St. Barts Travel Guide
Useful Tips
Traveling to St. Barts? Here’s all the information you need.
Official Language
French
Capital
Gustavia
Currency
Euro
Time Zone
UTC-4
St Barts, also known Saint Barthélemy or St. Barths, covers 25 square kilometers. It is located in the French West Indies and located 250 km (160 miles) east of Puerto Rico. It is southeast of Saint Martin and Anguilla, northeast of Saba and and St Eustaticius and north of St Kitts.
Along with Guadaloupe, Martinique and Saint Martin, these islands make up the French West Indies.
St Barts is known for its chic hotels, restaurants and crowds. It’s perfect for travelers looking for a luxurious holiday based around beautiful beaches, great dining and nightlife.
Climate and weather in St. Barts:
The average annual rainfall of St Barts is 1,000mm. Winter (dry season) is from December to April and summer (rainy season) is from May to November. The average temperature is around 25C (77F) and can rise up to 32C (90F). There is much sunshine throughout the year (even during rainy season) and the island is not so humid.
Getting to St. Barts:
Many international commercial airlines stop in neighboring Saint Martin, which is a hub that connects islands via regional carriers. There are also many ferries that operate from Saint Martin to St.Barths. San Juan also has connecting flights.
Getting around St. Barts:
There are no ride share companies that operate on the island. Taxis are regulated and can be booked via your hotel.
Things to do in St. Barts
Sailing, jet skiing, ATV island tours, shore fishing, surfcasting, kitesurfing, hiking, snorkeling, surfing, scuba diving are all popular activities on the island.
- Stroll through Gustavia’s high end and luxury stores including Hermes, Louis Vuitton and Cartier.
- Venture down the rocky paths to get to Grand Fond Beach, one of St. Bart’s most beautiful bays, where you can find natural pools. The beach is covered in rocks and sea shells and not recommended for swimming. You must travel by car to get to this beach.
- Petit cul-de-sac is one of St. Bart’s hidden gems. It’s a little difficult to get to but worth the trek. Visitors can gain access to the natural pools hidden behind the rocks, which have panoramic views of the ocean.
- Hike up Morne du Vitet and take in the beautiful panoramic views. It is the highest point in St.Bart’s at 286 meters.
- Spend the day at some of St.Bart’s finest beaches including Colombier, Saline Beach, Gouverneur Beach, Shell Beach, and Saint-Jean Beach
Events in St. Barts:
St. Barts Bucket Regatta is an annual sailing event that takes place every March.
Les Voiles de St. Barts Richard Mille features yacht races that take place around the islands. This regatta, which occurs every April, attracts some of the world’s largest and luxurious sailing yachts.
St. Barts Film Festival is held every April and showcases international and Caribbean films. The event features workshops, screenings and Q&A with filmmakers and industry professionals.
St. Barts Summer Sessions is held every August and features concerts by international and local artists who perform throughout 11 nights at venues across the island.
St Bart Gourmet Festival takes place every November and features some of the world’s most renowned chefs. Events include cooking workshops, demonstrations and four hands dinners at top restaurants across the island.
Recent Articles
Experience Montserrat, the lush ‘Emerald Isle of the Caribbean.’ This jewel-shaped island emerged from its volcanic ashes to rebirth one of the Caribbean’s most vibrant islands. Sitting at the foot …
- Island Insider
Guyana Insider | Lesa Fleming, Co-Founder and Head of Sales and Marketing at Tourism Guyana
Located on South America’s northern coast, Guyana is a land of remarkable diversity and rich history. Its population is a vibrant mosaic of ethnicities, including Indigenous peoples, Afro-Guyanese, Amerindian, Indo-Guyanese, …
- Island Insider
Island Insider | Stedroy Cabey, British-Montserratian actor shares his tips to Montserrat
Montserrat is a true hidden gem in the Caribbean. In our exclusive interview with our Island Insider, Stedroy Cabey, we uncover insider tips, hidden gems, and much more. Our conversation …
*Urban Journey may earn compensation through affiliate links within this story. If you’re dreaming of sugar-soft beaches, water so clear it looks like liquid glass, and chill island vibes that …
- Island Insider
Island Insider | Baidawi Assing, Food Connoisseur, Cook and Creative Professional in Trindad & Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago is located in the southern Caribbean, just off the coast of South America. The island nation has everything you could ask including luscious landscapes, gorgeous beaches, and a …