Saint Kitts and Nevis
North America · Basseterre · KN
Saint Kitts and Nevis is the two-island federation of the northern Leewards, the compact, historic nation of the green mountains, the sugar heritage and the calm vintage Caribbean that spreads across the twin volcanic islands of its small territory. The main island of the Saint Kitts holds the great fortress of the Brimstone Hill, the world heritage citadel that the British raised on its cone of the volcanic stone, the capital of the Basseterre and the dramatic peaks of the interior, while the sister island of the Nevis, smaller and even more relaxed, shelters the historic capital of the Charlestown and the plantation houses of the colonial era. The country, one of the smallest nations of the western hemisphere, preserves the manners and the pace of the older Caribbean, with the friendly towns, the cricket, the calypso and the quiet bays of the two islands. The beaches, the hikes and the history make the federation a gentle, unspoiled escape.
Overview
Saint Kitts and Nevis is a country in North America. Its capital is Basseterre and the international dialling code is +1869. Languages commonly used in everyday life here include English. Local currency is the East Caribbean Dollar (XCD). We also list 1 city in Saint Kitts and Nevis: Basseterre.
The Fortress of the Brimstone Hill and the Walls of the Stone
The fortress of the Brimstone Hill, the great citadel that the British engineers carved from the volcanic rock above the western coast of the main island, is the monumental heart of the country and one of the most impressive fortifications of the region. The walls and the bastions of the fort, climbing the cone of the hill with the cannon of its batteries and the barracks of its garrison, command the strait between the islands and the sea beyond, and the museum of the site takes the visitor through the sieges and the daily life of the fortress. The views from the ramparts, over the green island, the neighbouring islands and the endless horizon, are among the finest of the eastern Caribbean.
The Capital of the Basseterre and the Trains of the Sugar
The capital of the Basseterre, the friendly, historic town on the sheltered bay of the south-west of the main island, holds the compact colonial centre with the circus square, the cathedral of the cathedral square and the old stone buildings of the sugar era. The famous railway of the narrow gauge, built to carry the cane of the plantations, now runs the tourist train of the island along the dramatic coast, winding through the villages, the old estates and the forests of the shore with the commentary of the island history. The market of the town, the churches and the memorials of the capital, together with the cruise pier of the bay, give the gentle, working feel of the small Caribbean city.
The Island of the Nevis and the Springs of the Bath
The sister island of the Nevis, the round, mountainous isle that the clouds wrap in the eternal white of its crown, is the quieter and the more historic half of the federation, with the plantation houses, the beaches and the mineral springs of its slopes. The capital of the Charlestown, the small Georgian town of the painted wooden buildings, holds the museum of the island and the birthplace of the young Alexander Hamilton, the founding father of the United States who grew up on the isle. The springs of the Bath, the hot mineral waters that made the island a fashionable cure in the colonial era, and the reconstructed heritage town beside them, anchor the spa history of the country.
The Beaches of the Two Islands and the Waters of the Sea
The beaches of the federation, from the long black strands of the Atlantic side with their rolling surf to the calm golden bays of the Caribbean shore, give the twin islands their easy, sandy life. The diving and the snorkelling of the reefs of the coast, the calm water of the bays and the wrecks of the offshore, attract the water lovers of every level, and the boats of the day trips run between the two islands with the swimming and the sun of the afternoon. The beach bars of the shore, the lobster grills and the simple rooms of the guest houses hold the relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere of the vintage Caribbean of the federation.
The Volcano of the Liamuiga and the Forests of the Summit
The volcano of the Liamuiga, the sleeping giant that rises to the peak of the main island, dominates the skyline of the country from its forested cone, and the demanding hike of its trail climbs through the rainforest of the upper slopes to the rim of the great crater. The views from the summit, over the green island, the sister isle and the seas of every horizon, are the reward of the climb, and the crater below, with its small lake and its steaming walls, holds the wild heart of the volcano. The trails of the interior, through the mature forest with the green vervet monkeys and the parakeets of the island, offer the hiker the deep nature of the two-island nation.
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- Capital
- Basseterre
- Currency
- East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
- Languages
- English
- Calling code
- +1869
- Internet TLD
- kn
Entry requirements
Check who can enter →See which passports travel visa-free or need a visa to enter Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Cities (1)
All cities →Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Saint Kitts and Nevis?
Basseterre is the capital of Saint Kitts and Nevis, and the country sits in North America.
What currency is used in Saint Kitts and Nevis?
You pay with East Caribbean Dollar (XCD) in Saint Kitts and Nevis. Exchange rates move day to day, so check the current rate before you change money or use your card abroad.
Which languages do people speak in Saint Kitts and Nevis?
The languages we list for Saint Kitts and Nevis are English. A couple of greetings in the local language go a long way when you travel, even in cities where another language is widely used.
What is the international dialling code for Saint Kitts and Nevis?
The dialling code for Saint Kitts and Nevis is +1869 — keep the plus sign when you save the number.
Which cities in Saint Kitts and Nevis do you cover?
Our guide lists 1 city for Saint Kitts and Nevis: Basseterre (capital).