St-Jean
Go to Saint-Jean for a sandy bay, beach dining and an easy base on the northwest coast of Saint Barthélemy.
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Saint-Jean is a village on the northwest coast of Saint Barthélemy, a French overseas collectivity in the Lesser Antilles. The island's airport sits beside its long bay, so flights land within sight of the water.
The village has a wide sandy beach, a row of beach restaurants and boutiques, and Shell Beach, a small cove where the sand is mostly crushed shell. Eden Rock, a hotel built on a rock at the edge of the bay, draws swimmers and snorkelers. The village suits couples, families who want a beach base, and travelers who like to eat out and shop without long drives. Gustavia, the island's main town, and the quieter beaches on the other coast are a short drive away. The dry season, from December to April, is the usual choice for a visit, and hurricane season runs from June to November. Two to four days covers the bay and a few meals, while a week leaves room for the rest of the island.
St-Jean in five
- Set up an eSIM before you landThe island uses the +590 country code, shared with Guadeloupe. Install the plan before you fly so data works as soon as you arrive.Phones and eSIM
- Rent a small car and drive on the rightRoads around St-Jean are narrow and winding, and parking near the beaches fills fast. Book the car before you land, since the choice is limited at peak times.Getting around
- Carry euros and a cardThe currency is the euro. Some shops also take US dollars, and cards work at most hotels and restaurants.Money and costs
- Check entry rules before you bookSt-Barthélemy is French but outside the Schengen area, so passport and visa rules are not the same as in mainland France.Visas and entry
- Buy cover that includes medical evacuationThe island has a small hospital in Gustavia, and serious cases may need transfer off the island. Check that your policy covers evacuation.Travel insurance
Need to know
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Entry
- Outside Schengen; check passport rules before you book Read more
- Emergency
- 17 police, 15 ambulance, 18 fire; 112 general
- Tipping
- Service usually included; rounding up is the custom
- Time
- UTC-4 year-round, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, peak prices
- FebruaryDry, busy
- MarchDry, sunny
- AprilDry, fewer crowds
- MayDrier, quieter
- JuneHot, wet
- JulyStorms begin
- AugustHurricane peak
- SeptemberHurricane peak
- OctoberStorm risk
- NovemberQuieter, storm risk
- DecemberHoliday peak
Right now in St-Jean
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
29
- Feels like
- 33°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 29 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 65%
Gustavia
04:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today29°28°65%Monday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Tue29°27°31%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Wed29°27°24%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Thu28°26°37%Thursday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Fri28°27°62%Friday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 62%.
- Sat28°26°73%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 73%.
- Sun28°27°56%Sunday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 56%.
Updated 02:28 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Gustaviaabout 15 to 20 min by carThe island's port town, with harbor cafés and boutiques.
- Saint-Martinabout 45 min by ferryA ferry crossing to the neighboring island, with both French and Dutch sides to visit.
- Corossolabout 20 min by carA fishing village known for hand-woven straw bags.
Before you go to St-Jean
Rules for St-Jean, checked
- Check entry rules for your passport on the French foreign ministry site, since St-Barthélemy is outside Schengen.Source
- Drive on the right side of the road, and follow the speed limits posted on the signs, which are slow on the narrow lanes.
- Service is usually included in restaurant bills. Leaving a little extra for good service is the common custom.
- Declare any fresh fruit, plants or meat you carry, since agricultural rules apply in French Caribbean territories.
Plan around St-Jean
Beach, village and villa bases on the island
Read the guideGetting around the islandRental cars, taxis and the narrow roads to the beaches
Read the guideMoney and costsEuros, card use and what a day on the island costs
Read the guideVisas and entryPassport rules for a French territory outside Schengen
Read the guideSt-Barthélemy guideThe island, its towns and the other beaches
Read the guideAll Caribbean destinationsOther islands and how they connect
Read the guideSt-Jean FAQ
How many days do you need in St-Jean?
One full day covers St-Jean Beach and the village. Two days add Gustavia and a boat outing.
Is St-Jean worth visiting?
Yes, for beaches, good food and a slow pace. It is expensive and has few formal sights, so it suits beach and dining trips more than sightseeing.
Where should I stay in St-Jean?
Stay within walking distance of St-Jean Beach if you want to eat out on foot. Choose a room further away if you plan to rent a car anyway.
Can you visit St-Jean as a day trip from Saint-Martin?
Yes, by ferry or small plane, but transfers take most of the day. Stay one night if you want to see the beach after the day visitors leave.
What is the weather like in St-Jean?
Warm year-round, with a dry season from December to April and the hurricane season from June to November.
Do you need cash in St-Jean?
Not much. Cards work in hotels and most restaurants, but carry some euros for small purchases.