Can you travel freely between St. Martin and St. Maarten?

Can you travel freely between St. Martin and St. Maarten? Many cruise ships visit the island on a weekly basis, docking at the Port of St. Maarten in Philipsburg. You will need a passport to travel to and from St. Martin but rest assured that you can travel freely between the island's French and Dutch sides.

Which side of St. Martin is better?

While Sint Maarten has the upper hand in nightlife, the French side of the island is known for having the more pristine beaches.

How do you get around St. Maarten without a car?

Traveling by public bus (more like a minivan) is a reasonable means of transport on St. Maarten/St. Martin if you don't mind a bit of inconvenience and overcrowding. Buses run daily from 5am to midnight and serve most major locations on both sides of the island.

Can you walk to a beach in St. Maarten?

Dutch Side Beaches: Great Bay Beach (Near the Philipsburg cruise port) Little Bay Beach ($6 by Taxi or 20 minutes walking)

How long does it take to get from one side of St. Maarten to the other?

You can drive from one end of the island to the next in as little as 30-45 minutes (without traffic), and explore the best things to do on St Maarten.

Can I go on a cruise without a passport if I dont get off the boat?

Though some “closed-loop” cruises may not require a U.S. passport, we recommend bringing yours in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port.

Can you go to the French side of St. Maarten?

Maarten in Philipsburg. You will need a passport to travel to and from St. Martin but rest assured that you can travel freely between the island's French and Dutch sides. A tourist visa is not required to enter the island, but a return ticket is required unless you are of Dutch or French nationality.

Where not to stay in St. Maarten?

If you want to talk about worst area, then we can talk about Sandy Ground and Agrement (both in Marigot). Best Area : The French Low lands, Orient Bay residencial Park and Oyster Pond..

What happens if your cruise ship leaves you in another country?

Find a port agent. In cases when cruisers are late returning to the vessel, the ship's crew will often remove the passengers' essential items -- passports, cell phones and medication -- from the ship to leave with the port agents. These officials can help you with contacting your ship and making travel arrangements.

Can a cruise line take your passport?

Immigration officials will often come onboard cruise ships to check documentation and the process of keeping the passports centrally makes it much easier and faster for the cruise line and passengers. It's worth noting though that on the majority of cruises the cruise line will not keep your passport.

Which countries are visa free for St Maarten?

Latin-American countries exempted of Visa requirements for St Maarten. In Latin America, citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Belize, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay do not need to carry visa when entering St Maarten.

What islands can you hop to from St. Martin?

Martin,” you are actually getting two separate nations on one island: the French St. Martin and the Dutch Sint Maarten. And from there you can easily reach three other islands – Anguilla, Saba, and St. Barth – each with its own vastly different appeal.

Is it better to go to St. Maarten or St. Martin?

Many people prefer Dutch Sint Maarten since it is more developed. This indicates that the amenities and services are more plentiful on this side of the island. However, those who choose a more relaxed setting stay at French Saint Martin. In addition, it has a more “Caribbean vibe”.

Can you cross the border in St. Maarten?

The 87-square-kilometre (34 sq mi) island is divided roughly 60:40 between the French Republic (53 km², 20 sq mi) and the Kingdom of the Netherlands (34 km², 13 sq mi) by the 16 km (10 mi) border. However, the two parts are roughly equal in population. The border is completely open and can be crossed freely.

Can you island hop from St. Maarten?

When you visit St. Maarten there's so much more to get out of your vacation, and an endless amount of opportunities to discover. Island hopping can be an amazing day trip or the ultimate St. Maarten getaway.

Can you cross from St. Maarten to St. Martin?

Martin and St. Maarten is proud of its dual heritage and customs. There is no physical border between the French and Dutch territories and people and goods may travel freely between both sides of the island.

Can you get off a cruise ship in another country without a passport?

While cruising with a passport is always recommended, it's not required by law in certain circumstances. Closed-loop cruises from U.S. ports that visit Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico are part of an international agreement that allows U.S. citizens to cruise without a passport.

Can you cruise Royal Caribbean without a passport?

For U.S. citizens: Royal Caribbean strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport. For Round Trip cruises from the U.S. that DO NOT include Panama or Colombia, U.S. citizens 17 and under will be able to present either an original, n...

What islands can you go to without a passport?

What cruise line does not require a passport?

Carnival offers many Caribbean cruise options including sailings that depart and return to U.S. ports like Baltimore, Norfolk and New Orleans. These don't require a passport as they are closed-loop sailings.