The Ultimate Guide to St Barths
Last month, a few of our Jetset World Travel advisors visited one of the most exclusive Caribbean islands – St Barths! We joined our partner, Ultimate Jet Vacations, to experience this prestigious jewel and learn everything we need to know about the island. Our takeaway: St Barths is much more than expected! It radiates the energy of the South of France with a chic Caribbean twist. This French-speaking island is known for its exclusivity, luxe vibes, and flawless beaches.
St Barths is a small but mighty 9-square-mile island that has earned a reputation as a playground for the rich and famous. Yet, this special place has been saved as the best kept secret. It is absolutely glamorous and you’ll see several famous faces right alongside you while you’re dining at the best island beach clubs or snorkeling in the clearest of bays. Not only is it *the* place to be, it’s also extra charming!
How to get to St Barths
With no direct flights from the US, this little gem isn’t super easy to reach, but that’s part of the allure! The Jetset team flew to St Barths via Tradewinds charter from San Juan, though you can also connect from Antigua or St Maarten. This 55-minute flight from San Juan takes you on a smooth journey right up until you arrive to the island, overlooking red-roofed paradise. The adrenaline seekers will love the thrilling touchdown on one of the shortest beachfront airstrips in the world, luckily the Tradewinds pilots make it seem so effortless. Three minutes later, your passport is stamped, your bags are right by your side, and your driver greets you to take you to your home for the next few days. A breeze.
What to do in St Barths
The main town of Gustavía is full of cobblestone streets and hanging lights that lead you to colorful chic boutiques. St Barths is perfect for shoppers who love designer brands. Hermes, Cartier, Bulgari… everything you dream of with the added benefit of it all being tax-free.
The island’s swaying palm trees, wild succulents, citronella scent, and crystalline waters welcome your adventurous spirit. Embark on the Colombier hike leading to a private beach only accessible by foot or hike to Grand Fond’s natural pool. Visit Shell Beach, named brilliantly as it’s a beach entirely covered in shells. Or snorkel at the Grand Cul De Sac bay that is protected by a coral reef barrier, which stops the waves and allows sea turtles to peacefully swim in these shallow waters. Follow their serene swim alongside them, or while you float on a paddle board.
Kitesurfing is also a popular activity in St Barths and is actually world-renowned as a premier kitesurfing destination. That is in addition to all of your favorite water sport activities – paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing, surfing… You can spend the entire day in the water if you wish.
The Nature Reserve of Saint Barthelemy is a protected underwater ecosystem where you can find 45 different coral species and 165 fish species. Witness urchins, shellfish, crustaceans, and sea turtles in their natural habitat. Wild goats are also very common on the island and you’ll be able to spot a few off the side of the road or during your hike!
Where to eat & drink
This is an island for the indulgent, or for the food connoisseurs who love upscale restaurants, incredibly fresh seafood, and delicious French-influenced gourmet dishes. Every single meal we had was divine – freshly baked croissants for breakfast with butter that we still dream of, locally sourced fish cooked to perfection, vegetarian meals that are unparalleled, desserts that awaken all of your senses, and locally made vanilla rum to finish.
The correct way to do St Barths is to dine & dance. Le Ti St Barth is a longtime favorite Caribbean restaurant where first, you feast. And then, the evenings end late with popping champagne bottles and dancing on tables. If you love the beach, Le Petite Plage is a gastronomic experience with your feet always in the sand. Arrive around 8pm for a relaxing and romantic dinner, and stay until 10pm when the music takes over and the drinks starting pouring for a wild night of dancing.
If you’re looking for those legendary St Barths hotspots, Nikki Beach is your must-brunch destination. Located right by Eden Rock, this luxury beach club is the place to be seen and to party in the sand.
Need a break from the high energy? Dine at Tamarin for that tropical oasis feel, or head to L’Isola for a romantic dinner for two in a dark, moody setting. L’Esprit is known for a candle-lit culinary revelation. St Barths has a restaurant for any occasion!
Tips & tricks
When to travel to St Barths
The weather is warm year-round, but it’s good to be aware of high tourist season (late November through early January) and hurricane season (June through November).
Getting around
Cabs can be hard to come by at busy hours of the day and can be fairly expensive. It’s highly recommended to rent a car to drive to the main city of Gustavía or to try out all the gorgeous beaches. Because the island is small, the great thing about having a car is that getting around the entire island only takes about half an hour.
Things to know
Currency: Euro
Calling code: +590
Power outlets: European-style sockets, so bring an adapter plug if needed
Use water efficiently
St Barths doesn’t have any rivers or access to fresh water, so a lot of the water is either desalinated on the island or is imported. Please use water efficiently when traveling!
