St Maarten - Dutch side to French

[mnsweeps]

We might be on a Disney Eastern Caribbean cruise in October and Disney docks in St Maarten. We want to cross over the "border" to St Martin just to check out that part of the island. Is this feasible? I think we would be in St Maarten for about 7 hours.

 

Also does the Dutch or French side stamp passport just for keepsake?

 

Thanks

[loeytalldog]

Yes, it's feasible we did it last year, it's a small island. I am not sure about the stamps on passport, maybe if you went into the town on the french side and town on the dutch side and find the government building they might be able to tell you.

[Life is Good Cruising]

There are plenty of taxis (minivans) at the pier to take you to the other side of the island. The more people in a taxi, the less money it will cost you per person. I believe going over to the French side, with more than 5 people in a taxi, it would cost approx $7 pp.

[Irishwhiskey]

http://www.viator.com/tours/St-Maarten/St-Martin-and-St-Maarten-Sightseeing-Tour-of-the-French-and-Dutch-Sides-of-the-Island/d728-5755H001 We are using this tour in November.Sometimes a local post office will stamp the passports

[OCruisers]

No problem! You can easily take a taxi to the French side. :)

Orient Beach is actually on the French side.

LuLu

[sail7seas]

Very easy to catch a taxi to the French side; enjoy some shopping, or the beach or lunch or whatever and return in time for the ship to sail.

 

The traffic can back up so be sure to leave plenty of time for your return trip.

[JHTX01]

St. Maarten/St. Martin is one of the islands with the islands with these pesky mosquitoes that can give you chikungunya...

 

In December 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported local transmission of chikungunya in Saint Martin (French Side). Local transmission means that mosquitoes in the area have been infected with chikungunya and are spreading it to people. This is the first time that local transmission of chikungunya has been reported in the Americas.

 

Local transmission of chikungunya is now being reported in other countries in the Caribbean. As of July 18, 2014, the following Caribbean countries have reported cases of chikungunya:

 

Anguilla

Antigua

Aruba

British Virgin Islands

Dominica

Dominican Republic

French Guiana

Grenada

Guadeloupe

Guyana

Haiti

Martinique

Puerto Rico

Saint Barthelemy

Saint Kitts

Saint Lucia

Saint Martin (French)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Sint Maarten (Dutch)

Turks and Caicos Islands

US Virgin Islands

 

CDC recommends that travelers to the Caribbean protect themselves from mosquito bites. Some travelers may be more likely to get chikungunya, have severe disease, or be at higher risk for other reasons. CDC advises travelers in high-risk groups to discuss their travel plans with their health care provider.

 

These groups include the following:

People who have arthritis

People with serious underlying medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes)

People older than 65

Women who are late in their pregnancies, because of the risk to babies born at the time their mother is sick

Long-term travelers, including missionaries and humanitarian aid workers and people visiting friends and relatives

People who might have difficulty avoiding mosquito bites, such as those planning to spend a lot of time outdoors or staying in rooms without window screens or air conditioning.

 

What is chikungunya?

 

Chikungunya is an illness caused by a virus that spreads through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of chikungunya are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. Chikungunya disease rarely results in death, but the symptoms can be severe and disabling. Most people who get sick feel better within a week. In some people, the joint pain may last for months or years.

 

Who is at risk?

 

Travelers who go to these islands in the Caribbean are at risk of getting chikungunya. In addition, travelers to Africa, Asia, and islands in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific are also at risk, as the virus is present in many of these areas. The mosquito that carries chikungunya virus can bite during the day and night, both indoors and outdoors, and often lives around buildings in urban areas.

 

What can travelers do to prevent chikungunya?

 

There is currently no vaccine or medicine to prevent chikungunya. The only way to prevent chikungunya is to prevent mosquito bites. Preventing bites can be difficult, but it is important as you can get sick after just one bite. Follow these steps to reduce the chances that you will be bitten by mosquitoes during your trip.

 

Prevent mosquito bites:

 

Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.

Use an appropriate insect repellent as directed.

Higher percentages of active ingredient provide longer protection. Use products with the following active ingredients:

DEETExternal Web Site Icon (Products containing DEET include Off!, Cutter, Sawyer, and Ultrathon)

Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin products containing picaridin include Cutter Advanced, Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus, and Autan [outside the US])

Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD (Products containing OLE include Repel and Off! Botanicals)

IR3535 (Products containing IR3535 include Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Expedition and SkinSmart)

Always follow product directions and reapply as directed:

If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.

Follow package directions when applying repellent on children. Avoid applying repellent to their hands, eyes, and mouth.

Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). You can buy pre-treated clothing and gear or treat them yourself:

Treated clothing remains protective after multiple washings. See the product information to find out how long the protection will last.

If treating items yourself, follow the product instructions carefully.

Do not use permethrin directly on skin.

Stay and sleep in screened or air conditioned rooms.

Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

If you feel sick and think you may have chikungunya:

Talk to your doctor or nurse if you feel seriously ill, especially if you have a fever.

