Updated · by Annie, owner of Villa ONLY VIEW
Before you fly
St Barth is France, so the entry rules are France's. EU citizens travel with an identity card; visitors from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom need a passport and no visa for stays under 90 days. If you do need a visa for France, make sure it explicitly covers Saint-Barthélemy, which sits outside the Schengen area. Rules change, so check the official France-Visas site before you book.
Travel insurance is a good idea in any season and essential between June and November, when a storm can disrupt flights. Pack light: the planes into St Barth are small, bags occasionally follow on the next flight, and nobody dresses up here anyway. A swimsuit and your medicines go in the hand luggage.
Bring a plug adapter if your devices are American or British, reef-safe sunscreen, and insect repellent for the evenings after rain.
Money
The currency is the euro. US dollars are accepted in most restaurants and shops, usually at a round rate that is not in your favour, so paying in euros or by card is simpler. Visa and Mastercard work everywhere, American Express less often. Keep some cash for the bakery and for taxis.
There is no VAT in St Barth, which is why the watches, jewellery and fashion in Gustavia cost less than in Paris, and why the shopping bags on the ferry are so big.
Language and manners
French is the language, and English is spoken in every restaurant, shop and hotel. Say bonjour when you walk in, the way you would in France; it changes the welcome.
Service is included in restaurant bills, as everywhere in France. Rounding up or leaving 5 to 10% after a good meal is appreciated but not expected. Taxi drivers and the housekeeping team are happy with a tip, and nobody will be offended without one.
Driving and getting around
Rent a small car. The island has one main road and a lot of steep, narrow lanes; a Mini Moke or a small SUV is easier to park than anything bigger, and parking in Gustavia at dinner time takes patience. You drive on the right, and your home driving licence is fine for a holiday.
Taxis exist but are few and do not cruise: book them ahead for dinner returns, or ask us, we have the drivers' numbers. There is no ride-hailing app. Gas stations close on Sundays, so fill up on Saturday.
We can have a rental car waiting at the villa for your arrival. Tell us your flight and the size of car you like.
Time, power, water, phone
St Barth is on UTC−4 all year, with no daylight saving. That is one hour ahead of New York in winter and the same time in summer; Paris is five hours ahead in winter, six in summer.
Electricity is 220–230 volts with European two-pin plugs (types C and E). American devices need an adapter and, for hairdryers and the like, dual voltage.
Tap water comes from the island's desalination plant and is safe to drink; many people prefer bottled water for the taste. The villa has 5 Gbps fibre Wi-Fi, faster than most offices.
Phone numbers are French (+590). Your operator's roaming rules apply, so check them before you land, or simply use the villa's Wi-Fi.
Shopping and food
The supermarkets are in Lorient (5 minutes from the villa), St Jean and Gustavia, and the bakeries open early. Many shops close at lunchtime, on Sunday afternoons and on French public holidays; the villa's housekeeping doesn't run on Sundays and holidays either.
If you want the fridge full when you land, tell us before you arrive and we will point you to the right shops. Our concierge can also arrange a private chef for one evening or for the whole week.
Health and safety
St Barth has a hospital in Gustavia (Hôpital de Bruyn) for emergencies, doctors in town, and pharmacies in Gustavia and St Jean. The emergency numbers are 15 (medical) and 112.
The sun is strong all year, the sea can have currents on the Atlantic side and at Saline and Gouverneur after a swell, and mosquitoes come out at dusk. Our pool is not fenced, so small children need an adult nearby, as everywhere on the island.
What nobody tells you
The airport closes at sunset, so a late connection in St Maarten means a night there or the ferry. Restaurants book up weeks ahead between Christmas and March; send us your wishlist and we will reserve. September and October are the quiet months, when many places close for their own holidays. And bring less than you think: you will live in a swimsuit.
Useful links
“Less is more. The view is everything.”
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