Practical Information

The best time to go to St. Kitts and Nevis is between mid-December and mid-April, when the weather is cooler, although this is also the most expensive time to visit. It is humid during August and September.

Getting There

St. Kitts has direct flights from the US on American Airlines, Delta, and Condor Airlines. From the UK, British Airways offers a weekly flight with a stopover in Antigua. LIAT services St. Kitts via Antigua as well. Another hub is St. Martin/Sint Maarten, which is served by Winair. Getting to Nevis is not as easy. Traveling via St. Kitts is one alternative, from where it is possible to cross via ferry from Basseterre to Charlestown or to take a flight (although these are not frequent). If arrival is too late in the day, a water taxi can make the crossing. From within the Caribbean, there are daily flights from San Juan on Puerto Rico with American Airlines. From Antigua there is a hopper service that is scheduled to meet the North American and European flights that land in the mid to late afternoon.

Personal Security

St. Kitts and particularly Nevis are safe islands. There are few problems with personal security (virtually none in Nevis) and theft is very rare, though it is advisable not to leave valuables visible in a car or unattended on the beach.

Health

The main hospitals are Joseph N. France General Hospital in Basseterre and Alexandra Hospital in Charlestown. Vaccinations are necessary if you are coming from a yellow-fever-infected area.

Passports and Visas

All visitors to St. Kitts and Nevis should travel on a valid passport with a valid onward ticket. Citizens of most European countries and the US do not need a visa. All visitors have to pay a departure tax when leaving the island.

LGBT+ Safety

Same-sex relationships between men are outlawed by “unnatural offenses” laws and are punishable by up to ten years in prison. By contrast no laws exist against relationships between women. However, despite the existence of laws on the books, the government claims there has been no known prosecution of same-sex sexual activity. Nonetheless discretion is advised and there have been incidents against tourists in the past including a gay cruise ship being barred from docking back in 2005.

Money

The currency of St. Kitts and Nevis is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$). On both islands credit cards are accepted in almost all establishments. There are ATMs in Basseterre and Charlestown. Banks follow regular business hours: 8am–2pm Monday to Thursday, 8am–4pm Friday.

Cell Phones and Wi-Fi

Handsets and SIM cards with local numbers for rental are available through Cable and Wireless and Digicel. When phoning out of the islands, dial 011 and the international code. Visitors bringing cell phones should check with their service providers to determine if they will work in St. Kitts and Nevis and if they will be subject to roaming charges. Most of the hotels and some villas have wireless Internet available. There are cafes with internet connection as well.

Getting Around

Car rental companies will deliver to the airport, ferry terminals, hotels, and villas. They will also issue the obligatory local driving license. Car rental companies include TDC Thrifty (both islands), AVIS, and IAS Auto Rentals (St. Kitts) and Nevis Car Rental at the airport in Nevis. Taxis are available at all hotels and at the airport and ferry terminals. Taxi stands include Circus Taxi Stand in Basseterre and Charlestown Taxi Stand in Nevis. Bus services are good on both islands, but, as they are designed for local people, no buses run to Frigate Bay or the Southeastern Peninsula on St. Kitts. They emanate from the main towns, on the waterfront in Basseterre and the two squares in Charlestown. There is no schedule; instead, buses leave when they are full or on the decision of the driver.

The ferry is the most commonly used transportation between the islands. There are car ferries between Major’s Bay in the south of St. Kitts and Cades Bay in Nevis. The trip between Basseterre and Charlestown takes 45 minutes and there are about eight or ten crossings each day. For day visits, the car rental agency may allow (with advanced warning) visitors to drop the rented car at the ferry terminal and then pick up another car on arrival in the other island.

Visitor Information

The St. Kitts Tourism Authority has offices in the US, Canada, and the UK. On the island, its main office is in Basseterre. The Nevis Tourism Authority has its head office and information office in Charlestown.

At a Glance