St Eustatius / Island Essentials

All travellers to St Eustatius will need to know the essential island facts. The information on St Eustatius shown below is current (2011).

Currency/Credit Cards

The official currency of St Eustatius is the US dollar which replaced the Netherlands Antilles Guilder from 1st January 2011. Credit cards are also accepted at shops and restaurants accustomed to tourists. It is probably better to carry cash for small purchases.

Check-in/Check-out

As a general rule check-out times is 12 noon and check-in is generally not prior to 3pm, during which time the rooms are made ready for new arrivals. Properties are likely to be flexible if they have availability or they may provide bathroom facilities so that you can shower before you depart if you are leaving late in the day. If you will be arriving before the normal check-in time then they may be flexible by prior arrangement. You should make any special arrangements at the time of booking.

Departure Tax/Taxes

There is a departure tax of US$5.65 if you are travelling to local destinations within the Dutch Caribbean. Departures to destinations elsewhere cost US$12.

There is a 7% service charge on room rates. At the hotels and guest houses, the service charge on food and beverage is 15% in lieu of gratuities.

Electricity

The domestic electricity supply is 110 volts, 60Hz. American style plugs with two flat metal pins are standard on the island, so remember to bring the appropriate converters if you will need them.

Embassies/Consulates

There is no diplomatic representation in St Eustatius. The nearest embassies and High Commissions tend to be in Barbados. There are some consuls in St Maarten, however. 

Canada 
For Embassies and High Commissions, please see the Definitive Caribbean Guide to Barbados - Island Essentials

Canadians can obtain consular assistance and further information from theConsulate of Canada in Sint Maarten, 11A Green Star Shell Road, Dawn Beach, Sint Maarten, t 543 6261. 

United Kingdom 
For Embassies and High Commissions, please see the Definitive Caribbean Guide to Barbados - Island Essentials

British citizens can obtain consular advice from the British Consulate in Curacao, 6 Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles, t 5999 747 3322. 

United States 
For Embassies and High Commissions, please see the Definitive Caribbean Guide to Barbados - Island Essentials

Citizens of the Unites States can get consular advice from the United States Consulate General in Curacao, PO Box 158, t 5999 461 3066.

Emergencies

Police - 911 
Fire Department - 912 
Ambulance - 913

Medical

The Queen Beatrix Hospital is capable with dealing with most medical emergencies and it has two doctors on 24-hour call, t 318 2371/318 2211.

Nudity

Nudity and topless bathing is not acceptable in St Eustatius.

Places of Worship

Many islanders on St Eustatius are Roman Catholics, Methodists or Seventh Day Adventists, but there are in fact ten different faiths with places of worship here. A strong religious heritage is apparent from the many churches and cemeteries that can still be seen in Oranjestad Upper Town, including the ruins of a Jewish Synagogue (1738), the Dutch Reformed Church (1755) and the Bethel Methodist Church (1831).

Service Charge/Tipping

A service charge of 10% or 15% is likely to be added to your bill. Waiters and bar staff should be tipped between 10 and 15% if a service charge has not already been included in the bill. For taxis and guides, tip at your own discretion.

Time Zone

St Eustatius is in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone, which is four hours behind GMT (Britain in winter) and five behind Europe. During the winter it is an hour ahead of the eastern seaboard of the USA. 

St Eustatius has no daylight saving time, so when the clocks go forward in summer in the northern hemisphere the island is five hours behind Britain, six behind Europe and on the same time as Eastern Standard Time in the USA.

Water

Water is a precious resource on St Eustatius and islanders have traditionally collected rainwater in cisterns. There are also some wells and a desalination plant. Visitors will see signs announcing that the island authorities are now “working hard to bring clean drinking water to each household”. It is safe to drink the tap water on St Eustatius, but most visitors prefer to drink bottled.