Is St. Maarten Open for Tourists? – Latest Travel Restrictions

Home | Travel | Coronavirus | Is St. Maarten Open for Tourists? – Latest Travel Restrictions

St. Maarten has been open for international tourism since July 2020. Tourists from most countries can visit, making it one of the easiest-to-visit countries that are open to tourists.

All travelers must submit an Electronic Health Authorization System Form at least 12 hours before their departure. International travelers must purchase mandatory COVID-19 insurance as part of completing the form.

Travelers from low-risk countries can enter St. Maarten without any testing requirements. Travelers from high-risk countries, regardless of their vaccination status, must present proof of a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours before departure. Travelers from the US and Canada must have a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours prior to departure or a negative antigen test result from within 48 hours before departure, regardless of their vaccination status.

Residents of St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Eustatius, and Saba who travel from banned countries must have proof of a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours before departure.

Can I travel to St. Maarten right now?  

St. Maarten is allowing travelers from almost all countries to visit. Below is a map of all the countries that can visit Sint Maarten at the moment.

Saint Maarten - EN

St. Maarten COVID-19 travel restrictions

St. Maarten’s entry requirements vary depending on the country you are traveling from.

All travelers, regardless of the country they’re coming from, must fill in an Electronic Health Authorization System Form at least 12 hours before their departure. International travelers must opt in to mandatory COVID-19 insurance as part of completing the form.

Travelers from low-risk countries can enter St. Maarten without any testing requirement. Travelers from high-risk countries must present proof of a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours prior to departure. Vaccinated St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Eustatius, and Saba residents from high-risk countries can present a negative antigen test result from within 48 hours prior to departure instead of an RT-PCR test result.

Travelers from the US and Canada can present either a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours of departure or a negative antigen test with nasal swab from within 48 hours prior to departure.

Residents of St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Eustatius, and Saba who travel from banned countries must have proof of a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours before departure.

St. Maarten COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements

Covid-19 vaccine to travel to St. Maarten

At the moment, vaccinated travelers must still present proof of a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours of departure to enter St. Maarten.

If you’re going to get the COVID-19 vaccine before traveling to St. Maarten, I recommend taking a copy of a vaccination record or certificate with you in case Sint Maarten changes its travel restrictions.

Is PCR testing mandatory to travel to St. Maarten?

If you are arriving from a high-risk country, you must have proof of a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours of departure. Vaccinated St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Eustatius, and Saba residents from high-risk countries can present a negative antigen test result from within 48 hours prior to departure instead of an RT-PCR test result.

If you are traveling from the US or Canada, you can present either a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours of departure or a negative antigen test with nasal swab from within 48 hours prior to departure.

If you’re a resident of St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Eustatius, or Saba who is traveling from a banned country, you must have proof of a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours before departure.

If you are traveling from a low-risk country (Anguilla, Barbados, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, China, Grenada, Hong Kong, Montserrat, New Zealand, Saba, Singapore, St. Barthelemy, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Eustatius, and Turks and Caicos), you do not have to take a PCR test to enter St. Maarten. Children under the age of 10 are also exempt from the PCR test requirement.

Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in St. Maarten?

There is no mandatory quarantine upon arrival in St. Maarten as long as you do not test positive for COVID-19.

If you are traveling from a high-risk country, you will have to monitor your temperature and the appearance of any flu-like symptoms for 5 consecutive days from your arrival. You will be able to submit this information online daily.

Travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit St. Maarten

Unless you are a St. Maarten resident or French national, you must opt in to mandatory COVID-19 insurance as part of completing your Electronic Health Authorization System Form.

This insurance covers hospital and intensive care unit costs, isolation expenses, COVID-19 testing, medical evacuation, and more, up to a limit of $50,000 USD. It is free for children ages 0-14 and $15 for anyone age 15 and older. You will be able to pay this fee when you complete your EHAS form.

If you want to supplement this insurance with your own travel health insurance, I recommend Heymondo. Their policies are super affordable and offer extensive coverage. You can even get 5% off their policies with the link below.

COVID-19 vaccine to travel to St. Maarten

At the moment, vaccinated travelers must still present proof of a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours of departure to enter St. Maarten.

