The St. Kitts Landscape Right Before Sunset
St. Kitts
The island is 69 square miles with a population of 31,880. Basseterre is the capital.
Time
Atlantic Standard Time throughout the year. 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-4 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed.
Economy
Agriculture, tourism, light manufacturing.
Language Description
English.
Currency
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD$). U.S. bills are accepted by most stores and businesses and change is given in E.C. currency. U.S. coins are not accepted.
Exchange Rate
$1.00 USD = $2.70 XCD
Banks
* Credit Union
* Bank of Nova Scotia
* First Caribbean International Bank
* Royal Bank of Canada
* St. Kitts Nevis-Anguilla National Bank
* Development Bank of St. Kitts & Nevis
Banks are open Monday-Thursday 8am-2pm; Friday 8am-4pm. Each bank provides 24 hour ATM services where you can get cash advances from your VISA or MasterCard. You can also withdraw from or check the balance of the primary chequing and savings accounts linked to your bankcard, via the PLUS/Electron or Cirrus/Maestro networks.
Travel Documents and Entry/Departure Requirements
Citizens of Canada need only to present proof of citizenship – preferably a passport or birth certificate with the raised seal – in order to enter St. Kitts-Nevis. If the birth certificate is used, it must be accompanied by a government issued photo ID (a drivers licence, for example) showing the same name. Where applicable, documentation of a legal name change (for example, a marriage certificate) must also be presented. Citizens of the United States, however, are required to have passports in order to re-enter that country. As such a valid passport is a required travel document when travelling to the Caribbean.
Additionally, proof of sufficient funds and a return or onward passage might be required. There is a departure tax of $60 XCD (about $22 USD) payable in cash, or by credit card – Visa or MasterCard – at the airport.
Please reconfirm travel document requirements with your carrier prior to the commencement of your trip. Also, kindly click here for information regarding the entry/re-entry requirements, as advanced by the United States Department of State. If you would like to apply for a United States Passport now, or if you need to update yours you may click here.
Phones
Cable & Wireless (Lime) and Digicel are major telephone service providers in St. Kitts & Nevis. Direct Dialing, Leased Circuits, Internet, Class Services, Voice Mail, Caller ID and other features are currently offered. ISDN and DSL services are also available. The area and country code for St. Kitts is 1-869.
Emergency Numbers
Police / Ambulance – 911
Fire – 333
Air Ambulance – (869) 465-2801
JNF General Hospital – (869) 465-2551
Internet Service
Internet services are available at all of the hotels, as well as from an Internet Cafes across the city. Broadband connections (DSL & Cable) are also available, as are Web developing and hosting services.
Radio and Television
St. Kitts-Nevis is served by ten (10) radio stations, namely -
ZIZ – 96.0 FM
BIG WAVE- 96.7 FM
GOODWILL RADIO – 104.5 FM
WINN FM – 98.9 FM
CHOICE FM – 105 FM
SUGAR CITY ROCK – 90.1 FM
RADIO ONE – 94.1 FM
KYSS FM 102.5
VON Radio 895 AM
Choice FM 105.3
Cable T.V.
The Cable system provides at least 53 Cable TV Channels, including the local broadcasters ZIZ, CNN, ESPN and BBC.
Electricity
The domestic market is served by a 230 volt single phase supply. However, a 110 volt supply is available in most hotels.
Water
The water is of good quality and suitable for drinking. It is collected from direct precipitation, mountain springs and wells, and is chemically treated for purification. Locally bottled water is also available.
Health
There are no particular health concerns associated with St. Kitts. Therefore, special vaccines are usually not required. Modern ambulatory services are available and there are specialists in most fields of medicine. A brand new state of the art hospital was opened in 2003, and emergency 911 services are available.
Pets
St. Kitts is quite a pet-friendly island. As such, we have put in place a set of protocols to facilitate those who would like to travel with their pets, specifically cats and dogs. These regulations serve to protect the interests of you, the pet’s owner, the destination and, indeed, the pets themselves. Please click here to download the form that must be completed in compliance with the necessary protocols. We look forward to seeing you and your pet exploring St. Kitts.
What to Wear
Light summer clothing may be worn all year. Dress is informal, even at elegant hotels and plantation inns, though you may want to dress up a bit for a nice dinner. Nudity is not permitted at any beach. Swim wear or scant clothing should never be worn in towns or villages.
Tipping Overview
A 10% service charge is normally included in hotel bills. In restaurants, leave 10%-15%. Tipping taxi drivers is not customary.
