Last update: 22 Oct 2026
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Saint Barthélemy Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
Saint Barthélemy – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type E
Type C:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 4/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted in Saint Barthélemy, particularly in restaurants and hotels.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not mandatory in Saint Barthélemy, but it is appreciated. A 10% tip is common in restaurants. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is generally allowed in designated areas, but there are strict rules for public behaviour. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces, such as restaurants and enclosed areas. |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | None |
| Other: | Saint Barthélemy is a French Caribbean island known for its upscale tourism, beautiful beaches, and French culture. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Saint Barthélemy, Saint Barthélemy
Peak season mid December to April; Christmas and New Year week are the busiest, with prices at their highest and villas booked months ahead
Many hotels, restaurants and shops close for several weeks from September to October, often into early November
Hurricane season June to November, most active August to October; flights and ferries can be disrupted at short notice
Don't miss
- 🏖️ Relax on the idyllic Colombier Beach
- ⛰️ Hike to the summit of Morne du Vitet
- 🐠 Discover marine life in the Nature Reserve marine zone
- 🏰 Explore historic Fort Gustave with panoramic views
- 🤿 Snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of St. Jean Bay
- 🍽️ Dine at chic seaside restaurants in Gustavia
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Saint Barthélemy?
Visitors are drawn to St. Barts for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters and exclusive resorts providing privacy and luxury. The island also offers a rich cultural blend with gourmet dining, boutique shopping and lively festivals. However, expect high prices and limited budget options. The island’s steep roads and rugged terrain can also be challenging for some visitors, especially those with mobility limitations.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🎈Events
-
St. Barts Music Festival
-
Heineken Regatta
-
Les Voiles de St Barth
-
Gustavia Christmas Festival
-
St. Barts Film Festival
-
Saint Barth Bucket Regatta
-
Carnival of St. Barts
-
Saint Barth Seafood Festival
-
New Year Fireworks
-
Art Basel Miami satellite events
Knowledge before you go
- Pack light, breathable clothing for tropical weather.
- Carry a small amount of local currency; many shops accept only cash and credit cards are limited in remote areas.
- Check the latest travel advisories and health guidelines before departure, especially regarding COVID-19 protocols and vaccination requirements.
- Explore the island’s hidden coves early morning to avoid crowds and enjoy pristine snorkeling spots near quiet beaches.
How to travel to Saint Barthélemy
Saint Barthélemy is accessed mainly via Gustaf III Airport with small regional flights from nearby Caribbean hubs like Saint Martin. Ferries also connect from Saint Martin and other islands. Larger international flights arrive in Saint Martin or Guadeloupe, requiring onward connections.
Access summary
- Fly to St Maarten (SXM); 10-min prop flight to SBH.
- From Guadeloupe (PTP): Direct small plane to Gustaf III (SBH).
- No airlines based here; Winair from neighbors, no alliance.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Saint Barthélemy
Accommodation is luxurious with many exclusive resorts, villas and boutique hotels. Due to its high-end reputation, lodging options tend to be expensive and suited for upscale travelers. Booking well in advance is recommended.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Saint Barthélemy
The island is small and best explored by renting a car or scooter, as there is no public transportation. Roads can be narrow and steep, so caution is advised for drivers unfamiliar with hilly terrain. Walking is common within towns like Gustavia.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in the region are around 16% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Saint Barthélemy is generally safe with low crime rates. Usual travel precautions apply, especially regarding valuables in busy tourist areas. Driving requires care due to narrow and steep roads.
Health & Medical
Basic medical facilities are available, but for major emergencies patients may be transferred to larger Caribbean islands. Travelers should have comprehensive insurance and bring necessary medications.
Accessibility
Accessibility in public spaces and hotels varies; natural terrain and narrow streets may not be suitable for visitors with mobility issues. Planning ahead and contacting accommodations about accessibility is advised.
Tap water
Tap water is generally safe to drink, but bottled water is commonly used by visitors. Many hotels and restaurants provide purified water.
Packing recommendations for Saint Barthélemy
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
for scenic views
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🧥
Waterproof jacket
🕶️
Sunglasses
🩱
Swimwear
🤿
Snorkelling gear
🔋
Power bank
🩹
Basic first aid kit
👒
Sun hat
📃
Travel insurance
👕
Quick-dry clothing
👛
Cash in multiple currencies
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
🩺
Prescription medicines
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
🛂
Passport
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