Sint Maarten Facts
Sint Maarten is the Dutch southern part of the Caribbean island shared with French Saint Martin. The information below refers specifically to Sint Maarten and concentrates on facts that matter when planning a trip.
Important: Sint Maarten and French Saint Martin share one island but are separate jurisdictions. There is normally no routine road-border checkpoint, yet entry rules, currencies, telephone systems and electrical standards differ.
CapitalPhilipsburg
CurrencyCaribbean guilder (XCG)
TimeUTC-4 year-round
DrivingRight-hand traffic
Main airportPrincess Juliana (SXM)
Telephone+1 721
Electricity110/120 V, 60 Hz
AreaAbout 34 sq km
General
| Official name | Sint Maarten. |
|---|---|
| Political status | Constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands since 10 October 2010. |
| Capital | Philipsburg. |
| Population | 41,349 in the official population estimate for 1 January 2024. |
| Languages | English and Dutch are official. English is dominant in everyday life and tourism. |
| Time | Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-4 throughout the year. There is no daylight-saving time. |
| Telephone | +1 721. |
Geography and Climate
| Area | About 34 sq km on the southern part of the island. |
|---|---|
| Location | Northern Lesser Antilles, sharing one island with French Saint Martin to the north. |
| Landscape | Hilly terrain, developed coastal districts, beaches, Great Bay and the large Simpson Bay Lagoon. |
| Climate | Tropical maritime climate, moderated by trade winds, with warm temperatures throughout the year. |
| Hurricane season | The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June through November. |
Money and Payments
| Official currency | Caribbean guilder (XCG), introduced as legal tender on 31 March 2025. |
|---|---|
| US-dollar peg | US$1 = Cg 1.79 at the official fixed exchange rate. |
| US dollars | Widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, taxis, shops and other visitor businesses. |
| Cards and cash | Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, while cash remains useful for smaller businesses and local transport. |
Entry and Practical Travel
| Entry rules | Passport and visa requirements depend on nationality and itinerary. Sint Maarten has its own entry rules, separate from French Saint Martin and the European Schengen Area. |
|---|---|
| Road border | There is normally no routine immigration checkpoint on the roads between Sint Maarten and French Saint Martin. |
| Driving | Traffic drives on the right. Roads are generally paved, but congestion can make short journeys slow. |
| Electricity | Generally 110/120 V, 60 Hz, with North American-style plugs. |
| Safety | Use normal travel precautions and avoid leaving valuables unattended on beaches or visible inside parked vehicles. |
Air, Sea and Local Transport
| International airport | Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), beside Simpson Bay and Maho, is the island's principal international gateway. |
|---|---|
| Cruise port | Port St. Maarten at Philipsburg receives major Caribbean cruise traffic. |
| Local transport | Rental cars, taxis and minibuses are the main ways to travel around the Dutch side and across the island. |
| Ferries | Boat services from the island connect with nearby destinations including Anguilla and Saint-Barthélemy. Departure points, operators and schedules vary. |
| Traffic | Congestion is common around Philipsburg, Cole Bay, Simpson Bay and Princess Juliana International Airport, particularly at busy times. |
Main Visitor Areas
| Philipsburg | Capital, cruise port, Great Bay Beach, Boardwalk and Front Street. |
|---|---|
| Simpson Bay | Restaurants, nightlife, marinas, boat excursions and access to Simpson Bay Lagoon. |
| Maho | Best known for aircraft approaches over Maho Beach beside Princess Juliana International Airport. |
| Mullet Bay | Popular swimming beach close to Maho. |
| Cupecoy | Western coastal area with smaller coves and limestone cliffs. |
Sint Maarten and Saint Martin: Marigot, Grand Case, Orient Bay, Cul-de-Sac and Pic Paradis are on the French side. See the separate Saint Martin travel guide for those places.
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