Americas · CaribbeanOutline guide

Saint Barthélemy

Overseas collectivity of France

Photo: Kevin Gabbert - User: (WT-shared) Kevin James at wts wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Saint-Barthélemy is a French island in the Caribbean among the Leeward Islands. St Barts has long been considered a playground of the rich and famous and is known for its beautiful pristine beaches, gourmet dining in chic restaurants and high-end designer shopping. There is one small airport that can only accommodate small prop planes from St Martin and San Juan, and the harbour is too small to accommodate cruise ships. The fact that it is hard to get to is part of the island's appeal.

Know before you go

Answers to what travellers most often look up about Saint Barthélemy.

Exchange rate: €0.89; for 1 US dollar · Euro
Local time: · Gustavia

Language

French

French is the official language of Saint-Barthélemy. Many residents, especially those involved in the tourism industry, also speak English.

French phrasebook

Customs and etiquette

St Barts is very French and very traditional.

All Saints' DayNov 1, Sunday
Armistice DayNov 11, Wednesday
Christmas DayDec 25, Friday
New Year's DayJan 1, Friday

Banks and offices close on these days; lunar holiday dates can move. Dates from Nager.Date

Explore Saint Barthélemy by category

Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.

Sights & nature

Culture & history

Food, stays & fun

Practical

Cities and places to visit

Cities

Gustavia

the capital city, built around a colourful rectangular harbour lined with one- and two-storey shops and restaurants.

Getting around

Public transport and paid services in Saint Barthélemy.

Taxis, car hire and flights

Car rental
You will find a dozen rental companies at the airport. It is possible to rent a car from €33 per day, excluding insurance. The speed is limited to 50 km/h on the island and traffic can be heavy.
Scooter rental
Count €25-60 per day for a scooter. A scooter will allow you to enjoy the beauty of the roads and the breathtaking views.
Taxis
You will find a few taxis at the airport or at the port of Gustavia. Some taxis offer island tours.
Read in the guide

Taxi and ride-hailing apps

Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Saint Barthélemy.

Airports and nearby hotels

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St. Jean Airport

Gustavia · Regional · SBH

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Best time to visit Saint Barthélemy

Mildest, driest months

Jan: Recommended month
Feb: Recommended month
Mar: Recommended month
Apr: Recommended month
May: Recommended month
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.

Weather by month

Average conditions in Gustavia

Avg. highAvg. lowRainfallRecommended month

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg. high	26°	26°	26°	27°	27°	28°	29°	29°	29°	29°	28°	27°
Avg. low	25°	25°	25°	26°	26°	27°	28°	28°	28°	28°	27°	26°
Rainfall (mm)	20	11	16	26	60	40	52	64	88	109	78	40
Humidity	76%	76%	76%	77%	79%	79%	79%	79%	79%	79%	78%	77%

Monthly averages, January 2001 - December 2025. Source: NASA POWER.

Visa and entry requirements

Your passport

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Safety and travel advice

We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.

US Department of State

Level 1 of 4

Exercise normal precautions

Summary of the advice

Exercise normal precautionin Saint Barthélemy. Saint Barthélemy is generally a safe destination for travelers. Saint Barthélemy regularly experiences hurricanes. Review our information on Weather and Natural Disasters in Saint Barthélemy. Review our Travel Guidance for Saint Barthélemy to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.

Updated Aug 20, 2026Read the full advice

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

No advisory found from this source.

Articles about Saint Barthélemy

Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Saint Barthélemy.

Itineraries

Stockholm history tour

The Stockholm history tour is a walk from Gamla stan ("the Old Town"), to Norrmalm in Stockholm. The tour is roughly chronological, from the Viking Age through the Middle Ages, the Swedish Empire and the Industrial…

Wikivoyage

Itineraries

GR 10

The GR 10 is one of the paths and trails of the extensive Grande Randonnée (or GR) network. It crosses France, from the Mediterranean coast to the Atlantic coast, and runs almost entirely through the Pyrenees.

Wikivoyage

Culture & history

Nordic history

This article describes old towns and other remnants in the Nordic countries from the unification of Sweden, Norway and Denmark in the 11th century, to the Industrial Revolution of the mid-19th century.

Wikivoyage

Full travel guide

Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.

UnderstandOddly for a Caribbean island, the population is nearly entirely of European ancestry. The French population, originating from Normandy and Brittany, is one of the oldest in the Caribbean.

TalkFrench is the official language of Saint-Barthélemy. Many residents, especially those involved in the tourism industry, also speak English.

Get inThe flights into St Barts are by small planes ideally adapted to the short runway. The airport is truly one of the most wonderful aviation experiences.

Get aroundSt Barts is a small island and everything is within a half-hour drive. Rent a small 4x4 Jeep but be careful! The roads are narrow, steep and windy, however fun they are to drive on!

See

BuyAs in the rest of France, the official currency is the euro ("€", ISO currency code: EUR). It is divided into 100 cents.

EatBe prepared to spend; everything except fish is imported and it is reflected in the prices.

SleepBudget hotel accommodation is available, as are reasonably priced villas and apartments. However the island does specialise in high end tourism, and the island has some of the best hotels in the Caribbean.

Stay safeSt Barths is without a doubt the safest island in the Caribbean, and one of the safest places in the world. There is virtually zero crime, beyond petty theft.

RespectSt Barts is very French and very traditional.

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Saint-Barthélemy" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Saint Barthélemy", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Kevin Gabbert - User: (WT-shared) Kevin James at wts wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Facts come from Wikidata, the World Bank, the mledoze/countries data set, Open-Meteo and NASA POWER. Safety advice comes from the US State Department and the UK FCDO.

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Overview