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Documents
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DOCUMENTS/PASSPORTS: Please refer to this site for the most current information regarding international travel: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_3013.html
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Language
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Dutch is the official language of St. Maarten, and French of St. Martin. English is spoken everywhere on both sides of the island, particularly in hotels, shops and restaurants. Papiamento, the dialect of the Netherlands Antilles, is widely spoken on the Dutch side. On the French side, the residents will welcome your efforts to speak French.
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Time Zone
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From late October to early April, the time for all three is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time. From early April to late October, St. Maarten/St. Martin is the same as Eastern Standard Time.
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Currency
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On the French side, currency is the French franc although U.S. dollars are eagerly accepted almost everywhere. On the Dutch side, the currency is the Netherlands Antilles guilder but U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere. On both sides, you will most often find prices in U.S. dollars or in all three currencies. When paying with cash or a credit card, you should tell the cashier which currency you prefer for your transaction. Exchange rates are posted in most hotels. Most shops and restaurants have a $25 minimum when charging on your credit card.
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Electricity
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110 volts/60 cycles in St. Maarten, the same as the United States. 220 volts in St. Martin. Be sure to bring an adapter/converters as it can be very expensive to rent them.
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Beaches
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St. Maarten/St. Martin has a variety of beaches - 37 beaches ranging from short patches wedged between rocky cliffs to seemingly endless stretches of white sand. Both sides of the island are bordered by rows of rustling palms, and sea grape trees surround some areas with leaves resembling paper fans. Limestone cliffs overhand one narrow beach, and a walking trail winds through a tropical forest to reveal another. There are crowded shores where people engage in water sports of every kind as well as quiet strands that offer beauty and solitude.
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Climate
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St. Maarten/St. Martin's temperatures remain constant year-round, averaging 80degF; the water temperature averages 78degF. Trade winds provide some cooling on the coasts. There are occasional rain showers in the late summer and early fall, with an average annual rainfall of 45".
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What To Wear
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Attire on St. Maarten/St. Martin is mostly informal - cotton and linen are a must! However, swimwear is not appropriate anywhere but the beach. In some restaurants, as well as in the casinos, you will feel more comfortable wearing something more formal than shorts and a T-shirt.
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Duty Free Allowances
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St. Maarten/St. Martin is completely duty-free. As the only completely such island in the Caribbean, St. Maarten/St. Martin has become an international shopping Mecca. Stores are open Monday through Saturday (with the exception of Christmas and Good Friday) 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Some shops in resort areas stay open until 10:00 p.m. or later. Shops in Marigot close every day 12:00 noon - 3:00 p.m. and stay open well into the evening on Wednesday and Saturday.
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