• 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 land mass 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.
  
  

• Nationalities - As a part of the Netherlands Antilles and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, St. Maarten boasts 77 different nationalities. Saint Martin is a commune of Guadeloupe, an overseas territory of France.
  
  

• Language - English is spoken everywhere, but Dutch is the official language of St. Maarten, and French the official language of Saint Martin. On the Dutch side, you can also hear Spanish, Papiamentu, Italian, Hindi, Chinese, and other languages. On the French side, Creole Patois is also spoken
  
  

• Population - 41,000 people live on St. Maarten and 36,000 on Saint Martin.
  
  

• Climate - 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.
  
  

• Airlines - Air service from the U.S. to Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten is provided by: American Airlines direct from New York, Miami and San Juan with connecting flights to numerous cities throughout the U.S. Plus seasonally by: TWA from New York with connections to other U.S. cities; by Continental from Newark, N.J., with connecting flights throughout the U.S.; Northwest from Detroit and Minneapolis, with connections to other U.S. cities; and by USAir from Charlotte and Philadelphia with connections to other U.S. cities. In addition, numerous charter flights are available from throughout the continental U.S. Other airlines serving the island include: ALM Antillean Airlines from Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire; LIAT from Antigua, Anguilla, St. Croix, St. Kitts, St. Thomas and Tortola; and Windward Islands Airways (WINAIR) from St. Thomas, St. Kitts/Nevis, Saba, St. Eustatius, Anguilla, St. Barts, Dominica and Tortola.
  
  

• Entry Requirements - U.S. citizens need a valid passport or birth certificate with raised seal and photo identification and a return/continuing ticket. Naturalized citizens must show an original naturalization certificate with photo identification. Green Card holders must have a valid passport and a return/continuing ticket. Canadian citizens need a valid passport and a return/continuing ticket. "Landing permit" with valid passport and return/continuing ticket. European Community: Valid passport and a return/continuing ticket St. Maarten is the only completely duty-free port in the Caribbean. No vaccination certificates are required unless arriving from an area experiencing an epidemic.
  
  

• Airport Departure Tax - For International destinations, there is a tax of US$20.00 for those age 2 and up. For islands within the Netherlands Antilles, the departure tax is US$6.00.
  
  

• Accommodations - Island accommodations range from large, comprehensive resort facilities and condominiums to small, intimate guest houses, timeshares and apartments. With over 2,000 rooms on the island, there is a property to suit every taste.
  
  

• Dining - St. Maarten expresses its culinary soul not by creating a single cuisine, but by giving voice to cooking styles from the far-flung corners of the globe. Diners can select from more than 300 restaurants offering French, Dutch, Caribbean, Italian, Chinese, Indonesian, Creole and more.
  
  

• Casinos - The island's 12 casinos are all on the Dutch side and offer gaming in the European mode:
  
  

• Attractions - The Sint Maarten Museum, in the Dutch capital city of Philipsburg, reflects the history and culture of the island and its people from prehistoric to modern times. A museum gift shop is on-site. The St. Maarten 12-Metre Regatta at Great Bay in Philipsburg makes America's Cup yachts available to visitors for regattas and charters, with Dennis Conner's Stars & Stripes 1987 among them. Participants have an opportunity to help sail one of the yachts, with regattas lasting 2 2 hours. Other programs are offered, including a yachting school.
  
  

• Sports - Recent years have seen the growth of many sports on the island
  
  

• Activities - Aimed at both fitness and fun. Golf, tennis, volleyball, horseback riding, mountain biking and, naturally, a variety of water sports are offered, including scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, jet-skiing, water-skiing, kayaking, wind surfing, parasailing and deep-sea fishing. In addition, the island offers numerous spas and fitness centers for those preferring gym equipment, free weights, aerobics, stretch classes, massages, facials, steam rooms, whirlpools, saunas, manicures, pedicures and the like
  
  

• Transportation - Most visitors rely on taxis and rental cars, but public transportation also is available to all points on the island between 6 a.m. and 12 a.m. Fares can be paid in U.S. dollars.
  
  

• Taxi Service - Taxis are ready and waiting at Princess Juliana International Airport and at all major hotels. The cabs have no meters, but drivers must follow official rates for travel throughout the island. After 10 p.m., rates rise 25 percent, and after midnight, 50 percent. Also, hotel tour desks can arrange sightseeing tours by taxi, the only way to go for those not wanting to drive a rental car.
  
  

• Car Rental - The best way to sample a selection of beaches, restaurants and shops is by rental car. 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. Cars are delivered to any hotel, but cannot be picked up at Princess Juliana International Airport in order to protect the livelihood of island taxi drivers. However, rental car shuttles run between the airport and satellite lots. All foreign driver's licenses are valid for driving on the island. Motorists drive 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.
  
