Visiting St. Kitts - A Guide for Tourists
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Saint Kitts - A Unique Caribbean Destination
St. Kitts and neighboring island Nevis together form an independent Federation - the smallest sovereign state in the Americas in both area and population. The island's independence gives St. Kitts a unique character, and it is also rich with well-preserved colonial history, along with of course beautiful beaches, tropical rainforests, and all the amenities a tourist could desire.
Long considered a "well-kept secret" by travelers who discovered St. Kitts years ago, the island is currently undergoing major building and development to entice more tourists and investors. Now is perhaps the time to visit St. Kitts before too much on the island changes, however, in order to experience one of the few remaining "unspoiled" Caribbean islands.
(Photo: South Friars Bay on Saint Kitts. This image and all others in this article were taken by the author, sockii. Please see full photo credits at the end of this page.)
Contents at a Glance
St. Kitts - Basic Facts and Statistics
St. Kitts Data from Wikipedia
Saint Kitts is one of the Leeward Islands, 18 miles long and 5 miles wide. The island's population is 35,000 with 15,500 of those living in the largest city, Basseterre.
The highest point on the island is Mount Liamuiga, which towers to an impressive 3,793 feet. The island is circled by a main road, and most all villages on the island are located along this road as the central part of St. Kitts is too steep for habitation. A road from Frigate Bay down to the end of the southeastern peninsula was first opened in 1989; until then most areas of the peninsula were only reachable via boat or hiking trails.
Historically St. Kitts' economy revolved around sugar cane harvesting, and as such the tourist trade was relatively low key and allowed for the slow, controlled development of the island. In 2005 the government closed the sugar industry down due to decreasing economic returns and focused efforts more strongly on developing the island as a tourist destination.
Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport is located just outside of Basseterre and close to the current main area of tourist development, Frigate Bay. Flights typically connect through major hubs such as Miami or San Juan to get to St. Kitts. A ferry terminal offers regular service between St. Kitts and Nevis for those who wish to explore both islands. For U.S. and Canadian citizens a valid passport or an official birth certificate (with raised seal) plus government-issued photo identification are required for entry to St. Kitts.
St. Kitts and Nevis use the Eastern Caribbean dollar as currency, although United States dollars are widely accepted around the island. There is a fixed exchange rate of 2.67 EC per 1 US dollar - be wary of vendors and merchants who only give you a 2.50 EC exchange rate if you pay in U.S. bills!
Source (including public domain map): St. Kitts at Wikipedia
St. Kitts - Island of Culture
Take a tour of St. Kitts...right now!
Looking for Flights to St. Kitts? Check Orbitz!
Cheap Flights and Connections to Saint Kitts
Airlines serving St. Kitts include American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, Liat, and US Air. Many connections to St. Kitts go through either San Juan, Puerto Rico or Miami, Florida. There are some direct flights from Charlotte, North Carolina, New York City and London, England. Use the form below to search for the best flight for your schedule and location! The airport code for St. Kitts is SKB.
"The Circus" - At the Heart of St. Kitts' Capital, Basseterre
What Activities Can You Enjoy on St. Kitts?
There Are Plenty of Things To Do on This Caribbean Island
Some first-time visitors to Saint Kitts worry if they will find enough activities to keep them occupied during their vacation trip. The answer is absolutely yes! St. Kitts offers all of the activities you'd expect on a Caribbean island and more, including:* Scuba diving and snorkeling
* Windsurfing
* Kayaking
* Golfing
* Horseback riding
* Rainforest tours and hikes
* Shopping in international stores and local craft boutiques
* Historic sites to explore including Brimstone Hill Fortress
* Caribelle Batik factory at historic Romney Manor
* Casino gambling
* Live music and entertainment, including an annual music festival featuring internationally known artists
* Reef and deep water fishing
* Quality local and international cuisine
* Riding an old fashioned sugar cane train on the St. Kitts Scenic Railway
* Catamaran sailing and excursions to other islands
Of course, for some, a Caribbean vacation means doing nothing at all except relaxing at the beach or the pool and enjoying the sunshine! And you'll have plenty of opportunities to do just that at the island's many beaches and hotel pools.
