Medical Summary
The health risk information presented here is summarized from Shoreland Travax®, a decision-support tool used by health care providers to perform a detailed health risk analysis based on specific locations, individual travel styles, and traveler risk behaviors. Travax provides practitioners current, independently researched malaria risk and prevention recommendations in a map-based format that goes beyond the annual WHO and US CDC statements included here. Not included here are current reports from Travax of disease outbreaks or environmental events that may pose elevated risks to travelers’ health and safety. The Providers section of this site offers a directory of health care providers who utilize Shoreland Travax for travel health counseling. Learn more about the detailed reports and maps available from these practitioners (includes links to samples).
General Information
Sint Maarten, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is an industrialized nation in the top 25% of the world's economies. The island of Saint Martin is shared by 2 independent states: Sint Maarten (an overseas collectivity of France) and Saint Martin (see Destinations). Located in the Caribbean Sea (east of Puerto Rico), the climate is classified as humid equatorial (no dry season).
Vaccinations
Yellow Fever
See also: Library article for Yellow Fever
Although yellow fever does not occur in Sint Maarten, an official yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required depending on your itinerary.
- Requirement: A certificate proving yellow fever vaccination is required for travelers aged ≥ 9 months coming from countries with risk of YF transmission. This does not apply to airport transit stops (no exit through immigration checkpoint) in risk countries.
Other Vaccines
Depending on your itinerary, your personal risk factors, and the length of your visit, your health care provider may offer you vaccination against chikungunya, COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, rabies, or typhoid fever. Routine immunizations, such as those that prevent tetanus/diphtheria or "childhood" diseases, should be reviewed and updated as needed.
Malaria
See also: Library article for Malaria
The following is current information as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
WHO—International Travel and Health (current online update, Country List)
No statement given.CDC—Health Information for International Travel (current online edition)
Areas with malaria: None.
Drug resistance: Not applicable.
Other Concerns
Travelers' Diarrhea
See also: Library article for Travelers' Diarrhea
Minimal risk (comparable to that in other industrialized countries) exists throughout the country. Community sanitation and food safety measures are generally good, and health concerns related to food and beverage consumption are minimal. Risk for viral gastroenteritis (e.g., norovirus) may be elevated based on season, traveler itinerary, and/or level of community transmission.
Travelers should carry loperamide for self-treatment of diarrhea and, if risk is moderate to high, an antibiotic to add if diarrhea is severe. Consult a knowledgeable health care provider regarding which antibiotic is appropriate for you and most effective for your destination.
Other Food-Borne Illnesses
Precautions to prevent brucellosis, seafood poisoning may be needed.
Insect- and Arthropod-Borne Diseases
Dengue, Zika may pose a risk. Personal protective measures are important.
Other Disease and Health Risks
Additional concerns include leptospirosis, marine hazards, sexually transmitted infections.
Consular Advice
The material below includes information from the US Department of State (DOS), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), as well as from additional open-source material. Standard safety precautions that apply to all international travel can be found in the Library article Safety and Security.
Terrorism Risk
No intrinsic risk of attack by terrorist groups exists, but unforeseen attacks are possible.
Crime
Low risk of violent crime (armed robbery and home robbery) exists throughout the country. Free-standing villas and bungalows often lack adequate security.
Moderate risk of petty crime exists throughout the country, mainly on beaches and in hotel lobbies. Theft of valuables from unattended rental vehicles is common.
Transportation Safety
National incidence data on traffic-related injury or death are not available.
Natural Disasters
The hurricane season is from June through November. Floods, mudslides, and landslides may occur.
Consular Information
Selected Embassies or Consulates in Sint Maarten, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
- United States: The U.S. does not have an embassy or consulate in Sint Maarten.
- Canada: [+1] 721-543-6261; travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates/sint-maarten
- United Kingdom: U.K. does not have an embassy or consulate in Sint Maarten.
- Australia: Australia does not have an embassy or consulate in Sint Maarten.
Sint Maarten Embassies or Consulates in Selected Countries
- In the U.S.: Sint Maarten does not have an embassy or consulate in the U.S.
- In Canada: Sint Maarten does not have an embassy or consulate in Canada.
- In the U.K.: Sint Maarten does not have an embassy or consulate in the U.K.
- In Australia: Sint Maarten does not have an embassy or consulate in Australia.
Visa/HIV Testing
HIV testing is not required to obtain a tourist, work, or residence visa.
