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Tucked away in the Eastern Caribbean, St Kitts is grinding its way into the Caribbean’s top islands to visit. With unique features like the Sugar Train and direct flights to major cities, gaining insight into the St Kitts tourism industry will help you appreciate a trip to the island.
Why visit St Kitts?
Despite its modest size and population, St Kitts packs a big punch with what it offers visitors.
The island has easily accessible world-class beaches like Oualie Beach, well-preserved historical landmarks like Brimstone Hill Fortress, and one-of-a-kind experiences like riding the Sugar Train.
Tourism in St Kitts is tailored to foreign tourists, and there are numerous car rental options, private transfer services, public transportation, high-end accommodation, and a variety of dining experiences.
Planning Your St Kitts Trip: A Step-by-Step Guide
You can guarantee a rewarding trip to St Kitts regardless of when you choose to visit, but mapping things out beforehand can make all the difference when considering weather, peak travel periods, and the island’s cultural events schedule.
When to visit St Kitts?
Weather
The Eastern Caribbean location of St Kitts means that it has warm tropical weather all year long. The climate typically stays above 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
While you can expect sunshine for the most part, lush tropical islands come with heavy rains and sudden downpours. St Kitts has a tropical marine climate, and the weather swings between dry and rainy periods.
The Caribbean is located near the equator, receiving the same trade winds and ocean currents. This makes the June to November wet season consistent across all islands in the region. Increased rainfall and the odd tropical storm characterize the Caribbean’s wet season.
Crowds and events
Aligning with the dry season, St Kitts’s peak period is generally mid-December to mid-April. Most USA, Canadian, and European visitors choose this period to escape the winter weather. Between May and June is another great option, just after peak season for those who want to avoid crowds.
Sugar Mas Carnival: Sugar Mas kicks off six weeks of energetic street parades and parties from mid-December to early January. Attendees don artfully designed carnival outfits and parade the streets to thumping soca and calypso music.
Nevis Culturama Festival: Attending Nevis Culturama is one of the best things to do in St Kitts and Nevis. It is an annual event on St Kitts’s sister island, Nevis, at the end of July and early August. The festival celebrates Nevisian heritage; folklore, food, dance, and live music are key elements.
St Kitts Music Festival: Held annually at the end of June, the St Kitts Music Festival is one of the island’s premier events. It features soca, reggae, dancehall, hip-hop, and R&B from some of the Caribbean’s top music artists.
Visa requirements
St Kitts visa requirements for foreign visitors from other Caribbean countries, the USA, the UK, EU countries, and most Commonwealth nations allow visits to St Kitts without a regular visa for short trips. Travelers must present an approved Electronic Travel Authorization to immigration authorities.
Citizens of Eastern Caribbean countries, including those with Caribbean citizenship by investment, do not need an eTA and can travel with their national ID card. St Kitts and Nevis passport holders do not have visa requirements.
Getting there
As a popular Caribbean tourist destination, getting to St Kitts is straightforward. The island offers direct flights from several hubs. American Airlines, WestJet, JetBlue, and Air Canada offer nonstop flights to and from New York, Miami, Atlanta, and Toronto.
Cape Air, Caribbean Airlines, Winair, Sunrise Airways, and Anguilla Air Services offer nonstop regional flights to St Kitts from other Caribbean countries and territories.
Where to Stay in St Kitts
St Kitts Marriott Beach Resort, Casino & Spa: The St Kitts Marriott Beach Resort is a high-end resort established by the reputable Marriott Hotel brand. It is an all-in-one resort featuring almost 400 rooms, eight restaurants, a golf course, and spa facilities.
Park Hyatt St: Kitts Christophe Harbour: Park Hyatt St: Kitts Christophe Harbour is a five-star resort constructed with investment from St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program on Banana Bay overlooking Nevis. Guests are treated to ocean-view rooms, a luxury spa, and high-end restaurants like The Great House and Fisherman’s Village.
Belle Mont Sanctuary Resort: For an eco-friendlier stay, the Belle Mont Sanctuary Resort at Kittitian Hill is a boutique accommodation option featuring sustainable villas and cottages. Set amongst trees and hills on a 400-acre organic farm, guests enjoy immersion in farm-to-table living.
Villas at Pinney’s Beach: The Villas at Pinney’s Beach is a Four Seasons Resort on Nevis featuring over 80 luxury private residences. The residences attract both vacationers and St Kitts and Nevis real estate buyers who choose to live there long term. As a Four Seasons Resort, guests can access an 18-hole golf course, a full-service spa, fine dining restaurants, and half a mile of white sandy beaches.
Explore St Kitts: Top Attractions and Must-See Places
Ride the Sugar Train
The only working railway in the Caribbean, the St Kitts Scenic Railway was built over 100 years ago to transport sugar cane from the cane fields to the sugar mill in Basseterre and now operates as one of St Kitts’s premier tourist attractions. The 30-mile Scenic Railway tour transports visitors through a narrow gauge, over bridges, and by cliff sides, revealing some of the island’s most stunning features.
