St. Maarten maintains Level 1 safe for travel status in latest U.S. advisory

GREAT BAY--St. Maarten continues to carry the lowest travel advisory level issued by the United States government, with an updated August assessment describing the country as “generally a safe destination for travelers.”

The U.S. Department of State issued its latest advisory for St. Maarten on August 24, 2026, maintaining the country at Level 1, “Exercise Normal Precautions.” The advisory level was not changed, but the State Department updated its summary and travel guidance for visitors.

Level 1 is the lowest of the four levels used by the State Department to assess travel destinations. Level 2 advises travelers to exercise increased caution, Level 3 recommends reconsidering travel, while Level 4 advises against travel.

The updated designation comes as international travel media have highlighted a series of Caribbean advisory updates issued during August. TravelPulse, in an August 28 review of the latest guidance, included St. Maarten among the Caribbean destinations maintaining Level 1 status.

For a country whose economy depends heavily on tourism, the continued Level 1 designation provides a positive signal to one of St. Maarten’s most important visitor markets.

The State Department’s assessment states that crime rates in St. Maarten are low, while advising visitors to remain aware of petty crime in popular tourist areas. It notes that crimes involving foreign visitors are most commonly crimes of opportunity, including theft of unsecured belongings and vehicle break-ins.

Visitors are also advised to remain alert to possible overcharging and scams in tourist areas. The advisory notes that tourist police are available at many locations to assist travelers who encounter uncomfortable situations.

While describing overall crime rates as low, the U.S. guidance acknowledges that armed robberies can occur, particularly at businesses holding significant amounts of cash or establishments associated with drug or gang activity.

The updated guidance also places particular emphasis on St. Maarten’s strict firearms laws. American travelers are warned that bringing guns, ammunition, spent shells or casings into the country is illegal and could result in arrest and lengthy detention.

The positive safety assessment is not limited to the United States.

The Netherlands currently gives St. Maarten a green travel advisory, indicating that travelers can visit the country while observing normal precautions. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs updated its guidance on August 13 and continues to classify St. Maarten under its green designation.

Canada similarly advises its citizens to “take normal security precautions” when visiting St. Maarten. Its current travel guidance, updated in late July, maintains that risk classification for the destination.

The assessments from three major international travel markets reinforce St. Maarten’s standing as a destination where visitors can continue to travel under normal safety precautions.

The U.S. designation is particularly significant given the importance of the American market to St. Maarten’s stayover tourism sector and the large number of visitors who also arrive through Princess Juliana International Airport for vacations elsewhere in the northeastern Caribbean.

The State Department continues to recommend that American visitors enroll in its Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, remain aware of their surroundings, review health and emergency information before departure and obtain appropriate travel insurance.

For St. Maarten, the August update does not represent an upgrade in status, but confirmation that the destination continues to hold the State Department’s lowest travel advisory level at a time when safety information can play an important role in travelers’ vacation decisions.

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