- Turks and Caicos
- Antigua
- Anguilla
- Sint Maarten
- Saint Martin
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Bonaire
- British Virgin Islands
- Cancun
- Cayman Islands
- Cozumel Island
- Cuba
- Curacao
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Montserrat
- Puerto Rico
- Saba
- St Eustatias
- St. Barthelemy (St. Barts)
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent & The Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- US Virgin Islands
- Venezuela
St. Barthelemy (St. Barts)
Communication
Telephone Services: Fax and cablegrams at Landsradio, Van Tonningenweg. Open Mon-Fri, 0730-1930, Sat, Sun 1200-1800, pay phone on the wall for local calls, accepts only US quarters (US$0.25). For operator assisted overseas prepaid and collect calls, telegrams, telex and fax pay at counter when you place your call.
Getting Around
Car: There is no public transport on the island but cars and taxis can be hired. Driving is on the right, but some roads are so narrow you have to pass where you can. To hire a car you need a driving licence from your own country or an international driver’s licence. Watch out for cows, donkeys, goats and sheep roaming around freely. They are a traffic hazard.
Festivals
Carnival: Another feature common to the two main islands is the pre-Lenten Carnival, said to be more spontaneous and less touristy than most.
History
Both the main islands were sighted by Columbus on his second voyage in 1493, but no colonies were established by the Spanish because the islands were inhabited by the Caribs (who are now virtually extinct); it was not until 1635 that French settlers arrived.
Food & Drink
Food: Restaurants divide fairly neatly into generally very expensive French cuisine or the more moderate créole. There is not much evidence of the plat du jour as there would be in France. Children may find créole food rather spicy. Fast food hamburger bars are not common.
Gustavia
In Gustavia, the capital, there are branches of several well-known French shops (such as Cartier). The small crowd of habitués is mostly young, chic, and French. The food, wine, and aromas are equally Gallic. The harbour or Carénage was renamed Gustavia after the 18th-century Swedish king, Gustavus III, and became a free port, marking the beginning of the island’s greatest prosperity.
Shopping
Wide range of goods available from T-shirts to duty-free luxury goods and fine wines. There are five small shopping centres in Saint-Jean: La Savane, Les Galeries du Commerce, La Villa Créole, Centre Commercial de Sain-Jean and Centre Commercial de Neptune. Gustavia also has lots of shops. St-Barths is the place to find designer labels such as Gianni Versace, Hermès and Ralph Lauren
History
Although called Ouanalao by the Caribs, the island was renamed after Christopher Columbus’ brother, Saint-Barthélémy when discovered in November 1496. It was first settled by French colonists from Dieppe in 1645. After a brief possession by the Order of the Knights of Malta, and ravaging by the Caribs, it was bought by the Compagnie des Iles and added to the French royal domain in 1672.
History
Although called Ouanalao by the Caribs, the island was renamed after Christopher Columbus’ brother, Saint-Barthélémy when discovered in November 1496. It was first settled by French colonists from Dieppe in 1645. After a brief possession by the Order of the Knights of Malta, and ravaging by the Caribs, it was bought by the Compagnie des Iles and added to the French royal domain in 1672.
Government & Economy
St Barts is administered by the sub-prefect in Saint-Martin and is a dependency of Guadeloupe. The island has its own elected mayor, who holds office for seven years. Much the same as Saint-Martin, St Barts relies on its free port status and its anchorages and beaches for the bulk of its revenue.
Other Sports
Tennis: At several hotels, guests take priority: St-Barth Beach Hotel, Manapany, Flamboyant Restaurant, Isle de France, Guanahani. Also at ASCCO in Colombier, 2 lit courts, T276107, AJOE in Lorient, two courts, one lit court, T276763. Some opportunities for hiking.
Horse Riding: At Flamands, Laure Nicolas, T278072.
Food & Drink
Food in St-Barts is expensive. Expect to pay minimum US$25 for dinner per person. There are many excellent restaurants all over the island, mostly French but some Créole and Italian. Very few vegetarian options but nearly all restaurants serve seafood. Several good ones on Saint-Jean beach; the hotel restaurants are generally good.
Festivals
Carnival is held before Lent, on Mardi Gras and Ash Wed. The Festival of Gustavia is 20 August, with dragnet fishing contests, dances and parties, while 24 August is the day of the island’s patron saint, St-Barthélémy, when the church bells ring, boats are blessed and there are regattas, fireworks and a public ball.
Entertainment
Most of the nightlife starts around the bars at Bay Saint Jean In Gustavia at Bar Le Select (closed Sun). In Lurin try Why Not? (open from 2100, disco, billiards, T278867), La Banane Cabaret Show now plays at El Sereno Beach Hotel.
