St Kitts and Nevis Vacation Guide

Introduction

The islands of St Kitts and Nevis are two of the sleepiest places in the Caribbean, and one of the few countries in the region where agriculture is still a larger part of the economy than tourism. Some people find the islands' relaxed nature ideal; others get restless after a few days. Most visitors fly into St Kitts, which on a clear day provides a glimpse of the island's mountainous interior, the patchwork of cane fields that carpets its lowlands, and the rugged hills, salt ponds and deeply indented bays of its southeastern peninsula.

The two islands form the smallest country in the Western Hemisphere, so it's not hard to cover the best of the attractions in two or three days and still have time left for an indolent lounge in the sun.

Full country name: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Area: 104 sq km
Population: 40,700
Capital City: Basseterre
People: African (90%), European
Language: English
Religion: Anglican (33%), Methodist, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Adventist, Moravian, Jehovah's Witness
Government: independent state within the British Commonwealth
Time Zone: GMT/UTC -4
Dialling Code: 869
Electricity: 230V ,60Hz
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$)

We constantly update vacation deals and flights + hotel packages for St Kitts & Nevis and the Caribbean. You can also check out some of the best hotels and resorts in St Kitts and Nevis with exciting attractions like golf, casino, scuba diving and other water sports. Popular hotels & resorts in St Kitts and Nevis are Oualie Beach Hotel and Frigate Bay Resort.

Visas are not required of most visitors, including citizens of the US, Canada, Western Europe and Commonwealth countries, for stays of up to six months. All visitors need passports except US and Canadian citizens, who may enter with proof of citizenship such as an official birth certificate and a photo ID. Visitors are required to be in possession of a roundtrip or onward ticket.
More Information About Visa Requirements

Flying from the US is currently the only air option available to St Kitts from outside the Caribbean. American Airlines flies daily between St Kitts and Miami, New York and Boston via San Juan in Puerto Rico. Traveling from Europe or Canada requires flying via Antigua, St Martin or San Juan. Antiguan-based LIAT has daily flights between St Kitts and Antigua and St Martin. Carriers serving Nevis include LIAT (from Antigua) and Winair (from St Martin).

Yachts can dock at Basseterre and Charlestown. Yachties will need cruising permits to visit other anchorages and a special pass to go between the two islands.

Renting a car is the best all-around transportation option on both islands. Foreign visitors must purchase a visitor's driver's license for around 20.00, which is valid for one year. Buses on St Kitts are a decent transportation alternative. Privately owned minivans serve most of the island except Frigate Bay and the southeastern peninsula. The best way to get between the islands is via the government-run passenger ferry Caribe Queen, which runs between St Kitts and Nevis five days a week. The ferry docks are in central Basseterre and Charlestown. The other main way to get between the islands is to fly. LIAT has several daily flights between St Kitts and Nevis; there's also a prop-plane shuttle that operates about 10 times a day.

St Kitts is warm year-round, rarely getting below 27°C (72°F) at night, rarely above 30°C (86°F) by day. Given that rates are higher and places more crowded during the peak winter tourist season (December to February), the best time to go is the summer low-season (June to August); but keep in mind that, if you plan to travel to other Caribbean destinations, some of them are appreciably hotter than St Kitts and Nevis during the summer.

On St Kitts, the biggest event is the week-long Carnival, held from December 24 to January 2. It's celebrated with calypso competitions, costumed street dances and steel band music. In the last week in June, the four-day St Kitts Music Festival brings together top-name soca, salsa and jazz performers from throughout the Caribbean. Nevis has a week-long Culturama from late July to early August featuring music, crafts, parades and cultural events.

The islands aren't famous for their beaches, but there are a few strands on St Kitts and a couple on Nevis that can make for good walking, picnicking or loafing. St Kitts' best beaches are on the southern end of the island at Frigate Bay and in the sheltered bays along the southeastern peninsula. Beaches along the main body of the island are mostly thin strands of black and gray sands. Running north from Charlestown on Nevis is Pinney's Beach, a long, lovely strand backed by coconut palms. There's also a good white-sand beach on Nevis' northern shore in Newcastle and at Oualie Bay in the northwestern corner of the island.

An 18-hole international golf championship course is at Frigate Bay and a 9-hole course at Golden Rock, both on St Kitts. There is also an 18-hole championship golf course on Nevis. A number of tennis courts are available on both islands, and clubs welcome visitors. Day passes can be purchased. Many of the hotels have their own (mainly hard) tennis courts. Some courts are floodlit for evening play. Horseriding in the rainforest or on the beach can be arranged through hotels. There are several hiking trails leading into the mountains or through the rainforest. Local guides can be arranged through hotels. Other sports enjoyed and watched include cricket and football.

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