Essentials
- City
- Colombier, Saint Barthélemy (St. Barts), French West Indies
- Population
- Approximately 1,000 (Island total approx. 10,000)
- Internet Speed
- 40-100 Mbps via Starlink or Dauphin Telecom Fiber optic
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (€); 1 EUR ≈ 1.08 USD. US Dollars widely accepted at varying rates.
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; most residents use desalinated water or cisterns. Buy bottled Cristaline.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets (French standard)
- SIM Card
- Dauphin Telecom or Digicel; approx. €35 for 20GB. Available in Gustavia.
- Banking for Expats
- BNP Paribas, Saint Barth Banque. Revolut and Wise are highly recommended for nomads.
- Accommodation
- Luxury villas and high-end rentals via St. Barth Properties or Airbnb.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) accepted almost everywhere. Amex less common.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Eden Rock Villa Rental, and Gîtes (local guest houses) starting at €300/night.
- Budget Accommodation
- Virtually non-existent; 'Auberge de Terre Neuve' is one of the few modest options (approx. €180/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Saint-Jean (for beaches/nightlife) or Gustavia (for shopping/dining).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Colombier (quiet, scenic views) or Lorient (locally grounded, slightly more accessible).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None officially; most use 'Le Barthélemy Hotel' lounge or private villas.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Cartier (Gustavia) or L'Amandier (Saint-Jean) for early morning sessions with Wi-Fi.
- Networking Events
- St. Barth Yacht Club events or evening mixers at Bagatelle Gustavia.
- Social Events for Expats
- Facebook Group 'St Barth Community' and Friday night gatherings at Ti St Barth.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Bolt. Use St. Barth Taxi (WhatsApp based); fares start at €25.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Barthloc or Top Loc in Gustavia. Scooters approx. €35-50/day.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Anse de Colombier (accessible only by hike or boat).
- Top Regional Airline
- St Barth Commuter (Flights to St. Maarten/Guadeloupe).
- Top International Airline
- Winair or Tradewind Aviation (connecting via San Juan, PR).
- Highway Access
- Only narrow local roads; the main road connects Gustavia to Lorient.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- None. Gustaf III Airport (SBH) is the primary transport hub.
- Public Transport Passes
- No public bus system exists on the island.
- Regional Travel
- Great Bay Express or Voyager Ferry to St. Maarten (approx. €75-90 round trip).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hôpital de Bruyn in Gustavia (Basic care; emergencies evacuated to Guadeloupe).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- St. Barth Yoga (Private sessions in Colombier/Villa-based).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Form Fitness in Lurin (approx. €25 day pass/€150 month).
- Laundry Services
- La Blanchisserie de l'Anse in Saint-Jean (Wash & Fold services).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Delifood St. Barth (Very efficient via web/app).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Accras de Morue (Salted cod fritters) and Lobster Thermidor.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- So Cuisine in Saint-Jean (Plant-based deli and healthy bowls).
- Best Dessert Spots
- La Petite Colombe (The bakery in Colombier/Lorient) for Pain au Chocolat.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Super U in Saint-Jean (The main supermarket for 'reasonable' prices).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.fr (Shipping is slow and expensive due to customs).
- Grocery Delivery
- Marché U via the Delifood app.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Baz Bar or Le Selman in Gustavia.
- Local Brewery
- No local brewery; most drink Carib or President beer.
- Wine Bars
- Le Papillon Ivre in Saint-Jean (Excellent French selection).
- Street Food Stalls
- Chez Rolande in Lorient (Creole snacks and casual takeout).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Tamarin (Saline) for tropical French fusion; Black Ginger (Gustavia) for Thai.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The view from the Colombier Lookout point.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Wall House Museum in Gustavia (Free admission, local history).
- Historical Sites
- Fort Karl overlooking Gustavia Harbor.
- Religious Sites
- Anglican Episcopal Church (The 'Stone Church') in Gustavia.
- Annual Events
- St. Barths Bucket Regatta (March) and Gourmet Festival (November).
- Cultural Districts
- Gustavia Town Center (Swedish heritage architecture).
- Theater Venues
- Théâtre du Château (Casual outdoor performances occasionally).
- Local Markets
- Gustavia Fish Market (Fresh arrival around 7:00 AM daily).
- Music Scene
- Live jazz and lounge music at Le Barthélemy.
- Street Art
- Limited; look for local murals in public school areas in Lorient.
- Cooking Classes
- Private chef classes via 'Chef Julien' in your rental villa.
- Art Galleries
- Eden Fine Art and Space Gallery in Gustavia.
- Historic Buildings
- The Brigantin (former Swedish government building).
- Local Heritage
- The traditional straw weaving (Vannerie) from Corossol.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- The Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Barthélemy (Marine protected area).
- National Parks Nearby
- The entire coastline is protected by environmental codes; no 'National Park' by name.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The goat paths from Colombier to the beach (Steep but scenic).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Point de Colombier for sunset views over the neighboring islands.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Salt ponds of Saline and Grand Fond.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Prohibited on all beaches to protect turtle nesting sites.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL and FedEx agents located in Gustavia.
- Tech Repair Services
- iShop St Barth (Official Apple reseller) in Manglier.
- Table Tennis Spots
- The AJOE community center in Lorient.
- Language Classes
- Le Centre de Formation (limited French courses for expats).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Bibliothèque de Gustavia (Small but quiet for reading).
- Community Centers
- AJOE in Lorient (Hub for sports and local cinema).
- Gaming Lounges
- Non-existent on island.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Gambling is illegal on Saint Barthélemy.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €25,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €750,000 in Gustavia)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €18,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €540,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €22,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €1,100,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €16,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €800,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €20,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €1,600,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €15,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €1,200,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 0% for local companies with the 'Statut d’indépendance' (after 5 years residency).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% for residents under the local tax status.
- Tax System
- Territorial; 0% Income Tax for residents of 5+ years; otherwise French national tax applies.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 0% (Local St. Barths Status) / 45% (If under French mainland tax jurisdiction).
- VAT
- 0% (The island is a duty-free port).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Applicable under French anti-avoidance laws.
- Property Tax
- 0% (No habitation or land tax under local status).
- Property Transaction Tax
- Droits d'enregistrement of approximately 5% paid at notary.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Extremely high (0% tax) if you can fulfill the 5-year residency requirement.