Educated Workforce
St. Kitts has a labour force of about 22, 000. Unemployment in St. Kitts- Nevis is among the lowest in the Caribbean. According to a survey of the labour force, conducted jointly by the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Government, the rate was confirmed at 4.3%. The country also enjoys a literacy rate of over 98%.
Religion
There are a number of different churches on St.Kitts. The predominant religion is the Christian faith. However, there are small Rastafarian, Orthodox and other communities.
Legal System
The legal system is based on English Common Law served by a high court of justice, a Court of Appeal and her Majesty’s Privy Council in London. St. Kitts has agreed to be included in the Caribbean Court of Appeals Circuit.
List of Accommodations on St. Kitts
List of Available Transportation on St. Kitts
St. Kitts Coast
Nevis
This is the sister Island to St. Kitts, less inhabited but with even more natural beauty.
Banks
Bank of Nevis
Bank of Nova Scotia
First Caribbean International Bank
Nevis Credit Union
RBTT Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago
St. Kitts-Nevis National Bank
Banks are open Monday-Thursday 8am-2pm; Friday 8am-4pm
ATM 24 Hour Service (Cirrus and Plus Systems generally accepted):
Bank of Nevis, Ltd.
Bank of Nova Scotia
First Caribbean International Bank
National Bank
Vance W Amory Airport (open when airport is open)
RBTT – Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago
Nevis Cooperative Credit Union
Cable TV
About 70 stations are available, including pay movie stations (HBO, Cinemax, The Movie Channel and Disney) for about $70 US per month for full package. Different tiers are available.
Radio Stations
Von Radio 860 AM – www.vonradio.com
Radio Paradise (Christian) 820 AM – www.radioparadiseonline.com
Choice 105.3 FM – www.choicefm1053.com
Churches
There are a number of different churches on Nevis. Worship services are primarily held on Sundays and Saturdays but some churches do meet during the week for prayer and bible services. Any of the churches warmly welcome visitors.
Credit Cards
Most hotels, restaurants, and businesses accept credit cards, but it’s best to check ahead before relying on just credit cards. Bank ATM machines will give EC funds through some credit cards.
Emergency Numbers
Dial 9-1-1.
Police 469-5391
Alexandra Hospital 469-5473
Fire Services 469-3444
Visa & Immigration Requirements
U.S. and Canadian citizens are required to present a passport with a photo ID to enter the island. Visitors may stay for a maximum of six months, but extensions may be requested at the immigration office in Charlestown. Visitors must enter with a return ticket. Departure tax when leaving the island is $20.50 US or $54 EC, which includes an environmental levy and airport security tax.
Citizens of some countries are not required to have visas in order to enter St. Kitts – Nevis. Please click here to view the complete list, apply for a visa, or for St. Kitts-Nevis Embassies.
Money
The East Caribbean (EC) dollar is used on Nevis which can be obtained at any bank. Most stores and businesses accept the US dollars or travellers cheques, but change will be given in E.C. Neither banks nor stores accept the US coins only paper bills. The exchange rate is fixed at US$1.00 = EC$2.68
Post Office
The General Post Office, located in Charlestown, is open Monday – Friday 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Internet Access
Nevis Historical & Conservation Society
Lime – Hunkin’s Plaza, Charlestown 469-5000
Nevis Public Library – Prince William Street, Charlestown 469-5521
Downtown Cybercafe- Main Street, Charlestown 469-1999
Importation of Pets
Nevis is a rabies free island. Please help us keep it that way. Click here to see the guidelines for importing your pets.
Time Zone
Nevis is on Eastern Standard Time, but does not change for daylight savings. Tipping
Service charge of 10% is generally included in restaurant bills, but it’s best to ask (and more is welcome, of course!). Hotels add 20% to their bills, including 10% service and 10% VAT.
Tourist Information
The Nevis Tourism Authority office is open Mon-Fri, 8:00-5 p.m. in Charlestown. Brochures about many of the island’s activities and businesses are available there. For information, call 1-869-469-7550 (local), 1-407-287-5204 (from the USA), 1-403-770-6697 (from Canada) or +44(1)305233107 (from the UK)
Utilities
Most hotels and homes use 110 volts but 220 lines are sometimes available. Check with your hotel to be sure.
Local Etiquette
Leave bikinis, bare chests, and bare feet for the beach only. Dress tastefully when out in public.
Before taking photographs of residents, it’s respectful to ask their permission. Do this when photographing people, their children, and their personal property, including their homes.
Join in with the local ritual of saying “good morning” and “good afternoon” even to total strangers.
Dress for dinner is generally “casually elegant.” Jackets and ties are not required for men at any of the restaurants.
List of Accommodations on Nevis
