💰 Quick Context: Three Currencies, One Island
The Dutch side (Sint Maarten) officially uses the Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG / NAf.), while the French side (Saint-Martin) uses the Euro (EUR). In practice, US dollars are accepted everywhere on both sides. A beach lunch costs $12–25, a restaurant dinner $25–60, and a hotel night $150–400. Quick math for ANG: divide by 1.79 for a rough USD estimate (e.g., NAf. 100 ≈ US$56). Honestly, most prices are already posted in USD. Bring a no-FX-fee card and some USD cash, and you are covered.
🎧 Order Netherlands Antillean Guilder Before You Fly
Have cash in hand when you land. Insured delivery, 2–5 day shipping.
Order ANG → CEI Currency ExchangeCash vs. Card: What to Expect in St. Maarten
St. Maarten is a popular cruise and resort destination, so card acceptance is solid at most tourist-facing businesses. That said, you will want some cash for the island's best experiences.
Cards accepted widely: Restaurants, hotels, shops, car rental agencies, and larger beach bars accept Visa and Mastercard on both sides of the island
Cash needed for: Lolos (local BBQ shacks), small beach bars, market vendors, water taxis, tips, and some French-side bakeries and cafes
USD is king: Most businesses on both sides accept US dollars. You will get change in USD at most places in Philipsburg, and sometimes in euros on the French side
How much to carry: $50–100 in small bills (ones, fives, tens) covers tips, lolos, and market shopping for a few days
How to Get Cash for Your St. Maarten Trip
St. Maarten/St. Martin is the only place in this list with a literal political border running through one island, and it has the currency situation to match. The Dutch side (Sint Maarten) uses the Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG), pegged at ANG 1.79 = $1. The French side (Saint Martin) uses the euro. USD works on both sides, and is the de facto everyday currency on the Dutch half. Cards work at every Philipsburg cruise-shopping street, every Marigot restaurant, and most resort hotels. Cash holdouts are minimal: lolos (Caribbean barbecue shacks on Grand Case beach), market vendors, taxi drivers, and tips. Most travelers handle the entire visit on USD plus a Wise card.
Bring USD before you fly
St. Maarten is the rare island where pre-ordering local currency is unnecessary: USD circulates as everyday tender on the Dutch side, and even on the French side most tourist-facing businesses accept USD (often at slightly worse-than-peg rates, but acceptable). The straightforward setup is to pack USD in clean small bills ($1, $5, $10, $20). If you specifically want EUR for the French-side restaurant scene (Grand Case is the gourmet capital of the Caribbean), a small CEI envelope of euros works for tighter pricing. Most US home banks generally do not stock ANG. St. Maarten does not have a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner. The cleanest setup for any St. Maarten trip: pack USD for cash needs, use a Wise or Charles Schwab card for resort and restaurant card payments, and (optionally) bring a small EUR envelope for Grand Case dinners.
Withdraw from a St. Maarten bank ATM
On the ground, the cheapest source of either ANG or EUR is one of the island's bank ATMs. RBC Royal Bank St. Maarten, Windward Islands Bank (WIB), Maduro & Curiel's Bank St. Maarten, and Banque des Antilles Françaises (BDAF) on the French side all give the actual interbank rate with no markup. Most don't add their own operator fee for foreign cards. ATMs cluster around Philipsburg's Front Street and Back Street, in Simpson Bay near the airport, in Maho Beach, and on the French side around Marigot and Grand Case. A useful feature: most Dutch-side bank ATMs let you choose between ANG, USD, or EUR at the screen. French-side ATMs typically dispense EUR only. Decline DCC every time the screen offers "charge in USD" if your card already settles in USD. See the Best ATMs section below for the bank-by-bank lineup. Want to know what an RBC St. Maarten withdrawal will actually cost on your card? Drop it into our ATM fee calculator.
Airport counters & cruise port exchange windows
Three traps to walk past in St. Maarten. The currency-exchange counters in arrivals at SXM (Princess Juliana International) advertise rates that look reasonable but routinely run 5–10% off the ANG-USD peg. The cruise terminal exchange windows in Philipsburg target same-day cruise passengers with rates that bake markup into the displayed numbers. And the standalone independent ATMs at smaller hotel arcades on both sides layer DCC pitches and operator fees on top. Stick to bank-branded ATMs at RBC, WIB, MCB, or BDAF; decline DCC; and remember USD works on both sides at peg-rate or close to it. St. Maarten does not yet have a city-specific guide on this site, but the Best ATMs section below covers the bank lineup.
