Maho Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 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 |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
Pelican Brewing (Simpson Bay) |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
Maho Village (The Hole in the Wall, Tantra, Moonbar) |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 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 |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING MAHO