Visiting St Maarten/St Martin is a unique experience: an eastern Caribbean island divided between two sovereign states (France and the Netherlands) with an unpoliced border cutting through its southern portion, visitors can sunbathe in French St Martin in the afternoon, and stroll over to dine in Dutch St Maarten in the evening.

The French and the Dutch have peacefully shared this Caribbean gem for more than 350 years, ever since (as legend has it) a gin-drinking Dutchman and wine-imbibing Frenchman walked around the island to see how much territory they could claim for their country in a day. The Frenchman gained two-thirds of the island, but the Dutch maintain that their representative claimed the prize part of the property.

The Dutch portion is in the south, with the capital Philipsburg being a duty-free shopping paradise that draws thousands of tourists every day of the year. Dutch St Maarten arguably has the best (certainly the most developed and crowded) beach resorts, clustered along the southwest coast near the island's international airport. French St Martin is less developed, but more scenic and just as popular as a holiday destination.

The island is renowned as being the gourmet capital of the Caribbean and for providing the liveliest nightlife, mostly centred on the island's 35 enticing white sand beaches. The small island's main attractions are shopping, relaxing on the crowded beach or dipping in the clear turquoise waters; there is little of historic, cultural or architectural interest or natural attractions beyond the sand and sea.

The island is sunny and warm all year round, with average monthly temperatures varying little throughout the year. Temperatures in coastal areas range 72-86ºF (22-30ºC) and 66-81ºF (19-27ºC) in inland areas. Cooling winds buffet the island all throughout the year. Showers can be expected at any time of year but rainstorms pass quickly. Hurricane season in the Caribbean lasts from June to November, with the most storms occurring in September. December to May is considered the dry season (though rain can occur at any time of year), and is considered the best time to visit St Maarten/St Martin. Winter and the Christmas/New Year holidays are traditionally the most popular time to visit the island, but summer can also be a good time to visit because lodging rates are much lower and the beaches, roads and restaurants are not crowded.

Dutch and French are the official languages, but English is widely spoken. Locals commonly use a language known as Papiamento, a mixture of Portuguese, African, Spanish, Dutch and English.

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On the Dutch side the currency is the Netherlands Antilles Guilder or Florin (ANG), where one guilder is divided into 100 cents, but US Dollars are also widely accepted and prices are usually quoted in Dollars as well as Guilders. On the French side of the island the Euro (EUR) is the local currency, although establishments will also accept US Dollars. There are numerous bureaux de change and banks throughout the island and ATMs in the main towns in both national sectors; travellers cheques and major credit cards are widely accepted.

On 10 October 2010, the Netherlands Antilles were dissolved, however St. Maarten will continue to function as an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. All tourists must have return or onward tickets, all documents needed for next destination and sufficient funds. Passports must be valid for the length of stay. As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travellers travelling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. If departing from the USA a valid passport will be required by immigration authorities. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Ireland

Irish nationals require a passport valid for at least the period of intended stay. No visa is needed for a stay of up to three months in the Netherlands Antilles. Passengers are required to show proof of funds for the duration of their stay (generally calculated as $500 per week).

United Kingdom

British passport holders do not require a visa for a stay of up to three months in the Netherlands Antilles. Passengers are required to show proof of funds for the duration of their stay (generally calculated as $500 per week).

British Consulate,Willemstad, Curacao (also responsible for St Maarten/St Martin): +599 9 461 3900.

Canada

Canadians must have a valid passport. No visa is needed for a stay of up to three months in the Netherlands Antilles. Passengers are required to show proof of funds for the duration of their stay (generally calculated as $500 per week).

Canadian Consulate, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (also responsible for St Maarten): +868 622 6232.

United States

United States citizens require a valid passport. No visa is needed for a stay of up to three months in the Netherlands Antilles, but passengers are required to show proof of funds for the duration of their stay (generally calculated as $500 per week).

American Consulate-General, Willemstad, Curacao (also responsible for St Maarten/St Martin): +599 9 461 3066.

New Zealand

New Zealand citizens must have a valid passport. No visa is needed for a stay of up to three months in the Netherlands Antilles. Passengers are required to show proof of funds for the duration of their stay (generally calculated as $500 per week).

South Africa

South Africans must have a valid passport and a visa for entry into the Netherlands Antilles. Passengers are required to show proof of funds for the duration of their stay (generally calculated as $500 per week).

Australia

Australians must have a valid passport. No visa is needed for a stay of up to three months in the Netherlands Antilles. Passengers are required to show proof of funds for the duration of their stay (generally calculated as $500 per week).

No vaccination certificates are required for entry into either St Maarten or St Martin, however a yellow fever certificate is required for travellers arriving within six days from infected areas. The Manchionneel tree that grows all over the island, mainly along the beaches, is extremely poisonous: the sap and fruit, which look like small green apples are caustic and burn the skin. The water in the Netherlands Antilles is safe to drink. Medical care on the island is good, but patients are likely to be transferred to the US for anything serious. Medical insurance is strongly advised.

Most visits to the island are trouble-free, however crime has been increasing in recent years and visitors should refrain from leaving valuables unattended on beaches, in cars and hotel lobbies. Care should be taken to keep rooms and cars locked, and visitors should refrain from carrying large amounts of cash on them. Burglaries and break-ins occur sometimes at resorts, beach houses and hotels and there have been incidents of armed robbery. Precautions should also be taken against car theft and insurance cover is advisable.

110/220 volts, 60Hz. Standard, flat, two and three pronged plugs, as found in the United States, are used.

On St. Maarten/St. Martin things are fairly informal, but jackets and ties should be worn by men for meetings. English is spoken widely throughout both the French and Dutch parts of the island and is often the language used in meetings. Business hours are generally 9am-6pm Monday to Friday, with a break from 12pm-1:30pm.

The country code for St Maarten, as part of the Netherlands Antilles, is +599. The code for French St Martin is +590. To dial Dutch St Maarten dial 599-54 plus a five-digit number, and to dial French St Martin dial 590-590 plus a six-digit number. Phoning from one side of the island to the other is considered to be an international call. The outgoing code for both sectors is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are not in use. GSM 900 and 1800 mobile network coverage extends across both parts of the island. Internet access is available at Internet cafes, and in most resorts.

Arrivals in St Maarten/St Martin will not have to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco, 2 litres of alcohol and gifts to the value of ANG100.

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