Sint Maarten: Things to Know Before You Go
This is where we are now. I wore a mask and a shield all while I was in the airport and aboard my flight. COVID life..
If you’re following my Instagram, then you know that I recently traveled to Sint Maarten for another birthday trip of a lifetime!
As with most things, I contemplated whether I would even take a birthday trip, but alas, I decided to stick to my tradition and man am I glad about it!
Once again, I pushed boundaries and quenched my thirst for travel, exploration and new experiences. There’s just nothing like it!
Anyway, I have already gotten some really great traction from my followers — two have already booked — and I’ve also gotten so many questions from those planning to go, so I wanted to make sure I got some quick details up for anyone looking to visit.
Here’s what you need to know:
You must submit an application to visit
Baybee, I was sick when I got to the airport and the desk attendant asked me to provide my application. What application?!
Due to COVID, Sint Maarten has established a mandatory health authorization for every visitor coming to the island that you absolutely must complete. If you do not complete it, you will not board a flight and your entry will be denied. They approve applications every 12 hours, but I recommend submitting it four days prior to your arrival for the best outcome.
They only have about 16 cases total, so they are doing all they can to protect their citizens as well as their guests. I have no choice but to stan.
Here’s a link to the application - gone and get your affairs in order. <3
A NEGATIVE COVID TEST IS REQUIRED
Yes, you must get have a negative COVID test. Not only that, but the test must also be taken within 5 days of your arrival date. If you take a test 6 days before and get a negative test, it will not meet the standard and you will be denied.
The COVID test is also a key component of the application, and your approval is contingent on the results as well as the time guidelines, so you’ll need to do this part first.
I was supposed to leave Wednesday, heading to Sint Maarteen, but because my test was out of date(7 days prior) and I didn’t have approval for entry, I actually ended up heading home. teardrop
Luckily, I was able to reschedule a flight the next day, get a rapid test in ATL and submit my application in time to get approved for the next flight out. Where there’s a will…there’s a way, and I made one!
Self Monitoring
One of the things I was worried about was whether or not I would be stuck quarantining at the house every day of my trip, since I’d heard that some countries were requiring that for traveling visitors. Luckily, that wasn’t the case, however, I did have to self-monitor.
Every day, I got an email to submit my temperature — in Celsius or Fahrenheit — to make sure my temperature was normal, and then I had to check the box vowing that I was telling the truth before sending. Very simple and it only took a few seconds. The data is pulled from the application, so the “day” will automatically populate to “day 1" or etc.
EXIT COVID TEST
The [seemingly] one measure that the United States has taken in response to COVID is the measure to have a negative COVID test before arriving back in the States. If you’re staying at a resort, I would just check to see if your resort is offering the option to take it there, as some of them do.
Otherwise, you can send an email to SLS to set up your test in time to get tested and receive results before your return flight home. Note: The link includes all the information you will need to confirm your appointment.
Please keep in mind that they are calling these “appointments",” but when you get there you pull a number and the first person who was there gets served first. If you want to be one of the first people, I recommend pulling up at 6:30 am and no later than 7 am. All appointments are between 7:30-8 am.
Additionally, they are closed on Saturday and Sunday, so do your due diligence and schedule far enough out to get a test in time not to get stuck.
Lastly, you will have to pay whether you have insurance or not. You have two options: 1) you can take the Antigen test for $65 or 2) you can take the PCR test for $75. I took the Antigen(rapid) test for $65 and got my results the same day. :)
You will find that most people on the island do not wear masks and will even tell you that you don’t have to worry about COVID out there — this is because the island has been so successful at keeping COVID at bay, but I would say proceed at your own caution.
I’d love to keep track of anyone visiting after seeing this post or any of my IG posts. If that’s you, can you send me an email or simply comment below letting me know if you’re planning to visit or have already booked a visit, as a result? I’d appreciate it! <3