Tipping etiquette in St. Maarten can be confusing because the island is divided into a Dutch side (St. Maarten) and a French side (Saint Martin). On the Dutch side, tipping follows the North American style; it is customary to leave 15% to 20%, as service staff often earn a lower base wage. However, many restaurants on the Dutch side automatically add a 15% service charge to the bill. You should check your receipt carefully; if "Service Charge" is included, you are not obligated to leave more, though a small extra "tip" for excellent service is appreciated. On the French side, European laws require that service be included in the price (service compris). Legally, you do not have to tip, but it is common practice to "round up" or leave a few extra Euros (about 5-10%) as a gesture of satisfaction. In 2026, many restaurants on both sides have modernized their systems to explicitly state whether the service charge goes to the house or the staff, so if you are unsure, it is perfectly acceptable to ask your server "Is the gratuity included?"