Saint Kitts and Nevis
Two beautiful Caribbean islands make up the nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Incredible natural wonders like volcanos, craters and lots of wildlife await.
Saint Kitts and Nevis travel guide
wo very different islands form the nation of St Kitts and Nevis, located between both the Atlantic and Caribbean, famous for their stunning beaches and mountainous landscapes. St Kitts is the larger of the 2 islands, home to a dormant volcano, Mount Liamuiga, a crater lake, tropical rainforest and the UNESCO-listed Brimstone Hill Fortress as well as numerous hotels, eateries and bars.
Just over 3km from St Kitts is Nevis, which features Nevis Peak in its center, several plantation-style hotels as well as scenic splendour and beautiful beaches. Both islands’ beaches are home to sea turtles who nest there and there are various tours to view these fascinating marine creatures.
If you’re looking for a secluded, tranquil getaway, then Nevis is the place to go, whilst St Kitts is more tourist-friendly, with numerous activities and facilities including a golf club, a scenic railway that takes visitors through the historic sugar cane fields and a variety of resort hotels.
Both boast exquisite volcanic mountains and excellent water sports facilities including diving in spectacular coral reefs. For an authentic Caribbean escape, you can’t miss a visit to either.
The coastal views of Saint Kitts and Nevis are frankly staggering.
Best time to visit: Visit in low season, May to the middle of December, when airfares and accommodation are cheaper. May and June are the best months to visit to enjoy superb weather and the annual St Kitts Music Festival, held in the last week of June.
Best Area for Sightseeing: Both islands have their own special charms. See Things to do in St Kitts & Nevis below for some inspiration.
Shopping in St Kitts & Nevis: Local crafts to look out for include batik, carvings, wall hangings and leather items. St Kitts features a number of shopping malls, and you can also pick up souvenirs at Anima Craft Market on the island, especially atmospheric on Fridays and Saturdays.
Food & Restaurants in St Kitts & Nevis: Caribbean flavors abound on both islands, and the fresh produce is superb. You’ll also find other global cuisines on offer, especially in the hotels.
Nightlife: St Kitts offers better nightlife than Nevis – you’ll find a number of bars and clubs in Frigate Bay
Beaches: On St Kitts, head for any of the beautiful white stretches of sand on offer, including Oualie Beach and Frigate Bay, home to 3 gorgeous beaches including popular North Frigate Beach and relaxed South Frigate Beach. On Nevis, there’s the main beach, Pinney’s Beach, located near the capital, Charlestown, as well as numerous secluded stretches of sand.
Things to do in St Kitts & Nevis:
- Visit St Kitts’ picturesque, old world main town, Basseterre, with its charming colonial public buildings and Independence Square, a former slave market.
- Explore the gardens of Romney Manor on St Kitts, home to a 350-year-old tree and then head to nearby Wingfield Estate to see the ruins of a sugar mill.
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Brimstone Hill, on St Kitts.
- View sea turtles on St Kitts’ Turtle Beach.
- Discover Nevis’ charming main town, Charlestown.
- Explore the Nelson Museum on Nevis.
- Visit the interior of Nevis Island to see the vervet monkeys who live there.
- Climb to the summit of Nevis Peak.
- Cycle around Nevis Island to find untouched beaches.
Best way to get around: Rent a car, take a taxi or one of the islands’ brightly colored mini buses. To get from one island to the other, hire a private boat.