Saint Barthélemy: Travel Information
An exclusive Caribbean island — an overseas collectivity belonging to France.
About Saint Barthélemy
Saint Barthélemy — commonly known as St. Barts — is a small, upscale Caribbean island known for its luxury hotels, white sand beaches, and high-end yachting and dining scene, drawing visitors primarily from North America. Once administratively attached to Guadeloupe, the island became its own French overseas collectivity in 2007. Politically, it remains an integral part of the French Republic — not an independent country — and its residents are French citizens.
Because Saint Barthélemy shares France's national healthcare system, currency, and emergency services, dedicated travel health guidance for the island is not maintained separately on this site. Travelers preparing to visit should use our comprehensive France travel health guide for vaccine recommendations, healthcare access information, and pre-travel planning. For destination highlights, itineraries, and trip planning specific to Saint Barthélemy, see our dedicated Saint Barthélemy vacation guide.
France Travel Health Guide
Visit our complete travel health guide for France, covering routine and recommended vaccines, healthcare access, and pre-travel planning that also applies to travelers visiting Saint Barthélemy.
Saint Barthélemy Vacation Guide
For destination highlights, things to do, itineraries, and full trip planning specific to St. Barts, visit our dedicated vacation guide on FitToTravel.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Status | Overseas collectivity of France; an EU Overseas Country and Territory (OCT) — not part of the EU itself |
| Main Town | Gustavia |
| Official Language | French (English widely spoken in tourism) |
| Currency | Euro (€) — same as mainland France, maintained by special monetary agreement |
| Emergency Number | 112 — same as mainland France |
| Healthcare System | French national healthcare system, locally administered; serious cases may require evacuation to Guadeloupe or mainland France |
| Typical Access | Small connecting flights from St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, or other Caribbean hubs to Gustaf III Airport (Saint Barthélemy has no direct long-haul flights due to its short runway) |
