Planning your trip to Sint Maarten / St. Martin is easy when it comes to money. The island operates with two official currencies, yet one friendly greenback makes everything simple: the US dollar (USD) is widely accepted everywhere — on both the Dutch and French sides — often at a 1:1 rate. You can travel the entire island with USD cash, a couple of cards, and minimal stress.

Dutch side (Sint Maarten)

: The official currency is the Caribbean Guilder (XCG or Cg), the successor to the Netherlands Antillean Guilder (NAf), which it replaced as legal tender on March 31, 2025. It is legally pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of 1 USD = 1.79 XCG. Prices in shops, restaurants, and hotels are often displayed in both USD and XCG. The peg itself never moves, but banks and exchange counters apply their own buying and selling rates either side of it (roughly 1.77 to 1.82), so the rate you actually receive differs a little.

French side (St. Martin)

: The official currency is the Euro (€). However, most businesses happily accept US dollars at (or close to) parity with the euro, which usually works in your favor as a USD holder.

Pro tip: Carry plenty of small US dollar bills. Larger hotels, restaurants, and tourist shops accept cards, but beach bars, food trucks, taxis, and smaller vendors on both sides often prefer cash in USD.

Still holding old Antillean guilders?

Netherlands Antillean guilder (NAf) notes stopped being accepted for payment on June 30, 2025, and the deadline to swap them at commercial banks passed on March 31, 2026. They have not lost their value — the rate is 1:1 with the Caribbean guilder — but they can now only be exchanged at the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten itself, in Willemstad, Curaçao, up to March 31, 2055. There is no exchange counter on Sint Maarten. You can walk in once without an appointment for up to NAf 2,500; larger amounts, or a second exchange, need an appointment. So unless you are travelling on to Curaçao, treat any NAf notes as souvenirs rather than spending money.

Banks & ATMs

Banks are plentiful and easy to find, especially in Philipsburg (Dutch side) and Marigot (French side). Typical hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm (Dutch side) or slightly shorter on the French side.

ATMs (called ABMs locally) are located at banks, the airport arrivals hall, the cruise terminal in Philipsburg, gas stations, and major shopping areas. Many ATMs on the Dutch side give you the choice of withdrawing US dollars or XCG — a huge convenience. French-side ATMs usually dispense euros only. Fees apply for international cards (typically $2–$5 per withdrawal), so larger withdrawals are smarter.

Major banks include Windward Island Bank (WIB), Scotiabank, and others with Cirrus/PLUS networks.

Credit Cards

Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted across the island at hotels, restaurants, car rentals, and larger stores. American Express is accepted in many tourist-oriented spots but less universally than Visa/MC. Discover and other cards work in fewer places.

Always ask if a small business or taxi accepts cards before you hop in — cash is still king for quick transactions.

Tipping in Restaurants

Tipping customs are straightforward and visitor-friendly:

Dutch side (Sint Maarten)

: Follow the American style. Most restaurants expect 15–20% gratuity. Many bills automatically add a 15% service charge (sometimes listed as “tax” or “service” — always check the receipt). If it’s already included and service was excellent, round up or leave a small cash extra.

French side (St. Martin)

: Traditional French service (“service compris”) is often already included in the menu price (around 15%). However, many places now follow the American expectation and welcome an additional 5–10% for great service. Loose change or a few dollars in cash is always appreciated.

General rule for the whole island: Leave tips in cash (USD) whenever possible — it goes straight to your server. Taxi drivers appreciate 10%, porters $1–2 per bag, and tour guides 10–15%.

Practical packing advice

: Bring a mix of US$20s, $10s, and $5s. Notify your bank of travel dates to avoid card holds. Download the Destinito app before you land — it shows nearby ATMs, real-time currency tips, and partner businesses that accept cards or offer cash-back options through the loyalty program.

Whether you’re paying for fresh mahi-mahi in Grand Case or grabbing souvenirs in Philipsburg, money on Sint Maarten / St. Martin is simple, flexible, and designed to let you focus on the island experience.