There are certain St Barts entry requirements that you must adhere to when traveling to the French island. Some of the more important details you should know include the vaccinations you need, as well as the COVID test.
Children and teenagers do not need a vaccine
The CDC says that the best way to protect children is to get them vaccinated. This includes the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine that travelers must have before entering Saint Barths.
St Barths remains a popular destination for US tourists. As of April 2019, it has seen 100 cases of the virus in less than two weeks. In September of last year, 1 in 8 children were not up-to-date with their vaccinations.
The St Barths entry requirements for foreigners are divided into two groups. Travelers who have received a Covid-19 vaccine and travelers who have not.
For the latter, travelers must present proof of a negative PCR test within 48 hours of their arrival. Children under 12 and those traveling alone must also provide a compelling reason for their trip.
Travelers who are fully vaccinated and have had a booster shot can skip this part. If you are not vaccinated or have had a booster, you will need to upload a copy of your test result in your online travel application.
There are also two other mandatory vaccines that you must receive. One is the flu vaccine, which does not have a specific age requirement. And the other is the pertussis vaccine, which requires a series of shots at a minimum.
COVID entry restrictions have been fully lifted
St Barths, an island in the French Caribbean, has been a hotspot for travelers to the United States. But now that COVID entry restrictions have been fully lifted for St Barths, it is open to visitors.
Since the restrictions were dropped, the numbers of COVID cases have increased in St Barths. In fact, the island had 100 cases within two weeks of the restrictions being lifted. The number of cases is going down now. However, the local authorities invested heavily in vaccination and testing.
If you are traveling to Saint Barthelemy, you need to get vaccinated against COVID-19. There is a drive-through test available in the Saint-Jean parking lot in front of the cemetery. You can also get a PCR test at Bio PA’le Antilles laboratory in Gustavia.
Travelers should check the Ministry of Health’s website for more information. It contains updates on current recommendations and restrictions.
Visitors are also advised to wear masks while in public places. These restrictions apply only to health care facilities and ferries. They are not required in hotels or restaurants.
For travel to the Dominican Republic, a negative COVID-19 test result is needed no more than one day before your trip. This is the only pre-travel requirement.
Emergency travel documents (ETDs) accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from St. Martin and St. Barthelemy
Emergency travel documents are issued during times of crisis and disaster. These are usually not valid for multiple journeys and have a shorter validity period than ordinary passports. They may also have a unique look, which can help to draw the attention of border officers.
In the United States, all travelers from the Caribbean must have a valid passport. However, American citizens do not need a visa to enter or re-enter the country for a short period.
Emergency travel documents are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Saint Maarten and Saint Barthelemy. The ETD is an alternative to an ordinary passport and may be issued by an airport or foreign consulate.
Despite the name, an emergency travel document is not a refugee document. Its purpose is to allow a citizen to travel to his or her home country.
Obtaining an emergency travel document may be the best way to go if your passport has been lost or stolen. If you lose your passport, you will be required to fill out an LS01 form to inform the authorities that your passport has been lost.
In St Maarten, an electronic pre-arrival health authorization form must be filled out and uploaded online before you can board a flight. You may be asked to show proof of your vaccination status.
Inter-island flights into St. Barts
St Barts is a small island located in the Caribbean Sea. It is only accessible by long-haul flight or an inter-island ferry. You will probably need a special permit to land in St Barts. The airport is operated by the government-owned regional airline Windward Islands Airways International N.V. Using a five-passenger helicopter, the airline provides medical transportation services and inter-island flights.
Flights to St Barts are not cheap. Some airlines charge more than $300. If you can’t find the cheapest airline, try looking at a travel agent. They can find you alternative routes and rebook your tickets when the fuel quota isn’t met.
Some people choose to fly to Antigua or St Maarten and take a ferry to St Barts. The ferries are relatively cheap. One-way tickets can be as low as $50.
Other options include renting a private charter plane. These low-flying flights offer a bird’s-eye view of the island and the harbor.
You can also book a private boat. There are several companies that provide boat services. Prices vary depending on the number of passengers and the duration of the trip. Most companies limit luggage to 66 pounds.
The most convenient way to reach St Barts is by taking an inter-island flight. For instance, the shortest flight from San Juan to St Barts takes 15 minutes.
COVID test must be within 72hrs for entry to St. Barts
For travelers to St Barths, it is important to note that a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test is required within 72 hours of entry. The results must be typewritten and provide the name of the laboratory where the test was performed, as well as the date and time the test was administered.
It is recommended that you purchase a CDC approved test kit before you leave for St Barths. There are several pharmacies on the island that offer testing services.
While no vaccination is necessary for children, it is highly advisable that they be tested. All guests who are staying more than 7 days should take an additional RT-PCR Covid-19 test.
Upon arrival, visitors should wear a face mask during public transportation, religious ceremonies, and other activities. Masks are also required during airport and ferry terminal security checks.
In the past, travelers who visited Saint Barthelemy with a Covid-19 history were required to undergo an antigen test. However, this requirement was rescinded by the French government in August. As of November 1, 2022, all travel to St Barths is now permitted.
Travelers from countries on the orange list, however, will continue to be required to prove that they are immune to the virus. This includes passengers who have been previously vaccinated.
COVID numbers are increasing slightly since restrictions were lifted
The island of St Barths, a Caribbean island that’s popular with visitors from North America, has been plagued by the COVID-19 coronavirus. In the past two weeks alone, the island has seen a spike in cases. Luckily, there are a number of measures in place to keep the virus from spreading any further. Among them is a COVID-19 vaccine.
The health authorities on the island are well-organized and reactive. They took advantage of Hurricane Irma’s aftermath to get the word out and get people to the clinic. Despite this, there are still a few cases of the virus that have not been reported. If you are planning to make the trip, you will need to be vaccinated against the COVID aforementioned.
St Barths may have a small population, but that does not mean the government can’t do its job. The local health department was able to get a jump on the competition when it came to preparing for the inevitable and figuring out how to track cases in real time. There’s a plethora of free COVID testing available at any number of pharmacies on the island. It is also possible to take the aforementioned PCR test at the Bio PA’le Antilles laboratory in Gustavia.
Kitesurfing in St. Barts
Saint-Barthelemy is a tropical paradise. It is home to many beaches and activities, including kitesurfing. The island is also known for its French-Caribbean cuisine.
The island is one of the most luxurious in the Caribbean. You can choose from villas with infinity pools to luxurious hotels with beachfront views. There are also several high-end shops.
You can rent jet skis or go on a sailboat. These water sports are perfect for exploring the island. Surfers can visit Anse des Lezards for some excellent conditions. If you want to stay away from the beach, head to Colombier Beach. This beach is protected by hills, so it’s not as crowded as others.
St Barts is a popular destination for socialites. It has beautiful, white-sand beaches. Besides kitesurfing, you can enjoy surfing, scuba diving, sailing, and kayaking.
The island offers a wide variety of shopping options, from duty-free goods to designer boutiques. Restaurants serve cuisine from all over the world.
Some of the most popular beaches are the Grand Cul-de-Sac, which is great for windsurfing and kitesurfing. It is also good for fly fishing, kayaking, and swimming.
Another popular spot is Saline Beach. This beach is located on the Atlantic side of the island, and it’s a great place to relax. Several beach clubs are scattered throughout the area.