Top 10 Things to Saint Martin
Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings The local chapter meets Monday to Saturday 18 hours to 19 hours at the Red Cross building in front of the airport runway, Saturday and Sunday, August 30 9 am-30am at Mullet Bay Beach with picnic tables under the tent Heineken, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8 am-9 30am 30 to Kim Sha Beach in Simpson Bay directly behind Greenhouse restaurant Call 721 552-2120 or 544 3203 to confirm the latest information.
Alcohol - It is a duty-free island Booze is cheap it makes little sense to do anything here Visit our alcohol purchase page to find a fraction of stores offering a world of products beer by wine the best whiskeys, brandies, rums and Armagnac.
The following comes from the US government website.
QUOTE alcohol One liter 33 fl oz 8-alcoholic beverages can be included in your exemption if you are 21 years old, it is for your own use or as a gift does not violate the laws of the state in which you arrive.
Federal regulations allow to bring more than one liter of liquor for personal use, but as additional tobacco, you will pay the fees and charges Internal Revenue Service.
Although federal regulations do not specify a limit on the amount of alcohol you can relate to personal, unusual amounts are likely to raise suspicions that you import alcohol for other purposes, for example to resale CBP officers are authorized by the Bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives ATF to make decisions on the spot that the importation is for commercial purposes, and may ask you to obtain a license to import alcohol before releasing it for you if you intend to bring a significant amount of alcohol for personal use, you must contact the port through which you will be redirected enter the country, and make prior arrangements to enter alcohol in the United States.
Also, you should know that state laws may limit the amount of alcohol you can bring unlicensed If you arrive in a state that has limits on the amount of alcohol you can make without a license, that the state law will be enforced by CBP, although it may be more restrictive than federal regulations, we recommend that you check with the state government before going abroad about their limits on level permitted for personal importation and additional state taxes that may apply.
In short, alcohol and tobacco, the quantities discussed in this booklet as being eligible for duty-free treatment may be included in your exemption 400 or 600 or 1200, as would any other purchase But unlike other types merchandise, amounts beyond those described herein as being free of duty is imposed even if you have not exceeded or even met, your personal exemption for example, if your exemption is 400 and bring you three liters of wine and nothing else, these two liters will be dutiable federal law prohibits shipping alcoholic beverages by mail in the United States QUOTE.
I once brought 20 liters of Scotch singlemalt, cognac, gin, Calvados and vodka and was charged 40 to come to Puerto Rico I am a little bring a lot back in Florida as they are quite grumpy on alcohol and Feds say they apply state laws - but I doubt it.
Rates Airport - The airport name is Princess Juliana The airline code is SXM, as it is served by American, Continental, Delta, Jet Blue, Spirit and US Air States Air France and KLM send in large had several times each week from France and Holland Corsair, the charter arm of Air France, is also available several times a week Air Canada and Transat come the cold white north When they are solvent and not on strike, Winair, LIAT , Caribbean Sun and BWIA or hop to most neighboring islands the French side has a small airport called Hope with code GFS.
Animals - If you want to bring a dog or cat to the island, you must visit your veterinarian within a week of your visit and obtain a health certificate stating essentially that vaccination against rabies is ongoing and that animal is healthy our veterinarian in New York had a federal standard form for this and loads 105 for our cat, including vaccines shortly before you return, you should get the same consideration and as a veterinarian on island We go to the Concordia high street car rue off Holland in grand Case east side of downtown Marigot veterinarian will be right after the leveled road they will want to see your rage certificates and have a look at the animals There is a minimal charge.
The airline charge you for the transport of animals and if they are in the cabin, you will need to book they usually insist that the animal has a chip implanted They tend to look at the documents more carefully vet these days.
Nobody in immigration SXM never looked papers or chat noticed our return to the United States, it is rare to have someone to look at documents SXM When you arrive in the United States, we check box saying that we have an animal, and usually bring in 20 liters of alcohol, and some American cheese Customs is generally not interested in the cheese Sometimes they are interested in cats in general, alcohol is ignored and between duty free.
That's how it worked to some heavy hitter got the job of head of animal imports Now you must ask permission to bring your pet and get ready for a veterinarian to attest to much more than the standard requires certificate After all you are supposed to go to a veterinarian local island with all your documents within 24 hours of arrival and to provide the information copied to the Department of inspections is here as importation of animals I'm back to the list.
Bank - There are ATMs on the island and you can be sure that you pay extra for banks outside your home network, which is usually 1 to 50 plus whatever your bank charges at home you must keep records and check your statement carefully when you get home Double dipping your account is impossible.
