St Kitts and Nevis travel guide

30 November -0001

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The islands of St Kitts and Nevis , which together comprise the smallest nation in the western hemisphere, are unique in the Eastern Caribbean for their remarkable preservation of West Indian culture and attitudes. Nowhere else in the region will you find such pristine examples of colonial architecture, gorgeous plantation inns, ramshackle sugar mills and genuine hospitality.

While there are ample opportunities for excellent diving and snorkelling, hiking and horse riding, kicking-back is the order of the day on both islands, their low-key ambience stemming, in large part, from the lack of massive resorts common elsewhere in the region. St Kitts' popular Frigate Bay area is currently undergoing expansion, however, which may herald a new era

Each island has its own tourism office and official website with links to hotels and services that you can book yourself. Other sources to try are the website of the St Kitts and Nevis Hotel and Tourism Association, covering accommodation and tour operators, and the government's website, which provides general background.

In addition to extravagant dining on both islands, there are plenty of inexpensive spots in the capitals to grab a bite. Fresh seafood is the fare of choice, with the most expensive offering being the spiny lobster. Another speciality is flying fish, served grilled and in sandwiches. Plantation inns tend to favour West Indian curries and seasoned vegetables, while a touch of Jamaican , like jerk chicken and rotis, is quite common at smaller restaurants and some beach grills.

The most popular drink is CSR (Cane Spirit Rothschild), a clear sugarcane liqueur, mixed with Ting, a tangy, grapefruit soda. Carib is the local beer ; St Kitts also brews Guinness.

The Eastern Caribbean dollar(EC$) is the official currency on both islands. Notes are in denominations of EC$100, 50, 25, 10 and 5; the EC$1 coin equals 100 cents. Hotels tend to post their rates in US dollars, which are also widely accepted. Unless noted otherwise, prices are quoted in US dollars. Most banks have ATMs that dispense the local currency; the Royal Bank's ATM in Basseterre dispenses US dollars as well. Tellers here will also change money (Mon-Thurs 8am-3pm, Fri 8am-5pm); the exchange rate is fixed at EC$2.70/US$1. When paying for goods using US cash, the rate is usually lower, at US$1/EC$2.60.

While Nevis is significantly more expensive than St Kitts, with two people sharing a room you can get by on under US$50/day in either place, though you'll be relegated to their scarce and hardly spectacular budget hotels.

Note that most hotels and restaurants automatically charge 7 per cent tax plus 10 per cent service charge; in Nevis, the hotel tax is 8 per cent.

St Kitts and Nevis are both great year-round tropical destinations, with temperatures averaging 81ºF (27ºC). Sunny days are tempered by refreshing breezes, nights are cool, and there is no rainy season to speak of (though rainshowers can occur throughout the year).

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