Tell them about your travel.

For more information about medical care abroad, see Getting Health Care Abroad and a list of International Joint Commission-accredited facilities.External Web Site Icon

Get lots of rest, and drink plenty of liquids.

Avoid spreading the disease by preventing more mosquito bites.

 

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/watch/chikungunya-saint-martin

 

I've been there several times, used DEET spray and never have had a problem.

[Karysa]

St. Maarten/St. Martin is one of the islands with the islands with these pesky mosquitoes that can give you chikungunya...

 

In December 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported local transmission of chikungunya in Saint Martin (French Side). Local transmission means that mosquitoes in the area have been infected with chikungunya and are spreading it to people. This is the first time that local transmission of chikungunya has been reported in the Americas.

 

Local transmission of chikungunya is now being reported in other countries in the Caribbean. As of July 18, 2014, the following Caribbean countries have reported cases of chikungunya:

 

Anguilla

Antigua

Aruba

British Virgin Islands

Dominica

Dominican Republic

French Guiana

Grenada

Guadeloupe

Guyana

Haiti

Martinique

Puerto Rico

Saint Barthelemy

Saint Kitts

Saint Lucia

Saint Martin (French)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Sint Maarten (Dutch)

Turks and Caicos Islands

US Virgin Islands

 

CDC recommends that travelers to the Caribbean protect themselves from mosquito bites. Some travelers may be more likely to get chikungunya, have severe disease, or be at higher risk for other reasons. CDC advises travelers in high-risk groups to discuss their travel plans with their health care provider.

 

These groups include the following:

People who have arthritis

People with serious underlying medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes)

People older than 65

Women who are late in their pregnancies, because of the risk to babies born at the time their mother is sick

Long-term travelers, including missionaries and humanitarian aid workers and people visiting friends and relatives

People who might have difficulty avoiding mosquito bites, such as those planning to spend a lot of time outdoors or staying in rooms without window screens or air conditioning.

 

What is chikungunya?

 

Chikungunya is an illness caused by a virus that spreads through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of chikungunya are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. Chikungunya disease rarely results in death, but the symptoms can be severe and disabling. Most people who get sick feel better within a week. In some people, the joint pain may last for months or years.

 

Who is at risk?

 

Travelers who go to these islands in the Caribbean are at risk of getting chikungunya. In addition, travelers to Africa, Asia, and islands in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific are also at risk, as the virus is present in many of these areas. The mosquito that carries chikungunya virus can bite during the day and night, both indoors and outdoors, and often lives around buildings in urban areas.

 

What can travelers do to prevent chikungunya?

 

There is currently no vaccine or medicine to prevent chikungunya. The only way to prevent chikungunya is to prevent mosquito bites. Preventing bites can be difficult, but it is important as you can get sick after just one bite. Follow these steps to reduce the chances that you will be bitten by mosquitoes during your trip.

 

Prevent mosquito bites:

 

Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.

Use an appropriate insect repellent as directed.

Higher percentages of active ingredient provide longer protection. Use products with the following active ingredients:

DEETExternal Web Site Icon (Products containing DEET include Off!, Cutter, Sawyer, and Ultrathon)

Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin products containing picaridin include Cutter Advanced, Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus, and Autan [outside the US])

Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD (Products containing OLE include Repel and Off! Botanicals)

IR3535 (Products containing IR3535 include Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Expedition and SkinSmart)

Always follow product directions and reapply as directed:

If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.

Follow package directions when applying repellent on children. Avoid applying repellent to their hands, eyes, and mouth.

Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). You can buy pre-treated clothing and gear or treat them yourself:

Treated clothing remains protective after multiple washings. See the product information to find out how long the protection will last.

If treating items yourself, follow the product instructions carefully.

Do not use permethrin directly on skin.

Stay and sleep in screened or air conditioned rooms.

Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

If you feel sick and think you may have chikungunya:

Talk to your doctor or nurse if you feel seriously ill, especially if you have a fever.

Tell them about your travel.

For more information about medical care abroad, see Getting Health Care Abroad and a list of International Joint Commission-accredited facilities.External Web Site Icon

Get lots of rest, and drink plenty of liquids.

Avoid spreading the disease by preventing more mosquito bites.

 

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/watch/chikungunya-saint-martin

 

I've been there several times, used DEET spray and never have had a problem.

 

 

2 locally acquired cases were reported in Florida last week as well. The two individuals infected had not travelled to the Caribbean recently.

Edited July 24, 2014 by Karysa

[BarleyBear]

Thank you JHTX01! Those darn mosquitoes.

[OCruisers]

Lots of people enjoy taking a taxi to Marigot (French side) to have lunch and do a bit of shopping. :)

LuLu

[onyx007]

And you can pay (it's even a better rate, at least at the souvenir market in Marigot) with US-Currency.

 

There is not really a border but just a flag pole with the flags of France and the Netherlands.

 

You can also use the public bus from Downtown Philipsburg (Back street)

for 2 US per Person instead of a taxi.