On the Dutch side Barclays bank has an ATM on Front Street, Philipsburg that accepts Visa and RBC Premium cards six ATMs, a main office in Philipsburg, one in the arm at the end of Front Street , a branch of Simpson Bay, one at Union Road direction opposite the marina, and at 24 hours of the Shell station in Simpson Bay Union Road ATM Dispenses Euros ALSO Visa, Cirrus and cards can be used here Scotiabank has three ATMs at Philipsburg head Directorate, the Directorate General of Simpson Bay Yacht club and the food world Ram Cay Hill Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus cards and more can be used here Islands Windward Bank more ATMs in the following locations, the main office in Philipsburg, Bobby Marina opposite the greenhouse restaurant Wathey place on the pier, the branch e on the airport road in front of Gourmet Walk at the airport in the finish area and in front of Casino Royale at Maho Beach Hotel and the Shell station Ms. Estate Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, and Cirrus cards more can be used by all Dutch ATMs dispense cash in US dollars.
French side BDAF has three ATMs located at the main office of the Republic Street in Marigot, Cirrus and MasterCard can be used here CBF ATMs in the following places at the head office you enter Marigot, in the Howell Center by Super U supermarket and just Supermarket by french bridge Cirrus addition, Visa and Euro MasterCard can be used here Inchauspé Bank ATM of President Kennedy Street in Marigot, this machine distributes American credit Mutuel dollars two ATMs the Republic Street in Marigot Cirrus addition, Visa and MasterCard can be used by the French Post Post has two ATMs street of Liberty in Marigot and ATM in the branch in downtown Howell match Cirrus, Additionally, Visa and MasterCard can be used here unless otherwise ATMs French side of tickets does not dispense US dollars, they distribute Euros.
If you need money, ATM is the only way to go cash a check involves opening an account with a local bank that can cause a reference letter given laundering initiatives silver and two weeks of waiting the USA for quality control for Eraser probably at home so if you stay longer, there are many banks, particularly the Dutch side.
Caribbean first phone 542 3511 Fax 542 4531 Phone 546-7288 RBC Citco Bank Phone 545 3972 Fax 545 2073 Windward Islands Bank Phone 546 2942 Fax 542 4761.
Bulletin Boards - There are several bulletin boards devoted to SXM TravelTalkOnline is very active Caribbean-On-Line SXM Travel Forum Travel Forum SXM also exisit These tips usually don t allow commercial messages, especially those that interfere with their business, don t post rental naked station and its beach have their own board of directors does not focus on accommodation catering and beautiful hotel.
Bus - Buses are generally minivans, but some get a little No, except tourist bus approaching behemoths in US cities they are privately owned, but authorized by their respective governments, they will and come through unregulated border, making each side to complain about each other, they frustrate car drivers slamming on the brakes at the slightest hint of a pick-up passengers, so if you want a bus ride, stand anywhere and hail one will be happy to back up traffic for miles you discuss the itinerary, the price a dollar or two will get you almost anywhere, weather, appropriately beach clothes, whatever.
Carseats - carseats for children are now required The roads are not as good as those in the US, cars are not as strong, and party is hardier If you do not want to bring your own that we fully understand , many car rental companies will rent one to you for a reasonable price Some give no charge Some rent to better unreasonable price check before arrival.
Churches - The Dutchman Catholic churches in Philipsburg, South Award, and Simpson Bay St Martin at 30 Front Street Tours has Monday and Tuesday services at 6 pm, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 18 pm, and Sundays at 8 h the phone is 721 542 5892 There are Methodist churches in Philipsburg, Cole Bay, the estate of Betty, and Simpson Bay on the French side's Catholic churches in Marigot, grand Case, and the French quarter There is a Methodist church Marigot St Maarten International Baptist Church services on Sundays at 10 am 30 on the second floor of RBTT building in Simpson Bay Grace International Baptist Church services on Sunday from 10 am from 30 to 12 00 to noon in the royal dining pavilion Sonesta Maho Beach Resort New Testament Baptist Church in Cannegieterstreet 36 in Philipsburg offers services on Sunday morning at 11 midnight on Sunday night at 6 pm and Wednesday 30 at 7: 30 pm.
Clubs and organizations - There is an Alcoholics Anonymous on the island and I'll add a Rotary everyone who sent me info - FREE - just send an e-mail.
