St Kitts (Basseterre)
Port of Call – St Kitts (Basseterre)
Top sights include Brimstone Hill Fortress, with stunning views of the lush sugarcane fields, and the Circus, a Georgian roundabout modelled on London’s Piccadilly.
Cruise ships dock at Port Zante, in the centre of the bay, and when there is an overflow, at Birdrock Deepwater Port at the extreme east of Basseterre Bay. Port Zante comprises a single pier allowing any two of the largest ocean liners to dock at a time. This port is one of only two in the entire Caribbean where the Queen Mary II can berth. Cruise passengers are welcomed by cultural acts, dancers and licensed excursion providers, and there are some shops to browse.
Shopping in St Kitts (Basseterre)
There are two shopping malls in Basseterre, the Pelican and TDC Mall. Both feature selections of clothing, jewellery, and souvenirs. The vendor’s huts behind Pelican Mall can be found to the right of Port Zante as you face the sea. For cheap local crafts get a taxi to Amina Market. The Caribelle Batik Factory has a shop with beautiful cloths, and you can tour the factory itself.
Best Buy:
Rum, cigars, handicrafts
Dining in St Kitts (Basseterre)
El Fredo’s – excellent Caribbean food close to downtown Basseterre in a casual setting.
Spice Mill Restaurant – a great spot for good food, an open air ambience and amazing views.
Serendipity – stylish and epicurean, with lovely views of Basseterre and the bay.
Best Dish:
Fresh local linefish
Travel to St Kitts and Nevis
Overview
Saint Kitts and Nevis makes provision for both sunbathers and outdoor enthusiasts. The beaches are the main drawcards, with visitors enjoying the dual pleasures of both the Caribbean and Atlantic Oceans.
Favourites include Frigate Bay South, where the Strip operates as the island’s prime nightlife and entertainment hub. There’s also the seldom busy Frigate Bay North, while Majors Bay is a pristine golden shore with calm waters. Visitors are also enticed by Pinney’s Beach on Nevis, widely acknowledged as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean.
Oualie Beach on Nevis is a magnet for celebrities, and is ideal for scuba diving and other water sports. Pump Bay and Belle Tete Beach offer something different, sought after for their black and grey sand.
Mount Liamuiga and Mount Nevis are ideal for those looking for outdoor adventure, while the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club offers a getaway for avid golfers. Those who are only in the country for a day should consider doing a circuit on the Scenic Railway, which takes in a lot of the island’s natural beauty, while history buffs may be interested in the UNESCO-listed Brimstone Hill Fortress and Alexander Hamilton House.
Climate in St Kitts and Nevis
The climate of St Kitts and Nevis is tropical, but sea breezes keep the islands relatively cool. There are no definite seasons and the yearly average temperature is 79F (26C). Although rain is possible throughout the year, the average is higher between July and November, coinciding with the hurricane season.
Health Notes when travelling to St Kitts and Nevis
All eligible travellers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, and vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid are recommended. A yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers who are over the age of one and are visiting from a country where there is a risk of transmission. Dengue fever can occur throughout the year and cases of Chikungunya virus have been reported, so visitors should take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. The main government hospital can cope with many types of treatment but serious cases may require emergency evacuation. Medical treatment can be expensive; visitors should have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation.
Safety Notes when travelling to St Kitts and Nevis
Although most visits to the islands are trouble-free, visitors should still guard against robbery and other crimes of opportunity. Valuables should be left in hotel safes where possible and remote places, particularly beaches, should be avoided, especially after dark. Travellers should take great care at all times when swimming as currents can be deceptively strong and not all beaches have lifeguards or warning flags. Hurricane season normally runs from June to November.
Customs in St Kitts and Nevis
Local attitudes towards the LGBT community are mostly conservative throughout the Caribbean. Public displays of affection such as hand-holding or kissing between same-sex couples are uncommon; certain homosexual acts are illegal. Wearing camouflage clothing is illegal and the penalties for drug-related offenses are severe.
