Saint Kitts and Nevis has the palm-fringed, silver-sand beaches and convivial atmosphere you’d expect from any Caribbean island holiday. But, its lofty palms also shade crumbling British forts, granite churches and 18th-century sugar plantations. Our Caribbean specialists have combed the islands to find a selection of special places to stay, from plantation inns to organic farms.
The larger island of Saint Kitts is a crumple of jungle-clad volcanic peaks edged by long strips of silvery volcanic sand with the occasional rum-focused beach bar. Its quieter companion, Nevis, still shelters plantation homes and the remains of a British fort. It once boasted US founding father Alexander Hamilton as a resident, while Admiral Lord Nelson made his home on the forested Pond Hill in the south where his estate, Montpellier, is now an exclusive hotel. You could decide to spend your days simply relaxing on the beach. Or, we can recommend more active ideas for a holiday on Saint Kitts and Nevis, which involve walking the jungle trails or island-hopping farther across the Caribbean.
Creating tailor-made tours for over 25 years
Suggested Saint Kitts and Nevis tour
This sample tour will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in Saint Kitts and Nevis, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your tour will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Where to stay in Saint Kitts and Nevis
We know that where you stay is an important part of your trip. That’s why we’ve hand-picked the best properties in Saint Kitts and Nevis, from beachside hideaways to activity-filled family resorts.
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![Tamarind Villa, Montpelier Plantation & Beach, Nevis]()
Montpelier Plantation & Beach
Saint Kitts and Nevis
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Best time to visit
Our specialists advise on the best months to visit Saint Kitts and Nevis, including information about climate, events and festivals.
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Useful information for planning your holiday in Saint Kitts and Nevis
What languages are spoken in Saint Kitts and Nevis?
English is the official language of Saint Kitts and Nevis, though most locals also speak Saint Kitts Creole, or the very similar Nevis Creole. This English-based creole is heavily influenced by the languages of the Garifuna and West Africans brought to the Caribbean by enslaved people.
What's the currency of Saint Kitts and Nevis?
The currency of Saint Kitts and Nevis is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$ or XCD), which is tied to the US dollar. You’ll find ATMs on both islands and major credit cards are accepted at most hotels and larger restaurants. US dollars are also widely accepted, but you’ll usually be given change in EC dollars, and at a lower exchange rate.
What food and drink should I try in Saint Kitts and Nevis?
In Saint Kitts and Nevis, you should try traditional local dishes such as stewed salt fish with spicy plantains and coconut dumplings, or pelau (a rice, meat, and vegetable dish). Fresh seafood is served on most menus, and you’ll often see kingfish, snapper, and spiny lobster, which is a local delicacy. Jamaican-inspired jerk chicken and rotis are great street-stall snacks, and local markets sell a variety of freshly fried seafood and fish patties, too.
Cane Spirit Rothschild, nicknamed CSR, is a potent white rum made on Saint Kitts. It's usually served neat or mixed with a local grapefruit drink called Ting. Brinley Gold is another locally blended rum with vanilla, coffee, coconut, and mango versions.
How much should I tip in Saint Kitts and Nevis?
A service charge of 10% is typically added to your bill in hotels and restaurants in Saint Kitts and Nevis. Tipping on top is discretionary and should reflect the service you’ve received.
Where can I find the latest travel advice for Saint Kitts and Nevis?
For the latest travel advice for Saint Kitts and Nevis, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation, please refer to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website.
What can I experience in Saint Kitts and Nevis?
Although white-sand beaches and azure seas might be your main reason to visit, Saint Kitts and Nevis also offer volcanic peaks, lush rainforest, and heritage architecture. If you’ve had enough of relaxing by the pool or sea, snorkeling over coral reefs, and trying your hand at water sports, you could venture to the islands’ capital, Basseterre, where palm-lined streets are flanked by Georgian-era architecture.
Inland, you can hike through forests alive with bird calls, visit botanical gardens overflowing with tropical flowers, or climb up Mount Liamuiga, Saint Kitts’s highest peak. The Nevis Heritage Trail will take you around the island’s historical sights, while the Saint Kitts Scenic Railway loops around the island.
You can also visit sugar plantations and imposing forts, explore volcanic ravines, or just enjoy the languid island lifestyle and linger in a beachside rum shack and watch the world go by.
Where can I stay in Saint Kitts and Nevis?
In Saint Kitts and Nevis, you can stay in a range of hotels along the beach, including an 18th-century sugar plantation now converted into a luxurious boutique hotel. Our specialists will help find the right hotel for you.
Where should I go in Saint Kitts and Nevis?
