St Barths is a paradise of lush green hills, pristine beaches and perfect sailing conditions. It is also home to some of the world’s most luxurious hotels and villas, as well as an enviable array of top-notch restaurants.
The island has an enormous range of traditional and upper-end recreational activities, including scuba diving, snorkeling (amazing coral reefs), deep sea fishing, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, and beach activities like sunbathing and relaxing. The island also hosts a rich blend of music, from calypso and merengue to soca, zouk and reggae.
One of the most striking aspects of St Barths is its incredible biodiversity. It is the home to 183 species of fish, 54 varieties of coral and 60 types of sea sponges.
It is also the home to a large number of wild goats, who roam freely on the island’s expansive shoreline. They are easily spotted on many of the hiking trails.
In the 19th century, St Barths went through several rough times and suffered from a variety of natural disasters. However, its resilience to the elements has made it a popular vacation destination ever since.
While the cosmopolitan lifestyle of St Barths is not without its own charms, it is still rooted in its pre-Columbian past. In 1493, Columbus discovered this tiny Caribbean island. He named it after his brother, Bartolomeo.
After that, the island was inhabited by the Ciboneys and later by the Arawaks. It was only after the French took over that the island started to transform into the ritzy, glitzy St Bartholemy we know today.
As a result, the island is filled with luxuries that are hard to find elsewhere in the world. This includes a wide variety of luxury hotel suites and villas, most of which come in at world-class five-star standards.
Besides its countless fine restaurants, the island is also known for its stunning beaches and lush tropical forests. In fact, it is often described as the most beautiful place in the Caribbean.
It is also famous for its fusion cuisine that incorporates fine French cuisine with the Caribbean flavors of its surroundings. There are a number of fine restaurants that feature a wide variety of cuisine, from Creole to Asian and Mediterranean to American.
In addition, there are a number of casual, yet delicious, restaurants on the island where you can enjoy great local foods. For example, Le Tamarin, which is open from lunch to dinner, serves a delectable menu that combines French and Creole cuisine with a touch of Italian flair.
Aside from its superb restaurants, the island also has a lively cultural scene. Some of the best-known festivals include the annual Gourmet Festival, where chefs from France, Italy and other regions of the world come to prepare a feast for the senses.
The annual St Barths Music Festival is another must-attend event that attracts an incredible lineup of musicians. There are a number of musical performances that take place during the festival, from symphony orchestras to philharmonic groups.