Grand Case Beach Club

Grand Case, 97150 Saint Martin, French West Indies
New Toll Free: 1 (888) 845 5821
Reservation Line: 914 595 6453

Island – Frequently Asked Questions

St. Martin in the West Indies is a vacationer’s paradise with white sandy beaches, world-class restaurants and a number of island activities and cultural events. If this is your first trip to the island, we realize you may have some questions. If you have questions about our hotel in St. Martin, please see our hotel frequently asked questions page.

Table of Contents

  1. Do I need any visas to enter St. Maarten/ St. Martin Island?
  2. What Currency should I bring?
  3. What time are the local Church Services?
  4. What time are shops open?
  5. What are the duty free allowances I can bring back home with me?
  6. Do I have to pay a departure tax?

Do I need any visas to enter St. Maarten/ St. Martin Island?

In today’s times it is recommended to travel with a passport although this is not necessary for some nationalities to enter St. Maarten. Please check with your airline for the entry requirements for your nationality.

Most passengers visiting our Island will be arriving at St. Julianna Airport, SXM, this is on the Netherlands Antilles part of the Island but the hotel itself is on the French side of St. Martin. There is no border patrol or immigration between the two parts so you will have no trouble accessing the whole Island once you have entered.

If you plan to visit any of the surrounding Islands such as St Barths, Anguilla or Saba, even just for a day trip, please check the entry requirements before arriving here in case you need a visa for any.

For the most part if you are an American with a passport or a European Community passport holder you should not have any problems entering any of the Islands.

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What Currency should I bring?

You have chosen a very unique place to visit, St. Maarten/ St. Martin might be small but we are confusing when it comes to currency. In a nutshell, on the Dutch side they take US Dollars and Guilders, on French side we take Euros, however we are also accustomed to US Dollars and all Restaurants and shops will accept US dollars.

Some restaurants take US$ on a one for one basis if you pay in cash, but have Euro credit card machines. Most shops and supermarkets take dollars but at an exchange rate, most tend to work on a daily exchange rate basis or thereabouts. It is to your advantage to bring US Dollars with you and bring as much as you need because if you want more you either have to go to the Dutch side to get cash from an ATM or use one on the French side and then exchange Euros to Dollars.

Travelers Cheques are accepted Island wide so they are a handy form of currency to use. We told you it was confusing, if you would like any further clarification please ask at the front desk when you are here, or give us a call on 011 590 590 87 51 87.

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What time are the local Church Services?

Grand Case   Catholic           Sunday            08:45
Methodist         Sunday            08:30
Evangelist       Sunday            10:00

Marigot           Catholic           Sunday            10:45

Cul De Sac     Adventist         Sunday            10:00

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What time are shops open?

Grand Case   Supermarket   Monday – Saturday     08:00 – 20:00
Sunday                        09:00 – 19:00
Pharmacy       Monday – Saturday     08:00 – 20:00
Delicatessen   Monday – Saturday     08:00 – 20:00
Shops              Monday – Sunday       11:00 – 15:00
17:00 – 22:00
Marigot           Supermarket   Monday – Saturday     08:00 – 20:00
Sunday                        09:00 – 19:00
Shops              Monday – Saturday     09:00 – 18:00

Philipsburg    Supermarket   Monday – Saturday     09:00 – 21:00
Sunday                        09:00 – 19:00
Shops              Monday – Saturday     09:00 – 18:00

Please note these times are approximate and vary from shop to shop.

On the whole, Sunday is not a good day for shopping as many of the stores are closed.

The Market in Marigot is open every day but the main Market days are Wednesday and Saturday. The market opens early in the morning approximately 08:00 and stalls are normally start packing up between 14:00 and 15:00. For fish and meat we advise you visit the market very early on Wednesday and Saturday as this part of the market is normally over by 09:30.

If you plan to visit Philipsburg for a day shopping, we advise you come to the Front Desk on the morning you intend to go, to find out how many cruise ships will be in port that day, especially if you do not like crowds and traffic and parking can be troublesome.

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What are the duty free allowances I can bring back home with me?

Before traveling to St. Martin/ St. Maarten, please check with your customs office and airline for the latest information of what you can bring home with you. Remember, the requirements do and have recently changed for what you may bring on a flight, both in carry on and checked luggage.

Some of the products that St. Martin offers, which are commonly purchased as souvenirs and gifts are:

Herbs and Spices
Shells
Fruit Flavored Rums

Many countries do not allow the personal import of either shells or food items, so it is best to know your customs regulations.

In many countries the Fruit Flavored Rums that are for sale here are not included within the alcohol allowance on your return as they are considered “Artisan”. This is because the rum itself is not made on our Island but imported and flavored prior to re-sale.

These are very popular gifts, again please check with your customs officials for the applicable allowances.

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Do I have to pay a departure tax?

When leaving our lovely Island, to return home fully refreshed and relaxed, there is a departure tax you will have to pay at the airport. This is $30 per person excluding children under two years of age.

Please note, some airlines include this tax in the price of the tickets, but some do not. This fee may increase without notice.

Some of the off Island activities may require a departure tax, our Activities desk will advise you of this at the time of the reservation, in general, the tax incurred for these are approximately $9 per person.

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Feel free to contact the courteous staff at our hotel in St. Martin West Indies if you have any other questions.