Essentials
- City
- Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten, Dutch Caribbean
- Population
- Approximately 5,500 (Simpson Bay area inclusive of Pelican Key)
- Internet Speed
- Average 45-100 Mbps via TelEm or Flow fiber-optic connections
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD) is primary; Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG) officially 1 USD ≈ 1.79 ANG
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink (Desalinated), but many locals prefer bottled water for taste
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (US Standard)
- SIM Card
- TelEm (Simpson Bay Road) or Flow; $25 for 10GB data locally
- Banking for Expats
- Republic Bank, Windward Islands Bank (WIB); Revolut/Wise widely accepted
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, VRBO, and local agencies like Sunshine Properties
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, major credit cards accepted at most restaurants and supermarkets
- Short Term Rentals
- The Atrium Resort, Simpson Bay Resort ($180 - $350 per night)
- Budget Accommodation
- The Horny Toad Guest House ($140/night) or Commodore Suites ($130/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Pelican Key for views; Simpson Bay Beach for direct water access
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Simpson Bay Yacht Club area for walkability to cafes and services
Culture and Attractions
- Cooking Classes
- Topper's Rhum Distillery tours and tasting sessions
- Art Galleries
- Minguet Art Gallery (Starz City location)
- Historic Buildings
- The Old School House in Simpson Bay Village
- Local Heritage
- The 'Unity Flag' representing the shared island identity
- Must-See Landmarks
- Simpson Bay Bridge opening (Yacht watching); Princess Juliana Airport Runway end
- Museums & Art Venues
- Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit (Philipsburg - 15 mins away)
- Historical Sites
- Fort Amsterdam (Little Bay - 10 mins away)
- Religious Sites
- Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church
- Annual Events
- St. Maarten Heineken Regatta (March); Carnival (April/May)
- Cultural Districts
- Old Simpson Bay Village (Fisherman's wharf area)
- Theater Venues
- Cultural Center in Philipsburg
- Local Markets
- Saturday Fisherman’s Market at the Simpson Bay fish market dock
- Music Scene
- The Red Piano (Live music nightly in Pelican Key)
- Street Art
- Murals along the Welfare Road corridor
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Mullet Bay Pond (mangroves) and Little Bay Pond for flamingos
- National Parks Nearby
- St. Maarten Nature Foundation zones (Man of War Shoal Marine Park)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Causeway Bridge loop (popular for sunset walks/jogs)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Cole Bay Hill Lookout (The Harold Jack viewpoint)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Little Bay Pond (National Bird Site)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Simpson Bay Beach (with permit, usually near Karakter)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL Express (Welfare Road) and Post SPW
- Tech Repair Services
- The Mailbox (Welfare Road) or Boolchand's
- Table Tennis Spots
- Simpson Bay Yacht Club recreation area
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française (Marigot side, 10 mins away)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Philipsburg Jubilee Library (temporary location)
- Community Centers
- Simpson Bay Community Center
- Gaming Lounges
- No specific digital lounges; mostly casino-based gaming
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Hollywood Casino, Paradise Casino (Welfare Road)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,500 per m² ($220,000 for 40 m² in Yacht Club area)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $4,000 per m² ($160,000 for 40 m² in Cole Bay)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,200 per m² ($312,000 for 60 m² in Pelican Key)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,800 per m² ($228,000 for 60 m² in Cay Hill)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,000 per m² ($400,000 for 80 m² luxury waterfront)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² ($280,000 for 80 m² in inland areas)
- Corporate Tax
- 34.5% (though many offshore/incentive structures exist)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% for qualifying distributions in many cases
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 47.5%
- VAT
- No VAT/Sales Tax (Turnover Tax of 5% usually included in price)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, following Dutch Kingdom standards
- Property Tax
- 0% Property Tax on the Dutch Side (Sint Maarten)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 4% Transfer Tax + approx. 2% Notary Fees
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No annual property tax and duty-free status make it high-value for asset holders
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Business Point (Welfare Road), $25/day or $300/month
- Best Cafe for Work
- Top Carrot (Yacht Club Galeria area) - Great Wi-Fi and healthy food
- Networking Events
- Sint Maarten Yacht Club social hours (Fridays); Island Rebels business mixers
- Social Events for Expats
- International Women’s Club of St. Maarten; 'Expats in St. Maarten' Facebook group meetups
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber; use 'Let's Ride' app or WhatsApp taxi dispatch (+1 721 522 3433)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Tri-Sport Simpson Bay ($25/day for bikes, $50/day for scooters)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Simpson Bay Beach (quiet) or Kim Sha Beach (active with bars)
- Top Regional Airline
- Winair (Welfare Road HQ) - Connects to St. Barts, Saba, Statia
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines, JetBlue, and KLM via Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM)
- Highway Access
- Welfare Road is the main artery connecting to Marigot and Philipsburg
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains; Simpson Bay Bridge area serves as the central bus stop point
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes; local minivans with 'Bus' signs cost $1.50 - $2.50 per ride
- Regional Travel
- The Edge Ferry to St. Barts or Saba from Simpson Bay Police Station dock
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) in Cay Hill (10 mins away)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Joga (Welfare Road) - $20 per drop-in class
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Belair Fitness Center or Country Club at Port de Plaisance ($15 day pass)
- Laundry Services
- Dolphin Laundry (Billy Folly Road), $1.50 per lb for wash and fold
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- SXM Food Delivery or Domino’s Direct App
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Johnny Cakes with saltfish or BBQ Ribs from roadside lolos
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Freedom Foods (Health focus) and Top Carrot (Welfare Road)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Carousel Gelato Bar (Welfare Road) - Famous for Italian gelato
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Market Garden Supermarket (Welfare Road) or Carrefour Market
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Tropical Shipping (for Amazon freight forwarding via Miami)
- Grocery Delivery
- ShopndropSXM.com (Delivery to condos and yachts)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Kim Sha Beach strip (Roxxy Beach, Topper's, Soggy Dollar Club)
- Local Brewery
- Pelikaan Beer - Local craft brew found at Dutch Blonde Beach Bar
- Wine Bars
- Amsterdam Cheese & Liquor Store (Welfare Road) - Great wine selection/tasting
- Street Food Stalls
- Hilton's BBQ stand near the bridge (Evening hours)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Sale & Pepe (Italian/Sicilian), Avantika (Thai), Fat Tony's (American)