Country codes - In the fall of 2011, the Dutch side joined the North American Numbering Plan NANPA Essentially, they were assigned a three digit area code 721 as everyplace in the US and Canada, and some other islands Caribbean to call the Dutch side of the United States, call 1 721 and the seven-digit number in the summer of 2000, all land lines in St Maarten has changed 5 figures to 7 figures with a prefix of 54 Thus, a number such as 21250 became 542 1250 what makes the numbers look much like those in the United States the first original figure was a rough indication of the location of the phone with 2 being a number and Philipsburg 3, 4 and 5 stretching out in Cole Bay, Simpson Bay and the Lowlands this, of course, ease the transition to NANPA Note that this will always be an international and rates call reflects this.
French side French phones usually have six digits, usually given in three pairs of digits Now France must have additional digits added to the usual three pairs, something like an area code, but it must be made even in the area as well, the french interior St Martin must now dial 0590 plus the usual six figures now you're really confused, but not the worst of the United States, you must dial the country code, but only the last nine digits the country code for St Martin also 590 for calls overseas, most people in the United States adds 011 to the front of this, get 011 590 590 and the six-digit phone number as an exercise in digital dexterity before making a booking restaurants is much easier and cheaper to use email.
The customs duty - Typically, you will receive duty-free allowance of 400 when you return to the US, but check the US Government website for the latest information and arcane rules Note that alcohol and tobacco are dutiable beyond some minor amounts, whatever the cost.
There are no customs duties to SXM input and, therefore, there is no baggage inspection to find dutiable items You really should not bring illegal drugs on the island, but bringing alcohol, cigarettes, meat, jewelery, either, although generally stupid in terms of cost savings, are not illegal.
This is the basic demand of the island being a duty free paradise Anyway, most companies should pay a tax ToT 5 Turnover in government There was a 3, but savings to be a separate country seem to be -2, so the FDF was increased to 5 November 2011 after wholesale, they add up their total sales and give 5 to politicians Since few companies do more a profit of 10 on their dollar sales, this is a fairly high tax on their profits and few companies can, much less willingly give up higher price of 5 Some began to add 5 to all bills that they were presented to customers what then put the lie to the deductible portion of paradise rights although many people have accused politicians of being silent, it is rarely true that they know where they make their money and act as a result, the authorities released s with.
Tax Inspectorate, St Maarten ANNOUNCES ALL BUSINESSES FOR TAXABLE TAX REVENUES EARLY Hereby, the Tax Inspectorate, made known to all taxable companies for tax revenues, the tax the turnover is not a sales tax and should not be perceived as thE cLIENT dOES nOT bE cHARGED muST turnover tax nOT SPECIFIED oN thE muST turnover tax cUSTOMER rECEIPT please note that the sales tax should not be specified as a tax of 3 government that frequently appears on revenue of hotel industry and catering PLEASE NOTICE tHE ABOVEMENTIONED GOOD.
Philipsburg, February 4, 2003 The Head of the Tax Inspectorate St Maarten Mr R G Richardson.
Vineyard Visiting address of the building, Buncamper Highway 33, Philipsburg hours of 8 am and 13h 12h visit to 15pm Postal address P O Box 1026, Philipsburg Phone 542 542 2143 5301 542 5304 542 3839 Fax 542 2918.
Obviously this was issued after 3 FDF started They said things, more recently, but basically similar, ensuring that tourists will not notice the government's hand in their pocket, in theory, you can require this charge is removed from any bill, the load is supposed to be included in the price you are given good luck.
Departure tax - You can enter for free, but it costs 30 US to fly and they used to want money, credit cards these days, which is usually included in the ticket ago has a smaller load to fly to other islands in the Netherlands Antilles There is a small charge for ferries and boats Back to list.
Documentation - You need a passport to return to the United States and then you do not need anything to go on the French side of the Dutch side, you'll need a passport for one-day trips St Barths or Anguilla you can fill a passport application online and print or print the blank form and fill it manually in both cases, you must take the form and documentation to passport reception facility Follow the link for complete information to renew an existing passport you need the DS-82 US passport application by mail.
For other countries, the government of the island Saint Martin had set up a website with visa requirements in 2011, after obtaining the status of an independent country, the site has more info Good luck Don t ask me.
Alcohol use - age drinking Dutch side has recently been increased from 16 to 18, but it is not applied If you are driving and are caught without drinking, first offenders are issued a warning and Heineken While the latter sentence is not strictly true, it is not too far from the truth there is currently no law prohibiting driving intoxicated in the Dutch side, ie no legal limit for BAC, the alcohol content in the blood there a law against drunk driving for a French any reason aside is part of France and enforces laws that are stricter than the US limit is 0 05 LAC against 0 08 US for a man of 150 pounds, a drink will increase its alcohol level of 0 02 one hour will reduce by 0 02 a drink is 12 ounces of beer, five ounces of wine, one and a half ounces of Beware of alcohol drinks alcoholic 100 proof and multiple shooting Heavier people drinks can handle proportionally more women lack an enzyme that metabolizes alcohol should drink less.
