SalsaEscape 2004

FAQ

We welcome you to the beautiful Island of St.Maarten/Saint Martin. As your host, we believe it is important to give you some helpful information, and answers to FAQ's. St. Maarten is the most popular of the Netherlands Antilles with an estimated 900,000 tourists visiting each year.

LOCATION/SIZE
The island is in the Caribbean Sea, 18.02 latitude and 63.07 longitude, 150 miles southeast of Puerto Rico. It covers 37 square miles, with Dutch St. Maarten on the South spanning 16 square miles and French Saint Martin on the North covering 21. The island is the smallest landmass to be shared by two separate governments. Capitals - Philipsburg on Great Bay is the capital of St. Maarten. Marigot is the capital of Saint Martin.
TIME
GMT -4
ELECTRICITY
The electrical current on the Dutch side is 110 AC, the same as in the U.S and Canada. On the French side, current is 220 AC
LANGUAGES
Dutch is the official language, but all speak English. Locals commonly use a language known as Papiamento, a mixture of Portuguese, African, Spanish, Dutch and English. Many persons speak Spanish as well. On the French part, most business is conducted in French and English.
CULTURE
The cultural diversity of St. Maarten springs from its historical role as a crossroads for visitors to the New World. Dutch, French and British traders brought European traditions, while the Africans brought the language and culture of West Africa. Today the range of influences is reflected in the number of languages spoken. Dutch is the official language, but English is taught in schools and spoken everywhere, while other common languages are Spanish and Papiamento, the dialect of the Netherlands Antilles. St. Maarten's premier cultural event is its annual Carnival, which includes parades, calypso competitions, reggae shows, and an endless array of stands serving traditional island food.
Visit the official visitors side for more on St.Maarten’s Culture & History
www.st-maarten.com
WEATHER
Sunny and warm year-round, with some cooling from trade winds. Average temperature during the winter season is 80F (27C) and a few degrees warmer anymore humid in the summer. Occasional showers in late summer and early fall, with average annual rainfall of 45 inches
IMMIGRATION - ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
When arriving on St. Maarten and going through immigration you will need the following documents:
US CITIZENS:
o A valid passport and a return/continuing ticket
o A Birth certificate with raised seal and photo identification and a return/continuing ticket
o Naturalized citizens must show an original naturalization certificate with photo identification and a return/continuing ticket
o Green Cardholders must have a valid passport and a return/continuing ticket
* European Community citizens require:
o A valid passport and a return/continuing ticket
* Canadian Citizens:
o A valid passport and a return/continuing ticket
o Canadian residents require a "Landing permit" with valid passport and return/continuing ticket
PASSPORT VISA/NOTE
All tourists must have a return ticket, or an onward ticket to a foreign destination, and must indicate a local address on their immigration forms. On arrival, tourists are granted admission for 14 days, or up to three months on request. If you are still not sure you meet the necessary entry requirements, call the Immigration department on St. Maarten. They can be reached through the central Police Department operator at +(599) 542-2222
NATIONALITIES THAT REQUIRE VISAS FOR ENTRY TO NETHERLLANDS ANTILLES (VERSION: March 1, 2003)
Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Estlander, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Ivory coast, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyz, Letland, Libya, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mali, Moldavia, Nigeria, North-Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)
CUSTOMS
Please note that cash money in excess of NAF 20,000 must be declared with customs. This equals about $11,000
AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX
For International destinations, there is a tax of US$20.00 for those ages 2 and up. For islands within the Netherlands Antilles, the departure tax is US$6.00. Some have made provisions to include the departure tax in your airline ticket.
CURRENCY
U.S dollars are accepted at all businesses throughout the island and prices are usually quoted in Dollars as well as Guilders at the registers. Official currency on the Dutch side is the Netherlands Antilles Guilder (NAFL) or Florin (NAG). CURRENT EXCHANGE $1(US) = 1,75(NAFL) / €1 = 2.00 (NAFL). On the French part of the island the official currency is the EURO. CURRENT EXHANGE $1.20 (US) = €1. Please inquire about the €uro to US$ exchange when making a purchase or service on the French part of the island. There are numerous Bureaux de Change and banks throughout the island. ATM machines are located in host hotel and throughout the island in both national sectors; Travellers Cheques and major credit cards are widely accepted
TIPPING & SERVICE CHARGES
Most restaurants add a 15% service charge to you bill. Others will leave it up to your discretion. Taxi drivers expect a tip of around US$1, and porters expect US$1 per bag
COMMUNICATIONS
The country code for St Maarten, as part of the Netherlands Antilles, is +599. The code for French St Martin is +590. The outgoing code for both sectors is 00 (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom or 001 for USA). To call the French side, from the Dutch side call the prefix 00590 then the number. Pay phones are available through the island.
International calling cards are available throughout the island at Gas stations, local Cell companies, and convenient stores. You can also roam with your U.S. or European mobile phone. GSM service is available on both sides of the island. SIM card with local St. Maarten telephone number can be purchased on the island. Average call per/min with SIM card is $0.60. Calling Tel# 611 from your mobile phone will put you in. Internet access is available at Internet cafes, and in most resorts.
