Short
Description A trendy island with a French flair, St. Barths offers world-class shopping and trendy restaurants combined with unspoiled beaches perfect for sunbathing and scuba diving.
Destination
Highlights Trendy restaurants and botiques
World famous shopping
Uncrowded, pristine beaches
Local
Weather Temperatures range from 72° to 86° F. Climate is dry with an average rainfall of 45 inches per year.
Other
Destinations
Description St. Bart's, as it's called, is eight square miles and just a short air hop from the island of St. Martin. But it's worlds away. Where it is matters less to those who return year after year than what it is -- the singular chic island enclave for its European clientele. Gustavia harbor is heaven to those in touch with the good life -- a small and elite corner of the French Caribbean.
The island is neat as a pin, charming and obviously affluent, though luxury stays on a comparatively small scale. Casual good taste is the rule. Days are spent boating and beaching or lolling on the decks of chic hotels, waiting for meal time, with advance reservations to tick off one more recommendation on a long list of fine local French restaurants. Food here is fabulous. Wine lists are legendary. And a large part of the sightseeing takes place from good tables at the island's eateries.
If you seek true island simplicity, drive out to the small settlement at Corossol where shy ladies in crisp Breton sunbonnets weave intricate patterns with latania palms. Then stop to view the sunset from the lighthouse at Fort Gustave. Otherwise, the basics are the best. Grocery stores are gourmet. Department stores are duty free. Boutiques are bountiful. Credit cards come in handy. It's not cheap, but those who choose it say it's well worth the price.
Small, pristine and deliberately uncrowded, St. Barthelemy is as European as it gets in the Caribbean. Known as the "Cannes" of the islands for its chic, trendy attitude, deluxe accommodations and the scores of celebrities who frequent her, St. Barth's is a place for people with as much leisure money as time. The island's amenities include terrific diving, snorkeling and sun bathing on beaches that are the Caribbean's finest (and cleanest). The French flair is apparent in the rich, authentic cuisine that you'll enjoy at any number of posh restaurants overlooking fishing villages with harbors full of yachts and sailboats.
Local Information The official currency of St. Barths is the Euro, however U.S. dollars are widely accepted and prices are often listed in both currencies. The official language is French, but English is also spoken. The electric current on the island is 220 volts, so remember to pack an adapter. For island exploring, car rentals are about $60+ a day. Scooters are available and helmets are required by law. Driving is on the right, and a valid foreign or international license is required.
Airport
Information Service into Gustavia III Airport (SBH). Connections are through St. Maarten (Juliana Airport) then on to St. Barth via Air St. Barth, Air Guaeloupe, Air St. Martin or Windward Airways. Also, through San Juan, Puerto Rico and Guadeloupe. A departure tax of $5 US per person is payable at the airport upon departure.
Entry
Requirements We recommend all U.S. Citizens travelling abroad should carry a passport due to heightened security at airport check-in and immigration. If you do not have a passport or are not an American citizen, please contact your airline or your local consulate or embassy in regards to travel documentation necessary for your vacation.