Driving - The tourists drive right, as locals of the United States, especially buses and taxis, drive into the center and generally move to right the tourist office and my car rental agent say that all valid driving license and a credit card will have you a rental car, unlike Anguilla, where there is a charge for a local license We researched Japanese and Mexican licenses and said that they were acceptable licensing Absurdistan and the Republic of Melchenik would probably work, but I wouldn t count on it.
Remember the cows have the right of way Legend says that the city council voted to give cows the right of way The picture shows a cow and several cars on the Marigot head hill to Grand Case looks more cheerful to driving in the Caribbean is a click.
The floor has caused changes in the bridge calendar Dutch 8 outgoing 30AM 9 30AM incoming 10 30AM, outgoing, incoming 11 30AM, 3 0:00 arrival, 4 12 hours, outgoing and incoming 5 24:00.
Electricity - The Dutch side uses 120 volts 60 cycles, like the US and the containers are the same the French side uses 220 volts 60 cycles and plugs are two-cylinder, not like the flat teeth in the US You can see 50 cycles mentioned in various publications, but Paul B Streng, director of housing management education program and construction research Center at the University of Michigan, to whom I am eternally grateful, measured with the oscilloscope and is 60 cycles, so they can share the power of one side to the other if you get a plug converter, you can plug in your laptop and the battery charger on the most modern laptops can usually manage voltage Check the input voltage as it is written on the charger itself new ones claim to 100-240 volts and therefore, do not switch older can have switches to select 120 or 240 switches often have a travel hair dryer to enable them to operate on 240 volts Forget the switch and you can dry out your hair.
Most computers, phone chargers, tablets and what they dream will have the capacity to handle 110-240 volt input Read the small writing on the charger If so, it is simply a matter of connecting it to the 240 volt receptacle for this you need something like the picture below it fit into the round hole of the container and hang pane on the floor of the receptacle the back of it works for American plugs and flat blades for little more widely spaced round plugs used in other countries You can get it at Radio Shack in SXM and several hardware stores and electronics stores.
If your device has won t handle 240V, then you will need a voltage converter and if you insist on getting an adapter before your external verification visit to the Travel equipment.
Email Internet - There are several service providers on both sides of the island, it is possible to connect your laptop to see the power of electricity and telephone lines without special equipment required, at least on the Dutch side, but keep in mind that it is an expensive call to one side of the island to the other way, get your side of the island service provider or forget it and just go to an Internet cafe If you do, you must know your mailbox settings mailbox account name and password, at least, maybe your ID or name of the mail server.
The mailbox on the Simpson Bay offers many mail services, telephone, fax, copies and access to Internet mail you can not miss work distinctively paint the front of the building on the lagoon side of the road, they open 8:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 am to 17 pm on Saturday and Sunday mail It is There are many Cyber Caf s Philipsburg and many of the French side, however, if you read this, probably you talk English, you'd probably be better served on the Dutch side in the operating system, programs, CAF staff, and keyboards will use the French language.
Now everyone has a wireless device and many restaurants offer free Wi-Fi.
Emergency phone numbers - St Martin Louis Constant Fleming Hospital, Concordia, Marigot †emergency service 0590 52 25 52 medical emergencies SAMU 15 Police 17 Fire 18 million Center doctors Guards ADGUPS doctors call 0590 90 13 13 Support Medicall medical Erick 0590 April 29 04 0590 29 29 34 ambulances ambulances Islands North 0590 52 00 52 dangerous Liaisons, health prevention center 6 Fichot Street Marigot 0590 87 01 17 fire department, Savannah 29 February 0590 86 fire service, the largest airport Case 0590 87 95 01 police gendarmerie, Marigot 0590 52 21 90 police officers from the gendarmerie, La Savane 0590 52 30 00 police gendarmerie, to Quarter Orl ANS 0590 52 35 95 municipal police, Marigot 0590 87 88 33 municipal police, grand Case 0590 87 19 76 border police, Marigot 0590 87 57 13 rescue Crossing sea between Anguilla and French Guiana 0596 70 92 92 Saint Martin SNSM lifeguards - July 24 inhabited 0690 76 75 0 0-0690 41 17 07-0690 72 59 59-0690 31 37 47.
Emergency Hospital Ambulance 911 543 1111 or 912 542 2111 or 520 6262 or 542 919 6001 or 911 542 2222 Police fire water police 542 in 2277.
