Essentials
- City
- Maho, Sint Maarten (Dutch Side)
- Population
- Approximately 41,000 (Sint Maarten total)
- Internet Speed
- 40-100 Mbps via TelEm or FLOW fiber optics
- Currency & Banking
- Antillean Guilder (ANG), but USD is universally accepted. 1 USD ≈ 1.80 ANG
- Tap Water
- Generally safe (desalinated), but locals prefer bottled water for taste; $2.50 per 1.5L
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (US Standard)
- SIM Card
- TelEm or FLOW; 10GB Data Plan approx. $30 USD at Maho Market
- Banking for Expats
- Windward Islands Bank (WIB), RBC Royal Bank; Revolut/Wise work at most terminals
- Accommodation
- High-end resorts, beachfront condos, and serviced apartments like La Terrasse
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, major credit cards accepted in Maho Village; cash useful for local buses
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO; Maho Group rentals (Royal Islander Club)
- Budget Accommodation
- Joshua Rose Guest House (approx. 10 mins away in Philipsburg) - $85/night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Maho Village for nightlife and Maho Beach for plane spotting
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Cupecoy (nearby) for quieter atmosphere and proximity to American University
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Business Center SXM (Simpson Bay) - $25/day pass
- Best Cafe for Work
- Characters Beach Bar (morning/afternoon) or Jule's French Bakery
- Networking Events
- Sint Maarten Chamber of Commerce mixers; SXM Festival industry panels (March)
- Social Events for Expats
- Meetups at Sunset Bar & Grill; 'Expats in St. Maarten' Facebook group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Lyft; use local Taxi Stands (Maho Village) - fixed rates to Airport ~$10
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- SXM Rental (Maho) - Scooters approx. $45/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Maho Beach (World famous plane spotting) and Mullet Bay (quiet swimming)
- Top Regional Airline
- Winair (Windward Islands Airways)
- Top International Airline
- KLM, Air France, American Airlines via SXM Airport
- Highway Access
- Airport Road / Rhine Road connects Maho to Simpson Bay and the French border
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains; Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is adjacent
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes; Local Minibuses identified by 'Bus' license plates - $2 per ride cash
- Regional Travel
- Ferries to Anguilla ($30) or St. Barts ($75) from Simpson Bay
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) in Cay Hill
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Joga SXM (Simpson Bay) - $20/class
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Country Club at Porto Cupecoy - $15/day pass
- Laundry Services
- Maho Laundry & Dry Cleaning (Maho Village)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- SXM Deliveries, Domino's App
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Johnny Cakes with Saltfish - $8 at local stalls
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Freedom Fighters We Are Culture (Ital food); Top Carrot (Simpson Bay)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Jule's French Bakery (Pain au Chocolat - $4.00)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Maho Market (Upscale but convenient); Carrefour Market (Bush Road) for bulk
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Limited local options; residents ship via Punta Cana or Aeropost (Miami forwarding)
- Wine Bars
- Amsterdam Cheese & Liquor Store (Maho Village)
- Street Food Stalls
- The Lolos (Grand Case on French Side, 20 mins drive)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Roma+Replay (Italian/Sports Bar); Spices of India
- Grocery Delivery
- Carrefour SXM Online Delivery
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Maho Village (The Hole in the Wall, Tantra, Moonbar)
- Local Brewery
- Pelican Brewing (Simpson Bay)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Maho Beach (runway approach view)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Sint Maarten Museum (Philipsburg)
- Historical Sites
- Fort Amsterdam (Little Bay)
- Religious Sites
- Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church (Simpson Bay)
- Annual Events
- SXM Festival (Electronic Music - March), Heineken Regatta (early March)
- Cultural Districts
- Old Street (Philipsburg)
- Theater Venues
- Belair Community Center (occasional performances)
- Local Markets
- Philipsburg Market (Souvenirs/Spices)
- Music Scene
- Live music at The Hole in the Wall (Blues/Rock)
- Street Art
- Colorful murals in Philipsburg alleys
- Cooking Classes
- Caribbean Kitchen (private sessions available)
- Art Galleries
- Roland Richardson Gallery Museum (Marigot - French side)
- Historic Buildings
- Courthouse (Philipsburg)
- Local Heritage
- Salt production history at the Great Salt Pond
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Loterie Farm (Nature sanctuary/Ziplining)
- National Parks Nearby
- Man of War Shoal Marine Park
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Mullet Bay Golf Course perimeter
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Cole Bay Hill (Harold Jack Lookout)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Little Bay Pond
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Kim Sha Beach (Simpson Bay) - with permit/local events
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL St. Maarten (Airport Road)
- Tech Repair Services
- The Geek Squad (Simpson Bay)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Maho Beach Resort Entertainment Zone
- Language Classes
- USM (University of St. Martin) offer Dutch/Spanish courses
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Philipsburg Jubilee Library
- Community Centers
- Simpson Bay Community Center
- Gaming Lounges
- Casino Royale (Maho) - Sportsbook and electronic gaming
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Royale (Largest in St. Maarten)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $6,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $260,000 in Maho Village)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $4,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $160,000 in Philipsburg)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $6,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $360,000 in Aqua Resort)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $228,000 in Cay Hill)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $440,000 in Maho Beach)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $280,000 in Saunders)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% (on the Dutch side)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% (usually for internal structures, potential 15% elsewhere)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents; Territorial options for offshore business
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 47.5%
- VAT
- 0% (Sint Maarten is a Duty-Free port)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, evolving under Dutch Caribbean guidelines
- Property Tax
- No Property Tax on Sint Maarten (Dutch Side)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 4% (Transfer tax at Notary)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No property tax, no VAT, and potential for 'Penshonado' or offshore structures