets there are on St. Martin's depends on which part of the island you're staying on.

On the French side (Saint Martin) there are sockets of the usual European type.

Type E plug and socket

An adapter will most likely not be required. Although there has recently been a requirement to switch to type E sockets - with an additional grounding pin - the result is that flat plugs (which are the majority) may be fine, but round ones will require an adapter.

The voltage in Saint Martin is 220 volts, but the frequency of the current is not the usual 50, but 60 hertz. This only affects devices with an electric motor.

On the Dutch side (Sint Maarten) there are American type sockets - A and B.

Type B plug and socket

For the Euro plugs we are used to, we will need an adapter. Voltage - 120 volts, 60 hertz.

The fact that the voltage is two times lower than usual is not critical for low-power electrical devices such as phones, tablets, laptops and other chargers. Iron-hair dryers must have a 110-220 volt switch, otherwise they will work at half capacity.

Communications on the island of St. Martin.

Keep in mind that since Sint Maarten and Saint Martin are different states, if you purchased a SIM card in one of them and call from the territory of the other, you will find yourself on roaming, with all the unpleasant consequences inherent in roaming. Wi-Fi is present on the island and is usually available in hotels, but the signal is often quite weak and inconsistent, with a few nice exceptions.

Photos from Saint Martin/Sint Maarten can be viewed.

If this note was useful, I would be very grateful if you share it on social networks by clicking on the appropriate buttons below - this will help promote the site.

Before you go on vacation, it’s worth seeing what the geography of Sint Maarten is like. In general, the state occupies only 34 square meters. km. Even on such a small piece of land, tourists will have something to see and be surprised by. The nature here is especially beautiful.

The wonderful geography of Sint Maarten

On the northern side, the country borders on the French island of Saint-Martin, and on the eastern side, its neighbor is Saint-Barthélemy. Exactly like this Geography of Sint Maarten makes the island cozy and comfortable for relaxation. The coast of the state is quite indented with deep bays and wide lagoons. The largest lagoon in the Caribbean, Simpson Bay, is also located here.

The island is clearly framed by salty lagoons and small islets. Geography simply ideal for an area in the middle of the ocean. Here you can relax and unwind. To the north there is quite a lot of hilly terrain, which reaches 350 m. A noticeable landmark Sint Maarten is Mount Flagstaff, a previously extinct volcano. Its height is about 385 m.

The country's time zone is UTC-04:00. There is no change between winter and summer hours. If we compare Time Sint Maarten and Moscow, the difference will be approximately 7 hours.

Thanks to the tropical, trade wind climate tourism Sint Maarten is developing favorably. In summer there is no extreme heat here, and in winter it is not so cold. pleasant enough for vacationers who cannot stand hot summers. The island experiences a fair amount of rainfall, which occurs mainly in May-October. At this time, up to 700 mm of precipitation falls.

Basically Weather Sint Maarten in summer and winter it is not significantly different. From June to September, when there are not many tourists, the air temperature is +27°C. In winter it can drop by 2-3°C. It is not advisable to come here in July-October, when hurricanes are possible.

Nature of Sint Maarten

Mesmerizes from the very first minutes and... The territory of the island is covered with a green carpet, while the landscape is quite dry. The flora here often includes hibiscus, palm trees and cacti. On the hills you can occasionally see small islands of forests. The fauna that takes root in such an area is also quite diverse. Travelers can see here lizards, about a hundred different species of birds, as well as domestic animals that have managed to run wild in the local environment.

On the world map Map

There are two countries on one island. One is Sint Maarten (belongs to the Netherlands), the other is Saint Martin (belongs to France). Sint Maarten is famous for its crazy airport, where the approach is directly above the heads of those standing on the beach (three times steeper than Phuket).

There are two countries situated on this small island. The first is Sint Maarten (which belongs to the Netherlands) and the second is Saint Martin (which belongs to France). Sint Maarten is famous for its insane airport, where planes approach for landing right over the heads of people standing on the beach (it’s three times cooler than Phuket).

The airport is the main attraction of the Dutch part of the island.

The airport is the main point of interest on the Dutch part of the island.

The beach area is decorated with warnings that standing under the exhaust of a jetliner is not a good idea. The warning is emblazoned with tourist stickers.

The beach area is decorated with warnings about how standing under the blast of a jet engine isn’t the best idea. The warning is decorated with tourists’ stickers.

However, standing directly behind a Boeing taking off is really not a good idea. The heat and smell of kerosene can be survived. But all the sand from the beach flies into your eyes.

However, standing directly behind a Boeing during takeoff really isn’t the best idea. The heat and the smell of kerosene are tolerable enough. But all the sand from the beach flies straight into your eyes.

The takeoff is loud, but safe and beautiful.

The takeoff is loud, but safe and pretty.

The landing is also loud and beautiful.

The landing is also loud and pretty.

There's not much to do here.

There isn't a whole lot to do here.

Apart from a couple of casinos, nightclubs and a couple of beaches, there is nothing.

Nothing exists here besides a few casinos, nightclubs, and beaches.

There is a small colonial center.

There’s a small colonial-era downtown area.

There are benches sponsored by a local mobile operator, which wanted its logo on the back.

There are benches sponsored by the local wireless company, which wanted to have its logo on the bench backs.

There are telecommunications casings (much like in the Bahamas).

There are telecom equipment casings (more or less like the ones in the Bahamas).

Particularly important objects are protected by especially unpleasant spikes on the fences.

Particularly important facilities are protected with particularly nasty fence spikes.

The entire island is decorated with concrete structures for electricity meters.

Concrete structures for electricity meters dot the entire island.

Drawbridge. It works a couple of times a day, when yachts from the bay sail out to sea.

A drawbridge. It’s raised a couple of times a day, when yachts leave the bay and go out to sea.

Covered bus stop.

A sheltered bus stop.

Open bus stop.

An unsheltered bus stop.

Car signs.

Street sign.

Mailboxes have not had time to be changed since the island was part of the state of the Netherlands Antilles, which a couple of years ago turned into several different states.

The post boxes still haven’t been replaced since the time when the island was part of the Netherlands Antilles, which split up into several different nations a few years ago.

Payphone booth. In half the cases there are no phones inside.

A payphone booth. Half of them don’t have any payphones inside.

Inspection certificates.

Vehicle inspection slips.

The only curious detail on the island is the “no parking” road sign. If painted white on the left, it means the sign is not valid on the left side of the road.

The only interesting detail on the island is the “no parking” sign. If the left side is painted over with white, it means the sign doesn’t apply on the left side of the road.