One of the things I love reminding my community is this: you don’t always need a full week off to experience somewhere new. Sometimes, all it takes is curiosity, flexibility, and a little bit of creativity.
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This trip was the perfect example of that because… we went to Saint Barthélemy (St. Barts) for the day. Yep — left San Juan in the morning (10am), stepped onto a brand-new beach, enjoyed an amazing lunch, and were back home that same day. If you’ve ever thought day trips like this were unrealistic or only for “other people,” this one’s for you.
Flying from San Juan to St. Barts with Tradewind Aviation
We flew with Tradewind Aviation, and the flight itself was just about one hour. Let me tell you — this airline is nice nice. There is absolutely a reason you pay a premium for their service. From the check-in experience to the comfort on board, it truly felt elevated from start to finish.
Now, full transparency: we were incredibly lucky. One of my sorority sisters is a pilot, and she helped us secure standby tickets, which came out to about $50 per person round trip. I’m beyond grateful because that made this spontaneous day trip even more special.
The Lounge Experience (Yes, They Have Their Own)
Once we arrived at the airport in San Juan (check in near Jetblue), we had access to Tradewind’s private lounge — and wow. This lounge is chef’s kiss.
Chase brought his personal item as a cooler bag (shoutout to the YETI backpack — YETI, we are a YETI household and ready for that sponsorship 👀). What we didn’t know is that the lounge already had beers and water you could take with you. Next time, we’re definitely bringing ice because…
Fun fact: St. Barts is part of France, and if you’ve traveled through Europe, you know ice is basically a luxury. Saint Barthélemy is no exception.
First Impressions of St. Barts
St. Barts is known for its exotic beaches, luxury shopping, and ultra-wealthy reputation — and honestly, once you’re there, it makes sense why. The island is stunning, polished, and undeniably beautiful.
But let me be clear: our goal wasn’t to “do it all.”
The purpose of this trip was simple:
- Say we went to St. Barts for the day
- Enjoy a really good lunch
- Step foot on a new beach
And we did exactly that.
Renting a Car in St. Barts
We landed around 11:00 AM and rented a car from Gumbs Car Rental. We paid about 55 euros (normally rentals run closer to 75–100 euros per day, so again — luck was on our side).
Getting around the island is super easy, and one of my biggest takeaways is how close everything is. Nothing ever felt rushed or overwhelming, even on a tight timeline.
Lunch in St. Barts: Keeping It Real
Lunch was probably the trickiest decision because St. Barts has a lot of options — many of them very expensive. One spot we passed had burgers listed at 85 euros each. I looked at Chase and said, “Unless that burger has gold in it, absolutely not.”
Not because we can’t afford it — I just find prices like that… silly.
We ended up eating at Cantina, and it was way more our vibe. We spent about 112 euros total, which included:
- Two lobster rolls
- One appetizer
- One margarita
- One Coke
Now that felt worth it.
Beach Time at Gouverneur Beach
After lunch, we drove about 5–7 minutes to our beach for the day: Gouverneur Beach.
And wow. This beach was truly beautiful — clear water, soft sand, and that peaceful St. Barts energy everyone talks about.
Since we were only there for the day, we intentionally chose one beach and fully committed to enjoying it instead of trying to squeeze too much in.
The Not-So-Fun Moment
The only sad part of the day? I got caught in a wave and lost my prescription Gucci sunglasses — about $500 washed away. Rookie mistake on my part. I usually never go into the ocean with sunglasses.
Yes, I cried. But I also have the most amazing fiancé, who somehow always knows how to calm me down. We mourned the glasses together… and then accepted that it was time to head back.
Heading Back to San Juan
The journey home was smooth and stress-free. We:
- Returned the rental car
- Checked our cooler and bags
- Filled up the gas tank (about 7 euros)
- Grabbed coffee and snacks at Eden To Go, just a 5-minute walk from the airport
And before we knew it, we were heading back to Puerto Rico.
Final Thoughts: Yes, Day Trips Are Worth It
This day trip reminded me how cool it is that you can truly be in two places in one day. St. Barts deserves more time — and we will be back — but there was something really empowering about making a short trip like this happen!
If you live in Puerto Rico or are visiting San Juan and want to maximize your travel experiences, don’t underestimate day trips. They’re possible, memorable, and honestly kind of magical.
So tell me — would you travel for a day? ✈️🌴
