Sint Maarten

Recommended Vaccinations For Sint Maarten

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination for rabies is recommended only for persons who may come in contact with bats.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in this country. Sint Maarten requires a certificate of yellow fever vaccination from all travellers 9 months of age or older if arriving from a region where there is a risk of yellow fever.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Recommended Medications For Sint Maarten

There are no recommendations for Sint Maarten at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Sint Maarten

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Sint Maarten.

Hepatitis A

There is a risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Sint Maarten through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever occurs in Sint Maarten.

For Some Travellers

Zika Fever

Local transmission of Zika virus infection has been reported.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Sint Maarten, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in this country. Sint Maarten requires a certificate of yellow fever vaccination from all travellers 9 months of age or older if arriving from a region where there is a risk of yellow fever.

Rabies

Rabies occurs only in bats in Sint Maarten. There is a risk of exposure to bat bites for travellers involved in outdoor and other activities in remote areas that might bring them into direct contact with bats (such as adventure travellers and cavers).

Safety & Security in Sint Maarten

Personal Safety

Sint Maarten has moderate crime levels that affect both visitors and locals. Petty crime like pickpocketing, purse snatching, and theft from rental cars happens regularly, especially in tourist areas. The island recorded 62 stolen vehicles in the first half of 2023, with 21 being rental cars. In July 2024, police responded to a spike in shooting incidents by implementing enhanced stop and search powers under the Firearms Ordinance. Yacht theft and burglaries occur, with villas more vulnerable than hotels. Armed robberies have been reported, and tourists have occasionally been followed by people on motorcycles. Most violent crime is drug-related and rarely targets tourists. The island serves as a drug transit point between South America and Europe or North America, with authorities estimating much crime connects to this activity. Take care of your belongings at all times. Avoid walking alone after dark in Philipsburg, Marigot, and Sandy Ground on the French side. The island uses body scanners and baggage screening at the airport. Police staffing remains a concern, with reports of only two officers sometimes on duty during overnight shifts between 11pm and 7am.

Extreme Violence

Drug-related violent crime occurs on Sint Maarten but rarely affects tourists. The island functions as a drug passageway from South America to Europe and North America, and authorities note this drives much of the violence. Shooting incidents spike periodically, prompting police to implement enhanced stop and search powers. Five shootings and one fatality occurred within a two-week period in July 2024. In 2024, enhanced firearms enforcement measures were extended multiple times throughout the year. Armed robberies happen, though they are not common. A Canadian man was fatally shot in 2019 while protecting his daughter during an attempted robbery. In 2006, a same-sex couple from New York was attacked outside a bar with tire irons by four men. The couple sustained serious injuries requiring hospitalization. Gang activity and drug-related crimes occur in certain neighborhoods like Sucker Garden. Eight non-violent yacht-related incidents were recorded in 2022, mostly thefts in the lagoon and Simpson Bay area. The Court of First Instance has handed down sentences for serial armed robberies and fatal shootings. Most violence stems from disputes within the drug trade or between local groups rather than targeting visitors.

Political Unrest

The French side of Sint Maarten experiences more political unrest than the Dutch side. In 2021, protests turned violent with roads blocked, vehicles set alight, and debris burned in Sandy Ground and Orleans. Seven gendarmes were injured during confrontations, with two seriously hurt including one shot in the thigh. The unrest stemmed from multiple grievances including slow post-Hurricane Irma reconstruction, mandatory vaccination requirements, disputes over natural risk prevention zones, and Collectivite employee demands. Protesters blocked roads, erected barricades using stolen restaurant furniture, and vandalized small businesses. Hotels cancelled bookings and cruise lines suspended bus tours to the French side during the violence. In 2019, protests focused on reconstruction priorities and perceived double standards in red zone building permissions based on wealth and race. The protests calmed after meetings between collective representatives and the Prefet. On the Dutch side, political instability affects governance. The government collapsed in May 2024 after only 17 days in office when a coalition member defected. Demonstrations on the Dutch side in 2021 protested mandatory vaccinations, low minimum wages, high cost of living, and pension eligibility changes. Demonstrations can disrupt traffic and public transportation on both sides. The French side’s connection to metropolitan France means strikes announced in mainland France sometimes cause disruptions locally.

Areas To Avoid

Exercise extra caution in certain neighborhoods. Philipsburg, the Dutch capital, experiences higher street crime rates, particularly after dark. Locals and frequent visitors recommend avoiding downtown Philipsburg at night. On the French side, Marigot and Sandy Ground become less safe after dark. Dutch Quarter has a high crime rate and is not recommended for tourists. The area around Sint Maarten Medical Center should be avoided during late-night hours. Sucker Garden has high rates of gang activity and drug-related crimes. Stay away from this neighborhood and use caution when traveling through surrounding areas. Avoid deserted beaches and dark alleyways at night, as these provide cover for opportunistic crime. The scenic coastal route from Oyster Pond to Orleans is very dark and winding at night. While most beaches are safe during daylight, avoid isolated beaches after sunset. Villas in remote areas face higher burglary risks than hotels or resorts in populated zones. The French side experienced road blockages during protests in 2019 and 2021, though these were temporary events. Popular tourist areas like Maho, Simpson Bay, and Orient Bay districts are generally safe. Grand Case, the gourmet capital, is safe during restaurant hours but requires vigilance late at night. Dawn Beach is considered remote but accessible during daytime.