Introducing St Kitts & Nevis

Exotic rainforest and exquisite beaches, plantation inns and old forts. For two small islands, St Kitts & Nevis are brimming with character. Named after Christopher Columbus, St Kitts is the bigger of the pair. It’s here that you can visit UNESCO-listed Brimstone Hill, go zip-lining through the canopy and experience its vibrant nightlife. For a truly tranquil escape, laid-back Nevis is just the tonic. Yet with nature trails, palm-fringed coves and a volcano at its core, the scenery here is just as dramatic.

Practical Information

Capital city
Basseterre on St Kitts

Currency
East Caribbean Dollar – in $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes

Cuisine
Islanders are enormously proud of their cuisine, which celebrates fresh seafood and tropical fruit. But you’ll come across plenty of Asian influences, too. Wash it all down with the local spirit made from sugar cane.

Saying hello
You’ll hear most people speaking English, as well as Creole, so simply say ‘hello’. 

Tipping etiquette
Many hotels and restaurants will add a service charge to bills. If they don’t, tipping 10% is typical.

When To Go

If ever there was a year-round destination, St Kitts & Nevis would be it. Even during the ‘winter’ months, temperatures can tip over 80°F. Rain picks up from June to November, but this is also when some of the islands’ best festivals fall. If you don’t mind a tropical storm, this can be a quieter time to visit.

Top Tip from SLH

Walk the aisle at St. John’s Church on Nevis and you’ll be following the footsteps of Frances Nisbet when she married Horatio Nelson.