Social ConventionsAll visitors to the islands are cordially welcomed; marriages are valid after two days’ residence. Islanders maintain traditions of calypso dancing and music and this can be seen particularly during the summer months. Dress is informal at most hotels. Beach attire is not appropriate for around town, in shops or in restaurants. Nudity is not permitted on any beach. For more formal occasions and functions, a lightweight suit and tie is recommended. It is illegal to dress in camouflaged clothing. Homosexuality is illegal.
International Travel:Getting There by
AirMost international flights are via Antigua, Puerto Rico or St Maarten.
American Airlines also has regular flights from the USA.
LIAT (LI) (website:
www.liatairline.com) runs from Antigua and offers day-trip charters to St Maarten and Antigua & Barbuda. Other airlines serving the islands include
American Eagle (website:
www.aa.com),
Caribbean Star (website:
www.flycaribbeanstar.com)
and
Winair (website:
www.fly-winair.com).
Departure TaxEC$41. Children under 12 years of age and passengers staying less than 24 hours are exempt. An environment levy fee of EC$4 is also payable on departure.
Main AirportsSt Kitts (SKB) (Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw) is 3.2km (2 miles) from Basseterre on St Kitts.
To/from the airport: Taxis are available; fares are regulated.
Facilities: Tourist information, restaurant and duty-free shop.
Newcastle Airfield (NEV) is 11km (5 miles) from Charlestown on Nevis.
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Basseterre. This is a deep-water port capable of berthing
ships up to 120m (400ft) and is regularly visited by
cruise liners. Regular
ferry services operate from St Kitts to St Maarten.
OverviewThe following goods may be imported into St Kitts & Nevis by travelers aged 18 and over without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225g of tobacco;
0.95l of wine or spirits.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirNevis Express (VF) which ran a daily round-trip from St Kitts to Nevis is no longer in operation.
Getting Around by WaterThere are regular passenger ferry services on the
MV Caribe Queen, the
Sea Hustler and the C
arib Breeze, between Basseterre (St Kitts) and Charlestown (Nevis) with two to four sailings daily (travel time – 45 minutes). For information, contact the General Manager, St Kitts & Nevis Port Authority, Basseterre.
Getting Around by RoadA good road network on both islands makes any area accessible within minutes. Driving is on the left. Extra care must be taken at night as roads are not well lit.
Bus: There are privately run bus services, which are comfortable and make regular, but unscheduled, runs between villages.
Taxi: Services on both islands have set rates. A schedule of taxi rates is obtainable at the government headquarters. There is a 50 per cent surcharge between 2200-0600. Taxi drivers expect a 10 per cent tip.
Car & moped hire: A selection of cars and mopeds can be hired from several companies. It is best to book cars through the airline well in advance. When hiring scooters safety equipment is not included in the price; those hiring these must bear this in mind as other road users do not usually give scooters due consideration.
Documentation: Before driving any vehicle, including motorcycles, a local Temporary Driver’s License must be obtained from the Police Traffic Department. This is readily issued on presentation of an International Driving Permit or national driving license, and a fee of EC$125 for a license valid for one year, or EC$62.50 for a license valid for six months.
Journey TimesThe following chart gives travel times from
Basseterre, St Kitts (in hours and minutes) to other major towns on the islands:
| Air | Road | Sea |
| Newcastle, Nevis | 0.05 | - | - |
| Charlestown, Nevis | - | - | 0.45 |
| Sandy Point | - | 0.20 | - |
| | | |
| Frigate Bay | - | 0.10 | - |
| Cockleshell Bay | - | 0.35 | - |
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