Tucked away in the eastern Caribbean are St. Kitts & Nevis – a duo of island gems which promote themselves as “The Secret Caribbean.” So breathtakingly beautiful are the landscapes of these islands, it’s no wonder residents want to keep a secret of their dormant volcanoes, lush rain forests and palm-lined beaches.
Separated only by a two-mile-wide channel, these sister islands of volcanic origin are found in the northern part of the Leeward Island chain.
Reminded of the snow-capped mountain range in the Pyrenees, Columbus nicknamed Nevis Nuestro Senora del las Nieves, Spanish for Our Lady of the Snows, when he sighted them in 1493. No, there’s no snow 19 degrees north of the equator, but soft white clouds are known to drift along the mountaintops.
Once the leading spa of the West Indies, Nevis today still hosts several hot mineral springs. Known more for its “laid-back” island atmosphere than St. Kitts, Nevis has so much to explore. Besides basking in the warm rays of Caribbean sun or diving the surrounding reefs, there are plenty of interesting historical sites – ranging from an 18th century Royal bath house to the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton.
St. Kitts is just a short ferry ride away. Take a couple hours to visit a sugar cane plantation (there are many dotting the island); it’s interesting and fun. Packed full of historical sites such as a British fortress made of volcanic stone walls and ancient Carib Indian petroglyphs etched in boulders long before Columbus sailed, St. Kitts will keep you busy.
Perhaps one of the most interesting sites on St. Kitts is Mount Misery, a dormant volcano in which one is allowed to hike. But don’t forget to relax after a long day of exploring on the amazing white-sand or black volcanic sand beaches.
St. Kitts Facts
• Climate: Temperatures average from 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
• Currency: The Eastern Caribbean dollar, but U.S. currency is widely accepted.
• Language:English
• Banking: Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – noon and Friday from 8:00 a.m. – noon and 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
History
Originally discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, St. Kitts and Nevis remained inhabited by the Carib Indians until the British arrived on St. Kitts in 1623. A couple of years later, a French ship trying to escape a Spanish attack, eventually landed and teamed-up with the British to drive out the Indians and fight off the Spanish.
It wasn’t long until the British and French began to battle between themselves, and over a century’s time neither country owned the island for very long. Finally in 1783 due to the Treaty of Versailles, St. Kitts became the permanent property of the British.
All was calm until 1825 when out of the blue the British government declared Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis a single Crown Colony. Eventually in 1967 Anguilla declared itself independent from the group. Even today the three islands bicker between one another in a jealousy game.
Where to Stay
Since island law states that no building can be higher than the tallest palm tree, most hotels on St. Kitts tend to be small – and often intimate! Here are a few suggestions:
St. Kitts:
• Four Seasons (196 luxurious rooms with an 18-hole golf course)
• Ocean Terrace Inn
• Fort Thomas (64 rooms overlooking the harbor)
• Island Paradise Beach Village (35 one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom, and four three-bedroom condominiums)
• Jack Tar Village Royal St. Kitts (242 rooms, 18-hole golf course and casino)
• Colony Timothy Beach (61 rooms and suites)
• Rawlins Plantation (12 guesthouses spread across a 12-acre plantation)
• White House (10 guestrooms in an 18th-century greathouse)
Nevis:
• Hermitage (14 gingerbread cottages)
• Nisbet Plantation Inn (38 modern private cottages)
• Golden Rock Estate (16 guestrooms in cottages around an 1815 stone plantation)
• Oualie Beach (24 rooms in gingerbread cottages on the beach)
• Pinney’s Beach (36 rooms with ocean views)
Getting Around
Nevis:
Car rentals can be arranged online, but you will need a Nevis driver’s license, available at the police station in Charlestown.
Taxi fares are fixed, but make sure you know whether the fare is quoted in EC (Eastern Caribbean) or US dollars. Also, the fares increase 50% between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
There is no set schedule for the bus system which runs between villages; taxis are much easier for transportation.
St. Kitts
Car rentals are convenient and include unlimited mileage. You will need to purchase a local driver’s license at the fire station in Basseterre. Companies like Avis offer affordable rental cars.
Most taxi drivers are also guides and are the best means by which to get around the island. Before you get in the car it’s important you discuss the fare because the taxis are not metered.
Popular Tourist Activities
• Boating
• Golf
• Hiking & Mountain Climbing
• Horseback Riding
• Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
• Fishing
• Tennis
• Skiing
• Windsurfing
Shopping
St. Kitts
Most shops carry great buys on local crafts like baskets, leather and goatskin goods.
Pelican Shopping Mall is make up of two dozen shops that sell a variety of unusual merchandise and luxury-goods such as perfumes, porcelain, watches and jewelry.
Island Hopper is perhaps St. Kitts’ most popular shop with a mecca of international and West Indian merchandise. 809/465-1640 (The Circus, Basseterre).
Lemonaid is a bazaar-style shop of local antiques, duty-free perfumes, jewelry and artwork. 809/465-7260 (At the Golden Lemon, Dieppe Bay).
The Palms carries mostly native handcrafts as well as West Indies spices and teas. 809/465-2599 (In the Pelican Shopping Mall, Basseterre).
Nevis
Almost all of the shops are located along Main Street in Charlestown:
Nevis Handicraft Cooperative Society Ltd., specializes in local handcrafts, wines and edibles. (Cotton House, Charlestown).
The Sandbox Tree sells hand-painted clothing, sheets, napkins and antique furniture in addition to Haitian and Nevis artwork (Parkview Plaza, Charlestown).
Newcastle Pottery makes gift items and fires them over burning coconut shells in front of customers. (Newcastle).
Batik by Carvelle offers the latest selection in batik fashions (Main St., Charlestown).
Restaurants and Eating Out
St. Kitts
Golden Lemon, international dining in a charming atmosphere, Dieppe Bay.
White House, outdoor dining in an 18th-century greathouse specializing in West Indian and continental dishes.
Fisherman’s Wharf, casual dining near the water, serving mostly fresh seafood.
Lighthouse, West Indian and continental dining while overlooking the capital, Basseterre, from the east side of town, Bird rock at Basseterre.
Nevis
The Dining Room, Four Seasons Resort, Pinney’s Beach; island’s most luxurious restaurant with a trussed ceiling, beveled-glass windows and hurricane lamps, serves mostly International cuisines of West Indian and Asian dishes.
Hermitage Plantation, Hermitage Village, St. John’s Parish, continental dishes with local flair served in a charming old house.
The Cooperage, Gingerland, international foods as well as Caribbean dishes served in a dining room with high, raftered ceilings and stone walls.
Romantik Montpelier Plantation Inn, Montpelier, candlelight dining overlooking floodlit gardens and the ocean; expect the freshest seafood and beef.