Travel Guide from St Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands to St Kitts and Nevis:

If you’re in St Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands, you should probably consider traveling to St Kitts and Nevis.

As the year draws to an end and the holidays are fast approaching, it is another season of travelling and vacation. You’re probably thinking of the best destinations to visit.

St Kitts and Nevis is  one of the caribbean islands to visit during  Christmas. Although it’s one of the most expensive times, with the large throng of tourists during that time and Nevis National Carnival (Sugar Mas) held during that time, the twin island is one of the best you should consider visiting during Christmas.

Now let’s take a dive into st kitts and nevis travel guide like places you can stay, things you can do and some travel guides.

 

 

Places to Stay in St Kitts and Nevis

1. Four Seasons Resort

This hotel offers ultra-luxurious hideaway fringing Nevis‘ western coast. It maintains its Caribbean ambiance along Pinney’s Beach and it should one of the places to stay in st kitts and nevis.

This hotel features free parking, three infinity-edge pools, free Wi-Fi, nine tennis courts and an 18-hole golf course (designed by Robert Trent Jones II).

The accommodations range from guest rooms with private patios or balconies that either overlook the sea, gardens or spectacular Nevis Peak to luxurious suites that have separate living areas that extend outdoors onto a private terrace or balcony.

2. Royal St. Kitts Hotel

The Royal St. Kitts Hotel, located a mile north of Frigate Bay, provides guests with easy access to the adjacent St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino’s 18-hole championship golf course, as well as Frigate Bay’s shops, restaurants, and beaches.

It features amenities such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and glass showers. Guests can relax by one of two pools (one of which is saltwater), work out in the gym, or dine at one of two restaurants on the property. Although this hotel does not have direct beach access, many of its rooms have picturesque views of the property’s private lagoon, while others have mountain views. The kitchenette is the standout feature of these guest rooms.

3. Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbor

This Park Hyatt resort, located on the southern tip of St. Kitts, has 126 immaculate rooms and suites. LCD TVs, espresso machines, bathrooms with deep soaking tubs, robes and slippers, and private terraces are among the amenities in the neutrally decorated accommodations.

Outside of the rooms, guests can enjoy two pools, a spa with yoga and meditation classes, and a private beach with views of the Caribbean Sea and neighboring Nevis island. Families will appreciate the hotel’s complimentary kids club, which caters to children aged three to twelve and includes activities ranging from arts and crafts to outdoor activities. Meanwhile, the three on-site restaurants serve cuisine ranging from local to international.

4. Nisbet Plantation Beach Club

This former 18th-century sugar cane plantation on Nevis’ northern coast impresses guests with its rustic charm, surrounded by 30 acres of tropical palms and powdery sands. All 36 guest rooms and suites are housed in lemon-colored cottages with wicker furniture, stocked minibars, free Wi-Fi, and balconies, patios, or screened-in porches.

The on-site restaurants, Coconuts, Sea Breeze Beach Bar, and the Great House, serve Nevis specialties. There’s a tennis court, beachside hammocks, a croquet lawn, and a 75-foot lap pool on the grounds. Nisbet Plantation Beach Club is about two miles east of Vance W. Amory International Airport.

5. The Mount Nevis Hotel

The Mount Nevis Hotel is located in New Castle, less than 2 miles south of Vance W. Amory International Airport. The Caribbean Sea is visible from this boutique hotel in northern Nevis. Enjoy the scenery from your private balcony or patio; each of the Mount Nevis Hotel’s tropical-themed rooms, suites, and villas also has a minifridge for cooking, a flat-screen TV with a DVD player, free Wi-Fi access, and a coffee maker.

The property’s cozy restaurant, which serves tasty island-inspired dishes made with ingredients from the on-site vegetable garden, deserves praise. This former 19th-century lime plantation also has an outdoor pool and a nearby beach.

6. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino

This luxury resort, which flanks Frigate Bay on St. Kitts’ southeastern coast, attracts visitors seeking a low-key tropical getaway. The rooms have bright green and blue accents, traditional or modern furnishings, minifridges, flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi (for a fee).

There are a few facilities available, including a large pool complex, a white sand beach, a spa, a casino, and the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club. There are also five restaurants, ranging from fresh seafood to Italian cuisine, as well as two grab-and-go eateries and a lobby bar.

7. Montpelier Plantation & Beach

The private and secluded three-acre beach at Montpelier Plantation & Beach is located within a quiet cove and is equipped with umbrellas, gazebos, lounge chairs, and cabanas. Relax with bar service, lunch delivery, a pavilion for barbecue lunches, and beach shuttle service.

