Gustavia was named the world's most expensive travel destination. These photos show what it's like to visit the small Caribbean town. (2024)

FAQs

What is Gustavia known for? ›

Nestled in the Caribbean, Gustavia, the quaint capital of St. Barts, is famed for drawing an impressive array of superyachts to its harbor, boasting facilities to host up to 60 yachts as long as 200 feet within its inner harbor, and space for an additional 100 in the surrounding waters.

What are the most expensive countries to visit in the Caribbean Islands? The most expensive countries for travel in the Caribbean Islands are currently Barbados ($350.14), Curacao ($332.35), British Virgin Islands ($330.40), Cayman Islands ($325.26), and Aruba ($324.84).

Barth is typically more expensive than other Caribbean islands, so it may not be the average family's first choice of vacation. The good news is, with a few expert tips, a more affordable St. Barth family vacation is possible.

A travel company ranked the most expensive destinations around the world. The group found that Gustavia, on the Caribbean island of Saint Barthélemy, was the most expensive. Travelers can expect to spend about $1,852 a day while visiting the island town.

For those who truly love to sail, St Barts is considered to have some of the best sailing conditions on the planet. So what makes the world's rich and famous flock to St Barts for a vacation? Simply put, it's a level of exclusivity not found in many other urban areas.

Beautiful beaches

In the heart of the Caribbean Islands, with the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east, St Barts boasts fourteen exceptional beaches set along its 32 kilometers of coastline.

High Demand: The Caribbean is a popular tourist destination, with stunning beaches, diverse cultures, and luxurious resorts. This high demand drives up prices for everything from flights and accommodation to activities and dining.

Traveling to the Caribbean can be an expensive venture with its all-inclusive resorts, especially during the high season when the region is in great demand. Many islands cater to luxury travel but if you are a budget-conscious traveler, you too can enjoy everything the Caribbean has to offer.

Crime. The crime rate is low. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs. Ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times.

Water: The tap water on St Barts comes from a de-salinization plant. While it is technically safe to drink, people on St Barts generally use bottled water for drinking. It is fine to use the tap water for brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, cooking etc.

Can you swim in St Barts? ›

Separated by the rocky outcrop on which sits the legendary red and white hotel Eden Rock St Barths, the beach is an idyllic place to relax and swim be it for just an hour or two, or for the entire day.

St Barts History

St Barts can reliably boast the best hotels in the Americas and some of the best chefs and restaurants. Today, St Barts has no unemployment, poverty, gangs, no fast food, casinos and virtually no crime.

Over the ensuing decades, word spread among billionaire businessmen, royalty, movie stars and pop icons that St. Barts offered an unrivaled combination of stunning natural beauty, relaxed sophistication, luxury accommodations, and most importantly—privacy.

First the bad news: there are no direct flights to St Barts from cities in the continental US, or from any cities in Europe. St Barts' uniquely short runway at Gustav III Airport (SBH) can only accommodate STOL (short takeoff and landing) prop planes seating 18 people or less.

Barts—also known as St-Barth, St. Barths, and Saint Barthélemy—is a French-speaking Caribbean island known for its luxe vibe and flawless beaches.

An irresistible combination of seclusion and prestige. St. Barts is where Hollywood goes to relax and unwind. The tiny French-speaking island east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands is just nine square miles (24 square kilometers) in area.

It is both mountainous, with a maximum elevation of 921 feet (281 metres), and fertile, despite relatively little rainfall. Saint-Barthélemy was occupied by the French in 1648. It was sold to Sweden in 1784 but was returned to France in 1877 after a plebiscite.

“An approximation of Elysium, a place that is geographically paradisiacal, filled with stylish and rigorously exacting hotels and restaurants, but where an inclusive and renegade spirit suffuses every corner.” Those who frequent the world's most luxurious tropical islands and beach enclaves won't have trouble figuring ...