Free WiFi hotspots skipjack s Diner and Cappucino in Simpson Bay, Rancho del Sol above Orient Beach Many other restaurants.
By far the most wild outdoors to an Internet cafe belonged to Caf Dot Com head Philipsburg would be the end is near the cruise ship, are no longer in service.
Ferries - There are ferry from Marigot to Blowing Point, Anguilla leave every half hour from 7 pm to 19 pm There are several of them and the larger are more comfortable, but it is only about a half-hour ride through the three mile wide channel, so that the time is probably more important than comfort elsewhere, how comfortable you are sitting in the ferry terminal for half an hour waiting for a better tray both parties get a departure tax on french side accepts euros, dollars and the exchange rate to the dollar is generally terrible but make sure you pay in dollars with little change in euros it its picturesque island the measure ferry charges 12 per head, a way Don t buy a round trip as tie you to the ferry and back is quite easy to plan to go to the morning, take a taxi to the dock ferry, and s e get to anywhere on the island for about 20 tracks are large and generally less crowded than SXM, probably because most everything is more expensive than a few days on SXM Add your SXM week and hop through channel just three miles by ferry, charter boat or plane to Anguilla.
St Barts is another daytrip, but a little longer, about 15 miles across the water quite choppy There are boats which take about three hours, so most of the day will be consumed by the sail on the main, with a little time for leaping lunch and shopping in Gustavia, the capital of St Barth's fed cats go there in an hour and a half of Marigot and costs 70 round trip the same day and just over 90 go -back on different days Add departure taxes that you might be able to get two for one coupons somewhere Traveling from Marigot and Oyster Pond Oyster Pond race takes about half the time the new Voyager can do travel in about a half hour ferry from Oyster Pond Philipsburg is a little faster, you start a few miles further.
Saba is another daytrip, is by air the 26 miles across the channel are the toughest in the area There is a ferry, but most of the day will be spent traveling back and the airplane trip is part of fun, if you like roller coasters.
The first visitors - Putting a MUST list the essential activities for visitors is full of problems Different people like to do different things and even people who like the same things at home, may want to do different things on holiday However, s we assume that you come to SXM to experience the best of what makes different SXM what those things warm weather, sandy beaches, warm water, great restaurants, nightlife, casinos, and without import duties .
Beaches - We have a section on the beaches but again, your favorite beach will depend on your desire for quiet solitude in relation to many people, bars and activities Your best bet is to read the descriptions and choose.
Activities - We have a section on the activities, but if you get seasick, and a ride on the boat 12m America's Cup is probably not a must-do to do the same can be said for snorkeling and scuba diving are two major activities, taking advantage of the best SXM has to offer, but if you do not like water sports, it is not for you there Parasailing, jet skiing, banana boating, sunset cruises, hiking, biking, kayaking, and more.
Restaurants - We have a section on restaurants, but like beaches, personal preferences are important, and unlike the beaches, prices come into play, and even driving distances after consumption should be high on the twisting, dark roads SXM the restaurant section is broken down by area restaurants and kitchen and there's even a restaurant finder to help you find the one you want There are links at any restaurant on the island that has a website .
Nightlife - We have a section on the nightlife and one on the casinos but do not recommend any particular location.
Attractions - We have a section on attractions with many pictures There aren t too butterfly farms in the world and they have a good website to tell you about their zoo probably doesn t compare to those in the US, but only focuses on small animals that live in warm climates they have many birds, especially now that they have taken all the birds Parrot Jungle Cupecoy.
Shopping - We have a section on purchases that covers alcohol, cigars, clothes, cosmetics, electronics, groceries, and island jewelry is duty free, so any place can say that they are a duty-free shop Philipsburg probably has the best prices on electronics and alcohol Marigot has the best prices and selection of french products such as wine, brandy, clothing, but the new terminal cruise ship and increased traffic makes Philipsburg competitive Cigars, cosmetics and jewelry can be found in two places and often the stores have the same owner, so if you haggle with the same effort, you should get the same price on each side just funny attention to exchange rate grocery no french side have much duty, but some get a big-brand in the US, so if you want some edible sp French cial, visit the French side for the best selection, but remember that most of uncooked materials can be brought to the United States See our information the customs service for a link to the US government s ite that it covers.
Most tourists don t care, but the sailors do, then here are the flags for both sides.
