Simpson Bay Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ 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 |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 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) |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ 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 |
| 🧑🍳 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 |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 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 |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING SIMPSON BAY