Experience St. Maarten

• Learn about the island’s unique cultural blend of French and Dutch influences
• Visit the famous Maho Beach to watch planes fly directly overhead as they land
• Explore the cobblestone streets and colonial architecture of Philipsburg

The smallest island divided between two nations – France and the Netherlands – St. Maarten offers blend of cultures and landscapes to discover. You can easily explore the two sides of this small and picturesque island, from the colonial-style architecture in Philipsburg on the Dutch side of the island to Fort St. Louis in Marigot on the French side, which was built by the famous French king Louis XVI. Make sure to visit the world-famous Maho Beach, where you can watch planes fly directly overhead to land at the airport on the other side of the beach. The island’s coast offers ideal water sports conditions, with activities ranging from jet-skiing to wakeboarding and snorkelling – perfect for underwater explorers. There’s plenty to discover on land as well, whether you want to zipline from the top of the island’s highest point at Sentry Hill or embark on an ATV excursion through the island’s wilderness.

National language: French and Dutch

Currency: NAFL (Netherlands Antillian Guilder). We recommend travellers bring USD (United States Dollar) for their vacation.

Language notes: Hallo! Dutch is the official language of St. Maarten, which is part of The Netherlands. While the French half of the island, St Martin, belongs to France where French is the official language. You will also find English is widely spoken.

Voltage: 220V

Travel tips: Canadian devices use 120 V and will work with 110 V. Many resorts have 120 V plugs. For older devices, items using motors or heating (heated beauty tools, electric toothbrushes) and three-prong plugs we recommend bringing an adaptor with voltage conversion. The French side of the island uses 220 V and will also require an adaptor with voltage conversion.

What to pack: Don’t know what to bring? Don’t worry. Click Here for a full checklist to print and refer to when packing for your all-inclusive vacation in St. Maarten.

What to buy: Guavaberries, which grow wild on the island of St. Maarten, are aged with fine rum and cane sugar to make a fruity, spicy and woody liqueur of the same name. Aside from a bottle of guavaberry to make your own cocktails at home, you can also pick up a guavaberry-flavoured jam or cake as a memorable and yummy souvenir.

Getting around: Your local Sunwing Experiences representative will handle your airport transfers, providing you with round-trip transportation from the airport to your resort and back. To discover all the incredible things to do and see, Sunwing Experiences will take you on a range of exciting tours and excursions.

Explore St. Maarten’s beautiful landscapes on both the French and the Dutch sides of the island and say “I do” in paradise. Civil ceremonies are held exclusively at the Collectivité of St Martin Salles des marriages.

• Wedding couple must arrive in destination at least three business days prior to the ceremony date.
• Passport copies for the wedding couple and witnesses.
• Certified copy of birth certificates that must be no older than three years.
• Declaration of marital status issued in the last three months.
• Wedding couple’s address, professions and nationalities.
• Names of the wedding couple’s parents, including mothers’ maiden names.
• If either party has been divorced, a copy of the divorce certificate.
• If either party has been widowed, a copy of the death certificate.
• Application requests must be made a minimum of 14 days in advance.
• The wedding must be within 10 days of the issuing of the intent of marriage.

Legal ceremonies will incur additional costs. Additional requirements may also apply. Please contact your desired resort directly for legal ceremony fees and any additional requirements. For more information contact weddings@sunwing.ca.