Lagoon Group in St Martin, St Barths and Anguilla in the Caribbean

Accommodation: The Island’s accommodation ranges from large, comprehensive resort facilities and condominiums to small, intimate guest houses, timeshares, villas and apartments. With over 2,000 rooms on the island, there is a property to suit every taste.

Activities: 36 beaches, water sports including sailing, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, parasailing, golf, tennis, hiking, horse riding, mountain-biking, restaurants, bars, night clubs, casinos, duty free shopping, local markets, historical museums, art galleries.
Capitals:Philipsburg, St. Maarten: seat of the Executive Council. Marigot, St. Martin: seat of the Municipal Council led by the Mayor of St. Martin. Sub-prefecture of Guadeloupe of which St. Martin and St.Barthelemy are governed as an administrative district Iles du Nord – Northern Islands.

Casinos: There are a total of fifteen casinos on island which are all located on the Dutch side. The general opening hours are from 12 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Currency:U.S. Dollars accepted everywhere. St. Martin: Euro (variable exchange rate), St .Maarten, Netherlands Antilles Guilders or Florins (1.77 NAf = $ 1.00). Visa, Master Card, American Express widely accepted.

Customs: Prohibited imports – narcotics, arms, and Convention of Washington protected animal and plant species. Authorized animals must have a certificate of good health dated less than ten days previous to arrival and all vaccination certificates.

Documents: U.S. & Canadian citizens – Valid passport is mandatory. No birth certificate needed anymore. French citizens – entry through St Maarten, passport required, entry through Saint Martin, passport or national ID card required. Other nationalities need a valid Passport. Visas are required in some cases.

Driving: International and foreign permits accepted for car hire. Drive on the right. No right turns at red lights. Some roads eroded, drive attentively. On the French side, give way to the right on unmarked intersections. Speed limits, 70 km on open roads, 50 km in town, unless otherwise indicated. Legal blood-alcohol limit 50 mg per liter = approx. 2 to 3 beers. Seat belts are compulsory.

Entry: All visitors must have a return or onward ticket.

Electricity: St Maarten 110 Volts / 60 cycles, U.S. outlets.
St Martin 220 Volts / 60 cycles, French outlets

Emergencies: St Maarten-dial 22222 or 111. St Martin–Police 17, Ambulance/fire 18.

Health: Healthy climate, non-malarial. No epidemic history. Tap water drinkable (desalinated sea water). Beware of the tropical sun – hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Insect repellant is sometimes useful. Hospitals are on both sides of the island where casualties and emergencies can be treated. Air evacuation is available.

Population: According to the last census, in 1992, 32,000 people live on St. Maarten and 28,000 on St. Martin.

Security: Usual tourist destination precautions advised.

Service: You are in the Caribbean; service may be slightly more relaxed than it is at home- but be happy, there’s no hurry!

Shopping: Philipsburg offers duty free electronics, hi-fi, watches, jewelry, photo, video, alcohols, and tobaccos. Marigot offers duty free French and Italian fashions, French perfumes and wines. Most shops are open all day, Monday to Saturday; a few close from noon till 3 pm. On Front Street, Philipsburg, some stores open on Sunday if a cruise ship calls.

Tax: Various taxes exist and vary from time to time, at present: 5% on car rentals, 5% on rooms, 3% sales tax on Dutch side … Airport departure tax at Juliana International $35 pp.
Taxis:No meters, fixed rates posted at taxi stations (Juliana Airport and Marigot market place). Confirm the price with the driver before boarding. Have the right change to pay, driver may not have any.

Telephone: To call St. Martin, dial the international access code (011 from the U.S.) then 590 and the six digit subscriber’s number. To call St. Maarten, dial the international access code, then dial 5995 4 and the five-digit subscriber’s number. To call abroad from the island, dial 00 for international then the country code (001) for the U.S.A. and Canada, 00 44 for the U.K.

Tipping: Read menus and bar-lists carefully. Some include service (“service compris” or “prix net” on the French side); in this case, tipping is at the client’s discretion.
Transports: Little or no public transport services are available. Many taxis are available, though it can be difficult to find one late at night. Surcharge after 10 pm. No meters and no receipts are handed out