Sint Eustatius Travel Guide
Useful tips
Average trip cost
$863 per person
When to go
mid-December to mid-May
Currency
US dollar (US$)
Ideal length of stay
7 to 14 days
About Sint Eustatius
Sint Eustatius, also known as Statia, is a quiet little island on the leeward side of the West Indies. It used to be a bustling port frequented by pirates and buccaneers, but those times have passed. Now Sint Eustatius prides itself on being an island that has stayed true to its Caribbean roots. With unspoiled beauty and the slow pace that was representative of the area before the tourism boom, Sint Eustatius offers tranquility, relaxation, and a respite from the frenetic pace that marks daily life in many parts of the world.
History buffs will enjoy the Dutch influence that can still be seen throughout the island. Spotted in 1493 by Christopher Columbus but taken over in 1636 by the Dutch, Sint Eustatius was once the busiest port in the Caribbean. The island was home to at least 20,000 people and had many ships coming to call daily. How times have changed. Statia is now a quiet haven for people who want to get away from it all. The island has just under 4000 residents year-round. Formerly known as The Golden Rock, this name has taken on a whole different meaning for Sint Eustatius in modern-day life.
If you like diving, Sint Eustatius has some of the best in the world. Their coral reefs are teeming with fish. Diving is the calling card of the island, so if you are an expert or would like to try it for the first time, Statia is a great place to enjoy this pastime. Outdoor enthusiasts may enjoy hiking the Quill, Sint Eustatius’s dormant volcano. There are only three beaches on the island, and one of them has such a strong undertow that it is not advisable to swim there.
Another interesting activity that this island offers is unlike what is available on other islands. You can participate in a real live archaeological dig when you visit Sint Eustatius. The Sint Eustatius Center for Archaeological Research (SECAR) offers the opportunity for visitors to get involved with an excavation during their stay.
Statia is the place to go for a relaxing vacation where hiking, strolling, and sunbathing are of the utmost importance. The people are kind-hearted and are happy to engage in conversation with you along the way, making your trip feel more like going home than vacationing.
Where To Stay In Sint Eustatius
Hotel inventory in Sint Eustatius is limited, and most visitors stay in private rental and guesthouses. That said, some of the places to stay at in Sint Eustatius include:
- The Old Gin House
- Country Inn
- Golden Era Hotel
- Kings Well Resort
- Statia Lodge
Activities In Sint Eustatius
Major tourist activities in Statia include:
- Touring the island to learn about the history and people visiting sites like the old Lower Town in Oranjestad and the Lynch Plantation Museum.
- Swimming and relaxing at one of the island’s beaches including Orange Beach, Lynch Beach, and Crook Castle Beach
- Diving and snorkeling in the Sint Eustatius Marine Park brimming with corals and all sorts of marine life
- Admiring the fauna and flora at Miriam C. Schmidt Botanical Garden
Facts About Sint Eustatius
Size:
8 square miles
Population:
3,400
Official Language:
Dutch
Demonym:
St. Eustatian + Statian
Capital City:
Oranjestad
Government:
Special municipality within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Telephone Country Code:
559
Driving:
right side of the road
Local Beer:
Heineken, Coors Light & Carib
National Dish:
Stew goat or seafood
Main Airport:
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Airport
Electricity:
110 V /60 Hz – plugs are mostly US two and three-prong
Visa Information For Sint Eustatius
Sint Eustatius is a Dutch Caribbean island, and as such, immigration rules for The Netherlands apply. That said, visitors from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom do not need a visa to visit Sint Eustatius.
All visitors to Sint Eustatius must have a valid passport. Furthermore, all visitors must have a return or onward ticket plus sufficient means to support themselves during their stay in Sint Eustatius.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Visa For Sint Eustatius
With a valid passport and supporting documents, it typically takes two weeks for a Sint Eustatius visa application to be processed by the nearest Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. An approved visa application grants entry to Sint Eustatius for three months.
Is It Safe In Sint Eustatius
Sint Eustatius is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean. Crime levels in Statia is extremely low, but visitors should take sensible precautions to secure their possessions.
How To Get To Sint Eustatius
Most visitors to Sint Eustatius arrive via the F. D. Roosevelt Airport (IATA: EUX, ICAO: TNCE), originally named the Golden Rock Airport when it opened in 1946. There are no international flights
That said, there are no nonstop flights from the United States, Canada, or Europe to Sint Eustatius. Most North American and European visitors to Sint Eustatius first fly to the Princess Juliana International Airport (IATA: SXM, ICAO: TNCM) on nearby Sint Maarten and then connect to Sint Eustatius.
From the United States and Canada, there are regular flights to Sint Maarten from New York, Miami, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, etc. From Europe, there are regular flights to Sint Maarten from Amsterdam and Paris.
Within the Caribbean region, book flights to Sint Eustatius via:
- Coastal Air: Dominica–Canefield, Nevis, Saint Croix
- FlyMontserrat (Charter): Montserrat
- St Barth Commuter (Charter): Saint Barthélemy
- Trans Anguilla Airways: Anguilla, Nevis, Saint Kitts
- Winair: Sint Maarten
When To Go To Sint Eustatius
The most popular time to visit Sint Eustatius is from mid-December to mid-April when the weather is warm, sunny, and typically dry. From August to late October is the low season as temperatures are hot and muggy; also, there is an increased risk of tropical storms.
Major events attracting visitors to Statia include:
- Last Thursday of Every Month: Statia Taste of the Cultures
- August: Statia Carnival
- November: Statia Day
Weather In Sint Eustatius
The weather in Sint Eustatius is warm year-round. The temperature hovers around 80°F all year and is cooled by trade winds. The weather doesn’t vary much during the course of the year.
Getting Married In Sint Eustatius
Marriage Requirements:
Couples wishing to get married in Sint Eustatius will need to register their intention by creating a Notice of Intent to Marry – this must be done at least three weeks before the wedding day, and the wedding must take place within a year of this notice.
Documents required
In addition to the completed application for marriage, both the bride and groom will need their:
- passports
- birth certificates along with driver’s licenses or other forms of identification
- certificates of no impediment or single status report
Also, if applicable:
- divorce papers i.e., decree absolute and/or death certificate of spouse
- proof of parental consent if under 18, stamped and signed by a solicitor
- proof of name change by Deed Poll, stamped and signed by a solicitor
Note: Any documents must be presented in English or Dutch.
Residency Requirement:
None.
Fees:
There are various fees for getting married in St. Eustatius, which include:
- The fees for Betroth: US$ 83.80
- Contracting a marriage on the Courthouse during working hours: US$139.66
- Contracting a marriage after working hours and on weekends, outside the Courthouse: US$167.60
- Marriage book: US$41. 90
- Marriage Certificate: US$ 13.97
- Cost of Apostille: US$ 19.55
Witnesses:
Two witnesses must be present at the ceremony if at the Registrar’s Office. Six people are required for marriages outsides the Registrar’s Office.
Marriage Procedure:
The marriage ceremony can take place one month after all documents have been received by the Registrar’s Office. The wedding ceremony can be held in English, Dutch, Spanish, or Papiamentu.
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