This non-smoking hotel has three restaurants, a full-service spa, and an outdoor pool. There is free English breakfast, free WiFi in public areas, free self parking, and a free beach.shuttle. Additionally, 3 bars/lounges, a beach bar, and a poolside bar are onsite.

8. The Hamilton Beach Villas & Spa

The Hamilton Beach Villas & Spa is sat on the warm, volcanic sands of Pinney’s Beach. It combines the comforts of home, offering spacious, modern apartments featuring full kitchens, with the island’s natural beauty, tropical climate and laid-back vibe. Located on the west coast of the 36 square mile island of Nevis, the resort’s backdrop includes the island’s centrepiece, Nevis Peak.

Along with a restaurant, this villa has an outdoor pool and a bar/lounge. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, concierge services, laundry facilities, and a 24-hour front desk are onsite.

Best Things To Do in St. Kitts & Nevis

1. Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park (St. Kitts)

Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a well-preserved fortress on a hill on the island of St. Kitts in the Federation of st kitts and nevis in the Eastern Caribbean. The physical location of the fortress presents panoramic vistas of forested mountains, cultivated fields, the historical township of Sandy Point, and neighbouring Dutch, English, and French islands across the Caribbean Sea.

This should be included on one day’s itinerary for its photo ops. If you climb to its top slopes on a clear day, you can see up to six other islands in the distance. Or you could tour the fort’s interior, stroll the grounds and snap images of nearby towns in the distance or the vibrant hues of the Caribbean Sea.

Here’s a tour of the Brimstone Hill Fortress to give you an insight of the national park

2. Oualie Beach (Nevis)

Located in Nevis north of Pinney’s, Oualie Beach is easy to reach from St. Kitts. Water taxis can pull directly up to the adjacent dock so you can walk to shore. Visitors say the sand on this beach is soft and less rocky compared to some of the other shorelines on these islands. Many also enjoyed the calm and warm waters at this beach.

You’ll want to eat and drink on this beach – Oualie’s chairs and hammocks are free to use as long as you do. You can also enjoy some spectacular snorkelling in the clear waters and there are rental kiosks for other water sports as well. Scuba Safaris and Windsurf  ‘N’ Mountainbike Nevis are just two of the companies represented on Oualie’s shore.

The owners of Oualie Beach gives a video tour of the destination in this video

3. Pinney’s Beach (Nevis)

Pinney’s Beach lies on Nevis’ west edge, north of Charlestown. The smooth saffron-colored sands of Pinney’s makes it very desirable to travellers. There are several beach snack shacks nearby and ample parking as well. Pinney’s is the longest beach on Nevis – approximately 4 miles and is a public beach open 24/7.There are vendors on-site that rent beach chairs and umbrellas, and can organise water sports activities.

There are many restaurants and bars along the coastline, where the music doesn’t stop even at night and visitors go to the beach to continue the party. Vacationing on Pinneys with the kids is not comfortable. It’s too noisy and crowded, there are no playgrounds and clubs for children. Swimming is only possible in the hotel pool.

There are several hotels along the beach, next to which there are the most well-kept plots of beach, and there are breakwaters in the sea. Entrance to the beach territory of the hotel is usually free – “strangers” are not prevented from staying and swimming. You can even visit the restaurants and cafes in the hotels and use free Wi-Fi.

Here’s a video of the Caribbean Sea shore along the wester coast of Pinney’s Beach, Nevis.

4. Cockleshell Bay (St. Kitts)

One of the more popular beaches in St. Kitts, Cockleshell Bay is on the island’s southern tip facing Nevis, which means it offers great views of its sister island. The beach’s stark white sands contrast with the calm jewel-toned waves that lap up against travellers’ feet. Cockleshell Bay stretches across 2 miles and is also home to a few hip beach bars (including a highly praised reggae joint) and seafood eateries.

Cockleshell Bay beach is free to access, though you may need some cash to rent beach chairs or enjoy conch fritters and drinks at one of the beach bars.

Here’s a scenic view of Cockleshell Bay on video

5. Frigate Bay (St. Kitts)

Frigate Bay is a beautiful beach with a lively atmosphere. Frigate hums with activity day and night, since it’s located so close to the islands’ best nightlife and shopping, not to mention some of the best hotels.

The area actually refers to two different beaches, located along the skinny strip of central St. Kitts. North Frigate Bay faces the Atlantic Ocean and boasts the best views and quality sand, complete with sea grapes you can pick and coconut palms you can climb. South Frigate Bay on the Caribbean Sea, however, is the nerve centre of the restaurants (Vibes Beach Bar and Mr. X’s Shiggidy Shack are especially popular) that moonlight as bars when the sun sets.