Information - Written information is widely available for tourists Most hotels have a copy of Discover magazine in print room in English and French, it is a brilliant and sometimes a bit risky, look at both sides of the island There are three new alternatives, even glossy with English subtitles Experience Nature and Tourism the rest of these beautiful magazines are written in french and franglais or Dutchish, adding a tablespoon of humor to their articles as Ti Gourmet in Little Gourmet - it fits in a pocket is a must for meals as it lists restaurants and provides maps in theory, the holders of the book get a free or digestive apertif, but most restaurants do anyway Discover began a short guide to eating similar.
The Daily Herald is the local newspaper and is almost as good as the Miami Herald Thursday they publish a section on restaurants and entertainment How part-time Saturday arrivals are expected to achieve this is an exercise for the reader of St Martin a week another French publication with an English name already published a free newspaper once a week with a few new and plenty of infotainment - all in French, he kept his name and now publishes twice a week Even small French will let you know what happens Remember they use a 24 hour clock Thus, 17 00 is what used to be several hundred miles 17 hours away from get used to it and get over it.
There were two other newspapers, but they could not compete at this point, most of the former staff members put St Martin Today, it includes an entertainment section called Whassup that comes more easily on Friday and they say relocating Saturday Return to the list.
Jobs - Don t wait to go down and find an easy job Dutch side requires working documents that are somewhat difficult to obtain and the French side is part of France, and therefore part of the EU As such, any citizen of a country that is a member of the EU can come to work on the French side Don t account on your best bet is to have a skill the employer wants t can be filled with locals, the employer will compete for the paperwork and red tape this is a tourist spot, so do not try to mention all the local authorities we're just warning you that show your backpack and hope to get a job you sleep on the beach is unlikely for light work in the Caribbean, check out this page Back to the list.
The money - Dutch side uses the US dollar, although the official currency is the Netherlands Antilles Florin or guilder NAF, not the same as florin or guilder Netherlands, which of course has gone home now the euro, EUR or took over europe, many places not even donate Computer prices NAF some, and in theory, there is a conversion rate between the dollar and NAF, but is set by the government and NA remains fixed from one budget crisis to another Currently, there is roughly 1 August the dollar NAF If you are bad at math, divide the NAF prices by 2 and add 10 If you are looking for a NAF price kilo NAF divide the price by 4 to get lbs After obtaining country status in November 2011, St Maarten will issue its own currency You have probably guessed that they would be late and still use the NAF.
The French side is using Euros or EUR, but everyone accepts US dollars - the question is, at what rate in winter 2015, the euro fell to 4 January to January 7 Your credit card is generally billed in foreign currency and you should get a good exchange rate from them, but many have a currency conversion charge of about 3 most places let you choose whether you want to load or dollars in France, I ' saw a conversion fee of 3 added if you asked to pay in dollars so even if your card free of conversion charges, asking a load dollar added 3 percent to your bill I have not seen this on the island but didnt say it won t happen in some schools where the rate was higher, several places were offering a 1 to 1 exchange rate for cash only Find the current exchange rate by the fall 2015 some places off ert 1 to 1, even for credit cards.
Parking - Parking is limited both Marigot and Philipsburg There is plenty of parking in Philipsburg that was always full and limited parking in the streets of the city, but there is parking along the salt pond and many restaurants have valet parking at night Marigot has parking lots on both sides of the marina, a large plot on the seafront, parking near the stadium of the school of the street of Holland, and many in the city of St James Remember that the french think they are much more important than you and their birthright includes an exemption for parking at their convenience residents learned that too so even if you find a parking space, you can share it with someone back to the list.
Pharmacies - There are several pharmacies on both sides, generally designated by a green neon cross garish The French even have one that stays open late and holidays, and worst of all, the point of view of a French during lunch is not the same all the time, so we can not tell you where it is, but every week, there is an ad on the back page of the paper within the week of St Martin inform the community of Pharmacy guard he is also a doctor on duty, guard Medecins While pharmacists here have a little more latitude than in the US, it is always best to have your prescription with you back to the list.
Phones - Most hotels have their phone system as a potential profit center Certain fees of 4 per minute to call the United States stay on the phone for an hour and you could have flown in Puerto Rico, has a much less appeal expensive, and flew back to less There are alternatives by calling the phone company is cheaper, but aT T can be achieved and is still cheaper the mailbox phone 545 3890 in Simpson Bay telephone services which are cheaper than hotels.
The simplest and cheapest approach is to let light Holiday Pack provide a GSM mobile phone for about 20 per week You buy a prepaid phone card for a minimum of 10 non-refundable use your 10 rate from 10 to 35 cents per minute for local calls, 50 cents for long distance all the way from the french side, and 40 cents back in the United States or Canada If you organize the rental in advance and get the phone number, your friends can call you incoming calls are free.
