Sint Maarten
Country Specific Information
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October 27, 2011

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:
Climate: Sub-tropical, with trade winds from the Caribbean Sea.
Temperature: The island has a year-round temperature of approximately 80°F (27°C).
Language: English is the predominate language in the island; however, the official language on the Sint Maarten side is Dutch, and is officially French on the St. Martin side. French Creole, Spanish, Papiamento and other languages are also spoken.
Currency (Dutch Sint Maarten): Netherlands Antilles florin (NAf); the official exchange rate is NAf 1.77 for each US$1.00 . The U.S. dollar is widely accepted in Sint Maarten.
Currency (French St. Martin): The official monetary unit is the euro.
Electricity (Dutch Sint Maarten): 110-volt AC, 60 cycles (same as U.S. & Canada). For more information please visit Sint Maarten’s government website.

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SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION: U.S. citizens living in or traveling to Sint Maarten are encouraged to sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, in order to obtain updated information on local travel and security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may sign-up directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrollment is important because it allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency.

Local embassy and consulate information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates.

Consulate General of the United States, Curacao  
J.B. Gorsiraweg 1
Willemstad
Curacao
Telephone: (011) (5999) 461-3066
Emergency after-hours telephone: (011) (5999) 510-6870
Facsimile: (011) (5999) 461-6489

French St. Martin is a part of the consular district of U.S. Embassy Bridgetown, Barbados. American citizens visiting or residing in French St. Martin who require assistance should contact the embassy in Bridgetown at 246-227-4193 during regular business hours or 226-227-4000 for after-hour emergencies. The U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados, is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday except on local and U.S. holidays.

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ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS: U.S. citizens must have a valid passport and a return/continuing ticket.

Sint Maarten is a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. For further information on entry requirements, contact the Embassy of the Netherlands at 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, or one of the Dutch consulates in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, or Miami, in addition to various honorary Dutch consulates throughout the United States. Additional information is available on the Dutch Board of Tourism and Conventions website. Visit the Embassy of the Netherlands' website for the most current visa information. Information on work, residency, and immigration requirements in the Netherlands can be found on the website of the Dutch immigration authorities.

The Netherlands is a party to the Schengen Agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter the Netherlands for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. If you are traveling for any other purpose, you may need to obtain a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. The 90-day period begins when you enter any of the Schengen group of countries. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our fact sheet. Anyone intending to stay longer than 90 days must obtain the appropriate visa from the Dutch Embassy or a Dutch consulate in the United States.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of the Netherlands.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.

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THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: Sint Maarten has no indigenous extremist groups and has not experienced any terrorist incidents. Crime, including transnational crime such as drug trafficking, is common.

American citizens in Sint Maarten are encouraged to monitor media reports, and are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.

Stay up to date by:

Take some time before you travel to consider your personal security—here are some useful tips for traveling safely abroad.

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CRIME: Street crime remains a concern in Sint Maarten. Valuables, including passports, left unattended on beaches, in cars, and in hotel lobbies are easy targets for theft. Visitors should leave valuables and personal papers secured in their hotel. Burglary and break-ins are common at resorts, beach houses, and hotels. Armed robbery occasionally occurs. The American boating community has reported a handful of incidents in the past, and visitors are urged to exercise reasonable caution in securing boats and belongings. Car theft, especially of rental vehicles, can occur. Incidents of break-ins to rental cars to steal personal items have been reported by American tourists. Vehicle leases or rentals may not be fully covered by local insurance when a vehicle is stolen. Be sure you are sufficiently insured when renting vehicles and other equipment.

In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.

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VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. We can:

  • Replace a stolen passport.
  • For violent crimes such as assault and rape, help you find appropriate medical care.
  • Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and contact family members or friends.
  • Although the local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime, consular officers can help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys.

The emergency line in Sint Maarten is 911.

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

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CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a you are subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating the laws of Sint Maarten, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Sint Maarten are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Sint Maarten has strict gun control laws; even a single bullet in a suitcase can trigger a fine or time in jail. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.

Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Sint Maarten, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: In principle, Dutch law does not permit dual nationality. However, there are several exceptions to the rule. For example, American citizens who are married to Dutch citizens are exempt from the requirement to abandon their American nationality when they apply to become a Dutch citizen by naturalization. For detailed information, contact the Embassy of the Netherlands in Washington, DC, or one of the Dutch consulates in the U.S.

Accessibility: While in Sint Maarten, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States.

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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical care is generally good in Sint Maarten. Patients are accommodated in the hospital according to their level of insurance. Sint Maarten Medical Center (79 beds) is a relatively small hospital where general surgery is performed. Complex cases are sent to Curacao. Airlift is available to Puerto Rico and the continental U.S. in case of extreme medical emergency.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the infectious diseases section of the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

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MEDICAL INSURANCE: You can’t assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It’s very important to find out BEFORE you leave whether or not your medical insurance will cover you overseas. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:

  • Does my policy apply when I’m out of the United States?
  • Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or a medical evacuation?

In many places, doctors and hospitals still expect payment in cash at the time of service. Your regular U.S. health insurance may not cover doctors’ and hospital visits in other countries. If your policy doesn’t go with you when you travel, it’s a very good idea to take out another one for your trip. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.

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TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: Sint Maarten/St. Martin is the smallest land mass in the world shared by two sovereign nations (the Kingdom of the Netherlands and France). While there is a border separating the two sides of the island, passage between the two is not regulated by the authorities at this time. There is no need for travelers to show a passport or other documents in order to cross the border.

While in a foreign country, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Sint Maarten is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Driving in Sint Maarten is on the right hand side. Right turns on red are prohibited and traffic conditions require somewhat defensive driving. Local laws require drivers and passengers to wear seat belts and motorcyclists to wear helmets. Children under 4 years of age should be in child safety seats; children under 12 should ride in the back seat. Nonexistent or hidden and poorly maintained street signs are the major road hazard in Sint Maarten. Therefore, drivers should proceed through intersections with caution. Roads in Sint Maarten are extremely slippery during rainfall. Nighttime driving is reasonably safe in Sint Maarten as long as drivers are familiar with the route and road conditions. Many streets are poorly lit or not lit at all.

Taxis are the easiest, yet most expensive form of transportation on the island. As there are no meters, passengers should verify the price before entering the taxi. Fares quoted in U.S. dollars may be significantly higher than those quoted in the local currency. Road conditions on the main thoroughfares are good to fair.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Travelers may also wish to visit Sint Maarten’s official tourist office website for more information.

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AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: Prior to October 10, 2010, Sint Maarten was a part of the Netherlands Antilles. On that date, Sint Maarten acquired a new independent status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assessed the government of the Netherlands Antilles as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Netherlands Antilles air carrier operations. However, under its new status, Sint Maarten has not been assessed by the FAA for compliance with ICAO aviation standards.

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CHILDREN’S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.

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This serves as the Country Specific Information for Sint Maarten dated June 27, 2011, introducing all sections.

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