Visit Brimstone Hill Fortress
Part of Electronic Travel Authorization, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Brimstone Hill Fortress offers a picture of St Kitt’s and Nevis’s colonial past. Fort George Citadel and the Fort George Museum, the Eastern Place of Arms, and the Western Place of Arms are also located on Brimstone Hill, bringing to life the island’s heritage and history.
Wander Central Forest Reserve National Park
Central Forest Reserve National Park was St Kitts and Nevis’s second designated national park. It is home to the island’s only remaining tropical forest. Covering 40 square kilometers, trails wind through dense forest and offer hikers encounters with rare bird species and views of the coastline from leafy mountain ridges.
Take a look at our St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Ultimate Guide
Insider Travel Tips for St Kitts
Getting around St Kitts
At just 67 square miles, the best way to move around St Kitts is by rental car or private taxi. If you plan to visit several places or stay in St Kitts for a while, a rental car will be the most economical option. International rental agencies like Sixt, Budget, and Avis, as well as local agencies like Ryluxe Car Rental, ABC Car Hire, and St Kitts Car Rentals, offer car rentals outside Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport.
Daily rates vary depending on the agency, but you can expect to pay around $50 per day and upward, excluding taxes and insurance.
Because of the island’s small size, private taxis or transfer services are a sensible option if you’d prefer to avoid driving. An airport transfer from the south to hotels in Kittitian Hill in the north costs about $60 for four people. Taxi rates are not government-regulated, so prices vary between companies, destinations, and passenger numbers.
According to the Nevis Air and Sea Ports Authority, ferries from Charlestown and Reggae Beach in St Kitts to Oualie in Nevis cost between $25 and $40 per person one way, depending on the boat operator.
Safety
Concerning safety in St Kitts, the island has one of the lowest crime rates in the Caribbean, with a travel advisory “Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions” from the US Department of State. That being said, there is occasional theft and targeted robberies. Remaining aware of your surroundings and maintaining common sense practices, such as leaving valuables in a hotel safe and avoiding lonely streets at night, can ensure a trouble-free travel experience.
Culture and customs
St Kittitian culture is rooted in African and British heritage. Most Kittitians are descendants of enslaved Africans, and the remnants of British colonialism are present in the island’s religious practices, musical expression, culinary heritage, and sporting tradition.
Sites like Brimstone Hill Fortress provide information and artifacts about St Kitts and Nevis’s colonial history.
Stewed saltfish and coconut dumplings is St Kitts and Nevis’s national dish–a must-try for visitors. Many visitors and expats living in St Kitts and Nevis mention that while not compulsory, charging a ten percent service tax is common practice in restaurants and hotels. Gratuity is generally appreciated by restaurant workers, hotel staff, and tour guides.
Saving Money in St Kitts
- Visit in the low season: Daily hotel and short-term accommodation rates and flight prices are much lower in off-peak months like June and October.
- Rent a vehicle: If you intend to move around a lot or spend an extended period in St Kitts, renting a car is more economical than taking private taxis frequently.
- Eat local: Roadside stands, food trucks or small local restaurants are cheap alternatives to pricey hotel restaurants.
- Buy a local SIM card: Telecom companies like T-Mobile, Rogers, and Vodafone offer reasonable internal data packages. However, roaming charges in Caribbean islands are often high. Local providers like Flow and Digicel offer seven-day data packages for $25.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tourism in St Kitts
Is St Kitts worth visiting for tourists?
The island’s wide selection of beaches, luxury accommodation, and unique attractions, such as the St Kitts Scenic Railway, make it well worth visiting. The St Kitts and Nevis Tourism Authority provides transparent and comprehensive guidance, easing the process of arranging travel to the island.
Do I need a visa to go to St Kitts?
If you’re a US citizen, you do not need a visa to gain entry to St Kitts. You can apply for Electronic Travel Authorization and visit the island for up to 90 days without a regular visa.
Is St Kitts expensive?
St Kitts is moderately expensive, particularly for luxury accommodation, dining out, and organized excursions like catamaran tours.
What language is spoken in St Kitts?
As a former British colony, the official language spoken by St Kittitians is English.
What are the immigration laws in St Kitts?
US, Canadian, UK, and EU citizens are exempt from regular visa requirements to travel to St Kitts. St Kitts visa requirements include having a valid passport, proof of accommodation, and an onward or return ticket.
What is the best currency to use in St Kitts?
St Kitts and Nevis’s official currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC or XCD), which is the best currency to use when visiting. Some tourist sites and restaurants may accept US dollars but expect a poor conversion rate.
When not to visit St Kitts?
St Kitts is worth visiting year-round, but reconsider visiting between May and November to avoid the worst of the rainy season and potential hurricanes.
How long is the ferry from St Kitts to Nevis?
Ferry rides between St Kitts and Nevis take about 45 minutes.
Is it better to stay on St Kitts or Nevis?
Deciding between St Kitts and Nevis depends on your travel preferences. St Kitts is larger and is the country’s economic center, offering more adventure activities, accommodation options, and historical sites. In contrast, Nevis is more relaxed and less commercialized, offering a natural and quieter environment.