If you’re going to get the COVID-19 vaccine before traveling to St. Maarten, I recommend taking a copy of a vaccination record or certificate with you in case Sint Maarten changes its travel restrictions.

Other travel restrictions for St. Maarten during COVID-19

Visitors to St. Maarten must abide by a few other travel restrictions:

• All travelers must submit an Electronic Health Authorization System Form online at least 12 hours before their departure. Children must have the form filled out for them by their parents.

• All travelers will be subject to temperature checks on arrival.

• Face masks are required in all public areas.

• Social distancing rules (6 feet or 2 meters) must be observed.

• You may need a tourist visa to visit St. Maarten. Check if you need one below.

What’s open in St. Maarten

St. Maarten has reopened many of its businesses, including hotels and restaurants. Additionally, tours are operating and beaches are open, so you should have plenty to do while you’re in Sint Maarten.

Hotels that are open in St. Maarten

Hotels in St. Maarten are currently open, so you should be able to find a lovely place to stay. Our recommendations for places to stay in Sint Maarten include:

• Atrium Beach Resort
• Sonesta Maho Beach All Inclusive Resort Casino & Spa
• Sonesta Ocean Point Resort- All Inclusive – Adults Only

Guests must keep a distance of 6 feet away from others who are not in their family group and wear a mask in all public areas. They may also be subject to temperature checks upon entering their accommodation. If a guest doesn’t have a mask, their accommodation will provide them with one.

Hotels that are open in St. Maarten

High-touch and common area surfaces will be disinfected frequently. Hand sanitizer should be available throughout the accommodation for guests to sanitize their hands.

More information on hotel regulations can be found here.

Beaches that are open in St. Maarten

Looking forward to sunbathing? Beaches in St. Maarten are currently open, so you’ll definitely get the chance to enjoy the sun and sand if you visit.

Beachgoers must wear masks when they cannot keep a distance of 6 feet away from others who are not in their household. They must also keep their beach chairs 6 feet apart from the beach chairs of others who are not in their household. Gatherings may not be larger than 5 people.

You can find more details on beach regulations here.

Tours and excursions that are running in St. Maarten right now

Tours and excursions are currently operating in St. Maarten with some health and safety guidelines in place. If you’re looking for something to do, we can’t recommend the following tours and excursions highly enough:

• Private Speed Boat Day Charter
• 3-Hour Rhino Safari Excursion
• Scuba Diving on St. Maarten
• 3 Hour Tango Dinner Cruise

Guests must wear masks and social distance at all times. Tour operators will provide masks for guests who do not have them. Vehicles will only be allowed to seat 50% of their normal capacity.

More information on tour regulations is available here.

Restaurants that are open in St. Maarten

Restaurants in St. Maarten are open for dine-in, delivery, and takeout.

Restaurants that are open in St. Maarten

Guests must social distance and sanitize their hands. Tables will be 6-8 feet apart from each other. Groups must be no larger than 4 people.

More information on restaurant regulations can be found here.

Airports that are open in St. Maarten

St. Maarten’s international airport, Princess Juliana International Airport, is currently open.

All travelers must wear masks at all times and keep a distance of 6 feet away from others who are not in their household. They will also be subject to temperature checks upon arrival.

COVID-19 testing in Sint Maarten

Your country may require you to take a PCR test in order to fly back home. If you need to get a PCR test in St. Maarten, here is a list of places you can get tested.

St. Maarten reopening its borders to tourists – F.A.Q.

Check out these FAQs related to St. Maarten reopening for tourists and let us know if you have any other questions in the comments below.

Sources

We will update this guide on St. Maarten reopening to tourism with any new developments. If you need more information on travel to St. Maarten, you can check these official sources:

• US Embassy Updates on COVID-19 in St. Maarten
• CDC Travel Recommendations for St. Maarten
• General St. Maarten Travel Advisory
• Electronic Health Authorization System Form
• Government of St. Maarten’s COVID-19 Travel Advice
• St. Maarten EHAS Travel Requirements and Country Classification List
• St. Maarten EHAS General Measures
• St. Maarten COVID FAQs and Testing on Island
• Information on St. Maarten Visitors Protection Plan Mandatory Insurance
• Government of St. Maarten’s Regulations for Accommodations, Restaurants, Beachgoers, and Tour Operators