My Introduction to St. Kitts
How I Developed a Lifelong History with The Island
It was 1985 when I first visited Saint Kitts with my mother - I was all of 13 years old at the time. A client of my mother's had planned a business meeting on the island. The meeting fell through, but she had nonrefundable plane tickets to spare along with rooms reserved for 5 nights at what was, at the time, the island's premiere resort - the Royal St. Kitts Hotel and Casino. I had never been outside of the United States since my birth, and had of course never been to the Caribbean before in my life.The experience was truly eye-opening and wonderful for both my mother and myself. We quickly fell in love with not just the island of St. Kitts, but her people. As a young American teenager, it was a lesson in humility to see the conditions under which many lived on the island, yet Kittitians carried themselves with tremendous pride, dignity, intelligence and respect.
We made friends quickly with several people on the island and vowed we had to return again, which we did before even a year had passed. Indeed, for over twenty years we returned to St. Kitts at least once a year, sometimes more, with very few breaks in between. While we spent some time exploring other islands including Nevis, Montserrat, Virgin Gorda and Puerto Rico, we found ourselves always drawn back to St. Kitts for reasons that were difficult to explain to those who had never been to the island themselves.
In recent years much has changed - both in our own personal lives and on the island. We lost two of our dearest Kittitian friends to cancer, and have had mixed feelings regarding some of the development of the island that has begun to change its character. That said, I do dream of us returning sometime soon to catch up with other old friends still there, and to savor the good life there once again.
(Photo: Myself at perhaps age 15, on St. Kitts in the 1980s. Photo was taken on the balcony of the old Ballahoo restaurant in Basseterre, now the location of the Circus Grill.)
My Articles and Guides to St. Kitts
Detailed Information for Saint Kitts Visitors
- 7 Tips for a Safe and Secure St. Kitts Vacation
- Is St. Kitts safe for travelers? In general, very much so. However, there are a few general safety precautions you should keep in mind before and during your visit to the island.
- Visiting St. Kitts: What Is The Best Time of the Year?
- Of course, many people plan a Caribbean vacation during the worst winter months to escape the cold. But are there other times of the year when it's better to visit St. Kitts? This article looks at the island during the different seasons.
- Should You Rent a Car or Use Taxis on St. Kitts?
- Which is the better option for tourists: cabs or rental cars? The choice depends on your vacation plans and hotel location.
- Top 10 Activities to Enjoy on St. Kitts
- If you want to enjoy an active vacation, you'll find lots to do on St. Kitts. Check out this guide to some of the more popular options.
- Longtime Favorite Restaurants of St. Kitts
- While many restaurants have come and gone through the years, some have remained constant favorites since almost when I first started visiting the island. Here's my list of some of the best.
- Revew of the St. Kitts Marriott Resort
- The Marriott is one of the most popular hotels on St. Kitts, and also one of its most modern and expansive. Is it a good place to stay? Read my detailed review based on numerous times at the resort.
- Top 10 Things to Do when Visiting Nevis
- Nevis is absolutely worth at least a day trip when staying on St. Kitts. You might even want to split your vacation between the two islands to enjoy the unique experience of each.
What'll it be, a Ting & Vodka? Or an ice cold Carib beer? Either is perfect at the beach on St. Kitts!
Where to Stay on St. Kitts
St. Kitts' Best Hotels
- Marriott St. Kitts Resort and the Royal Beach Casino
- For those looking for all the modern amenities and international comfort, it's hard to beat the Marriott. Located on North Frigate Bay, this sprawling complex has comfortable guest rooms, numerous restaurants, a spa, several pools, workout room, game room, and daily scheduled activities and entertainment. Yet despite its large size, the Marriott still manages to maintain a strong St. Kitts feeling and personality. Highly recommended for beach lovers.
- Ocean Terrace Inn
- For decades the Ocean Terrace Inn has offered comfortable accommodations on their hillside location overlooking Basseterre. Enjoy beautiful scenic vistas, multiple pools, beautiful landscaping and Old World charm in a central location on St. Kitts.
