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St. Barts GuideThis small, hilly island, named by Christopher Columbus, is variously called Saint-Barthélemy, St. Barts, and St. Barths, and it is one of four territories in the Caribbean that make up the French West Indies. A well-known stomping ground of the rich and famous, St. Barts' main draws include its secluded beaches, fashionable shops, renowned restaurants, and development control that has prioritized privacy and exclusivity; to date, the island-virtually crime-free-has no large hotels. Also, its only port is not accessible by large cruise ships, and its high passenger port charges discourage other ships. The lack of large boats coming and going from St. Barts leave the waters perfect for a wide range of watersports, including surfing.
Capital
Gustavia
Official Language
French (Almost everyone on the island speaks English, however.)
Politics
In February 2007, St. Barts became an overseas collectivity of France; as such, the people of the island are still subject to the French constitution, but also gain greater autonomy as relative to local issues.
Population
Approximately 7,000 - St. Barts is one of the few islands in the Caribbean in which most of the native population is of European origin. French-speaking descendants of Norman and Breton settlers make up the majority of the population, but there is also a unique Swedish influence in St. Barts, attributable to the island being the only Caribbean colony Sweden ever possessed (1784-1878). Since the 1980s, the population of St. Barts has doubled, with thousands of affluent foreigners-mostly Americans-who, lured by the sophisticated lifestyle, wonderful weather, beautiful beaches, and the promise of privacy, make St. Barts their second home.
Industry
As with many other Caribbean islands, tourism drives the economy of St. Barts. Other industries that impact the economy include sugar and banana plantations and fishing.
Money
The Euro is official currency of St. Barts. The island has modern banking facilities, including several ATM machines. Most major businesses, hotels, and restaurants accept major credit cards and travelers' checks. Most establishments will also take the US dollar, although the exchange rate may not be favorable. Bank hours vary, but generally they are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to noontime and 2:00 p.m to 3:30 p.m.
Electricity
220 Volts alternating at 60 cycles per second (Converters are necessary for American-made appliances.)
Time
Like most of the Caribbean, St. Barts is in the Atlantic time zone, four hours behind Greenwich Mean Time and one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time. When daylight savings time is in effect, on the other hand, the time in St. Barts matches the time on the East Coast of the United States.
Water
St. Barts is an arid island, and, therefore, water has always been a limited resource. In order to meet the island's need for water, a central desalinization plant converts saltwater to drinking water. So, while one can safely drink the tap water of St. Barts, bottled water is available throughout the island and recommended as a conservation alternative.
Religious Services
St. Barts has three Roman Catholic churches that all hold services at various times, and St Barts Anglican Church holds its services on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m.
Telephone Calls
Somewhat confusingly, the country code for St. Barts is 590 and local area code is also 590. (The code for calls to a mobile phone is 690.) The island has only three coin-operated public telephones for making local and international calls, and the use of a Télécartes prepaid phone card can make calls from these phones easier and less expensive. Télécartes are available for purchase at the Gustavia, St Jean, and Lorient post offices as well as at the gas station near the airport.
Media
Le Journal de St. Barts is a weekly newspaper that features local news and happenings as well as information for visitors. There are also a number of publications on the island specifically targeted toward visitors. Radio Transat is a local radio station.
Postal Service
Located in Gustavia, the main post office in St. Barts is open five days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m; it is closed on Wednesday, Sunday, and Saturday afternoon. There are also branches in Lorient (open from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. weekdays and from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday) and at the St. Jean Commercial Center near the airport (open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Wednesday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.) Airmail to the United States and Canada generally takes one to two weeks to reach its destination, while mail addressed to the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe may take up to three weeks. Courier services are also available.
Library
St. Bart's public library, located in Gustavia, is open Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to noon.
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