Basseterre, Brimstone Hill Fortress, and Frigate Bay are some of the best spots to go on Saint Kitts, while in Nevis, Charlestown is the main hub of activity. Slightly larger and busier, Saint Kitts is home to the capital, Basseterre, where Georgian-era buildings line the streets but the history is multinational with an African-influenced Creole culture, Anglican churches, a Jewish cemetery, and Chinese street stalls.
You can visit Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park to learn about the islands’ history, or head into the interior to climb through volcanic ravines and lowland rainforest. Silver beaches line the coast, but you’ll find chic bars, hotels, and shops, as well as lively nightlife, on Frigate Bay.
On Nevis, you should go to 18th-century Charlestown and the Botanical Gardens of Nevis, a tropical haven filled with orchid terraces and lily ponds. Elsewhere, you’ll find crumbling forts and silvery sands backed by rustic rum shacks.
How long does it take to fly to Saint Kitts and Nevis from the UK?
It takes around ten and a half hours to fly from the UK to Saint Kitts and Nevis. This flight is not direct and often stops in Antigua on the way. If you’re heading to Nevis, you’ll need to take a speedboat transfer to the island from Saint Kitts.
What's the time zone in Saint Kitts and Nevis?
The time zone in Saint Kitts and Nevis is UTC-4 hours. Daylight Savings Time is not observed here.
What's the best way of getting around in Saint Kitts and Nevis?
Car rentals, bike tours, and taxis are all great ways to get around in Saint Kitts and Nevis. Distances are short and you can get from one end of Saint Kitts, the larger island, to the other in about half an hour. Car rental is easy to arrange and there are lots of taxis if you’d prefer to let someone else do the driving.
In Nevis, a bike tour is a great way to see the island, and you’ll find regular ferries running between Saint Kitts and Nevis if you want to sample what each island has to offer.
Do I need a visa to visit Saint Kitts and Nevis?
UK citizens don’t need a visa to visit Saint Kitts and Nevis. Citizens of other countries should check their visa requirements.
To speed things up on arrival, you can fill out the Online Immigration and Customs ED Form in advance and show your receipt at the airport.
Do I need vaccinations to visit Saint Kitts and Nevis?
Speak to your doctor about vaccine advice for Saint Kitts and Nevis and ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations at home. You can also check the suggested vaccinations on the Travel Health Pro website.
What do I need to check with my passport for travel to Saint Kitts and Nevis?
Your passport should be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of your departure from Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Saint Kitts and Nevis in pictures
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![Volcano views, St Kitts]()
Volcano on Saint Kitts -
![Botanical Gardens, Nevis]()
Botanical Gardens, Nevis -
![The Strip, South Frigate Bay, St Kitts]()
South Frigate Bay, Saint Kitts -
![Brimstone Hill Fortress, Saint Kitts]()
Brimstone Hill Fortress -
![Saint Kitts & Nevis]()
Deserted beach on Saint Kitts -
![Nevis Peak]()
View from Nevis Peak -
![Saint Kitts & Nevis]()
Basseterre, Saint Kitts -
![Vervet monkey in Saint Kitts]()
Vervet monkey
Our expert guides to travelling in Saint Kitts and Nevis
Written by our specialists from the viewpoint of their own travels, these guides will help you decide on the shape of your own trip to Saint Kitts and Nevis. Aiming to inspire and inform, we share our recommendations for how to appreciate Saint Kitts and Nevis at its best.
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![YouTube Video: Introducing the Caribbean]()
Watch our short video introducing the Caribbean
Our Caribbean specialists' talk about their favourite places and excursions in the Caribbean.
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Boutique hotels of the Caribbean ![Saint Lucia]()
Boutique hotels of the Caribbean
Boutique hotels of the Caribbean
You can opt for an intimate experience in the Caribbean by staying at boutique properties. Hidden Beaches specialist Annabel picks out some of the best hotels, from a cocoa plantation in Saint Lucia to one of Nelson’s beloved spots on Nevis.
Read this guide -
What to do in Saint Kitts and Nevis: our highlights guide ![Majors Bay, Saint Kitts]()
What to do in Saint Kitts and Nevis: our highlights guide
What to do in Saint Kitts and Nevis: our highlights guide
Our Caribbean specialists have put together some of their top places to visit and things to do on the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Highlights include hiking on Saint Kitts, following the Nevis heritage trail, and exploring Brimstone Fortress and Basseterre.
Read this guide -
From beach to beach: island-hopping in the Indian Ocean and Caribbean ![The Maldives]()
From beach to beach: island-hopping in the Indian Ocean and Caribbean
From beach to beach: island-hopping in the Indian Ocean and Caribbean
Sail around the Caribbean, catch a local ferry in the Seychelles or watch the Maldives spread out below on a scenic flight. Our beach specialists reveal how journeying between islands is as interesting as the destinations themselves, and suggest their top island-hopping combinations.
Read this guide
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