St. Kitts eBrochure

Island of Sweet Memories
St. Kitts is truly an island of sweet memories. With roaming Black Belly sheep, unforgettable sunsets, and rainbows that appear
out of nowhere. But the enchanting scents of the island will be your most vivid connection to your time spent here. The aromas
of freshly baked raisin bread and sizzling barbeque. The smell of a massive beachfront bonfire. And the sweet scent of wild
flowers that are said to hold the very spirits of our Kittitian ancestors.
A proud and
progressive people.
St. Kitts is an island that values honesty, loyalty and
above all else self-pride. You can see it in the faces of the
immaculately groomed, uniformed school children who
wave back at every admiring passerby. You can see it in
the careful preparation of every dish that is set before
you. And you can see it in the warm and welcoming
smiles that greet you wherever you go. You’ll also love
the sense of brotherhood, of community, and mutual
respect. We are an island made up of people of very
diverse backgrounds, and yet we are united in our goals
for one another and our vision for our future.
Old Sugar Mill
History
Christopher Columbus first spotted St. Kitts in 1493, when it was populated with native tribes, but the Europeans didn’t colonize
our island until the British arrived in 1623. For centuries after that St. Kitts occupied a critical position in the European struggle
for the islands of the West Indies, which were rich with sugar plantations and were considered the gateway to the Caribbean.
As a result, the struggles and conflicts in and around St. Kitts shaped much of the history of the entire Caribbean.
Brismtone Hiill Fortress
The strategic location of our island also led to our place in history as one of the most advanced colonies in
the Americas. So if history is your love, you’ll have a very busy stay in St. Kitts. So diligent have we been in
honoring our past, UNESCO has designated our Brimstone Hill Fortress restoration a World Heritage Site.
This is but one of many living museums of historical significance you will see on our island. Along the way
you will be amazed at the innovations that led St.Kitts to become a world leader in sugar cane cultivation,
and an inspiration for the Industrial Revolution in the process.
Sports and Athletics
The people of St. Kitts love athletics, and across the island you
will find fields alive with competition at every level.
Hildens Bay
Activities
Before venturing out to other parts of the island, take a short stroll around our capital of Basseterre, the first
French capital town in the West Indies. Wander around Independence Square and the Circus. Then head straight
for our most famous historical attraction, Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park. In addition to the rich history of
this World Heritage site, the fortress provides breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and neighboring
islands. For an unforgettable encounter with nature, plan a day in our ever-expanding forest. Here you can zip line,
or just hike one of the many trails of varying difficulty. Or you can head out to sea for an incredible fishing, kayak,
or scuba experience just off shore and swim with fish of every stripe and color. Whatever you do, try to leave no
stone unturned. There’s more to St. Kitts than meets the eye, and every bit of it is worth discovering for yourself.
Scenic Railway
You may also want to start your St. Kitts adventure on
our historic Scenic Railway. It circles the island just as
it did a hundred years ago when it brought cane from
around the island into the mills of Basseterre.
Shopping
Caribelle Batik at
Romney Manor
You can’t go home empty handed, nor will you want to when you check out the prices at shops large and small all over the island.
There’s plenty to choose from in our capital, Basseterre, which offers a delightful mix of small shops and manageable malls. In
the restored historic center of town you’ll find a wide assortment of Kittitian delights and merchandise. Here you can buy locally
designed clothing and wonderful art. All across the island there are opportunities to take advantage of our visitor-friendly pricing.
Souvenirs and local handicrafts are the best buys. A very popular item is our locally produced Batik (cloth dyed using wax) made at
Romney Manor, an historic plantation site thought to have once been owned by the family of the third president of the USA.
Tours and Excursions
Imagine the possibilities on an island that has set aside more than a quarter of its land as a Forest Reserve! This is St. Kitts. Land
of a thousand natural treasures. Here you can drive or hike through the lush Valley of Giants, or zip line high above our sprawling
vegetation. To see it all, you’ll want to plan a safari deep into this land of inner beauty, or hire a guide to take you on your own
adventure of discovery. Another great excursion option is a 6-hour catamaran voyage to Pinney’s Beach on our sister island of Nevis.
Sand Bank Bay
Our Beaches
The beaches of St Kitts offer a choice between soft golden-white sand, primarily found on the Southeast Peninsula, and intriguing
black/grey sand found on the northern (eastern and west coast) part of the island. The beaches can also be distinguished between
those on the Windward side and those on the Leeward side of the surrounding Caribbean Sea. Banana Bay and Cockleshell Bay, lie
side by side, offering a beautiful two mile stretch of white sand. Frigate Bay, near Basseterre, is another good choice. Here you can
enjoy horseback riding on the beach, or just add to your shell collection.
Hildens Bay
Diving and
Snorkeling
St. Kitts offers exceptional diving for the novice, as
well as the well experienced. There are wrecks, reefs,
walls, and caves, which provide excellent underwater
exploration. In St. Kitts, you won’t have to venture
very far out to enjoy the treasures of the sea. In fact,
the underwater world of St. Kitts is frequently praised
by divers and snorkelers for the pristine condition of
its coral reefs, its numerous historic shipwrecks, and
colorful marine life. Experienced charter services and
excursions are available through your hotel. All the
necessary gear can be rented at the dive shops.
