St. Maarten is one-half of the smallest island occupied by two nations (St. Martin is the other and is part of French West Indies). Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, St. Maarten (aka "the Dutch side") is home to a very busy Caribbean port, located in the capital city of Philipsburg. This area of the Caribbean is lovely, with white sand beaches and turquoise waters. There are facilities so that some of the world's largest ships can dock here. Because of this, there are some great places for shopping, restaurants, and activities to accommodate the million-plus passengers that visit every year. Plus, there's no real border between the Dutch and French sides of the country, so visitors can come and go easily. See here for more information on Saint Martin.
Safety: Crimes against tourists are relatively low, with the exception of theft. Don't flash valuables around or leave your belongings unattended. In late 2021, guests were advised not to travel to the French side of the island due to political unrest.
Philipsburg, St. Maarten – Quick Facts
CurrencyNetherlands Antillean guilder, but US Dollars are accepted at most locations. ATMs are widely available.
LanguageDutch, though almost everyone speaks English
WiFi & PhoneThere is an internet cafe right at the port if you need to use a computer, but there are a number of restaurants that offer free WiFi with a purchase
Where You DockDr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facility, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten
