Island Information
General Information Partners
Getting Around
While there are taxi services and mini buses, the best way to travel around the island, is to rent a car. Scooters can also be rented and are a great way to see the island, but they not really recommended for daily travel. Locals tend to stop short to to greet a friend or to yield to another motorist, so unless you are very skilled on a scooter, you will feel safer in a car. It is best to make arrangements before hand. We will be happy to recommend a rental company. Most will pick you up at your hotel or meet you at the airport.
Money
The island is half-French, half-Dutch. Dollars are accepted everywhere. The official currencies are Euros on the French side and Antillean Guilders on the Dutch side. You can readily convert money (if you want) at banks but it is NOT required anywhere.
(Keep $20 per person in cash on you when you fly home from SXM for the airport Departure Tax. They don’t take credit cards.
Credit Cards and ATMs:
VISA is very widely accepted, but it is not quite “Everywhere you want to be” on the island. Some restaurants take only cash or travelers checks. American Express is accepted by many restaurants. ATMs are easy to access especially on the Dutch side. (DO NOT USE THE MAHO ATM! My experience has been that you will be double charged or receive less money than requested.)
Getting Gas for Rent-A-Cars:
Most gas pumps on the French side clearly convert French Francs to dollars, so you can easily pay for gas in dollars. On the Dutch side, the conversion is less clear. Because of taxes, gas for years has been cheaper on the French side. When you rent a car, ask the rental agent about where gas is currently cheaper. There are both Shell and Texaco stations here (Dutch side) but they have not customarily accepted US credit cards.
The Food - Dining in St.Martin/St.Maarten:
Where to begin…
There are sooooooo many great spots from $5.00 and up I believe that this should be discussed on an individual preference so when we speak you can tell me what you’re looking for and I can lead you in the right direction. But in the meantime here are a few suggestions:
For true island cuisine, you must stop by one of the “Lolos” - where the locals grill up fresh lobster, chicken and ribs with a side of rice a beans and other goodies. While the atmosphere at the shacks can be very rustic, the food is enjoyable and very reasonable.
It’s been said that St. Maarten / St. Martin has the best restaurants in the Caribbean. Once you try a few restaurants, you’ll understand why. The food offered by the approximately 300 different restaurants in St. Maarten is unforgettable. Most of the establishments have breathtaking views along the beach as in Grand Case, others are located on pleasant side streets of Marigot or Philipsburg. Some are actually on the beach itself and serve tasty barbecued beef ribs or fresh fish and chips.
Tourists can have a taste of France right here, and they don’t have to travel to France. One of the things that is so impressive about the island is the selection of food that it offers for the size of land that it occupies. Whether the food is Italian, French, Indian, American, Argentine, Chinese, Middle Eastern or Caribbean, nine times out of ten the cooks are natives of the lands where the cuisine they are cooking is from. When one tastes the food it becomes obvious that these establishments are truly something special.
Selection is definitely not a problem. Grand Case, a small town on the northern side of the island boasts 28 restaurants that are all located along a beautiful beach. These restaurants cater to the romantic couple wanting to enjoy an evening meal while an evening sea breeze blows into the open aired restaurants.
DineSXM - St. Maarten / St. Martin restaurant reservations and dining guide.
Current restaurant descriptions and information: opening hours, menu suggestions, reviews, detailed maps, and the ability to make a guaranteed reservation online.
