A touristy island can only become touristy if it doesn’t expose numerous threats to its visitors and locals, and Sint Maarten has done just that. With relatively lower crime rates, clean water, and rare hurricane hits, the island has plenty of reasons to be one of the most sought-after islands in the Caribbean.
Is Sint Maarten a Safe or Dangerous Island?
Sint Maarten, just like the rest of the Dutch Caribbean is generally trouble-free and poses a lower threat to foreigners, especially tourists who are just endlessly curious. Sint Maarten and its French counterpart of Saint Martin are both considered to have a low to medium threat level, imposing minimal risks for travelers, usually limited to uncontrollable circumstances and forces like hurricanes, and tropical storms.
However, this low to medium threat is not a cause for complacency as each touristy destination will always have its drawbacks like petty theft, and smaller crimes that are usually targeted towards tourists and foreigners. Wherever you are in the world, it is always best to be cautious and smart.
Main tourists’ areas and hotspots are generally safe, especially in beaches and nightlife hubs, but sketchy, dimly-lit, and remote areas are usually a no-go, especially if you’re a solo female traveler, not that it’s bad in Sint Maarten, is just that its a common risk all over the world.
Other forms of risks and threats come in the form of mosquitoes and tropical diseases, however, there haven’t been any recent outbreaks of the Zika Virus and Dengue on the island. But it is still wise to protect yourself from mosquito-borne diseases, like applying repellants, avoid areas where mosquitoes usually thrive like dark, moist areas.
What Is the Crime Rate in Sint Maarten?
Crimes in Sint Maarten aren’t worse in comparison to other places in the region. These crimes usually involve local underground illegal drug culture, and theft and usually concern the locals and unsuspecting tourists.
However, you need to exercise extra precaution when dealing with questionable individuals on the island. Sint Maarten has had a relatively low to medium level of crime recently in 2020, hitting 29.02 on the index, with theft and other property crimes being the most prevalent according to the reports.
Violent crimes are the rarest forms in the Dutch Caribbean, with high-profile murder cases occurring rarely, with the latest one in 2019 involving a Canadian citizen. However, due to the joint cooperation of Saint Martin, the French side’s authorities, and Dutch Sint Maarten’s public safety is ensured, leaving more room to travel for tourists.
How Many Hospital Beds Are in Sint Maarten?
Opened in 1991, SMMC or the St. Maarten Medical Center serves not only Sint Maarten alone but also Saba and Sint Eustatius offering 76 inpatient beds over 200 staff. However, with the center’s recent development the hospital is now a state-of-the-art and up-to-date hospital.
The ongoing renovation is set to turn the center into the SMGH, or the Sint Maarten General Hospital soon to have a 110 in-patient bed capacity of 110 In-patient beds. These beds are divided into 8 special cafe beds for the ICU, MCU, or CCU, 48 medical-surgical beds, 38 mother & child beds, and 16 daycare positions and will reach completion by the end of 2022.
Is the Water Safe to Drink in Sint Maarten?
The water in Sint Maarten is proven safe, and clean for consumption. However, if you don’t want to take any chances, you can always buy bottled water and they’re famously inexpensive on the island. Resort and hotels also have clean and safe tap water that is treated through salination.
Are There Mosquitoes in Sint Maarten?
Despite the low crime rate, and rare hurricane hits, the real threat, and annoyance in Sint Maarten are mosquitoes, and the possibility of mosquito-borne diseases like the infamous Zika Virus, and Dengue. However, it is best to keep out of moist areas, especially just after rain.
It is best to use a mosquito or bug repellant to keep pesky mosquitos and bugs away that might be carrying diseases that have had a history of bad outbreaks. If you want to avoid mosquitoes altogether, make sure you don’t go out into moist areas at night, and wear clothes that cover your arms and legs.
Are There Snakes in Sint Maarten?
There is a significant lack of dangerous animals in Sint Maarten, and can also rarely be encountered. The only snake species on the island is the leeward island racer and is only a few in number and is thus rarely encountered.
How Safe Is Sint Maarten Actually?
You can already surmise how safe Sint Maarten actually is, from health and public security you can rest assure that you won’t have a bad time visiting the island, the secret is to just be well-informed, and remain cautious, any place can be risky if you’re not careful enough and smart enough.
The world’s cities and their best tourist spots are never perfectly safe. Every aspect will always have its fair share of risks, and people will never be fully satisfied. And Sint Maarten is just the same, you just have to look up the necessary information, and always, always, err on the side of caution. Danger usually comes to those asking for it.