🇸🇽 Maho,
Sint Maarten
#3473
Nomad Score
5.1
Coords
18.0419300, -63.1221500
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FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Carrefour SXM Online Delivery |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Pelican Brewing (Simpson Bay) |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Maho Village (The Hole in the Wall, Tantra, Moonbar) |
| 📱 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 |
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) |
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