The Caribbean Guilder — Sint Maarten's New Currency

Two countries share one tiny island. To complicate matters further, there are three currencies in circulation — and knowing which one to use, and where, saves money on every transaction.

Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin occupy the same 37 square miles of Caribbean real estate under two flags, two governments, and three currencies. For a first-time visitor, the currency situation looks complicated. In practice, one simple rule covers most situations: carry US dollars in cash and use them everywhere.

Here is what is actually in circulation and how it works on the ground.

The Caribbean Guilder — Dutch Sint Maarten's Official Currency

The Dutch side officially uses the Caribbean Guilder, abbreviated Cg. It replaced the Netherlands Antillean Guilder and is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of Cg 1.80 to USD 1.00.

In practice, the Caribbean Guilder is a currency you will see on price labels but rarely handle. Gas stations display fuel prices in guilders. Supermarkets show both guilders and dollars on shelf labels. ATMs on the Dutch side offer a choice of currencies. Government employees are paid in guilders — which is largely where the currency stays. Walk into any supermarket or shop on the Dutch side and pay in US dollars without a second thought.

The Euro — French Saint-Martin's Official Currency

The French side uses the Euro. All prices are displayed in Euro, and the Euro has a slightly higher value than the US dollar.

The practical advice here is counter-intuitive: pay in US dollars on the French side, not Euro.

The dollar is accepted everywhere — frequently at a one-to-one rate, which at the current exchange rate represents a saving of approximately 20% compared to paying in Euro. A quick look into the cash registers of supermarkets across Saint-Martin tells the story clearly: US currency dominates, regardless of what the price labels say."

Credit and debit card payments on the French side are processed in Euro. That means every card transaction applies the Euro conversion automatically, costing you the exchange rate difference without any warning. Cash in US dollars avoids this entirely.

What to Do With Euros

If you arrive on the island with Euros and want to convert them to US dollars, the casinos on the Dutch side offer competitive exchange. Walk up to the cashier and exchange your Euros directly — the rates are generally better than dedicated exchange offices, and there is no obligation to gamble.

A Practical Summary

European visitors take note: the Euro is not universally accepted on the Dutch side, and where it is accepted the exchange rate applied is rarely favorable. Bring US dollars or withdraw them from an ATM on arrival — both sides of the island have ATMs that dispense USD.

The currency situation on Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin sounds complicated. It is not. Carry US dollars in cash and the rest takes care of itself.

For store-specific advice on where to shop and which currency to use at each supermarket, see our Grocery Shopping Guide.