- Ottleys Plantation Inn
- For a romantic, secluded getaway it's difficult to beat Ottleys, a plantation inn on Ottleys Estate dating back to the 1700s. With a lovingly restored great house and special cottage villas, this beautiful inn could be a perfect honeymoon or wedding destination.
- The Golden Lemon Inn & Villas
- For nearly 50 years, the Golden Lemon has been providing classic Caribbean comforts and seclusion to select visitors to St. Kitts. Located on Dieppe Bay, a quiet black sand beach on the northern tip of the island, the Golden Lemon is perfect for those who wish to "get away from it all" while enjoying fine dining and gorgeous accommodations.
- Rawlins Plantation Inn
- Located on Mount Pleasant, not far from Dieppe Bay, Rawlins is another 17th century plantation transformed into an isolated, beautiful vacation getaway. Surrounded by 12 acres of tropical gardens, stay in one of Rawlins beautiful guest cottages and enjoy the cool mountain breezes on your veranda. Dine in their elegant great house and enjoy some of St. Kitts' best food.
St. Kitts Photo Gallery - The Marriott St Kitts Resort
Explore This Beautiful Hotel's Grounds and Beach
The Marriott St Kitts Resort is a large complex with one great house and numerous smaller buildings spread around the lush gardens.
Food on St. Kitts
Enjoying Kittitian Cuisine
Saint Kitts offers visitors a wonderful opportunity to enjoy delicious Caribbean and Creole food. From grilled lobster and fish on the beach to gourmet meals at one of the island's plantation inns, St. Kitts is a true foodie's delight. One of the best ways to try authentic and relatively inexpensive island cooking is at one of St. Kitts many beach bars and restaurants, where grilled chicken, stewed salt fish, goat water stew, curried ribs or roti might share the menu with American staples like hamburgers and hot dogs for the less adventurous diners. Served up with homemade rice and peas and island vegetables like Plantain, this meal is perfect when enjoyed with a Ting grapefruit soda or cool Carib beer.St. Kitts is home to many other excellent restaurants including the Ballahoo, Circus Grill, PJ's, Spice Mill, Serendipity and Stonewalls. Some of these restaurants have been in operation on St. Kitts for decades and their continued popularity is well deserved.
More Scenes From St. Kitts
Island Life and Sights
Dominoes, cards and dice games are popular while hanging out at the beach.
Useful Resources for Visitors to Saint Kitts
The Best St. Kitts-Related Websites
- Explore St. Kitts
- The official site for St. Kitts tourism. Extensive information on dining, lodging, activities and planning a meeting on the island.
- Saint Kitts and Nevis Government Website
- Official site for the government of the islands. Learn about this unique nation which has been independent since 1983, as well as get the facts on documentation, visiting the islands, and buying land on St. Kitts.
- Island Girl's St. Kitts and Nevis Friendly Forum
- THE best forum for all lovers of St. Kitts and Nevis! Learn about the islands from long time regular visitors and residents alike. Get honest opinions on where to stay, where to eat, what to do, and more from those who truly know their way around.
- Tropical Tours - St. Kitts
- Book island adventures including snorkeling, fishing, hiking, car rentals and much more through this well-established tour service on St. Kitts.
- Island Paradise Tours
- Island Paradise is another long-running tour service on St. Kitts. You will be in good hands booking a tour of the island through their services.
- SKNVibes
- Want to know what's happening on St. Kitts and Nevis right now? Then check out SKNVibes, the hottest site for island news and announcements.
- St. Kitts Guide
- An easy-to-navigate, attractive website with lots of useful, basic travel information on St. Kitts.
- Pereira Tours St. Kitts
- Let Pereira Tours help make your visit to St. Kitts a memorable one. They offer everything from island tours and snorkel trips to yacht rentals, zipline adventures and a "Kittitian Rum Crawl". The Pereira family has been involved in St. Kitts tourism industry for decades and Pereira Tours owner Liz will put her extensive knowledge and experience with St. Kitts to work for you.
Table for two? Why not! On the dock at Turtle Beach, St. Kitts.
