Saint Kitts

Saint Kitts is the larger of the two islands that make up the small Caribbean island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Regions

St. Kitts is officially divided into nine parishes: Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, St John Capisterre, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capisterre, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point.

The island's regions are, however, more easily defined by the geography. In the south there is the long, dry, hilly and still relatively undeveloped southeastern peninsula, which points towards Nevis. North of that is the gently sloping or relatively flat area near Basseterre, including the grounds of the Marriot. North of that is the main body of the island of St. Kitts, which consists of a central range of mountains, surrounded by less steep coastal areas where most of the villages are situated.

Cities

• 1 Basseterre, the capital
• Cayon
• Sandy Point Town
• Parsons
• Dieppe Bay
• Molineux

Understand

Over the centuries, St. Kitts and Nevis changed hands many times between English and French, which has left it a heritage of cities with names from both countries. However, the architecture there is British colonial in style and the driving is on the left. It's especially important to remember this in downtown Basseterre, where Circus Place has the reproduction of the 'Berkeley Memorial Clock'.

St. Kitts and Nevis became an associated state of the United Kingdom with full internal autonomy in 1967. The island of Anguilla rebelled and was allowed to secede in 1971. Saint Kitts and Nevis achieved independence in 1983. In 1998, a vote in Nevis on a referendum to separate from Saint Kitts fell short of the two-thirds majority needed.

On St. Kitts there are several ancient British fortifications that have been restored reproducing the tiniest details of the original construction.

Many new projects are in progress or completion on St. Kitts, notably vast dockings to accommodate the largest liners and cruisers with terminals, loading docks, etc.

What is really remarkable on St. Kitts and Nevis is the nature. Many tropical birds which one rarely finds elsewhere are present in great concentration, and there are also the famous introduced African Green Vervet Monkeys which, it is said, were brought in by the pirates.

A relatively new road permits driving to the southeastern tip of St Kitts (Turtle Beach) where one feels that a certain febrility in the air will make of this part of the island an appreciated place. Indeed, one has only to take a little adventure in the underwoods with some fruit in hand to see oneself quite soon surrounded by monkeys coming gently to meet one to get fed. For the inhabitants of the islands, on the other hand, the monkeys are not perceived as a joy, for these pretty little hairy beings plunder the harvest and nose around everywhere they can go.

Talk

The national language is English, although often spoken with a heavy regional lilt.

Get in

By plane

Robert L Bradshaw International (SKB ^IATA) has flights from a number of cities in USA and Canada.

By boat

Daily ferries are available between St. Kitts and Nevis. There is an occasional ferry between St. Kitts and St. Maarten (roughly every three to four weeks).

Many cruise ships visit the island, more during high season. Large ships dock at the main pier at Basseterre.

Get around

By car

Taxies and buses outnumber those needing them in St. Kitts. Be sure to negotiate upfront the costs of the trip, pay special attention to if the fare is in US or EC dollars. For those who wish to rent a car, there are several places where you can rent one and temporary drivers licenses are available.

By bus

Buses transit between the larger destinations on a regular basis during the day. The main bus stops in Basseterre include the ferry pier, Baker's Corner and points along Cayon Road.

By train

Go on the scenic railway tour that goes through portions of the narrow gauge railway that was used for transporting sugar.

See

Brimstone Hill

The largest historical site is the UNESCO listed Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park. A British fortification this was once referred to as the Gibraltar of the Caribbean. In the past several decades the fort has been under significant restoration, and is now a popular tourist destination on the island.

Entrance fee is $10 USD per adult.

