Sint Maarten
Travel tips for Sint Maarten: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.
Cash and cards
Cards widely accepted. Cards are widely accepted at hotels and restaurants, but you'll need cash (USD is universally accepted) for taxis, beach chairs, local BBQ shacks, and tips. Locals also advise carrying cash as a backup for occasional card machine or power outages.
Try the food
- Conch and Dumplings: Tenderized sea snail meat is slow-cooked in a rich, spicy gravy alongside dense, doughy dumplings.
- Johnny Cakes: These deep-fried, slightly sweet flatbreads are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, often served as a side or breakfast item.
- Guavaberry Liqueur: This legendary local beverage blends aged rum, cane sugar, and rare, tart guavaberries found in the island's central hills.
Say it in Dutch
- Hello: Hallo
- Thank you: Dank u
- Please: Alstublieft
- Excuse me: Pardon
- How much is this?: Hoeveel kost dit?
- The bill please: De rekening alstublieft
- Yes / No: Ja / Nee
- Goodbye: Tot ziens
Essentials
- Plugs
- Type A / Type B
- Voltage
- 110V, 60Hz
- Driving
- Right side
- Tap water
- Avoid — buy bottled
- Emergency
- 911 (Police), 912 (Ambulance), 919 (Fire)
- SIM tip
- Purchase a prepaid TelCell or Flow SIM card at Princess Juliana International Airport upon arrival, or install a regional eSIM before you travel for immediate connectivity.
Etiquette
Always check your restaurant bill before tipping, as a 15 percent service charge is often already included on the Dutch side.