Travel News from St. Kitts
Check Out the Latest St. Kitts Headlines Before You Go
- Heavy fines and penalties for breach of passport law proposed in St. Kitts
- BASSETERRE, St. Kitts ? Lawmakers in St. Kitts and Nevis will debate legislation on Thursday imposing heavy fines and penalties and term of imprisonment for persons breaching the provisions of the Passport and Travel Documents Act. The proposed ...
- British Royalty To Visit Antigua
- The prince and princess will travel to Antigua & Barbuda as part of a global tour celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. They will visit several countries within the Caribbean, namely Barbados, Grenada, Montserrat, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, ...
- Suspect in Robbery of Breyer Is Arrested
- By ERIC MORATH Police in the Caribbean country of St. Kitts and Nevis have arrested a suspect in the Feb. 9 armed robbery of US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. Local police on Monday charged Vedel Browne, 28 years old, with the robbery at the ...
- Oh, the places you can go: SJSU study abroad is a great way to travel
- Fernandez Feb 20, 2012 7:30 pm Tags: SJSU Study Abroad Program Nevis, St. Kitts and Nevis Anthropology and behavioral science double major Ryan Sullivan watches the sunset at Pinney's Beach on the island of Nevis in the Eastern Caribbean.
Cool St. Kitts Clothing and Accessories
Show Off Your Kittitian Pride!
Unspoiled beauty...But for how long? St. Kitts' southeastern peninsula.
Change is in the Air for St. Kitts - But Is It for Good or Bad?
Increasing Tourist Development is on the Horizon
Tourist development on St. Kitts has been a slow and not always steady process. Many projects planned through the years, especially since the southeastern peninsula was opened up to car travel in 1989, have fallen through. To some of us long-time St. Kitts visitors, this lack of change has not necessarily been a bad thing. We have enjoyed the unspoiled beauty of St. Kitts beaches, lined only with palm trees and sea grapes, not hotel resorts and endless rows of beach chairs. Yet it seems change is finally inevitable, especially since the end of the sugar cane industry and the need to find more work and employment for the island's residents. Christophe Harbour is just one of several massive projects currently in planning which will forever change the landscape of St. Kitts, as discussed in a fascinating article on how St. Kitts and Nevis are taking radically different paths toward future development.
My personal feelings about St. Kitts future and current development are exceedingly cautious and troubled. I've already witnessed the major changes at my once favorite beach on the island, South Friars Bay, which in many ways, in my opinion, ruined the natural beauty and tranquility of the location. Where once you could swim around the impressive "Big Rock" and see incredible sea life and coral reefs, the rock was closed in several years ago when plans were made to construct a "Dolphin Encounter" attraction, destroying the natural wildlife and muddying the waters for swimming (I am uncertain what the current status of the Dolphin Encounter is, or if it has also been abandoned after all the destruction it caused.) Change can be of the good, but it can also forever destroy natural beauty and take away from what once made a place so special and unique in the world, all in pursuit of the all might tourist dollar.
But that's just my opinion. How do you feel about the future plans for St. Kitts? Are you excited, or are you concerned?
St. Kitts Photo Gallery - South Friars Bay
Before Major Construction, How South Friars Used To Be
Sunset behind "Big Rock"
St. Kitts and Nevis Collectible Stamps
Bid Today on eBay!
Recent Blog Posts about St. Kitts
What Are Others Saying About St. Kitts Today?
- St. Kitts and Nevis hails St. Lucia on Independence 33
- BASSETERRE, St. Kitts ? St. Kitts and Nevis' Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas has sent congratulations to St. Lucia on that Caribbean nation's Thirty-Third Anniversary of Independence. ?The theme selected 'One People, One Nation, ...
- WTO Secretary General heads for St. Kitts for CTO Conference
- BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, FEBRUARY 21ST2012 (CUOPM) ? The Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization Taleb Rifai heads for St. Kitts later this year to attend the State of the Industry Conference. The October 11-13 conference is being organized ...
- Suspect in Robbery of Breyer Is Arrested
- By ERIC MORATH Police in the Caribbean country of St. Kitts and Nevis have arrested a suspect in the Feb. 9 armed robbery of US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. Local police on Monday charged Vedel Browne, 28 years old, with the robbery at the ...
