St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Kitts and Nevis, like no other islands in the Caribbean,
seem to embody a kind of lush tropical paradise usually
associated with the South Pacific. The atmosphere here is
palpably luxuriant, an intoxicating blend of sunlight, sea air
and fantastically abundant vegetation. At the center of St.
Kitts stands the spectacular, cloud-fringed peak of Mount
Liamuiga (pronounced Lee-a-mweega), a dormant volcano
covered by dense tropical forest. And on Nevis, too, the
ground rises upward into a cloud
forest filled with elusive green
vervet monkeys and brilliant
tropical flowers. For ecotourists,
or simply anyone who enjoys
stunning natural beauty, St. Kitts
and Nevis cannot fail to exceed
expectations.
And yet nature is only a small part
of the wonder of these small, relatively undiscovered
destinations. Long ago, St. Kitts and Nevis were the pearls
of the British Caribbean, rich and enormously important
islands that were celebrated throughout Europe. Nevis, the
"Queen of the Caribbees," possessed unimaginable wealth
from its super-productive sugar industry, while on St. Kitts
the impregnable fortress of Brimstone Hill stood as the
Gibraltar of the West Indies. In this venerable history is
plenty of romance as well, for it was on Nevis that the
dashing young Horatio Nelson met, courted, and wedded
Fanny Nisbet, all the while attending to the whirling social life
of the island's prosperous plantation estates.
Today these islands are esteemed more for their long
stretches of sugary sand than for their sugar cane. Basseterre
and Charlestown, the islands' capitals, are among the most
captivating and picturesque of the Caribbean's colonial
harbour towns. The law here holds that no building here may
be taller than the surrounding palm trees, and on both St.
Kitts and Nevis natural preservation is a major value.
Activities include outstanding hiking through the islands' rain
forests, golfing on internationally ranked golf courses, fishing,
boating and diving or snorkeling through underwater reefs
and unexplored wrecks. There is also an exceptional wealth
of historic points of interest, including restored fortresses,
haunted plantations, and ancient petroglyphs. In the midst of
all of these attractions are many of the finest and most
welcoming plantation inns in the Caribbean. Still largely
undiscovered, despite their extraordinary beauty, their
remarkable history, and their unmatched charm, St. Kitts &
Nevis offer a rare opportunity to visit the "Secret Caribbean."
Tipping/Gratuities:
Same as in the US--10% to 15%, depending on the service. Some
restaurants and hotels will automatically add a 10% gratuity. If you are in doubt, do not feel
uncomfortable asking. Usually, porters and bellhops receive 50 cents per bag, taxi drivers
10-15% of the fare.
Telephones:
Calling the U.S. is easy from St. Kitts & Nevis. Most hotels offer USA Direct
calling service, or they can connect you with a U.S. operator.
Taxes:
St. Kitts & Nevis has a US$17.00 airport departure tax, an additional US$1.50
Environmental Levy and a room tax of 7% and service charge of 10%.
Television:
Most hotels have 22 cable channels, including CNN, ESPN, the Disney Channel,
premium movie channels and local stations.
Electricity:
230 volts, 60 cycles. Most hotels have 110 volts, and converters are available.
Drinking Water:
Safe spring water comes from numerous volcanic springs.
Appropriate Attire:
Beach attire is appropriate for the
beach but not the town, shops or restaurants. Please
refrain from short shorts, bikinis and bare chests in these
places. Informal, but conservative, clothing is the standard.
Time Zone:
Atlantic Standard Time, one hour ahead of
Eastern Standard Time and the same as Eastern Daylight
Time.
Currency/Money: Click Here For Currency Exchange
The official currency is the Eastern
Caribbean Dollar, which is fixed to the US dollar. Recent
exchange rate was US$1.00 = EC$2.70. US currency,
travelers checks and major credit cards are welcome
everywhere.
Banks:
Bank of Nova Scotia, Barclays Bank PLC, Royal
Bank of Canada, St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank
Ltd., Bank of Nevis Ltd., Nevis Co-Operative Banking Co.
Ltd. Banking hours are Monday through Thursday from
8:00 am to 3:00 pm and Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The St. Kitts & Nevis National Bank is
also open from 8:30 am - 11:00 am on Saturdays.
Medical Facilities:
St. Kitts & Nevis has doctors on call at hotels and a 24-hour Casualty
Department. Recompression chambers are available by air ambulance at nearby Saba and in St.
Thomas. Pharmaceutical services are widely available.
Passports and Immigration:
U.S. and Canadian citizens need proof of citizenship: a passport,
birth certificate or voters' registration card. U.S. residents need their green card. All others
require a valid passport. A return or continuing ticket is also required.
Shopping Hours:
Monday through Saturday 8:00 am to noon and 1:00 pm-4:00 pm. On
Thursdays, most shops close for the afternoon.
Personal Safety:
St. Kitts & Nevis are relatively crime free, but exercise normal precautions.
For example, don't leave valuables unattended in rental cars or on the beach.
