Essentials
- City
- Sandy Ground, Saint Martin (French Side / Collectivité de Saint-Martin)
- Population
- Approximately 5,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-60 Mbps via Orange or Dauphin Telecom fiber
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (€); 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. USD is widely accepted at a 1:1 ratio in many local shops.
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; buy bottled water (approx. €1.50 per 1.5L)
- Power
- 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type C/E (French standard). Note: The Dutch side uses 110V Type A/B.
- SIM Card
- Dauphin Telecom or Orange Caraïbes; €20 for 20GB starter packs available in Marigot.
- Banking for Expats
- Banque des Antilles Françaises (BAF), Revolut (widely used), and Wise.
- Accommodation
- Boutique villas and beachfront apartments; average €1,800 - €3,500/month.
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly yes, but carry cash for local 'Lolos' (roadside BBQ) and small beach bars.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and VRBO are primary; 'Les Galets SXM' nearby offers weekly stays.
- Budget Accommodation
- Over the Hill Guest House (Marigot nearby), approx. €85/night.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Baie Nettle (Nettle Bay) for resort amenities and beach access.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Concordia or Marigot waterfront for proximity to cafes and services.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Hub Saint Martin (Marigot); Daily rates approx. €25.
- Best Cafe for Work
- La Main à la Pâte (Marina Royale); excellent Wi-Fi and harbor views.
- Networking Events
- Saint Martin Chamber of Commerce (CCISM) workshops in Concordia.
- Social Events for Expats
- SXM Digital Nomads Facebook Group; Friday night mixers at Roxxy Beach.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber; use local taxis or 'Taxi SXM' app (standardized rates starting at €15).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Sun Smile Rentals; Scooters approx. €30/day, Bicycles €15/day.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Baie Rouge (Red Bay); 5 minutes away, pristine sand and snorkeling.
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Caraïbes or Winair (operates from SFG Grand Case and SXM Juliana).
- Top International Airline
- Air France (from Paris), KLM, Delta, and American Airlines.
- Highway Access
- N7 main road connects Sandy Ground to Marigot and Terres Basses.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains; Marigot Ferry Terminal is the hub for Anguilla/St. Barths.
- Public Transport Passes
- Local 'Bus' (white vans); €1.50 - €3.00 per ride. No formal passes.
- Regional Travel
- Voyager Ferry to St. Barths (€70-90 return) or Anguilla Ferry (€30).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital (Concordia, Marigot); 24/7 ER.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- SXM Yoga; located at Baie Nettlé, approx. €20 per drop-in session.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Feel It Gym (Marigot); Monthly membership approx. €70.
- Laundry Services
- Laverie automatique at Super U Marigot; €5 per wash load.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- SXM Food Delivery (local web-based service).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Johnny Cakes and Salt Fish platter; found at roadside stalls in Sandy Ground.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Freedom Foods (Organic/Vegan shop in Concordia).
- Best Dessert Spots
- L'Express by J.C. (Marigot); famous for French pastries and macarons.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Super U (Marigot) or Howell Center for French imports.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.fr (shipping can take 2-3 weeks via freight forwarder).
- Grocery Delivery
- Carrefour SXM (Cole Bay side) delivers to Sandy Ground.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Simpson Bay (Dutch side, 10 min away) or Grand Case 'Gourmet Village'.
- Local Brewery
- Pelikaan Brewery (St. Maarten based, widely distributed at €4 per bottle).
- Wine Bars
- Bacchus (Hope Estate/Marigot); extensive French wine selection.
- Street Food Stalls
- Sandy Ground Lolos; Grilled lobster and ribs for approx. €15-€20.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Mezza Luna (Baie Nettle); high-quality Italian and pizza.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Fort Louis; overlooking Marigot Bay with 360-degree views.
- Museums & Art Venues
- On the Trail of the Arawaks (Marigot Museum); €5 entry.
- Historical Sites
- The Old Bridge (Sandy Ground Bridge); connecting the lagoon to the sea.
- Religious Sites
- Église de Marigot; historic Catholic church in the center.
- Annual Events
- SXM Festival (Electronic Music) in March; St. Martin Day (Nov 11).
- Cultural Districts
- Grand Case; for the 'Midis de Grand Case' cultural Tuesdays.
- Theater Venues
- Théâtre de la Chapelle (Orient Bay); French and English plays.
- Local Markets
- Marigot Market; Wednesdays and Saturdays (Fresh fish, spices, crafts).
- Music Scene
- Live jazz at Captain Frenchy on the beach.
- Street Art
- Murals along Boulevard de France in Marigot created by local collective Wall Art St. Martin.
- Cooking Classes
- Culinary workshops at La Plénitude (Concordia).
- Art Galleries
- Minguet Art Gallery (Rambaud); famous for Caribbean-style paintings.
- Historic Buildings
- Durat Bridge (1789) located at the exit of Marigot.
- Local Heritage
- Guavaberry Liqueur; the national symbol of the island.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Loterie Farm; rainforest hiking trails and zip-lining (Pic Paradis).
- National Parks Nearby
- Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin (Marine Park); covers the NE coast.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Terres Basses loop; quiet residential roads perfect for morning runs.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Pic Paradis (424m); the highest point on the island.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Etang de la Barrière (Cul-de-Sac); boardwalk for spotting egrets.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Baie Longue; isolated beach suitable for sunset fires (permit suggested).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- La Poste (Marigot) or DHL (Howell Center).
- Tech Repair Services
- Sixtant (Marigot); Apple and PC repairs.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Friar's Bay Beach Club; local recreational tables available.
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française de Saint-Martin (Marigot).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Médiathèque de Saint-Martin (Concordia).
- Gaming Lounges
- None; most gaming is at Dutch-side casinos.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Royale (Maho, Dutch Side); 15-minute drive from Sandy Ground.
- Community Centers
- Maison de Quartier Sandy Ground.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,500 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €135,000 in Marigot Marina).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,800 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €114,000 in Mont Vernon).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,200 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €210,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,500 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €175,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €320,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €256,000).
- Corporate Tax
- Reduced rate for Saint-Martin companies; typically 15-25% depending on size.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% for residents under local tax code (specific to COM Saint-Martin).
- Tax System
- Local Saint-Martin tax code; different from mainland France (Requires 5-year residency).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45.1% (Standard French bracket applied locally).
- VAT
- 0% (Saint-Martin is a tax-free zone, though a TGCA of 4% applies).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, following French anti-abuse provisions.
- Property Tax
- Yes, Taxe Foncière (approx. €800-€1,500 annually for a 1-bedroom).
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 8% (Notaire fees and transfer duties).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa, but 'Resident' status offers 0% wealth tax and no VAT.