Trying to avoid paying crazy ATM fees while traveling in Sint Maarten. Anyone found ATMs that are free for foreign cards? Would love specific banks or locations if possible.
On a budget in Sint Maarten? Stick to Caribbean Mercantile Bank ATMs in Philipsburg if you can. My Visa debit didn’t face crazy fees, and daily withdrawal limits were solid at $1,000 USD. Many locals warned me against the colorful standalone ATMs near cafes since those had ridiculous fees. Best bet is using bank branches for cash needs.
Caribbean Mercantile Bank and Windward Islands Bank have reliable ATMs accepting foreign cards in Sint Maarten, especially near beaches and shopping areas. Fees were moderate-never more than $5. Smaller and hotel ATMs near the cruise terminal seemed to charge higher fees, so I avoided those. Daily limits were fair at around $1,000.
I traveled to Sint Maarten and mostly used Caribbean Mercantile Bank ATMs around Front Street in Philipsburg. My Mastercard worked fine and the fees were reasonable, about $3 to $5 per withdrawal. If you want to save on fees, bring a travel card like Wise or Revolut, as some smaller ATMs can get pricey. Pull bigger amounts to lessen fee impact.
In Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, the best ATMs for foreign cards are from the Caribbean Mercantile Bank and Windward Islands Bank. I used my Visa debit card at their ATMs and didn’t get hit with crazy fees-usually just a small fixed fee or sometimes none. Daily withdrawal limits were around $1,000 USD. Avoid standalone or tourist-area ATMs that often charge more.