Do

• The mountains of St. Kitts make for some wonderful hiking in the tropical rain forest environment. It is highly recommended that anyone unfamiliar with the island go on a guided tour, as most of the trails are not well marked. There are some short rain forest walks, including a well-maintained trail above Romney Manor that travels along and across the Wingfield's river. This is probably the best marked trail, complete with ropes and steps. For those looking for more of a challenge, hiking up to the rim of the mile-wide crater on Mt. Liamuiga is much more difficult, but with a very rewarding view. Although it can be completed in under two hours (not including traveling time), it's best to plan at least three - particularly if you wish to enjoy a long lunch at the top. This trail is well-traveled, but it is not well maintained otherwise, and it is very common to have fallen trees across the path. Trails that are less well traveled, but worth the trip (if you have a guide) are Dos D'ane Pond (on top of Verchild's Mountain), and the Old Military Trail that crosses the middle of the island, from Romney Manor to Philip's (above Molineaux). The Old Military Trail is the historic path used by the British when the island was split with the French, and provided the only land route to connect the British villages on the Atlantic side to the Caribbean side.
• Scuba diving is popular on St. Kitts; scenic wreck dives include the wreck of the River Taw.
• Golf course at the St. Kitts Marriott

Buy

See also Basseterre.

• Just in the Sun Boutique, Marriott Resort, Frigate Bay, St. Kitts

Eat

A number of restaurants are located in Frigate Bay. Mr. X's Shiggity Shack, Cathy's, Patsy's, Boozies and Vibes Beach Bar on South Frigate Bay beach are more traditional, casual beach bar restaurants.

On the opposite side, on North Frigate Bay, there are several western-style restaurants, including Ciao (Italian), Rock Lobster (seafood, mixed American and Caribbean) and PJ's (American, delicious pasta).

South Friars is home to Godfather's, Jam Rock, Carambola Beach Club and Shipwreck Beach Bar.

Cockleshell is home to Lion's Beach Bar, Spice Mill and Reggae Beach Bar.

Around the island there is also the Royal Palm at Ottley's Plantation (upscale), Sprat Net (casual, seafood) and Nirvana Restaurant.

In Basseterre you will find Circus Grill, Ballahoo, and in Fortlands there is Serendipity (upscale) and Ocean Terrace Inn's Fisherman's Wharf.

• Marshall's, Frigate Bay. 

Drink

There are many local spots to get drinks (locally bottled soda and beer). These include little bars along the side of the road throughout the towns and cities, especially down by the ferry pier. On the southern peninsula there are a number of beach bars and bar/restaurants. On South Friar's Bay beach and South Frigate Bay beach in particular there are a number of beach bar 'shacks' along the beach serving drinks and some offering food.

• Lion's Beach Bar, Cockleshell Beach.
• Reggae Beach Bar and Restaurant, Cockleshell Bay. 

Sleep

• The St. Kitts Marriott Resort and The Royal Beach Casino, ☏ +1 869 466-1200. In the Frigate Bay area of the island. Just a 10-minute drive from the airport and capital city Basseterre. The resort offers 573 rooms and suites. North Frigate Bay Beach, a championship golf course and the largest Vegas-style casino in the Caribbean help provide an excellent vacation experience. The resort also features a revitalizing spa, meeting facilities, the Pirates of St. Kitts Kids Club program, eight restaurants and two lounges. 
• Reggae Beach Bar and Restaurant, Cockleshell Bay. 

Stay safe

Although attacks on tourists are rare for the most part, Saint Kitts does have one of the highest murder rates per head of population the Caribbean region. Accordingly, visitors should exercise appropriate care. On 14 November 2010 an armed robbery of a bus carrying tourists shocked the island, and although no one was hurt and the criminals were apprehended swiftly, a number of cruise lines suspended visits to Saint Kitts.

Go next

If you visit Saint Kitts, do make sure to visit its sister island Nevis too. If you have a car, you can drive all the way southeast to Majors Bay, and then take the "Sea Bridge" ferry over. That ferry runs every 2 hours during the day time, and takes about 20 minutes to get to Cades Bay on Nevis.

If you are without a car, you can take any one of the regular ferries that go from Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts, to Charlestown, which is the capital of Nevis. That trip takes about 40 minutes and is very scenic. It's well worth doing just for the views, but Charlestown is also a very picturesque and interesting destination.