Introduction

The islands of St. Kitts (official name St. Christopher) and Nevis are slightly off the beaten track, neither island is overrun with tourists. Together, they are the smallest nation in the western hemisphere and are unique in the Eastern Caribbean for their remarkable preservation of West Indian culture and attitudes. The sister islands are also quite different. St. Kitts, the larger is more cosmopolitan and livelier, while Nevis is quieter and more sedate. Wherever you go on these two small islands, there are panoramic views of the sea, mountains and examples of colonial architecture, gorgeous plantations inns and genuine hospitality.

History

The peaceful calm of St Kitts suggests nothing of the extraordinary history of the island. For centuries, St Kitts occupied a critical position in the European struggle for the West Indies, combining exceptional wealth as sugar colonies with a vital strategic position as gateways to the Caribbean. As a result, the struggles and conflicts that marked their history are among the most decisive episodes in Caribbean history. 
St Kitts is a volcanic island, a fact to which it owes its dramatic central mountains, its rather unpredictable geologic history, and its lush tropical vegetation. In fact, St Kitts' pre-Columbian Carib inhabitants knew their island as Liamuiga, or "fertile land," a reference to the island's rich and productive volcanic soil. Today that name graces St Kitts' central peak, a 3,792-foot extinct volcano.
The recorded history of St. Kitts begins with the second voyage in 1493 of Christopher Columbus who sailed past the island but did not land. There is some doubt as to whether it is this island that Columbus gave the name St. Christopher (after himself). In any case, by the time the Englishman Thomas Warner arrived with fourteen other settlers in 1624 to found the first non-Spanish European colony in the Caribbean, the island was known as St Christopher's.
Thomas Warner chose St Christopher for its abundant forests and fresh water, its fertile easily worked soil, its accessible physical structure, and the presence of salt.

The written history of Nevis begins with the account recorded by Columbus when he sailed by Nevis in 1493. The name Nevis is derived from "Nuestra Senora de Las Nieves" which means "Our Lady of the Snows," because of the cloud capped mountain reminding Columbus of snow.
Prior to the Columbus saga, Nevis was named Dulcina "Sweet Island" by the Arawaks and later Oualie "land of beautiful waters" by the Caribs. Later in the 18th century Nevis became known as "Queen of the Caribees." Evidence of pre-ceramic people abounds with finely crafted stone tools and intricately coloured pottery found.
Over the years Nevis has made a number of significant contributions to the Caribbean and the World. Two men who played part in international history were Alexander Hamilton and Lord Horatio Nelson. Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of America and its first Secretary of the Treasury was born on Nevis on January 11, 1757. Nelson, Britains most famous admiral, used Nevis as a base of operations in the mid 1780's and married a Nevisian, Frances Nisbet in 1787.
Nevis continued to be part of the British colonial holdings until 1967 when it achieved Associated Statehood with St Kitts. On September 19, 1983, Nevis became part of an independent nation and form part of the sovereign democratic state of St Christopher and Nevis.

Culture

Its 10,000 residents are friendly and helpful, ready to make new friends and welcome back regular visitors. The genuine charm and hospitality radiate into the unspoken, "Welcome," "Be my guest," and "Do come again."

A great aspect of St Kitts' culture is the local folklore such as; Clowns, Moko-Jumbies, Masquerade, Bull, and Actors. All come on display in the tremendous exuberance at Christmas time during the carnival to entertain and educate the community.

Nevis is special, a place that will seduce you, and tug at your heart strings after you leave. Like they say on Nevis: “You’re only a stranger here once."

Map

To See

St. Kitts remains un-crowded and unspoiled, famous around the world for excellent preservation of the ecosystems. Nature lovers will want to take advantage of the various tours through lava formations, tropical forest areas, and seaside lagoons. Boating tours and scuba diving expeditions are also favourite activities. Plantation homes have been transformed into grand, intimate inns. Quaint shopping areas and beautiful Colonial architecture draw visitors to the tiny towns. It is the best spot for a quiet vacation in a luxurious and alluring corner of paradise.

Two miles away, Green and serene, the conical island of Nevis is truly one of the remaining unspoilt places and proudly carries the name, "Queen of the Caribees." From the top of the 3,232-foot Nevis Peak to the depths of the clear waters offshore, there is a world of flora and fauna to be explored. In the hills, the comical green monkeys chatter and scamper; in the sea, the whales cruise by. Stroll around and see the architecture of eras gone by: churches, windmills, and refurbished Great Houses. Some plantation houses have been converted in some of the most romantic hotel in the Caribbean, very popular with honeymooners.

Usefull Information

Airports: Robert Bradshaw International Airport on St Kitts and Newcastle Airport on Nevis.

Area: St. Kitts covers 176 square kilometres (68  square miles), and Nevis 93 square kilometres (36 square miles).

Business: Banks are open 8am-3pm, Monday to Thursday; 8am-5pm on Fridays.

Capital: Basseterre, St Kitts. Largest town on Nevis: Charlestown.

Climate: St Kitts & Nevis has a tropical climate influenced by the NE trade winds. There is a steady cool breeze for most of the year and humidity is low at 71%.

Clothing: 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.

Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar - EC$.

Customs: The following goods may be imported into St Kitts & Nevis by travellers aged 18 and over without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225g of tobacco; 1.136l of wine or spirits.

Economy: Agriculture, tourism, light manufacturing for St Kitts. The economy of Nevis is based on tourism, agriculture, fishing, and the offshore industry.

Electricity: 230 volts single phase, 400 volts 3 phase, AC 60 cycles. Some hotels have 110 volts.

Entry & Departure requirements: Please refer to the official British Virgin Islands tourism website (link below) or ask us.

Health: There are no particular health concerns associated with St. Kitts & Nevis. Modern ambulatory services are available in St Kitts 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.

Holidays: New Year’s Day (01-02JAN), Good Friday, and Easter Monday (MAR-APR),  Labour Day (MAY), Whit Monday (JUN), Queen’s Official Birthday (JUN), August Monday (AUG), Independence Day (SEP), Christmas (25-26DEC).

Language: English

Political status: independent nation, member of the Commonwealth

Population: 43,000

Religion: Mainly Roman Catholic and Anglican

Security: Commercialisation has not yet taken over and the easygoing, quiet way of life of the local people remains almost unspoiled. All visitors to the islands are cordially welcomed. You just have to be careful like anywhere else in the world these days.

Shopping: Shops open on weekdays, 8.30am-noon, and 1pm-4pm. Payment cards accepted in tourist areas.

Taxes & Service charges: A 10% service charge is normally included in hotel bills. In restaurants, leave 10%-15%. Hotels add also 8%, a government room tax to their bills.

Telecommunications: the international dialling code for St Kitts & Nevis is +1 869 followed by a seven-digit number beginning 465 in St Kitts and 469 in Nevis. On either island, use all seven digits.

Time: Standard Time Zone: GMT – 4 hrs. St Kitts & Nevis Time does not operate Daylight-Saving Time.

Transportation: A local airline runs a daily round-trip from St Kitts to Nevis (travel time - six minutes). There is also a regular passenger ferry service between Basseterre (St Kitts) and Charlestown (Nevis) with two to four sailings daily (travel time – 45 minutes).A good road network on both islands makes any area accessible within minutes. Driving is on the left. There are privately run bus services, which are comfortable and make regular, but unscheduled, runs between villages. Taxi Services on both islands have set rate.

MORE INFORMATION: http://www.stkittstourism.kn/

http://www.nevisisland.com/