A few questions about St. Maarten

[Triple_7]

A few friends and I are planning a trip for our senior year spring break.  None of us have ever left the country except to go to Canada.  We were checking for places to go and I brought up St. Maarten and after our research that is were we plan to go.  We have to fly American Airlines due to using my AA Advantage miles.  It is still a little less then 2 years from now but we are trying to save for it now.  We have no idea how much things cost down there except for hotels.  If flight schedules stay relitivly the same till then we will have to go through San Juan, Puerto Rico.  anyways, the questions  

Do you still have to go through customs in san juan if you are only there for a couple hours and are not leaving the airport property?

How much does food and taxiis cost there?

Other than a passport,  Is there any other documentations needed?

How much does a condo cost for 1 week?

Is there a website to go to that will send free info, maps, and laws?

We are planing to go through a travel agent but would still like to know a bit more about the island before we make final decision on going there.  We plan to book everything about 3 to 4 months in advance.  So another 18 months before anything happens.  But we would like to know some of the money situation so we know how much to save for.  We are figuring on staying 6 to 7 days including travel days.  Airfare is already taken care of its just everything else that we can not seem to find any info on.

Any info would be greatly apriciated  

[eno]

Just Google .... St Maarten ........ 0.25 secs 732,000 references ... most popular being INFO sites.

cheers
eno

[Scottler]

You'll only have to go through customs if you leave the secured area.  In other words, if your plane is going to continue through to St. Maarten, then no, you can stay on the plane and not go through customs again.

But if someone wants to run to the Duty Free store, or if someone wants a ciggie really quick, then be prepared to go back through customs.

In short, here's the easy way to remember it.  You're not TECHNICALLY in the country until you clear customs.   You can do whatever you want up to that point.

Make sense?

[Iroquois]

I went to St Martin in 2001. It's a very nice island, lots to do. I was on a cruise so I was only there for one day. I really didn't get much of  a chance to look around. If your looking for excitement, you have to go to Orient Beach. It's the infamous nude beach.  

I wouldn't go alone. Book a hotel through a licenced and reputable agent. Get the best you can afford because some cheaper hotels can be real dumps.

You'll need your passport of course. Also watch the duty free booze. I know in Canada, you get hosed on taxes if you bring too much back. Also, no Cuban cigars. You cannot bring those back to the States at all. As for money, most places will accept US dollars but there are lots of places to exchange your cash. I recomend using travellers cheques and credit cards and bringing a minimum of cash.

[Scottler]

Also, no Cuban cigars. You cannot bring those back to the States at all.

1.  A difficult task while travelling through Puerto Rico and St. Maarten.

2.  Not true.  There are legal ways to do so, they're just very difficult.

[Iroquois]

1.  A difficult task while travelling through Puerto Rico and St. Maarten.

2.  Not true.  There are legal ways to do so, they're just very difficult.

I was on one of thoes tacky Carnival Cruises last year. They told us Canadians that even we couldn't bring back Cubans because we were entering the US. (Miami to Toronto via Charlotte) Not a problem for my family because we don't smoke.

[Scottler]

Like I said, there are ways around it.  The US government will issue you a permit, but you've just about gotta be Bill Gates to get one.  lol