St. Martin Press / St. Martin Communications

Communications on St. Martin can be mildly difficult due to the dual autonomy of the small island. St. Martin and St. Maarten have different area codes and use different phone systems. St. Maarten uses the area code plus seven-digit system used in the United States. St. Martin uses a European area code plus six-digit format. Calling from one side to the other, as a result, is considered a long distance call. There are no pay phones on the French side, though calls can be made from public phones using a credit card.

St. Martin press has a few dailies that keep locals and tourists up-to-date with current events. The Dutch part of the St. Martin press consists of two local newspapers, the Daily Herald and Today. Later in the morning, the Miami Herald is available throughout the island in addition to St. Martin press releases. St. Martin press on the French side represents only one paper, This Week. If St. Martin press is not enough to keep your news demands met, the New York Times can be found at specialty newsstands.

St. Martin Press online

Click to access the The Daily Herald Online

St. Martin Area Code:
011-590590

Telephones:
The St. Martin rental villas all are equipped with telephones and guests will be advised of the particular phone number of the property prior to departure. Please do note, however, that none of the St. Martin villa rentals have an open international line. International calls may be made with ATT or MCI cards. If St. Martin rental villas clients would like to have an international line opened, a $2000 payment is required and this security deposit is held for a minimum of four months from the date of departure from the St. Martin rental villa. Alternatively, phone cards are available for purchase at hotels, post offices, supermarkets and some shops. All of the public phone booths across the island accept phone cards and you may call locally or internationally from the phone booths.

Cellular phones:
Are available for rental through the St. Martin Telephone Company. Cellular phone rental: US$10/day, incoming calls at US$0.96/minute and calls to USA at US$2.40/minute.

Electricity:
220 volts/60 cycles on the French side, adapters are necessary for visitors from North America.

Internet Cafes/Connections/St. Martin Villa Communications:
On the Dutch side, ISPs.NetworklDLN.V has been providing Internet Access and offers visitor-roaming accounts on a weekly basis. They, also, operate a cyber café and are affiliated with eight other cyber-café locations elsewhere on the island including: three in Philipsburg, one in Mahoe and one in Marigot. Contact NetworkkDL at 599.544.4815/3188. To connect your laptop on the French side you will need an adapter which may be purchased from Home n’ Tool near Marigot or on the Dutch side at Radio Shack.

Telephone Deposits:
The majority of the villas have an overseas debar placed on the telephone lines. If clients require the debar lifted, an additional telephone deposit ($2,000.00) must be collected for any overseas phone calls made at the property and at least 2 weeks notice in writing must be given. The deposit is refunded approximately 4 months after departure.

Fax Machine Rentals:
Fax machines are available for rental at approximately US $100 per week and are subject to change.

Language:
Dutch is the official language on the Dutch side and French on the French side. English, however, is widely spoken.