A French-Dutch-divided island in the Caribbean Sea, Sint Maarten (Saint Martin) is only 33 square miles large, with pleasant weather year-round. St. Maarten is considered “friendly” and just as safe as most other island destinations, especially in the main tourist areas of the island.
As expected in areas that are more densely populated with visitors, the main crimes that occur are petty theft and car break-ins. There are things that visitors to the area can do to help them stay safe. These are the same general precautions travelers should take when they travel anywhere else.
U.S. Travel Advisory is currently on Level 1 for St. Maarten which means the lowest travel risk.
Take Advantage of Popular Locations
When traveling to a new place like St. Maarten, one of the ways visitors can stay safe is to avoid remote areas at night. Sticking to popular tourist locations means more people and less likelihood of crime. If visitors rent a car, they should keep it locked and hide all valuables.
Whether they take advantage of a resort or some other type of accommodations, visitors to St. Maarten should secure valuables and cash when they are away from their accommodations. Even better, leave valuables at home. Passport theft is a popular crime, so making a copy of each visitor’s passport to keep in a safe destination is a good idea.
It is never a great idea to walk alone at night, so stick to exploring the island as a group of travel mates. Visit locations like some of the many hiking trails in areas such as Pic Paradis, Happy Bay Beach, Dawn Beach and Guana Bay Beach. These heavily populated areas are usually low-crime areas.
Know Emergency Contacts
It is advisable for visitors to St. Maarten and any foreign destination to know their emergency contacts. In St. Maarten, dial 911 for the police or an ambulance, 913 for the Coast Guard, 919 for the fire department and 910 for the medical center.
Enjoy Water Without Worry
Unlike some destinations in the Caribbean, the water in St. Maarten is safe to drink straight from the tap. Some resorts and hotels even have desalinated water, and bottled water is always an option. Staying hydrated is easy with fresh water availability.
It Is Recommended To Purchase Travel Insurance
As of November 1, 2022, completing an Electronic Health Authorization System (EHAS) application is no longer mandatory for visitors of St. Maarten. As there are still COVID-19 cases in St. Maarten, though, it is still recommended to purchase the St. Maarten Visitors Protection Plan.
This insurance plan covers a lot of the medical costs that you may have if you test positive for COVID-19 in St. Maarten, including hospital costs, intensive care unit costs and isolation expenses. For a complete coverage list, visit the St. Maarten Visitors Protection Plan page.
The travel insurance cost is minimal, at around $15 U.S. dollars.
Pay Attention to the Weather
Unfortunately, St. Maarten is in the area known as the hurricane belt. The typical hurricane season begins on June 1 and lasts until November 30.
There was major damage from Hurricane Irma in 2017 on the island of St. Maarten. Some businesses are still in the rebuilding phase. Pay attention to the weather in the time leading up to any trip to St. Maarten.
Don’t Worry Too Much About Wildlife
There really aren’t any dangerous animals in St. Maarten. Yes, there are sharks that live in the oceans surrounding the island, but a shark attack is rare. Visitors are more likely to be bitten by a mosquito than a shark. Packing bug repellant is a great idea.
St. Maarten Lives Up to Its Friendly Reputation
The people of St. Martin as known as the “Friendly People.” From vibrant city life to tranquil beaches, the small island country has a little bit of everything for every visitor. Because of its reputation as a friendly nation with low crime, it is easy to see why it attracts so many visitors each year.