Making the Most Out of Gustavia - St. Barts
Gustavia is the heart, soul, and capital of St. Barth or St. Barts, whichever you prefer, and we love it!
Whether traveling by speed boat, ferry, or yacht to St. Barts, you will reach the harbor in Gustavia and will no doubt head straight into town to get refreshed after your travels.
When looking for a vacation rental on St. Barts, if you are interested in staying where the action is (or where celebrities such as the Kardashians have centered their St. Barth vacations), then you will want to stay in or close toGustavia.
Gustavia is a charming French town, with small boutiques (duty-free) and restaurants peppering its quiet cobblestone streets. If this is your first time or even your 10th, you will enjoy getting lost in this upscale and historic, yet ultimately very chill, Caribbean Island!
"Discovered" by Columbus in 1493, St. Barts was named after his brother, Bartolomeo, and the island was first settled in 1648 by French colonists from the nearby island of St. Kitts. Fast forward to 1946, St. Barts was given the legal status of a Department of France.
All citizens were given French passports and were expected to pay French taxes. In 1957, American millionaire David Rockefeller bought a property, and the island's notoriety quickly spread by word of mouth as it transitioned into an upscale, French-speaking tourist destination.
As you head into town, you will notice classic designer shops such as Hermes, Chopard, and Louis Vuitton. Popular among the rich and famous, as well as US Francophiles who want a taste of the South of France during winter, St. Barts is a chic destination offering a safe, quiet retreat for families and couples alike.
This gorgeous little island is home to an array of stunning beaches (some quieter ones, some clothing optional), quaint local restaurants (read further to hear about a couple of our favorites), and an abundance of designer boutiques.
A Day in Gustavia
During our recent villa tours and inspection trip to St. Barts, we had the pleasure of spending time in Gustavia. As no day in France should start without café and macarons, that’s how we started our mornings on St. Barts. Usually, we popped in at the local La Petite Colombe, which has two locations: one in Colombier and one in Lorient.
Once our appetites were satisfied, we set off for our St. Barts villa tours!
Tip—If you are looking for an American-style coffee, ask for an Americano and let them know if you would like cream beforehand. They do not leave it out on counters like you would usually see at home, at your local Starbucks. In fact, they heat the milk and add it to your coffee to maintain the heat! Sugar is generally left on the counter, and they will also warm up your French breakfast treats!
Gustavia Area Villas
Although all of our St. Barts villas are AMAZING (really there's no down-market here, just different styles all of which are excellent quality) there were some favorites, including Axel Rocks, pictured below. It's just so glam.
Axel Rocks has been rented by LA and NYC A-listers and is a great option for "partying" adults. The villa boasts incredible, unobstructed views of the Caribbean and an infinity pool...with an "underground" window to peek at the swimmers—guaranteed fun!
While a fun setting for adults, we felt it wasn't the best villa for kids, as it has spiral staircases and floors that aren't friendly to little wet feet!
Axel Rocks
You can check out all the villas in our Gustavia collection, as there are quaint homes close to town and those that overlook Gustavia harbor. It's the perfect location for people who want the privacy of a villa and ease of access to all the bars and services in town.
Time for Refreshments in Gustavia
We get it. You are on vacation, so we set out to find the best spot to enjoy great food and bevvies.
For lunch, we stopped at The Fish Corner for the catch of the day, and (for real) it was probably the best fish we had on the trip! The shop is relatively small, so arrive early as they run out of fresh catch.
The restaurant is perfect for couples or small groups, but is most likely too small for large family dining. If you're with a large group, we suggest sneaking away to experience this special spot.
Tip – If you find yourself struggling to understand the French menu, keep looking, as there is usually an English version at the end. If not, ask the waiter.
Le Select
Finally, it's late afternoon, and we are ready for a beer! After touring a few local shops serving drinks, we always ended up at our favorite, Le Select.
This is a great bar with outdoor seating and excellent service. Besides the good selection of drinks, the atmosphere alone is worth the stop. There's an island vibe, and you will usually catch the locals hanging out here as well. It's the perfect juxtaposition of Jimmy Buffett meets upscale St. Barts.
Fine Dining in Gustavia
Gustavia features fine-dining options to please any palate, from sushi to Italian to local seafood, so you will have plenty of options when choosing where to enjoy island cuisine! We had the opportunity to dine at Bonito, a beautiful French restaurant featuring fresh seafood and contemporary dishes. It is also vegetarian-friendly.
The ambiance is just as incredible as the food, offering panoramic views of the harbor and the sparkling lights of Gustavia below. Trust us, this is a fine dining experience you don't want to miss!
Local Customs
St. Bart is incredibly safe. In fact, we often left our car doors unlocked, as many locals do (yet we always suggest locking any valuables and keeping them out of sight -what people can’t see they don’t want). Please always be polite to locals and tourists; a friendly "Bonjour" can go a long way.
We were also told that honking your horn is considered very rude, so you will notice a lack of it while visiting. Chill and remember that you're on holiday in one of the world's most posh and coveted destinations.
Exotic Estates – St. Barts Expertise
At Exotic Estates, we are genuinely Luxuriously Local and have gone above and beyond to prepare you for a carefree trip to the island. St. Barts and Gustavia are exceptional, and you will feel the local love almost immediately upon arrival.
We have toured St. Barts from North to South and East to West, and we cannot wait to share these stunning Caribbean vacation villas with you! For more insights, read about our trip tto the other side of the island, where we visited Flamands, St. Jean, and Grand Cul de Sac!
If you have any questions about St. Barts or where to stay in Gustavia, you can reach us at 888-628-4896 or reservations@exoticestates.com.
By John Di Rienzo
Team Exotic Estates & Luxury Travel Specialist
Updated March 2026