  

• Air Excursion - Nearby islands are quickly accessible by air from Princess Juliana International Airport. American Airlines and LIAT have scheduled flights to Puerto Rico; LIAT to Anguilla; Air Guadeloupe to St. Bart's; WINAIR to Guadeloupe, St. Eustatius, St. Bart's, Saba, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts, St. Thomas and Nevis; and Air St. Barthelemy to St. Bart's.
  
  

• Sea Excursion - Several one-day sailings are offered from Bobby's Marina, Great Bay Marina and Little Pier, all in Philipsburg. Catamarans are a popular way of reaching St. Bart's, including the White Octopus, Quicksilver and El Tigre. Other options include water trips to Saba, Anguilla, St. Bart's, deserted Prickly Pear Island and the stark French Tintamarre.
  
  

• Taxes/Service Charges - Government law requires a 5 percent room tax on all hotel rates. Most hotels and guest houses add 10 percent to 15 percent service charge in lieu of tipping. Some also add an energy surcharge.
  
  

• Tipping - Most hotels and restaurants add between 10 percent and 15 percent to the bill as a service charge, and this is almost always posted in writing at the entrance, on the menu, etc. Travelers can tip more for special service. Taxi drivers expect 50 cents or $1 for short runs and more for an extended narrated tour. Airport porters should receive $2 per bag.
  
  

• Currency - As U.S. dollars are widely accepted on both the Dutch and the French sides, visitors do not need to exchange their U.S. money for a visit to the island. Official currency of the Dutch side is the Netherlands Antilles florin or guilder (NAF). Official currency of the French side is the Euro, as in France or in other French holdings around the world. Nearly all prices are listed in U.S. dollars as well as the local currency, so there's no need for calculating exchange rates.
  
  

• Banks - Banks on the Dutch side are normally open from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. On Saturday, some banks open from 8:30 a.m. until noon. French side banks generally are open from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on weekdays. Automatic teller machines are available at several locations throughout the island.
  
  

• Time - St. Maarten is on Atlantic Standard Time year-round. During the fall and winter, noon in New York equals 1 p.m. on the island. During daylight savings time in the U.S., the hour is the same on the Eastern Seaboard as it is on the island.
  
  

• Electricity - Most hotels in St. Maarten are wired as in the U.S.: 110 volts, 60Hz. On the French side, it's 220 volts, 60Hz. Many hotels have both systems or can supply convertors for guests.
  
  

• Radio and Television -  Most hotels on both sides of the island have cable or satellite television with programming in English (Mostly US Programming) and French. There are also cable and satellite providers on both sides of the Island. Island 92 (FM 91.9) is the favorite station with visitors because of its classic rock, blues, and yacht information format; they have a lot of information and contests for visitors. There are also several local stations broadcasting regional music and news. Choice (FM 99.9) retransmits BBC World service overnight.
  
  

• Newspapers - In addition to several local newspapers, visitors can pick up one or more of the publications directed toward them. These include St. Maarten Nature Magazine, St. Maarten Events, Discover St. Maarten, St. Maarten Nights, Ti Gourmet and Vacation St. Maarten.
  
  

• Telephone and Cellular - Systems on both sides of the Island are modern and operate well, but a little "local knowlege" is helpful. To call Dutch Sint Maarten from the U.S., dial 011 + country code 599 + the local 7 digit number. French St-Martin is called the same way: 011 + country code 590 + 9 digits starting with either 590 for landlines or 690 for cellfones. When dialling the French side from the Dutch side, dial 00590 + 9 digit number. To call the Dutch side from the French side, dial 00599 + 7 digit number. Local calls on the Dutch side are just 7 digits. French side local calls are 0590 or 0690 + 6 digits. There are several cellular telephone carriers on both sides of the island. Whatever your home cellular network, you are likely to have coverage...but watchout for those BIG roaming charges!! If you have a GSM phone, then it's much cheaper to buy a local SIM card; you even get a temporary local number! Try the TelCell store in Simpson Bay. By the way 911 is a sometimes thing here (see the doctor info below).
  
  

• Pet Regulations - Animals are admitted temporarily to the island with the following papers: a health certificate dated no more than 10 days before visit and a record of inoculations, including a rabies shot administered no more than 30 days prior to the visit.
  
  

• Marriage - A 127-year-old residency law has been changed allowing non-residents to marry on St. Maarten.
  
  

• Medical Facilities St. Maarten Medical Center in Cay Hill and the new hospital in Spring (near Marigot) offer walk-in emergency facilites. Most other "medical clinics" are doctor's offices. Dr. Tjaden and Dr. Datema adjacent to The Business Point in Simpson Bay are especially helpful to visitors (Phone 544-5312, Emergency 557-7007). The French side has a wide array of well qualified specialists and dentists that are fully trained in the excellent French system. Call The Business Point at 544-3315 for an up to date list of qualified medical professionals. For major problems or surgery you will want airlift to a major medical center in Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe or Miami.
  
  

• Religious Services - Services conducted in St. Maarten include Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist, New Testament Baptist, Jehovah's Witness, Jewish and others.