TRANSPORTATION
TAXI SERVICE: is available 24 hrs/7 for your convenience to any location on the island. Taxis have no meters, but drivers must follow official rates for travel throughout the island. After 10 p.m., rates rise 25 percent.
AUTO RENTAL: Available at hotel and plenty of agencies at the airport and in the city. Many companies rent cars on the island, and most require either a credit card imprint or a cash deposit ranging from $350 to $1,500, plus an additional collision damage waiver.
Rental car shuttles run between the airport and satellite lots. All foreign driver's licenses are valid for driving on the island. Motorist’s drives on the right-hand side of the street, and the roadways have been designed by the government to be easily accessible to physically disabled visitors.
SEA: Small boats may be chartered for fishing trips and scuba diving.
ROAD: Most roads are good
AUTO/SCOOTER RENTAL- SAFETY
Helmets are mandatory for scooters. In automobile, use your seatbelts at all times. Ask for a map with directions to your destination before leaving the airport or harbour
* Drive on the right-hand side of the roads
* Observe posted speed limits and traffic signs
* Observe the No Parking signs in the city
* Keep on your side while driving on narrow roads or blind corners
* If you are lost or require assistance while driving at night, go to the nearest service station or another well-lit public place
* Check your vehicle before heading out on the road each day. If a problem develops while on the road, stop at the nearest service station and call to advise your car rental company
* Try to travel in a group at night
* Do not leave your car motor running unattended, leave valuables in your car or trunk, stop on dark roads or in secluded areas or pick up hitch hikers
* Exercise caution when walking on the beach at night
SHOPPING
St. Maarten enjoys an unusual status as a commercial centre and as the only completely duty free island in the Caribbean. This means that no duty is paid on any item coming in or going out. St.Maarten/St.Martin offers some of the best shopping in the region. Stores are open every day except Christmas and Good Friday, and no duty is paid on imports arriving on either side of the island. On the Dutch Side, shopping hours are generally from 9 AM until 6 PM. Many shops stay open longer on days when cruise ships are in port. On the French side, the hours are from 9 AM to noon, then from 2PM or 3PM until 6PM. In addition, the Maho Beach shopping and entertainment area has shops that stay open until 10pm or later. In Philipsburg, specialties of Front Street include everything from Swiss watches and French perfumes to British cashmeres, Chinese embroidery, Japanese electronics and cameras, Indonesian batiks, and Italian leather goods One can also browse through a vast collection of fine jewellery, crystals, linens, porcelain, liquor and cigars. Luxury items cost up to 50 percent less than in other countries, and it is a small wonder that shoppers and cruise ships from around the world head here to buy jewellery, electronics, perfume, crystal, and other expensive goods.
Most of Dutch St. Maarten's shopping is concentrated along Front Street in Philipsburg. Boutiques stretch along the entire length of the street, and stylish arcades lead off in either direction. A truly international centre, Front Street offers top-of-the-line products from around the world. Prices are quoted in US dollars, saving shoppers the confusion of sorting out exchange rates
DINING
For an unforgettable dining experience, St. Maarten covers a choice of over 350 restaurants. The island is known as the culinary island of the Caribbean. Restaurants are open late on both the Dutch and French side of the island. Subway sandwich shop is located in Maho village open late on Weekends. Cappuccino Diner in Simpson Bay is open 24 hours. Gas stations also have mini-marts that are open 24 hrs
ACTIVITIES
For those who can only bear so much sun worshiping, St. Maarten/St. Martin boasts a huge array of activities to offer, for all ages and interests. Most of the island's hotels have an Activity Desk staffed by personnel who can help to arrange activities to fit your schedule and desires. They can make the necessary arrangements for you at no added cost and will be familiar with prices and scheduling.
For those of you who enjoy action on the water, St. Maarten/St. Martin truly qualifies as paradise. Her crystal clear waters are host to every type of water sport imaginable. Sailing, surfing, body boarding, wake boarding, jet skiing, Para-sailing, windsurfing, snorkelling, diving, kayaking, and now, the latest fad, 'Kite-surfing' or 'Fly-surfing'. For those who are inexperienced but have always wanted to try it, lessons are available for all activities.
For those who prefer to be airborne, why not do your first parachute jump over this beautiful Caribbean island? And closer to the ground there is horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and numerous gyms and sporting clubs.
On the calmer side, there are many local and historical museums, art galleries and beauty spots to visit, and excursions leave several times a day to many of St. Maarten/St. Martin's neighbouring islands. Whatever you decide to do on your visit to this island paradise, you will not be disappointed though you may be a little tired!
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Hospital Dutch side: 543-1111
Police: 911
SAFETY
Most visits to the island are trouble-free, however visitors should refrain from leaving valuables unattended on beaches, in cars and hotel lobbies. Precautions should also be taken against car theft and insurance cover is advisable
HEALTH
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. 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. Medical insurance is strongly advised