GMT -4.
110/220 volts, 50/60Hz. Standard, flat, two- and three-pronged plugs, as found in the United States, are used.
Dutch and English are the official languages. Locals commonly use a language known as Papiamento, a mixture of Portuguese, African languages, Spanish, Dutch and English.
No vaccination certificates are required for entry into either St Maarten or St Martin. However, a yellow fever certificate is required for travellers arriving within six days from infected areas. A vaccination for hepatitis A may be recommended by your doctor. The Manchionneel tree that grows all over the island, mainly along the beaches, is extremely poisonous. The sap and fruit, which look like small green apples are caustic and burn the skin. The water is safe to drink. Medical care on the island is good, but patients are likely to be transferred to the US for anything serious. Comprehensive medical insurance is strongly advised.
On the Dutch side of the island hotel bills include a tax of five percent, and often a service charge of 15 percent. Waiters and bar staff should be tipped 10-15 percent if a gratuity is not included in the bill. On French St Martin hotels usually add five percent occupancy tax per person, but a small gratuity is appreciated for good service. Restaurants and hotels usually add a service charge of 10-15 percent to the bill, and it is always best to check for this before adding a tip. Taxi drivers and porters expect to be tipped, particularly if they have handled luggage.
Most visits to the island are trouble-free, however petty crime has been increasing in recent years and visitors should refrain from leaving valuables unattended on beaches, in cars, or in hotel lobbies. Care should be taken to keep rooms and cars locked, and visitors should refrain from carrying large amounts of cash on them. Burglaries and break-ins occur sometimes at resorts, beach houses and hotels, and there have been incidents of armed robbery. Precautions should also be taken against car theft and insurance cover is advisable.
Island culture on St Maarten and St Martin is very relaxed, and there are few dress codes aside from high-end restaurants and clubs. Dressing provocatively may attract unwanted attention, however, and wearing beachwear off the beach is considered disrespectful by some. Though many residents speak English, visitors should not assume this and a little effort to speak French or Dutch is greatly appreciated.
On St Maarten/St Martin things are fairly informal, but jackets and ties should be worn by men for meetings. English is spoken widely throughout both the French and Dutch parts of the island and is often the language used in meetings. Business hours are generally 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday, with a break from 12pm-1.30pm.
The country code for St Maarten is +1 721. The code for French St Martin is +590. Phoning from one side of the island to the other is considered to be an international call. The outgoing code for both sectors is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are not in use. Mobile network coverage extends across both parts of the island. Internet access is available at internet cafes. Note, there is not wifi coverage of the whole island. There are wifi hotspots in bars and cafes on the boardwalk of Philipsburg, at Oyster Pond, at Orient beach, and in the Maho area.
Arrivals in St Maarten/St Martin don't have to pay duty on any goods. Products like tobacco, alcohol, cameras and perfume should be limited to an amount needed for personal use.
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