Saint Kitts And Nevis

Overview

Saint Kitts and Nevis are a pair of tropical islands in the Caribbean , about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago . What is really remarkable on Saint Kitts and Nevis is the natural aspect. Many tropical birds which one rarely finds elsewhere are present in great concentration in the nature and there are also the famous monkeys which, it is said, were introduced by the pirates. It is called "The Mother Colony of the West Indies".

As if it were the custom in the Caribbean, Saint Kitts and Nevis changed hands many times between English and French, which has left it a heritage of cities with names from both countries. Contrariwise, the architecture in the island nation is very British (Victorian style) with driving on the left and especially in downtown Basseterre: Circus Place the reproduction of the 'Berkeley Memorial Clock'.

The islands became an associated state of the United Kingdom with full internal autonomy in 1967. The island of Anguilla rebelled and was allowed to secede in 1971. Saint Kitts and Nevis achieved independence in 1983. In 1998, a vote in Nevis on a referendum to separate from Saint Kitts fell short of the two-thirds majority needed.

There are also several ancient British fortifications which have been restored with minutiae and reproducing the tiniest details of original construction. Saint Kitts and Nevis will be called to be developed in the near future, in fact many projects are in progress or completion, notably vast dockings to accommodate the largest liners and cruisers with terminals, loading docks, etc.

Sights and landscapes

Of course, with an area no larger than 261 km², Saint Kitts and Nevis has a somewhat limited (but not absent!) array of typical sights. It's hardly a set back for visitors to these two small islands though, as they have all the enchanting natural beauty of the Caribbean.

Its strategic location made Saint Kitts a colonial hotspot and a focus point of European nations in their struggle for power over the West Indies islands. The colonial settlers rapidly expanded sugar plantations and imported African slaves, thus laying the foundations for the islands' colourful culture. Festivities, crafts and other displays of that culture are among the islands' main tourist attractions now, as are the ruins of the many plantations . A particularly accessible one is the Old Road Rum distillery at Wingfield estate. The Scenic Railway , travelling on the tracks of the old sugar train railway, is a great way to see the best of them. However, nothing makes the islands' history as tangible as the impressive and well preserved remains of the Brimstone Hill Fortress . It's both a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site and provides some stunning views over the surrounding area and even some nearby islands. Only a few ruins and some cannons remain of Fort Charles on Nevis, the fortifications of Charlestown .

Basseterre is a pleasant place and has a view sights, including St. George's Anglican Church and Independence Square , once the site of the slave market. The impressive 1894 Old Treasury building , built as the gateway to Basseterre , is an important historic sight but also houses the National Museum with expositions on the history, identity and independence of the island.

The country consists of two main islands, Saint Kitts and Nevis , separated at a distance of 2 miles (3 km) by a shallow channel called The Narrows .

The capital city is Basseterre , located on the larger island of Saint Kitts . Basseterre is also the main port for passenger entry (via cruise ships) and cargo.

Both main islands are of volcanic origin, with large central peaks covered in tropical rainforest . The majority of the population live along the flatter coastal areas. St Kitts contains several mountain ranges (the North West Range, Central Range and South-West Range) in its centre, where the highest peak of the country, Mount Liamuiga 1,156 metres (3,793 ft) can be found. Along the east coast can be found the Canada Hills and Conaree Hills. The land narrows considerably in the south-east, forming a much flatter peninsula which contains the largest body of water, the Great Salt Pond . To the southeast, in The Narrows, lies the small isle of Booby Island . There are numerous rivers descending from the mountains of both islands, which provide fresh water to the local population. Nevis, the smaller of the two main islands and roughly circular in shape, is dominated by Nevis Peak 985 metres (3,232 ft).

Planning your route

There is a scenic railway tour that goes on portions of the narrow gauge railway that was used for the sugar mill. It is essential to book in advance, as it does not run every day and can sell out. If more than one large cruise ship visits the island, organized train tours can fill the train. The train has double-decker observation cars; the upper level is open with a canopy. Each car has a restroom and bar, and a choir may be on hand to sing Caribbean favorites. If you're new to narrow gauge rail travel, the track has more and tighter bends than a standard gauge railway. This leads to more swaying of the cars and more frequent screeching as the wheels go around curves. ☏ +11-869-465-7263

Taxis and buses outnumber those needing them in St. Kitts. Be sure to negotiate upfront the costs of the trip, pay special attention if the fare is in US or EC dollars. Taxis charge 50% extra from 10PM to 6AM, and drivers expect a 10% tip.

Travel guide text compiled and adapted from Wikivoyage article (contributors) and Wikipedia article (contributors). Sections were selected and reordered for this guide. Text is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Check current arrangements with your travel consultant.