If you are reading this on a computer, you should have Skype for free computer to computer calls obviously, you'll need an Internet connection and 2 cents per minute for calls to landlines in most of the world MagicJack also works well.
Postage - Stamps the Dutch side are colorful, as befits a Caribbean island seeking to make money by selling stamps to collectors on the French side Stamps are standard French stamps In both cases, you will return probably sooner home than any postcard you can send If you really send something fast, go to the mailbox phone 545 3890 Simpson Bay and use their service, it is a bit more expensive than the local mail, but they put US position on your letter, place it on a plane to the United States, and put it in the American system in Miami.
I've never been impressed with the services of the post office government, for example, I had a small piece of jewelry for Christmas comes to our house on the island The store has used the USPS because they offered the highest possible amount of insurance This meant that the package came to the local postal service in time for Valentine's Day But wait, there's more the package was held at the main post office in Pburg After a journey of 20 minutes and 10 minutes looking for a parking space followed by a ten minute walk, we arrived at the back of a line of 20 minutes to the post office when we arrived the clerk, we found that we had to pay even more money to get our package.
Recycling - The French part placed recycling containers at several locations on the side of the island Generally they consist of a pair of blue glass containers marked glass on a green plate and a pair of blue containers marked packaging packaging , boxes and plastic on a yellow placard They have pictures that you do not even have to learn french Each container is the size of a port-a-potty set was placed just outside Red beach, opposite the Howell center, at the entrance to Columbier in parking in grand Case, and some other places Since the french burned their garbage and Dutch filling great Salt Pond, it would be a great help to remove something from the waste stream.
Rental - Pack Holiday Light has all the things you may want to bring strollers, umbrellas, beach chairs, coolers, golf clubs, and Back to the list.
Residence - Call the consulate 721-542-2091 for a list of required residency documents and apply for residency The are open from 7 am to 12 pm Eastern Standard Time Eastern Back to list.
Sun tanning - In a word, watch OK, that's two words, but watching them carefully, you are 18Г В N latitude the sun shines 11 hours a day in winter and only 13 hours a day in summer No long, lingering sunsets here, but when it shines, it is almost directly overhead These concentrated rays will be crunchy skin quickly Use sunscreen even better get a base tan in a tanning salon before your vacation and have fun Back to listing.
Taxis - Taxis are everywhere and when they aren t protesting something high gasoline prices, taxis, tour buses, the other lax dangerous side in the application security, etc., they are readily available in some places and very friendly they are not metered so you have to trust that they are charging the correct amount, but most often they do it because it is too good job to lose fixed rates for two passengers and minimum luggage If you and your fifty closest relatives present with luggage for a six-month vacation, expect to pay a little more regularly, a website set up taxi fares, then disappears, I'm bound two of them over the years and they both dissolved last time we checked, a short cab ride was 10 for 15 for two and the longest taxi ride on to say, of the island, to m i-way around, say airport Anse Marcel costs about 35 That's for two passengers and is 5 more for each additional person a surcharge between 25 pm and midnight and 10 to 50 then u ntil 6:00 the really adventurous can try the link back to the list.
Time - St Maarten is on the year, Atlantic Standard Time It is the same time that Daylight and one hour ahead of standard time Eastern Thus, in winter, St Maarten is an hour ahead of the US East coast and in summer it is the same time that most of the US East coast St Maarten I can explain, but I can not explain Indiana Back to list .
Tipping - Most restaurants on both sides add 12-15 automatically many gift t mention that although the menu Some show on the bill, then put the full amount on the spot by credit card, leaving the section white advanced, hoping that you add This is especially true in french restaurants that help you by converting the invoice in dollars and put that on a credit card voucher in dollars that has a place for a tip slips card French normal credit in euros not have this box to fill because the tip was included if you leave more Some people knowingly allow 5-10 more for quality service, often in cash on the table Taxis get 10 porters now ask 1 per bag a sport, they need it more than you Back to the list.
Tobacco - The following is from the US government website.
QUOTE tobacco products a returning resident is eligible for the exemption 800, which does not include more than 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars The tobacco exemption is available for every adult the exception of information and background documents, no traveler you legally traveling under a foreign Office Asset Control license or illegally traveling without license from OFAC can import Cuban goods facts, including Cuban cigars.
In short, short, for alcohol and tobacco, the amounts described in this book as being eligible for duty-free treatment may be included in your exemption of 800 or 1 600, as would any other purchase But unlike some other types of goods, amounts beyond those described herein as duty is imposed even if you have not exceeded or even met, your personal exemption for example, if your exemption is 800 and bring you three liters of wine and nothing else, these two liters will be dutiable federal law prohibits shipping alcoholic beverages by mail in the United States QUOTE.
