Island, Saint Barthelemy
St. Barts
Small, polished French island of villas, beaches, boutiques and fine dining. Safe and scenic but very expensive; best for a short splurge, not a long budget stay.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$9,000–14,630Comfortable, one person · €8,000–13,000Details
- Best time to goDec–AprWarmest: Sep, 29°CDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is desalinated and meets French standards, though many prefer bottled.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$45–90Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundTaxiWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards are accepted almost everywhere; euros are the currency.Details
Where to stay in St. Barts
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Gustavia | Harbor town: shops, restaurants, ferries, walkable |
| St. Jean | Beach, hotels and airport area |
| Flamands–Colombier | Quiet north side, villas and beaches |
Apps that work in St. Barts
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Taxis: No ride apps. Taxis use fixed-ish rates, are dispatched by phone, and wait at the airport and Gustavia harbor.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Saint Barthelemy.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards are accepted almost everywhere; euros are the currency. Some beach shacks and small shops prefer cash.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs in towns; euro-area cards withdraw without extra fees, others pay their bank's foreign fees.
- Tipping: Service is included in prices; round up or leave a few euros for good service.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless cards work in shops, hotels and restaurants.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Outside the Schengen area: a Schengen visa or ETIAS does not automatically cover it. Check France-Visas for your nationality.
- A yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk.
- Arrival is by small plane (from Sint Maarten, Guadeloupe) or ferry from Marigot or Philipsburg; cruise ships anchor off Gustavia.
Emergency numbers
Police 17 · Ambulance 15 · Fire 18 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, D, E · 220 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
EU SIMs roam at home prices. Otherwise buy an Orange or Digicel prepaid SIM with passport on Saint Martin before crossing. eSIMs work for visitors.
Going to St. Barts solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.