A special note: St. Kitts has been working with the marine conservation organization C.O.R.A.L. (the Coral
Reef Alliance), and Philippe Cousteau’s EarthEcho, on a comprehensive assessment of the conditions of the
reefs and ecosystems in the waters surrounding St. Kitts. The island’s goal is to create Marine Protected Areas,
which will help preserve and protect its marine environment for years to come.
Fishing and Boating
The waters off St. Kitts abound with tuna, wahoo, dorado, kingfish, barracuda, shark, snapper, and mahi mahi. The
creation of man-made reefs has insured a plentiful stock and has provided anglers with sure-fire fishing grounds.
Another technique being used to increase your catch is the building and anchoring of FADS (fish aggregating
devices). These raft-like structures made from palm fronds and wooden pallets provide shade and shelter for small
fish in specific areas. They are effective at attracting larger bill fish and mahi mahi, which feed on the smaller fish.
Charters are available to take you out, or you can rent your own craft and go it alone if you choose.
Mt. Liamuiga
Climbing our Volcano
Our volcano is worth the trip to St. Kitts in and of itself. You can hike up to its rim, 3,792 ft. above sea level, where you can look
down at the island below you to see just why the Kalinago Indians used their word for fertile, Liamuiga, to give this island its
first name. You can then be guided down 1,000 feet to its crater floor. No matter how many years pass before you return to St.
Kitts, you’ll never forget the experience.
Exploring our
Rainforest
Classified as an American Oceanic Rainforest, our rainforest
is one of the rarest types found on the entire planet. Here you
will be sheltered by a canopy of rich green leaves sprinkled with
brightly colored flowers, tropical vegetation and the soothing
sounds of nature. Serious hikers and mountain bikers will
find numerous trails of varying degrees of difficulty. For a less
physically demanding experience, tour operators offer fourwheel drive safaris and excursions. Thrill seekers can soar above
the canopy on an eco-friendly zipline with one of the Caribbean’s
newest zip tours. Bird watchers will marvel at the many avian
species that call St. Kitts home, while everyone enjoys the
banter and play of our island’s Green Vervet monkeys. To help
protect this precious natural asset, the St. Kitts & Nevis National
Parliament has declared all land above the 1,000 ft contour to be a
National Forest Reserve, effectively protecting most of the island’s
lush rainforest and watershed.
Our Resorts and Plantations
St. Kitts offers visitors a wide variety of options, including oceanfront hotels, B&Bs, private villas and lavish resorts with in-house
casinos. But what St. Kitts is most noted for is a selection of plantation properties that bring their guests back in time. In most
cases these plantation inns are the actual great houses of these once lively centers of agrarian life. Here you’ll get to know the
proprietors on a personal basis, and many of the rooms feature genuine antiques and furnishing from the glory days when cane
was king on St. Kitts.
Dining on the Island
St. Kitts has a widely established reputation for fine food, a reputation which the local restauranteurs guard zealously.
Restaurants specialize in Chinese, Western, Creole, Indian and West Indian cuisine. Most restaurants in St. Kitts offer
a continental menu with island variations. Fruit, including mangoes, papayas and bananas, is sold at the waterfront
market. A wide range of imported drinks is available.
Meetings and Incentives
St. Kitts is a truly majestic natural backdrop for all group events large and small. The island plays host to numerous
regional and international meetings and incentives throughout the year. Our various conference facilities are well
equipped and adequately spaced to accommodate numerous conferences on an annual basis. And any number of
the island’s hotels and venues are capable of exceeding your expectations whether you are planning an intimate
social event or a monumental celebration.
Weddings and Honeymoons
To fulfill your dream of a perfect wedding, follow your heart to St. Kitts. One of our renowned independent wedding planners, or
experienced professional wedding coordinators at our hotels, will prearrange everything for you: the ceremony, reception, flowers,
music, make up, hairdressing and photography… as well as special accommodations for you and your guests. And getting married in
St.Kitts is very easy. Red tape is kept to a minimum. No residency is required. Couples are only required to obtain a marriage license
in St. Kitts and bring necessary documentation.
Toronto
New York
Getting Here
St. Kitts is easily reached with direct service from the US (under
3 hours), as well as from Canada, the United Kingdom and the
rest of Europe. A wide range of international airlines and charter
carriers serve the island regularly. And the major airlines serving
the Caribbean continue to add more flights to St. Kitts on a
regular basis. The island’s easy proximity also makes it a favorite
port-of-call for most of the major cruise lines.
London
Atlanta
Miami
Basseterre, St Kitts
Pelican Mall, Bay Road, P.O. Box 132, Basseterre, St.Kitts
Tel: +1 (869) 465-4040 • Fax: +1 (869) 465-8794
E-mail: [email protected]
UNITED KINGDOM
USA - NEW YORK
10 Kensington Court,
London W8 5DL
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7376 0881
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7937 6742
E-mail: [email protected]
414 East 75th Street, Suite 5,
New York, NY 10021
Tel: +1 (212) 535-1234
Fax: +1 (212) 734-6511
E-mail: [email protected]
CANADA
USA -WASHINGTON DC
133 Richmond St., West, Suite 311,
Toronto, ON, M5H 2L3
Tel: +1 (416) 368-6707
Fax: +1 (416) 368-3934
E-mail: [email protected]
3216 New Mexico Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20016
Tel: +1 (202) 364-8123
Fax: +1 (202) 364-8126
E-mail: [email protected]
www.StKittsTourism.kn