St Barthélemy / Island Essentials

All travellers to St Barths will need to know the essential island facts. The information on St Barths shown below is current (2011).

Currency/Credit Cards

The currency in St Barths is the Euro. As part of France, the island falls, unexpectedly given its location, within the boundaries of the European Community. Hotel rates are fixed in Euros, as are all prices in restaurants and shops.

Practically speaking though, it is also possible to pay pretty much everywhere in US Dollars. Restaurants will often offer a dollar rate without being prompted. The exchange rate you will be offered will not necessarily be a good one however, so it may be better to get cash in Euros in advance. There are ATMs at the banks, in Gustavia and opposite the airport in St Jean. 

Credit cards are accepted all over the island, much as you would expect in a metropolitan city, in the restaurants, hotels, shops, supermarkets and petrol stations.

Some restaurants and shops have the option to charge dollar amounts to credit cards registered in the USA (enabling you to avoid the expense of the exchange from Euros into Dollars). They will usually offer the service if they have it, but it is worth asking all the same.

Check-in/Check-out

Unlike most Caribbean islands, where the taxi drivers and associations hold domain over arrival and departure transfers, when you arrive in St Barths you will be collected by the hotel in which you are staying, or by the villa rental company. This will usually be at the airport, but they would be just as happy to pick you up at the dock in Gustavia (just let them know when you are arriving or wish to be collected). Private villas have managers, and so in that case you will be collected too. If you are travelling with a tour operator or travel agent, then they should have told the hotel your arrival time. If you are travelling independently, then let the hotel or villa agent know. 

You may of course have booked a car for your arrival. In that case simply turn right as you exit the Arrivals section of the airport and you will find the car hire booths.

As a general rule, check out is at noon (for hotels and villas). This is because arriving guests from both Europe and the States tend to appear in the afternoon. It also works well for departing guests, who need to be in St Maarten some time after midday to check in for their international flights. If you are arriving earlier from elsewhere in the Caribbean or leaving later on in the afternoon then let your hotel know and they may be able to fix a day room for you. In a villa it will depend on whether there is an incoming rental.

Departure Tax/Taxes

There is a small departure tax in St Barths (€4.50), but it is usually included in the price of your ticket. 

Since 1st January 2008 a 5% government tax has been levied on all accommodation rates. There is no TVA (VAT) on goods and services in St Barths.

Electricity

St Barths has the standard French electrical supply, 220 volts at 60 Hz. British and American appliances need an adapter.

Embassies/Consulates

There is only representation from one country, Sweden, which maintains a Consulate in Gustavia because of its historical connection to St Barths (Sweden leased the island from the French for a hundred-odd years until 1878).

Representation for the US and for European countries is normally through Guadeloupe.

Emergencies

Your first call should be to your hotel front desk, villa manager or villa rental agent. 

For medical emergencies call - 18 
Fire service – 0590 27 66 13 
For marine rescue – 0590 27 70 41 
For police – 0590 27 66 66 

For more information about medical emergencies, check under Medical.

Medical

In case of emergency your first port of call should be your hotel reception, or your villa manager or rental agency, which will put you in touch with one of the doctors on call. There is a simple Accident and Emergency department at Hôpital de Bruyn in Gustavia, which will patch you up if you have a minor accident. However, currently the hospital in St Barths is not permitted to undertake any surgical procedures and so if that is what you need then you will be flown off island, to St Martin for simple operations, but possibly farther afield to San Juan in Puerto Rico or to Guadeloupe. You are advised to check your insurance because it is likely to be extremely expensive. 

No special vaccinations are required to visit St Barths.

Nudity

Toplessness is permitted and takes place everywhere on the beaches in St Barths. Officially speaking complete nudity is illegal. Practically speaking though, you will find that people will take their clothes off at the western end of the two beaches on the south of the island, Anse de Grande Saline and Anse du Gouverneur. The farther west you go the fewer people will wear anything.

Places of Worship

The main Catholic Church, Notre Dame de l’Assomption, is on Rue de l’Eglise in the south of Gustavia and the Anglican Church, St Bartholomew’s, is on Rue Samuel Fahlberg the waterfront in Gustavia. There is also a church in Lorient.

Service Charge/Tipping

St Barths is France, and so in restaurants service is included in the bill, however it is quite unlikely that the staff will receive it, so you may want to reward them with a tip if you feel that they have done a good job.

Time Zone

Like the rest of the Eastern Caribbean, St Barths is 4 hours behind GMT (five hours behind France) and the same as Eastern Standard time in winter in the States. The clocks on St Barths do not change on island in the summer, so it is then five hours behind Britain (six behind France) and an hour behind the States.

Water

Water has been a problem ever since St Barths was first settled. There was never enough rain even for the few people who lived there. And with so many visitors and the considerably increased demand, the island now desalinates huge amounts of seawater. It is expensive to do so and you are asked not to waste it. 

You are generally advised not to drink the tap water on the island. Bottled water is available for purchase at every turn.