overview

Two very different islands, part of one federation, St Kitts and Nevis are refreshingly uncommercialised and have been careful to develop their hotels and other tourist attractions to blend in with the local architecture, culture and history. Both islands are dominated by rugged volcanic peaks and rain forests and each has a unique cultural heritage. Both islands, Nevis especially, remain staunchly off the tourist track, which is of course part of their unique appeal.

Stay in one of the plantation houses followed by a beach hotel in Nevis. Enjoy a lazy Sunday brunch at Ottley’s followed by a trip on the St Kitt’s Scenic Railway Tour. Browse the market on Nevis, relax on the beautiful beaches, or simply soak up the atmosphere as you stroll through its sleepy villages.

Over 250 heritage sites are documented on St Kitts alone, of which Brimstone Hill is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nevis was the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, one of the United States’s founding fathers- it’s also the place where Admiral Horatio Nelson married Fanny Nisbet.

Whilst there is no national dish as such, goat water (a stew of meat and vegetables) and cook-up (rice, peas and meats) are commonly found, especially on Saturdays and public holidays. Seasonal fruits are delicious- especially guineps, mangoes and local grapefruit!

If you want to try some local cuisine, we recommend Miss June’s, Unella’s by the Sea and Banana’s Bistro on Nevis and Marshall’s (Frigate Bay), Fisherman’s Wharf in Basseterre and Spratnet in Old Road, for the best in local cuisine on St Kitts. Café des Arts on Nevis is perfect for a cooling tropical fruit drink as you enjoy the work of local artists.