For a side-by-side comparison of every method (bank wire, travel card, pre-order, ATM, exchange counter) including USD-or-EUR-on-island timing tips, see our complete Getting Currency guide →.
Best ATMs to Use in St. Maarten
Bank ATMs on both sides of the island are reliable and generally do not charge excessive operator fees. On the Dutch side, ATMs dispense USD or ANG. On the French side, ATMs dispense EUR. Your home bank may still charge a foreign transaction fee.
Scotiabank
Major bank on the Dutch side with ATMs in Philipsburg and Simpson Bay. Dispenses USD and ANG. Reliable machines with straightforward prompts.
Recommended
RBC (Royal Bank of Canada)
Well-established on the Dutch side with ATMs in Philipsburg. Can dispense USD. Clean machines with clear language options.
RecommendedWindward Islands Bank (WIB)
Local bank on the Dutch side with ATMs in Philipsburg and Cole Bay. Good option if Scotiabank or RBC lines are long from cruise ship crowds.
RecommendedBNP Paribas (French Side)
Major French bank with ATMs in Marigot and Grand Case. Dispenses euros. Good choice if you want EUR for spending on the French side.
Recommended⚠ Watch Out for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
ATMs on both sides may offer to convert to your home currency for you. Always decline. Choose the local currency of whichever side you are on: ANG on the Dutch side, EUR on the French side. If an ATM on the Dutch side offers USD as an option and your card has no foreign transaction fees, USD works fine too. The key rule: never let the ATM or card terminal do the conversion for you. That markup can run 3–7%.
ATMs to Avoid in St. Maarten
Cruise port areas and tourist hotspots have standalone ATMs with higher fees and worse exchange rates. Walk a few blocks to a real bank instead.
Cruise Port ATMs (Philipsburg)
Standalone machines near the cruise terminal in Philipsburg charge higher fees and may push DCC aggressively. The banks on Front Street are just a short walk away.
AvoidMaho Beach Tourist ATMs
Independent ATMs in the Maho Beach area and casino strips often charge flat fees of $5+ per withdrawal and offer poor exchange rates. Use a bank ATM in Simpson Bay instead.
AvoidPaying by Card in St. Maarten
Card Networks
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted on both sides of the island at restaurants, hotels, shops, and tour operators
American Express is accepted at larger hotels, resorts, and upscale restaurants. Smaller businesses and some French-side restaurants may not take it
Discover has limited acceptance. Not recommended as your primary card here
Contactless & Mobile Payments
Contactless payments are growing on both sides of the island, especially at newer terminals in restaurants and retail shops
Apple Pay and Google Pay work at many terminals, particularly on the French side and at larger Dutch-side businesses
Chip and PIN is standard on the French side (European-style). Chip and signature still works at most places on the Dutch side
Where Cards May Not Work
Lolos: The island's beloved local BBQ shacks are almost always cash-only
Market vendors: The Marigot market and Philipsburg market stalls typically need cash
Beach bars: Smaller beach bars, especially on more remote beaches, may be cash-only
Water taxis: Cash is usually required for small boat transfers between beaches
Tipping in St. Maarten
Tipping Guide
Dutch side (US-style): 15–18% at restaurants, similar to the US. Check your bill first, as some restaurants add a service charge automatically
French side (European-style): 10–15% is customary. Service is often included in the bill ("service compris"). If included, a small extra tip for good service is appreciated but not required
Beach bars: $1–2 per drink is standard on both sides
Taxis: Round up or tip 10–15%. Agree on the fare before getting in, as most taxis do not use meters
Hotels: $1–2 per bag for porters, $2–5 per night for housekeeping
Tour guides / excursions: 15–20% is customary for boat tours, snorkeling trips, and other excursions
Two Countries, Three Currencies
Things to Know
Two countries, no border: The island is split between Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint-Martin. There are no border controls, no checkpoints, and no passport checks when crossing between sides. You will barely notice the transition
USD works everywhere: Despite the official currencies being ANG (Dutch side) and EUR (French side), US dollars are accepted at virtually every business on both sides. Most prices in Philipsburg are posted in USD
French side pricing: In Grand Case and Marigot, you may see prices listed in euros. Some restaurants accept both EUR and USD, often at a rounded exchange rate that slightly favors the house
Do not bother exchanging in advance: There is no need to get ANG or EUR before your trip. Bring USD cash and a no-FX-fee card, and you are fully covered on both sides
Change may come in mixed currencies: It is not unusual to receive change in a mix of USD and ANG, especially on the Dutch side. ANG coins look different from US coins, so double-check your change
Money Safety in St. Maarten
Staying Safe
Generally safe: St. Maarten is a well-traveled tourist destination. Standard precautions apply
Avoid flashing cash on beaches: Keep your cash and cards secure while swimming. Use a waterproof pouch or leave valuables locked up
Use hotel safes: Store extra cash, passports, and backup cards in the room safe or hotel safe
Carry a second card separately. Although St. Maarten uses multiple currencies, your bank may still flag Caribbean transactions. A backup ensures you are not stuck at Maho Beach without a working card.
