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General
Information On St. Maarten General Information On St. Maarten St. Maarten is one of two countries that share one island in the Caribbean. The other country is St. Martin. These two countries have peacefully shared this island for over three centuries. When you are on the island, it is easy to travel from one country to the other without realizing you have crossed a country border. St. Maarten is the Dutch half of the island. It is a very well developed country that is home to over seventy nationalities. Philipsburg, its capital, is a hub for cruise lines and duty-free shopping. St. Maarten boasts 36 beautiful white sand beaches. For more information on St. Maarten, check out the CIA World Factbook for the Netherlands Antilles. |
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The People of St.
Maarten
Passports, Visas and Entry Information
Health and Safety
Climate And Weather
Geography
Currency
Electricity
The People of St. Maarten
St. Maarten has a very rich and
culturally diverse heritage. Along with the Dutch influences of Dutch
(officially, Dutch is the language of St. Maarten), French, British and African
ancestors can be seen throughout the island. Although Dutch is the official
language, the schoolchildren here are required to learn English and a large number
also speak Spanish or French.
Passports, Visas and Entry
Information
U.S. citizens* can visit St. Maarten with two forms of government-issued ID,
but a valid passport is recommended. A valid passport is required
for all other visitors, including those from the Caribbean. All visitors must
also show an ongoing or return ticket.
| *The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. This includes United States citizens! In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future. For additional information, go to http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html. |
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Passport Visa Express specializes in obtaining Passports for United States Citizens who wish to travel internationally within the next 30 days. We work directly with the U.S. Passport Agency assisting you in expediting your passport application in as fast as the same day! Our passport consultants have many years of direct experience working with the Passport Agency. |
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Health and Safety
Although the water is safe to drink throughout
the island, and shouldn't cause any upset stomachs, I would still recommend that
you stick to bottled water. As you would do in any foreign country, it is best
to always use common sense. Travelers are advised to use the buddy system.
Beyond that, follow basic safety rules of traveling, such as keeping an eye on
your possessions. It's best to avoid night driving on St. Maarten, and even
wiser to avoid deserted, poorly lit back roads at night. Isolated beaches are
usually isolated for a reason – don't go out seeking an adventure.
Climate And Weather
Temperatures are pleasant on the island. They are mild year round, with January
temperatures ranging from 73 to 81, and July temperatures ranging from 78 to 86.
The island experiences about 42 inches of rain per year. This makes it one of
the more tropical islands in the Caribbean.
Geography
The island that St. Maarten and St. Martin share is very small with St. Maarten
being the smaller
half of the island with only 13 square miles. St. Maarten occupies the southern half of
the island and its beaches lie on the Caribbean Sea. The other side of the
island, the French half, hugs the Atlantic
Ocean. Simpson Bay Lagoon is shared by both countries.
Currency
The official currency of St. Maarten is the
Netherlands Antillean Florin (Naf), sometimes called a guilder, but U.S.
dollars are widely accepted.
Currency Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports, railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a nightmare. Order in advance from All Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious!
Electricity
St. Maarten uses the same electrical system as the
U.S. (110-volt). Visitors from other countries should plan accordingly as
they will probably need converters and adaptors.
Getting To and Around St. Maarten
Visitors to St. Maarten usually arrive via Princess Juliana Airport, the second busiest airport in the Caribbean. Direct flights are available from the U.S. and Canada. Flights from outside of North America typically connect through San Juan (Puerto Rico). Princess Juliana hosts many international carriers, including but not limited to, Air France, American Airlines, American Eagle, BWIA, Continental Airlines, Corse Air International, Caribbean Star, DCA, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, LIAT, St. Barth's Commuter, U.S. Airways, Windward Express Airways, and Windward Island Airways.
Taxis are available for transport from the airport to hotels and resorts. Fares from Princess Juliana Airport are approximately $6(USD) to Maho Beach, and $12(USD) to Philipsburg. Fares are higher between 10:00 p.m. and Midnight.
For Flights, Hotels, Cars, Cruises, Vacations, Tours and Travel Deals, Click on Global Travel International. If the link does not work properly, type www.gettingaway.globaltravel.com in the address line of your browser.
Visit
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reservations available on line. And, if you are looking for a nice resort,
check the
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where you can find discounts at some of the world's most desirable resort
locations.
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe I should
add to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Things To See And Do In St. Maarten
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Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe I should
add to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Dining in St. Maarten
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe I should
add to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Favorite Places And Things To Do In St.
Maarten
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe I should
add to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
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Caribbean Travel & Life - Escape to the Caribbean with Caribbean Travel & Life. Visit romantic hideaways and luxurious resorts and discover secluded beaches and teeming coral reefs. This magazine helps you find your own perfect place in the sun. For additional information, or to purchase a subscription, click on Caribbean Travel & Life. You can also click on Best Deal Magazines, Magazine Unlimited Magazine Subscription Superstore, or Low Priced Magazine Subscriptions for other great prices on magazines! |
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2007 Travel Alert - Passports Needed for Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and Caribbean. Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport. As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. Click here for the State Department Summary. And, if you need a passport in a hurry, because you forgot to apply months ago when you should have and your trip is almost upon you, click on Passports In A Hurry, or on Passport Visa Express!