Tours - There are bus tours available and they are very good at showing the island as a whirlwind Most hotels have a concierge desk that can arrange a bus tour taxis to tour and are not much more expensive, but you can customize a day some shopping in the morning, lunch on a beach, a few visits, and an afternoon on another beach again, your hotel desk probably knows a pilot they like, and you too Return to the list.
Tourist Offices - The Dutch has a website Having obtained the status of countries in 2011, the site seems to have changed a site sponsored by the government to a tourist office website The French have a site they do not have not even buy their own URL, the site is loaded with ads, some to other islands, and it begins with the lie that it is the smallest island in the world ever to be divided between two nations it is also wrong because it is not important the site is copyright 1997-2010 and the update was thin, based on a reading of their restaurant information, which is protected by a copyright 2005.
You can write or call the tourist offices on the basis of the US Contact the French 675 Third Avenue New York, NY 10017 - Suite 1807 Phone 212-475-8970 Phone 877-956-1234 email.
French Government Tourist Office 645 N Michigan Ave Suite 3360 Chicago, IL 60611 312-751-7800 Tel.
French Government Tourist Office 9454 Wilshire Boulevard Beverly Hills, CA 90212 Phone 310-271-6665.
Or offices established in Canada French Government Tourist Office in 1981 McGill College Avenue, Suite 490 Montreal, Quebec H3A 2W9 Canada Tel 514-288-4264.
travel tips - many of them come from Neil Rooney.
Do not forget the sunscreen, apply generously on the back of your neck and knees when snorkeling.
Secure your passport and travelers stubs in your safe or the hotel safe.
Call the 800 number on your credit card to be sure it covers your rental car outside the US Ask them to you by e-mail confirmation that yes gold cards also inform your dates travel It prevents refuse charges.
R on your plate hire car license means RIP ME OFF, leave any valuables in the car.
It is a small island, when touring in your car to go clockwise on the same number of days and counterclockwise on odd number of days so that the tires wear uniform This is a joke.
Neil said, wearing a color photocopy of your passport with you, even if I wear my driving license passport locked in the hotel safe and a copy is hidden in the room.
Ignore the scammers You won the scratch tickets If you are harassed by a part-time seller OPC wonder it is important that you just declared BANKRUPTCY They'll disappear quickly.
Do not go to the same beach every day, there are too many great beaches to stick on a can as the next BETTER.
Do wear polarized sunglasses, the water looks so much better with them.
Make clear old photos off the memory card from your camera before you leave home Charge batteries too, we can buy batteries here, but you will have to do better.
Let the black socks to the NO house you can t wear them with sandals We locals love to make fun of the brigade black socks voyeurs on the beach of the East.
Get a Heineken for about 1 50 by flying window at KFC in Philipsburg, near Le Grand Marche No, you do not have to buy food.
Warning on your first visit to a beach Nekkid Parts of Peace Corps haven t seen the sun since you were a guy child, not put on lotion on the parties in public, it seems funny.
Get a tight throw camera when you are snorkeling.
Do not pack 6 suitcases, you'll be on the beach most of the time If you check luggage, do not put enough clothes, medicines and solutions for contact lenses for a day or two in your hand luggage, just in case pack some two suitcases Don t make his and hers, do half and half in each, unless you look good in her bikini.
Yes, water is drinking If you have a sensitive system and to drink bottled water.
Water - Municipal water comes from desalination plants using waste heat from the power generation process Basically, the sea water is boiled, leaving behind salt and other impurities and kill any body it didnt get much safer Back to the list.
Weather - The temperature during the day will run from 75Г В F 85Г В F in winter and 80Г В F 90Г В F in the summer evenings could be 10Г Â F cooler sea breezes are quite refreshing even in summer Hurricane season is from June 1st until November 30th and September can be very hot and humid in October, it is quite enjoyable and November is fine, unless a hurricane later in the season as Lenny arrives Click the banner below for a complete reading, including sunrise, sunset, Moonrise, moonset and phase of the moon are other sources by shortwave radio to 0630 all days on frequency 3855 LSB or website Chris Parker in the tropics, the sun is 11 to 13 hours a day, which sunsets nearly 18 hours in the year There are no long lingering twilights and a romantic sunset dinner unlikely use it and think of full moon dinners, especially grand Case All the places on the water, including California Getaway l Tastevin restaurant and Il Nettuno will s beautiful view of the Grand Case bay shimmering in Moonlight.
St Martin St Maarten Information, martin, information maarten.
Мартин, Словакия