Tell your bank you are visiting St. Maarten before departure. Even USD transactions process through Caribbean banking networks, which can trigger fraud alerts at some US banks. The dual Dutch/French island setup means transactions may show as either Netherlands Antilles or French overseas territory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What currency should I bring to St. Maarten?
US dollars. Despite the Dutch side officially using the Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG) and the French side using the Euro (EUR), USD is accepted at virtually every business on both sides of the island. There is no need to exchange currency in advance. Bring USD cash and a no-FX-fee card.
Is there a border between the Dutch and French sides?
No. There are no border controls, checkpoints, or passport checks when crossing between Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint-Martin. You drive freely between sides. You will barely notice the transition except for road signs switching language and restaurant menus appearing in French.
Do I need cash in St. Maarten?
For the best experiences, yes. Lolos (local BBQ shacks serving jerk chicken and ribs), market vendors in Marigot and Philipsburg, smaller beach bars, water taxis, and tips all require cash. Keep $50–100 in small bills ($1, $5, $10).
Is tipping different on the Dutch vs French side?
Yes. The Dutch side follows US-style tipping (15–18% at restaurants). The French side is more European (10–15%, and service may already be included as "service compris"). Beach bars on both sides: $1–2 per drink. Taxis: round up or 10–15%. Hotel porters: $1–2 per bag.
What are lolos?
Lolos are the island's beloved local BBQ shacks, serving grilled chicken, ribs, fish, and sides at affordable prices ($8–15 for a plate). The most famous cluster is on the Dutch side near Grand Case. They are almost always cash-only and are one of the best food experiences on the island.
Will my card work on the French side?
Yes, at most restaurants and shops. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. The French side uses chip-and-PIN (European standard), so make sure your card has a PIN set. Some smaller French bakeries and cafés in Marigot and Grand Case may prefer cash or have a minimum card amount.
Spend Like a Local on Both Sides of the Island
The Wise card converts your money at the real mid-market exchange rate. No markups, no surprises. Pay in ANG, EUR, or USD without hidden fees.
Get the Wise Card →Quick Comparison
| Method | Cost | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-FX-fee card | Best (no fees, mid-market rate) | ★★★★★ | Daily spending |
| USD cash | Low (no conversion needed) | ★★★★★ | Works everywhere |
| Bank ATMs (Scotiabank, RBC) | Low (fair rates, low fees) | ★★★★☆ | If you need local currency |
| Standalone / cruise port ATMs | High (fees + poor rates + DCC) | ★★★☆☆ | Avoid |
| Airport / hotel exchange | Highest (5–12% markup) | ★★☆☆☆ | Emergency only |
St. Maarten Quick Facts
| Currency | ANG (Dutch side) / EUR (French side) / USD accepted everywhere |
| Cards | Widely accepted on both sides. Visa/Mastercard preferred |
| Best ATMs | Scotiabank, RBC (Dutch side). BNP Paribas (French side) |
| Tipping | 15–18% Dutch side, 10–15% French side |
| DCC Risk | Low to moderate. Always choose local currency at ATMs |
| Best Strategy | Bring USD cash, use a no-FX-fee card for everything else |