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Road Conditions and Safety: Sint Maarten?s main roads are narrow and dimly lit. Driving at night is reasonably safe, as long as drivers are familiar with the route and road conditions. Proceed through intersections with caution. 

Traffic Laws: You can drive in Sint Maarten with a valid U.S. driver?s license. Drive on the right-hand side, as in the United States. Right turns at red lights are prohibited. There are no border controls separating the Dutch and French sides of the island. Cars pass freely without stopping. Driving while intoxicated may result in the loss of a driver?s license, fine, and imprisonment.

Public Transportation: Taxis are unmetered. Passengers should determine the price in advance. Rental car agencies are located near the Princess Juliana International Airport. Be sure you are sufficiently insured. Ask your car rental agency for instructions in case of an accident.

See our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the website of Sint Maarten?s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Sint Maarten?s Civil Aviation Authority as not being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Sint Maarten?s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA?s safety assessment page.

The U.S. Consulate prohibits U.S. Consulate personnel from flying on Insel Air, a Dutch Caribbean airline based in Cura?ao with service to multiple Caribbean destinations. The Consulate adopted this policy following an internal review of safety-related considerations.

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Sint Maarten must have completed a Customs Form 1300, Vessel Entrance or Clearance Statement declaring their intention to travel to Sint Maarten prior to their departure from the U.S. port. Mariners failing to fill out and submit this form will be denied entry to Sint Maarten?s ports. Mariners should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website, and the NGA broadcast warnings.

Access to quality medical care is limited in Sint Maarten. Facilities may not meet U.S. standards. There is one hospital on the Dutch Side, St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), which offers 24-hour emergency services.

Many medical specialties are unavailable in Sint Maarten. Critically ill patients must often be transferred to neighboring countries or to the United States.

There is no decompression chamber in Sint Maarten.

Below are important phone numbers for emergency assistance: 

Emergency: 911
Ambulance/EMS: 912
Hospital (Sint Maarten Medical Center): +1 (721) 543-1111

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas. 

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments.  See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. 

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of Sint Maarten to ensure the medication is legal in Sint Maarten. Always, carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor?s prescription.

The following diseases are prevalent: 

• Chikungunya
• Dengue
• Zika

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Sint Maarten?s enforcement policy concerning drug possession differs significantly from the Netherlands. In Sint Maarten, laws against possession of controlled substances are enforced rigorously, including against tourists in possession of marijuana for personal use.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Consulate immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Local law is based on Dutch law, which allows for the detention of subjects during an investigation with the approval of a judge. Persons imprisoned in Sint Maarten do not have the option of posting bond for their release.

Dual Nationality: Dutch law, in principle, does not permit dual nationality. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For detailed information, contact the The Netherlands Embassy in Washington, DC, or one of the Dutch Consulates in the United States.

Faith-Based Travelers: See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report ? see country reports
• Human Rights Report ? see country reports
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Sint Maarten.

See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights Report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Sidewalks and street crossings in many areas are not wheelchair accessible. Many buildings lack ramps.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers.

Crime: Crimes of opportunity, such as pickpockets and purse snatching particularly at beaches, hotel lobbies, or from cars are common. Accordingly,

• Be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to secure personal property.
• Do not leave valuables in cars in plain view or unattended in unsecured hotel rooms and rental homes.
• Avoid withdrawing cash from ATMs after dark and walking in poorly-lit areas.
• Keep a copy of your valid U.S. passport in a secure location in case your passport is stolen.

Be sure you are sufficiently insured when renting vehicles, jet skis, and other equipment. Theft of rental cars can occur, and damages may not be fully covered by local insurance when a vehicle is stolen.

Parents of young travelers should be aware that the legal drinking age of 18 is not always enforced. Extra parental supervision may be appropriate. Take standard precautions when frequenting nightclubs and bars. Travel in pairs or groups and, if you consume alcohol, do so responsibly. Do not leave your drink unattended or accept open containers from strangers. If you are a victim of a crime, report it immediately to Sint Maarten police (dial 911) and the U.S. Consulate.

Watersports Advisory: Be aware of the risks of recreational water activities. Never venture out alone, particularly at isolated beaches or far out to sea. Avoid entering the water above your waist if you have been drinking and always be mindful of watercraft traffic in the area. When in doubt, stay out!

Do not attempt to experience the jet blast of approaching and departing aircraft at Maho Beach, which can result in serious injury or death.

See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime: Dial 911 for police assistance in Sint Maarten. Contact the U.S. Consulate at (+599) (9) 461-3066 after you have contacted local police. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

Do not rely on hotels, restaurants, or tour companies to make a crime report for you.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

We can:

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on victim?s compensation programs in the U.S.
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Consulate for assistance. If you are in immediate danger, first contact the local police at 911.

Tourism: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, basic emergency medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. Critical injuries often require medical evacuation. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.  

Upon arrival in Sint Maarten, you must have:

• a U.S. passport valid for the duration of your stay;
• an Embarkation and Disembarkation Card (ED-Card);
• a return or onward ticket;
• proof of accommodations (hotel reservation, property ownership, or the address of a family member or friend if you are not staying at a hotel); and
• proof of sufficient funds to cover expenses during your stay or valid credit card. 
  

U.S. citizens are allowed to stay in Sint Maarten for a maximum of six months with the possibility to extend. For more information about entry requirements, duration of stay, and extensions, visit The Sint Maarten Travel Guide or contact the Sint Maarten Immigration and Border Protection Service (IBP) directly at immigration@sintmaartengov.org or +1-(721) 543-0355.

For more information, see: The Official Website of The Government of Sint Maarten; The Royal Netherlands Embassy(4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 244-5300), and the Dutch Consulates in Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Francisco. 

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Sint Maarten.

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.

See the Department of State?s Fact Sheet on Sint Maarten for information on U.S. ? Sint Maarten relations. 

U.S. Consulate General Curacao

J.B. Gorsiraweg 1,
Willemstad, Cura?ao
For assistance in Dutch Sint Maarten, contact the U.S. Consulate General Cura?ao. For assistance in French St. Martin, contact U.S. Embassy Bridgetown.
Telephone: +(599) (9) 461-3066
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(599) (9) 843-3066 (from Cura?ao); +1-(503)-420-3115 (from the United States)
Fax: +(599) (9) 461-6489
Email: ACSCuracao@state.gov

Consulates

U.S. Embassy Bridgetown
Wildey Business Park
Wildey
St. Michael BB 14006
Barbados, W.I.
Telephone: +(246) 227-4399
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(246) 227-4000
Fax: +(246) 431-0179
Email: BridgetownACS@state.gov