Travel Vaccines and Advice for St. Martin
St. Martin is a small island in the Caribbean Sea. The island is split into two separate nations: Sint Maarten (Dutch) and St. Martin (French). This destination offers two different European influence blended with Caribbean flare.
Philipsburg, the capital of Dutch Sint Maarten, is a city lined by beaches and long boardwalks. Front Street is full of duty-free shops and casino, and the boardwalk has many beachfront bars. The St. Maarten Zoo is home to many different birds and even monkey.
Marigot rests on the other side of the island, the capital of French Saint Martin. History and art lovers can visit Fort Louis, a French ruin that also offers hiking opportunities, and the Silk Cotton Grove Art Gallery. Adventurers can visit Loterie Farm, a treetop adventure park and nature sanctuary.
Though there are two nations on the island, travel between them is free of restrictions. One can explore the island freely and entirely.
Do I Need Vaccines for Saint Martin?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Saint Martin. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Saint Martin: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for travel to all regions, both foreign and domestic. Check with your local Passport Health clinic if immunization is offered in your area.
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- COVID-19 –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Recommended for all unvaccinated individuals who qualify for vaccination - Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travelers - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Accelerated schedule available - Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. - Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. - Rabies –
Saliva of Infected Animals –
Vaccine recommended for long-term travelers and those who may come in contact with animals. - Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
Various Vectors –
Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. - TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
Wounds & Airborne –
Only one adult booster of pertussis required. - Chickenpox –
Direct Contact & Airborne –
Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. - Shingles –
Direct Contact –
Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. - Pneumonia –
Airborne –
Two vaccines given separately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. - Influenza –
Airborne –
Vaccine components change annually. - Meningitis –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. - Polio –
Food & Water –
Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended.
See the tables below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Saint Martin |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 | Airborne & Direct Contact | Recommended for all unvaccinated individuals who qualify for vaccination |
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travelers |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Accelerated schedule available |
| Typhoid | Food & Water | Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. |
| Yellow Fever | Mosquito | Required if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. |
| Rabies | Saliva of Infected Animals | Vaccine recommended for long-term travelers and those who may come in contact with animals. |
Routine Vaccinations for Saint Martin |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) | Various Vectors | Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. |
| TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) | Wounds & Airborne | Only one adult booster of pertussis required. |
| Chickenpox | Direct Contact & Airborne | Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. |
| Shingles | Direct Contact | Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. |
| Pneumonia | Airborne | Two vaccines given separately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. |
| Influenza | Airborne | Vaccine components change annually. |
| Meningitis | Airborne & Direct Contact | Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. |
| Polio | Food & Water | Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended. |
Zika and dengue are both present in St. Martin. Take precautions to avoid mosquito bites including using insect repellents or netting. Zika poses an extra risk to women who are pregnant or may become pregnant. Consider taking extra precautions or making additional plans for your trip.
See our vaccinations page to learn more about these infections and vaccines. Ready to protect yourself? Book your travel health appointment today by calling or schedule online now.
Do I Need a Visa for St. Martin?
A visa is not required for if you are visiting for tourism purposes, and plan to stay for up to 30 days. Travelers must have a valid passport and proof of onward travel. Proof of sufficient funds may be required for some travelers.
Saint Martin Entry Requirements |
||
| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Saint Martin? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
|
| Tourist Visa | ||
| Business Visa | ||
| Vaccinations | ||
Sources: Embassy of Saint Martin and U.S. State Department
What Is the Climate Like in St. Martin?
St. Martin enjoys a tropical climate, and it is warm and dry all year. The temperatures stay in the 80’s most of the year. The warmest days are in the 90’s.
The rainy season lasts from June to December. Rainstorms are short and have mild to moderate winds. Hurricane season is is during this period. Be sure to take precautions and watch for any active storms.
How Safe Is St. Martin?
St. Martin is relatively safe island destination. Petty crime like theft and pick-pocketing is common. Thieves tend to focus on purses and passports. Beaches, hotel rooms and vehicles are common sites for theft.
If you choose to rent a vehicle while on the island, consider insurance. Vehicle theft and theft from vehicles does occur. Both often involve smashing a window to gain entry.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Hide your valuables instead of flaunting them. Avoid walking in dark areas and keep your passport in a secure location, to avoid theft.
Keeping Your Head Above Water in St. Martin
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If you plan to visit St. Martin, you are likely also planning to take a dip into the island’s beautiful waters. St. Martin offers a variety of water activities for every visitor.
Every venture out on the ocean has some risk. Make sure you know how to swim before taking part in any water activity. Accidents have also happened, as watercraft traffic can be high in some tourist areas.
Some tourists visit Maho Beach, which is near an airport runway. These travelers will try to experience the jet blast of incoming and outgoing planes. This can lead to serious injury and even death.
A vacation in St. Martin can be the perfect island adventure. But, only if you are careful and avoid high risk situations.
What Should I Pack for St. Martin?
Make sure you have what you need to for your trip to St. Martin. A few common items include:
- Insect Repellent – Mosquitoes on St. Martin may carry the Zika virus. Pack a repellent with at least 20%-30% DEET to help keep the bugs away.
- Sunscreen – St. Martin is an ideal destination to soak up some sun. Soaking up too much sun can lead to sunburn and even skin damage. Make sure to pack and apply a sunscreen with at least 35 SPF to keep yourself protected.
- Light Clothing – Since St. Martin can be quite hot and sunny, bring clothing that is light in weight and in color. This will be more breathable, and will attract less sunlight than darker colors. Cotton clothing, or even active wear, might be good choices to keep cool on this vacation.
- Voltage Converter – The Dutch side of St. Martin uses the same voltage as the US. The French side of the island requires an outlet adapter and voltage converter.
U.S. Embassy in St. Martin
All Americans visiting St. Martin should register online with the U.S. Department of State before departure. This will inform the office of your travel plans within the country and will allow them to reach out in the case of an emergency or evacuation.
While there is no embassy in St. Martin, the consulate in Barbados serves the area:
U.S. Embassy Bridgetown
Wildey Business Park
Wildey
St. Michael BB 14006
Barbados, W.I.
Telephone: +(246) 227-4399
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(246) 227-4000
Fax: +(246) 431-0179
Ready to start your next journey? Call us at or book online now!
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for Saint Martin
“I was very impressed with the professional and comprehensive information that I needed to stay as well as possible on my first trip to Saint Martin.”
“The Passport Health office in Washington, D.C. certainly exceeded my expectations! Robert was amazing & provided so much information regarding my upcoming trip to Saint Martin. He gave me valuable advice, didn’t pressure me to make decisions, and even put together a packet for my trip. I was truly impressed!”
“The nurse spent quality time explaining the whys and wherefores of getting the vaccinations for my upcoming trip to Saint Martin. Clear, Concise and to the point. The vaccinations were professionally done and completed quickly. I got a lollipop too!”
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for St. Martin?
Do I Need a Visa for St. Martin?
What Is the Climate Like in St. Martin?
How Safe Is St. Martin?
Keeping Your Head Above Water in St. Martin
What Should I Pack for St. Martin?
U.S. Embassy in St. Martin
US – English
CA – English
UK – English
Rest of World – English