Duty Free in St Kitts and Nevis
Travellers over the age of 18 may import 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco, and 1.5 litres of wine or spirits without paying customs duty.
Doing Business in St Kitts and Nevis
Business in Saint Kitts and Nevis is conducted in a relatively informal manner, but fairly formal dress is expected despite the heat. Handshakes for both men and women are the common form of greeting, and business cards should be exchanged immediately after being introduced. Business hours are generally 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday, with an hour taken at lunch.
Communication in St Kitts and Nevis
The international dialling code for St Kitts and Nevis is +1 869. Hotels, cafes and restaurants offer free WiFi; travellers can purchase local prepaid SIM cards for unlocked phones.
Tipping in St Kitts and Nevis
A 10 percent service charge is usually included in hotel and restaurant bills. Otherwise, it’s customary to leave 10 to 15 percent of the bill, depending on the service. Taxi drivers can also receive a tip of around 10 to 15 percent.
Passport/Visa Note
Although a maximum stay of either three or six months is indicated in official requirements, immigration officials will decide how long visitors are legally allowed to stay in St Kitts and Nevis upon arrival. Visitors are recommended to hold confirmed return or onward tickets, all documents needed for next destination and sufficient funds to cover their stay. As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travellers moving between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. If departing from the USA a valid passport will be required by immigration authorities. It is highly recommended that travellers’ passports have at least six months’ validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Entry Requirements
- Entry requirements for Americans:
U.S. citizens must have a valid U.S. passport to enter Saint Kitts and Nevis. No visa is required for stays up to 90 days if travellers have an onward or return ticket, confirmation of accommodation, and can produce evidence of their ability to maintain themselves.
- Entry requirements for Canadians:
Canadians require a passport valid for at least six months beyond period of stay. A visa is not required for a stay of up to six months.
- Entry requirements for UK nationals:
UK passports should be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date travellers arrive. A visa is not required, though UK travellers will be granted a specific period to stay. Those who wish to stay longer must apply for an extension of stay through the St Kitts and Nevis Immigration Department.
- Entry requirements for Australians:
Australians require a passport valid for at least six months beyond period of stay, but no visa is necessary for stays of up to three months.
- Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
Irish nationals require a passport valid for the intended period of stay, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
- Entry requirements for New Zealanders:
New Zealand nationals require a passport valid for the intended period of stay, but no visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days.
- Entry requirements for South Africans:
South Africans require a passport valid for the intended period of stay, but no visa is required for visits of up to 90 days.
Tourist Offices
Department of Tourism, Basseterre, St. Kitts: +1 869 465 4040 or http://www.stkittstourism.kn
St Kitts and Nevis Embassies
- In the United States:
St Kitts and Nevis Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 686 2636.
- In Canada:
High Commission for the Eastern Caribbean States, Ottawa, Ontario: +1 613 236 8952.
- In the United Kingdom:
St Kitts and Nevis High Commission, London, UK: +1 020 7937 9718.
Foreign Embassies in St Kitts and Nevis
- American Embassy
United States Embassy, Bridgetown, Barbados (also responsible for St Kitts-Nevis): +1 246 227 4000.
- Canadian Embassy
Canadian High Commission, Bridgetown, Barbados (also responsible for St Kitts-Nevis): +1 246 429 3550.
- British Embassy
British High Commission, Bridgetown, Barbados (also responsible for St Kitts and Nevis): +1 246 430 7800.
- Australian Embassy
Australian High Commission, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (also responsible for St Kitts-Nevis): +1 868 822 5450.
- South African Embassy
South African High Commission, Kingston, Jamaica (also responsible for St Kitts-Nevis): +1 876 620 4840.
Public Holidays Around the World
Planning your year? Knowing public holidays in different countries can help you plan trips, schedule events, or understand global schedules. Below, find a comprehensive list of public holidays sorted by country.