6. Royal St. Kitts Golf Club

The golf course is located on the grounds of the St. Kitts Marriott Resort in Basseterre. The par-71 Royal St. Kitts Golf Club has 10 water hazards, 80 bunkers and stretches across 125-irrigated acres overlooking the sea. The views are incredible and the holes are challenging, according to recent golfers. Travellers add that the course is kept in great shape and that the staff members are friendly and helpful.

Not just for sightseeing, gulf players can visit Royal St. Kitts. It plays as an 18-hole, Par 71 course at 6,900 yards from the championship golf tees. But with three other sets of tees it is fun for every level of player. This extraordinary layout boasts water hazards on 10 holes, 80 bunkers and a multitude of coconut palm trees along the Atlantic Ocean. For a truly memorable Caribbean golf experience, visit the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club.

7. St. Kitts Scenic Railway

The train winds through miles of St. Kitts mountains and takes tourists on a scenic (and informative) journey. The railway cars are double-decker style, with an open-air top deck offering 360-degree views and ample photo opportunities. Along the way, you’ll learn about the old sugar cane estates, see small villages and farms, and enjoy impressive panoramas of the sea, cliffs and verdant vegetation. (Keep in mind, of the 30-mile trip about 12 miles are covered via bus rather than train.) Plus, complimentary drinks like rum punch, daiquiris, soda and water are served throughout the three-hour tour.

Recent travellers said they were fans of this scenic railway ride, noting that the tour guides are exceptionally knowledgeable and the choir singing on board is a nice touch. However, some note this tour is on the pricey side.

Tours are available on select days and costs vary depending on if you purchase the tour through a cruise ship or through tour providers like Viator. The tour departs from Port Zante, where travellers board transfer buses to the train. For additional information, visit the railway’s website.

8. Nevis National Carnival (Sugar Mas)

If you’re travelling to St Kitts and Nevas, then you should definitely add attending the Nevis National carnival to your itinerary. The Saint Kitts and Nevis National Carnival, also known as Sugar Mas, takes place over the period between Christmas and the New Year. The last day of the Carnival takes place on January 2nd and this is the public holiday.

Visitors to this colourful and exuberant festival will find all the essential carnival elements present and correct, such as J’ouvert and Last Lap vibrantly brought to life with all the usual characters such as clowns, moko jumbies, masqueraders, and other traditional figures.

Sugar Mas is also when many competitions such as beauty and talent pageants take place, including a hotly contested calypso contest, which attracts Caribbean-wide interest. Kicking off on a Friday towards the end of November, Sugar Mas is essentially six weeks of partying with the streets filled with the infectious beat of soca and calypso music. A highlight is the National Carnival Parade on January 1st, giving a warm Kittitian welcome to the New Year.

The next day, January 2nd, sees the closing of the Carnival with the Last Lap, a final parade and outing of the colourful costumes of the carnival participants before the winners of the Best Carnival Troupe and Road March Song competitions are announced.

Experience the fun of the carnival on this video

Things To Pack when visiting St Kitts & Nevis

In December, Nevis is extremely warm and very rainy. Temperatures routinely are in the low 80s F (high 20s C) range. At night, lows are in the low 70s F (low 20s C). This is also a rainy time for Nevis, with more than half of the days of the month having rain. In December, humidity reaches as high as 80%.

1. What to wear

  • Light dresses
  • Short pants or heavy shorts
  • Long and short sleeve shirts
  • Breathable footwear or sandals
  • Short or long Light skirts

2. Beach necessities

If you’re going to the beach:

  • swimwear
  • beach blanket
  • lightweight travel towels
  • waterproof phone bag
  • and a dry bag for all of your other valuables
  • snorkel set (can be expensive purchased locally )

3. Health Essentials

  • Virus/bacteria filtering water bottle: Some areas may have unreliable tap water, so it’s useful to take a contaminant filtering water bottle.
  • A vaccine card protector
  • Emergency motion sickness relief
  • Travel disinfecting wipes
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Travel first aid kit

Travel Requirement to St Kitts and Nevis

COVID-19

The government removed all COVID-19 entry requirements on 15 August:

  • There is no requirement for pre-arrival testing
  • There is no requirement for testing on entry
  • There is no requirement to be fully vaccinated
  • There is no requirement to quarantine

This applies to citizens, residents and non-residents of St Kitts and Nevis.

Travelers are advised to complete the embarkation form before departure for St Kitts and Nevis – this will make the arrival process in St Kitts and Nevis speedier.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Check out Booking.com to see amazing deals on flight tickets. It offers access to an array of booking services. This Dutch booking marketplace makes finding deals from both early and established airlines a breeze

Visit our IC Caribbean shop to find all your vacation merchandise.

Additionally, before you travel be sure to check out  our podcast on Anguilla with Omari Banks

Enjoy your vacation and stay safe!