Photo by Nolangaskill. White sandy beaches surrounded by coral reefs, lush vegetation that slopes down to the sea, spectacular views and a nightlife that is anything but boring: Saint Barth is this and more. One of the most exclusive destinations in the Caribbean, over the years it has become the vacation spot for famous families, including the Rockefellers and Fords.
Here are all the useful information for organizing a holiday in Saint Barthelemy .
Travel informed: useful information
- Inhabitants : around 100,000
- Capitale: Gustavia
- Languages : The official language is French, Patois and Creole are spoken.
- Local currency : euro
- Climate : tropical, hot all year round, with a relatively cool period from December to April and a hot and humid period from May to November. The temperature varies very little throughout the year
- Vaccinations : no vaccinations required
- Entry requirements : technically it is a French overseas territory, it is part of the European Union and an identity card would be sufficient. However, we strongly suggest that you bring your passport in case you need to stop over or go on excursions to the other islands.
- Distance from Italy : 7,500 km (14-15 hours of flight)
- Travel / health insurance : recommended. With us you get a 10% discount and you have full coverage, 24h medical insurance and unlimited telephone advice. Get
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Where
Saint-Barthelemy or Saint Barts is located is an island in the Antilles which, since February 22, 2007, has become part of the French overseas collectivity . It had previously been a French municipality, part of the DOM-ROM of Guadeloupe.
How to get there
Saint-Barthelemy airport is too small to accommodate large planes. To reach the island it is therefore necessary to make an intermediate stop for the change of vehicle.
- From Milan or Rome : Air France and KLM airline companions depart from Milan Linate. The first makes a stopover in Paris, Amsterdam and Saint Martin, from where Saint-Barthelemy can be reached in about 15 minutes; The second follows the same route except for the stop in Paris.
Compare flights from Rome or Milan – from € 873.00 - From the main European capitals : Air France and Corsair depart from Paris, both offer one-stop travel solutions, with a stop in Pointe-a-Pitre in Guadeloupe, where the vehicle will change, and then reach Saint Barts in about an hour . The average flight duration is 11 to 24 hours.
From Amsterdam instead Air France and KLM depart, following the itinerary listed above (average flight duration from 15 to 30 hours), while from Berlin, always the same companies, respectively make a stopover in Paris, in the case of Air France, and one in Amsterdam, for KLM, before always joining the route described above.
Compare flights to St Barthelemy – from € 783.00
When to go
Info on climate and best period
Month Average temperatures (min / max) Precipitation (days / mm) January 23/29 ° 12 days / 65 mm
February 23/29 ° 9 days / 45 mm
March 23/29 ° 8 days / 55 mm
April 24/30 ° 9 days / 65 mm
May 25/31 ° 12 days / 90 mm
June 26/32 ° 10 days / 60 mm
July 26/32 ° 11 days / 80 mm
August 26/32 ° 12 days / 115 mm
September 26/32 ° 14 days / 125 mm
October 26/31 ° 14 days / 130 mm
November 25/31 ° 13 days / 125 mm
December 24/30 ° 13 days / 95 mm
- Climate : tropical, hot all year round, with a relatively cool period from December to April (called “Lent”) and a hot and humid period from May to November (called “Wintering”). The temperature varies slightly throughout the year: the lows range from 23 ° C in January-March to 26 ° C in June-September, while the highs range from 29 ° C to 32 ° C. In the hottest period, however, the breezes temper the heat a bit. It is possible to swim all year round.
- Best period : from December to April, the least hot and rainy period.
- Period to avoid : from June to November when there is the danger of hurricanes, more likely from August to October.
- Advice : light clothes in cotton or linen, a light sweatshirt and a light raincoat for thunderstorms, a light sweatshirt for the evening from December to March. Snorkeling equipment, water shoes or rubber soled shoes for the coral reef.
10 things to see: beaches and places of interest
Photo by James Temple.
- Gustavia : and the main center of the island of Saint-Barthelemy. The economy of the city, like that of the island, is based on high-end tourism, therefore with luxury shops and exclusive accommodation facilities. In the city there are some of the most important historical testimonies of the island’s past, which cannot be missed.
- Colombier : is a district of Saint Barthelemy which is located in the north-western part of the island. The area boasts the presence of a wonderful white sand beach, surrounded by vegetation, the last beach on the island not to be served by a public road. Secluded beach, also accessible from the sea, enjoys a view of the villa of billionaire David Rockefeller.
- Saint-Jean beach : located on the northern coast of the island, it is the busiest beach in all of San Barth, therefore overcrowded in high season. Its success is due to the large number of bars and restaurants, the numerous hotels and the nearby airport. White sand beach, lined with tall palm trees and a beautiful turquoise sea, the beach is located in the bay of the same name, and offers the opportunity to practice various water sports.
- Gouverneur beach : located on the southern coast of the island and a splendid wild and unspoiled beach, at the foot of a steep hill. Characterized by an almost blinding white sand and a limpid and crystalline sea, in this area you can fully enjoy nature: there is no type of service.
- The fishing village of Corossol : one of the most characteristic places on the island, both because it allows you to admire live the activities and the standard of living of the fishermen, and because, near the settlement, there is a small and uncrowded beach. very wild, which nature lovers cannot fail to visit.
- Fourchue Island : located off the north-eastern coasts of San Barth, the islet is a real Eden, the destination of numerous daily excursions. Here it is possible to relax on an enchanting beach of clear sand, bathed by a turquoise and transparent sea, with sloping bottoms ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
- Flamands Beach : located on the north-eastern end of the island, in the bay of the same name, the splendid beach, characterized by a beautiful white sand so soft that it looks like talc, is ideal for long walks and relaxation. The sea is very clear and crystalline but, given the absence of the coral reef in this area, it is affected by strong and large waves that break on the shore.
- Fort Gustav : located in the city of Gustavia, it was built by the Swedes for defensive purposes in 1787, together with two other structures, the remains of which are not equally preserved in good condition. The ruins are located around the weather station and the lighthouse, scattered on the slope of the hill. The guardhouse, the ammunition depot and the wood-burning oven are still perfectly identifiable.
- L’Anse de Grand Cul-de-Sac : located on the north eastern end of the island and known as “the sports beach”. It is in fact a perfect place to practice water sports. The sea is turquoise, crystal clear and transparent, protected by a wonderful coral reef, ideal for snorkeling.
- Saline beach : located on the southern coast of the island, inside the Anse du Grand Saline bay, it is the longest white sand beach on the island, reachable on foot along a path. Surrounded by a mountainous landscape, with the exception of a couple of restaurants within walking distance, the area is completely wild: this makes it a favorite destination for nudists.
How much does a holiday in Saint-Barthelemy cost
Prices, offers and advice
St Barth is a luxury destination , but booking well in advance and setting the departure date between April and early November (reopening period of the structures before the high season) , you can be able to book your stay by spending an average of € 100.00 to € 180.00 per night. Hotels with less than four stars can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
The island is very small, about 25 sq km, but to move easily it is recommended to rent a car . Prices range from € 20.00 to € 100.00 per day, depending on the type of car chosen and above all on the period.
Saint-Barthelemy is a free port, i.e. it is exempt from taxes.Prices in shops are on average 15% lower than in Europe , but not in all shops, which calculate their prices on American purchasing power. The same goes for the restaurants which, given the “in” setting of the island, mainly offer refined dishes at a fairly high price. The cheapest restaurants are in Gustavia, and they are the ones that offer typical cuisine.
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b starting from € 520.00 per room – see the offers
- Low cost flights: starting from € 873.00 – look at the offers
- Flight + hotel: 1 week starting from € 2,400 per person – see the offers
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