St. Barthelemy's Gustavia Harbor is the main port and city on the island. RELATED LINKS Panama City Beach, Florida Coronado Island, California Tamarindo, Costa Rica Kennebunkport, Maine

By Caren Baginski

A visit to St. Barthélemy is an exercise in numbers: 8 square miles, 22 white beaches and only about 7,000 residents. Located in the Caribbean Sea, 150 miles east of Puerto Rico, the upscale St. Barth's (or St. Bart's) is recognized as a retreat for the rich and sometimes famous (Brad Pitt and Tom Hanks have both been spotted). Although the island's official language is French, you'll find English and the dollar are widely accepted.

There's no getting around the expenses you'll accrue from a visit to this tropical island. Getting there is part of the reason the island has remained remote: there are no direct flights to the island's only short runway (http://www.stbarthcommuter.com). To make the most of St. Barth's, rent a car. The island takes only 15 minutes to get around, but it's worth the mobility in order to visit the many beaches, fine dining French restaurants and to escape Gustavia, the island's only town and seaport. French ambience is present in nude beaches and duty-free high fashion shopping.

Beach Guide

• Things to Do


• Places to Stay


• Where to Dine

Things to Do

The Village of Corossol
North of Gustavia, Corossol is a two-street fishing village where you can watch women weave lantana straw into bags, baskets and hats. You might spy the quichenotte, a white bonnet traditionally worn by French women to discourage advances made by English soldiers during the Hundred Years' War. Stop by the Inter Oceans Museum to see more than 9,000 seashells on display, as well a sand collection from around the world.
Corossol
590 27 62 97

Made in St-Barth La Boutique
Island-made pottery, artwork, jewelry and other handcrafts are sold in this boutique in St. Jean. Stop in and take home an authentic souvenir, or browse the collection of local books. While there, stop by the beach. St. Jean is the most popular beach on the island, and the place to go to watch airplanes take off and land on the island's meager airport strip.
La Villa Créole, St-Jean
590 27 56 57

Water sport Rentals
Most of your St. Barth's vacation will be centered around the beach (when you're not enjoying fine dining), and the island has many water sport equipment rentals.
Ocean Must (590 27 62 25) and Marine Service both in Gustavia (590 27 70 34) offer jet ski and sailing rentals as well as snorkeling and diving trips.

Places to Stay

Hotel Guanahani & Spa
Situated between Marigot beach and the Grand Cul de Sac, the Guanahani is the island's largest hotel (70 rooms) and only full-service resort. Perks include private pools, a spa, free internet access and three restaurants. Stylish, contemporary rooms and family suites are open year-round.
Grand Cul de Sac
800-216-3774
www.leguanahani.com

Hotel La Banane
In St. Jean, these nine West Indian bungalows are close to quiet Lorient beach and bay, home to surfers and beach strollers. Nestled among a tropical garden, each Creole-inspired suite has a private terrace. Enjoy two swimming pools with breakfast terraces, a reading library and a bar.
Lorient Bay
590 52 03 00
www.labanane.com

Caribbean Way Luxury Villa Rentals and Sales
Commercial hotels are held at bay on St. Barth's, replaced instead by hundreds of quaint villas for rent. From one to six plus bedrooms, rental homes dot the entire island and come with everything from pools to panoramic views.
877-953-7400
st-barts.caribbeanway.com

Where to Dine

Le Ti St. Barth
With the atmosphere of a big house party, this eclectic, French-Caribbean tavern is recognized for its funky spirit, beefsteaks and vanilla rum. Spontaneous nighttime parties are known to get diners dancing on the tables.
Pointe Milou
590 27 97 71
www.st-barths.com/tom-beach-hotel

Le Sapotillier
A gourmet lover's dream, Le Sapotillier is a romantic eatery serving traditional Provencal specialties you might not find elsewhere on St Barth's. Dine on a candlelit patio and order the pigeon, flown in from Europe, or the frogs' legs fricasse.
Rue Sadi-Carnot, Gustavia
590 27 60 28

L'esprit de Saline
A casual lunch and dinner spot with a menu that changes daily. Former chefs from Maya's (one of the most popular restaurants on the island) serve up Provencal and Mediterranean cuisine.
Saline
590 52 46 10