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Country Guide > Caribbean > St Maarten | |
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Social Profile Food & Drink St Maarten’s cuisine is as varied as its history, combining Creole, Dutch, English, French and, more recently, international influences. Seafood is, of course, a speciality. Duty on alcohol (and other goods) is low and prices in St Maarten are as cheap as duty-free havens elsewhere. Most well-known brands are available. Nightlife Many of the restaurants and bars have live entertainment and dancing until the early hours. All the large hotels have casinos. Shopping There is a good range of high-quality duty-free shopping available in Philipsburg. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1400-1800. Special Events For a complete list of events, contact the St Maarten Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events occurring in St Maarten in 2005: Jan 23 Road Runners CARIB Smalta Fun Run. Feb 15-Mar 2 French Carnival. Feb 27 Bottom Braquette 100k Road Race. Mar 4-6 Heineken Regatta. Apr 14-May 2 Carnival. Apr 24-26 DCME Meets SMART (Dutch Caribbean Meets Europe, and 4th Annual St Maarten Regional Travel Tradeshow). May 7-8 FIAC Marci’s Mega Gym Push Paddle. Jun 12 FITAS Evian Netherland Antilles Olympic Distance Triathlon Championship. Jul 14 Avenir Sportif Bastille Day Run. Sep 27 World Tourism Day. Oct 1-2 Eastern Caribbean Golf Championship. Nov St Maarten Music Festival. Dec Pan in Paradise, A Folkloric Steel Pan Concert; Annual Santa Scramble Golf Tournament. Social Conventions Dutch customs are still important throughout the Netherlands Antilles, but tourism has brought increasing US influences and St Maarten is perhaps more easy-going than the southern islands. Dress is casual and lightweight cottons are advised, but it is common to dress up in the evening. Tipping: Hotel bills always include a government tax of 5 per cent and often a service charge of 10 to 15 per cent. Elsewhere, 10 to 15 per cent is acceptable for doormen, waiters and bar staff. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip. |