Where to stay in St Barths
Our Jetset World Travel advisors visited six 5-star luxury resorts on St Barths, each with its own personality and unique experiences for all types of travelers! Whether you’re looking for a quiet honeymoon, a wild getaway with your best friends, or a quality-time family vacation, there is a resort that will bring that dream to life.
Le Sereno
Our advisors spent two nights at this intimate, luxury beachfront property located on the ultra-private, crystal-clear waters of the Grand Cul De Sac. This family-owned resort feels instantly like home. The service is exceptional, the rooms are modern with stunning views of the bay, and the vibe is relaxing and romantic. On the first night, Le Sereno team hosted a special barbecue just for the Jetset World Travel advisors. The mega talented pastry chef stopped by to present us with her homemade tiramisu, a dessert that was talked about for days after. Le Sereno is absolutely ideal for newlyweds or couples looking for a quiet getaway to the Caribbean.
Le Toiny
Next up, our team visited Le Toiny – a haven of privacy and solitude on St Barths. This resort has 22 independent and ultra-comfortable suites situated on a hill that has an incredible view of the lush landscape and stunning blue bay. The contemporary design throughout the property features a charming pop of hot pink throughout the decor! And the best part – each room and suite has its own private plunge pool, as well as a large terrace overlooking the wonderful Toiny Bay.
Take a short 3-minute ride to Le Toiny’s own Beach Club! It’s open to hotel guests and visitors (by reservation only) for that much-needed beach time. Enjoy their amazing bar, a chic boutique shop, a beachfront swimming pool, and modern European cuisine.
Le Barthélemy
Le Barthélemy is set on the Grand Cul-de-Sac’s crescent bay and embraces the Parisian vibes of St Barths. It’s refined and fresh as it is elegant and restorative. You can build sandcastles, snorkel for sea turtles, or do nothing at all. The experience is yours.
At Jetset World Travel, we LOVE resorts that are kind to our planet. Le Barthélemy has a deep respect for its island home. They tackle preservation and protection of the environment, and support the conservation of the bay and its ecosystem. They have even partnered with Coral Restoration, an association committed to the recovery of coral reefs.
During the Jetset team’s tour, we had a sneak peak on the generous welcome amenities for guests! The staff at Le Barthélemy provides exceptional service. Our team had an absolute pleasure getting to know them and their welcome amenities are just a glimpse into the kindness of their team.
Cheval Blanc
This resort hosts 61 rooms, suites, and villas in the midst of their tropical garden. Imagine a French palace in the middle of the Caribbean. Cheval Blanc radiates glamour. Everything feels sun-kissed with the warmth of the rooms, the wooden details of the walls, the design of the rugs, and the pastel tiling of the bathrooms. Follow the garden’s path to the spa for some wellness and restoration with a relaxing massage, invigorating yoga, or a fitness session with a personal trainer. Cheval Blanc is also perfect for your little ones! With a variety of experiences and activities, your children will be endlessly entertained. They also offer tailor-made excursions for the whole family so you can enjoy an unforgettable family vacation.
Hotel Manapany
Meet the St Barth’s only eco-resort! A few of the Jetset advisors were able to stay at this adorable property that prioritizes both sustainability and comfort. Hotel Manapany radiates authenticity and is an ode to Caribbean sophistication with its design. Adorned with dark wooden accents and bright pops of color, this is a sweet & simple lifestyle that makes you immediately feel at home.
With all of Hotel Manapany’s environmental commitments, they have been certified with the Green Key Label! Some of their long list of clean & green promises are:
- Electricity is largely produced by solar panels and lighting is done only by LEDs
- A desalination station to produce its own drinkable water for the entire resort
- Only electric cars are allowed on the 4.2-acre property
- No chemicals are used in cleaning and maintenance, only eco-certified products
Rosewood Le Guanahani
Finally, meet Rosewood’s Le Guanahani! The Jetset team’s stay at this beautiful resort gave us a sneak peek into the Rosewood way of life. Set on 18 lush, secluded acres of its own private peninsula, Rosewood Le Guanahani is the ultimate destination for those who need to be surrounded by all types of water! On one side of the peninsula, you get perfect wavy water if you’ve been missing the ocean in your life. On the other side, you get crystal clear blue water in the bay for snorkeling and a calmer dip. PLUS! There are two pools on property – a family friendly pool on the beach and an adults-only pool at the tranquil spa.
Attention all families! The Rosewood Explorers kids club is one of the best our team saw on the island. It’s open to children ages four to 11 years old and offers a ton of indoor & outdoor activities that highlight the local culture. The resort also offers child care with professional babysitting services in order to give parents some time on their own.