- Heavy fines and penalties for breach of passport law proposed in St. Kitts
- BASSETERRE, St. Kitts ? Lawmakers in St. Kitts and Nevis will debate legislation on Thursday imposing heavy fines and penalties and term of imprisonment for persons breaching the provisions of the Passport and Travel Documents Act. The proposed ...
St. Kitts Products on CafePress
T-Shirts, mugs, stickers and more!
Recent Tweets about St. Kitts
What are people saying about St. Kitts on Twitter?
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- samanthadelduca
- RT @fourgrounds: Niagara Artists Centre (NAC) is holding a few workshops over the next few weeks at our Studio in St. Kitts. There... http://t.co/3b9xGhAB
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- fredatours
- @BradStKitts @Shareaholic Thanks for the RT hope you are doing great in #St Kitts Today
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- azar21
- Going to St. Kitts tmrw. Gunna be a wild weekend ! #shhhhheeeeeit
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- solidsappy
- tonight the #tocatchapredatour kicks off in st kitts @ city lights - who's coming to get bucky?
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- alanabenjamin
- WTO Secretary General heads for St. Kitts for CTO Conference -- http://t.co/MPH6IGVM
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- jess_joness
- @KEBreedlove @ChelseaAnheuser @AnnieBanannniee @lizaluker Miss you guys lets bring the reunion to st. kitts!
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- KelvinD
- Wonders if St Nevis and Kitts scored less than St Kitts and Nevis...? :) #pointless
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- SimonHallam4
- @richardosman It's st kitts and nevis not st nevis and kitts
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- ryankelly29
- @richardosman 3 #pointless answers in the first round. St Kitts, Isle of Man and Gibraltar. Take that Rolf!
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- thepaddy
- @richardosman st. nevis and kitts? I think you mean St. kitts and nevis #offendingasmallcaribbeanisland
Photo Credits for "Visiting St. Kitts: A Guide for Tourists"
A Note about the Images on this Page
All images used on this website were taken by myself, Nicole Pellegrini, over the course of several visits to Saint Kitts. You can view more of my photographs from these trips in the following Flickr galleries:
* St. Kitts Photos - December 2004
* St. Kitts Photos - September 2005
* St. Kitts Photos - December 2006
Please do not use these photographs on another website without my permission first. I'll be adding more historic photogalleries of St. Kitts in the future!
What's Your Favorite Caribbean Destination?
St. Kitts, or Another Island?
Thank you for visiting my St. Kitts page. I hope you've found it useful and perhaps encouraged you to explore St. Kitts in the future yourself. One of my future projects is a page of St. Kitts photographs through the years, showing the changes to the island and its development since I first began visiting over 25 years ago.
Do you have an island getaway you love and have returned to regularly through the years?
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naheedahsan
Feb 18, 2012 @ 1:56 pm | delete
- very beautiful lens........
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SayGuddaycom
Jan 18, 2012 @ 5:36 pm | delete
- Extremely well written travel lens, just they way they should be written. Now featured on my travel directory www.SayGudday.com, i hope it brings you many new readers.
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therence
Jan 18, 2012 @ 4:10 am | delete
- Great lens!
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kittitianhill
Dec 8, 2011 @ 4:57 am | delete
- st kitts citizenship have become a hot matter that the real estate people really love and attempt to achieve. The hot place is rich with many tropical mountains and forests which add plus to the mesmerizing beauty of St. Kitts.
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Stazjia
Oct 20, 2011 @ 5:59 am | delete
- I visited St Kitts for just a few hours when I went on a Caribbean cruise. I loved the island very much. The other island I loved was St Maartens.
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About the Author
by sockii
I'm a self-proclaimed Jane of All Trades who has written for numerous sites on-line including the Yahoo!Contributor Network, Demand Studios and Suite101.... more »
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Learn about the history, economy and environment of St. Kitts in this wonderful easy-to-read book.
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Don't leave for the islands without this wonderful and extensive travel guide.
The Food of St. Kitts and the Leeward Islands
Leeward Islands: Restaurant Guide & Recipe Book
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Learn more about the cuisine of the Leeward Islands, including recipes you can prepare at home from the islands' best restaurants.
