Preparation for Your Trip Start Early. If a passport is required for you to enter the country where you are planning to travel, apply for it as soon as possible.
Learn about the countries you plan to visit. Before departing, read up on the culture and people for the places you will travel.
As you travel, keep abreast of local news coverage. If you are in an area experiencing civil unrest or a natural disaster, if you will be staying more than two weeks in an area, or if you are going to a place where ... more
Safety Tips Crime Information. Most visitors to the Caribbean have a relatively safe trip. However, thievery, purse snatching, and pick pocketing do happen, particularly in cities and at beaches. There has also been an increase in violent crimes, such as rape and assault against tourists. In some places, U.S. passports and identity documents are especially attractive to thieves. Robbery of yachts is a problem in some marinas.
Here are some precautions to keep in mind:
-- Safety begins when you pack. ... more
Languages: 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.
Customs: 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.
Disclaimer: Although we've tried to make the information on this web
site as accurate as possible, we accept no responsibility for any loss,
injury or inconvenience sustained by any person resulting from
information published on this site. We encourage you to verify any
critical information with the relevant authorities before you travel.
This includes information on visa requirements, health and safety,
customs, accommodations and transportation.