Ferries: Several passenger ferries operate between Basseterre and Charlestown. The journey takes 35 to 45 minutes and is quite a pleasant journey. The prices for adults / children are $ EC 20/10 for one trip, an additional fee of 1 EC $ has to be paid in each port. Tickets are sold around half an hour before departure. You should be there a little earlier, as the tickets for some trips sell out quickly.
Each ferry company operates on its own schedule. Some are more reliable than others, and the condition of the ferries varies considerably. You should have the schedules / departures confirmed in advance. There are around two hours between the departures of the various ferries (but there are far fewer connections on Sundays).
Ferry companies operating between Basseterre and Charlestown include:
- Carib Breeze / Carib Surf – offers the most reliable connections
- Mark Twain – no open decks
- Sea hustler
- Carib Queen – two trips a day
Motorists can take the Seabridge car ferry. It connects Major’s Bay in the south of St. Kitts with Cades Point on Nevis. The car ferry leaves every two hours during the day and the journey takes about 45 minutes. If you’ve rented a car on one island, this can be a great way to explore the other island in a day trip without renting another car.
However, it is also possible to travel between the two islands on your own: there are fishermen on most of the southern beaches of St. Kitts who can take you to Nevis or even St. Barthelemy or Sint Eustatius (Netherlands Antilles) for prices start at $ 30. However, the journeys can be very restless.
Automobile:Rental agencies can be found at the airport, in the ferry terminal and in hotels. One-day rental prices start at around $ 40. Outside of the rainy season you don’t need a 4×4. Most of the major rental companies in St Kitts and Nevis have local partners. Cars are usually in good condition on St Kitts, but rental cars on Nevis are older and not in good condition.
There is left-hand traffic on the islands. The road network is quite well developed, all places can be reached in a few minutes.
Buses on both islands are often little more than minivans and are identified by an “H” on their license plate. You drive quite often but irregularly between the most important places.
Taxi: The prices are fixed for most routes, a 50% surcharge is required at night. A tip of 10% is expected.
Taxis can also take over tours of both islands for around US $ 75, and a two-hour half-island tour is US $ 50.
St Kitts and Nevis – money
Local currency: East Caribbean dollar, divided into 100 cents.
Currency abbreviations: XCD, EC $
Banknotes are in thevalue of 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 EC $ in circulation, there are also coins to the value of 1 EC $ and 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cent.
Currency Exchange: Major international currencies can be used on St Kitts and Nevis in all banks and hotels can also be swapped. Car rentals and upscale hotels often quote prices in US dollars. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, but when paying, a slightly less favorable exchange rate than in banks is often used.
Exchange rate:
Currency converter at OANDA
Credit Cards: Payment with major international credit cards (especially Visa, Mastercard and American Express) is quite common. Car rental companies, better hotels and restaurants can be paid for with credit cards.
ATMs: With Visa and Mastercard you can withdraw cash in EC $, numerous machines also accept cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol. Large banks have ATMs in their interiors that also issue US dollars.
Travelers checks are exchanged by banks.
Foreign exchange regulations: On entry, you must declare East Caribbean dollars, on exit, the local currency must not exceed the amount stated on entry.
Bank opening times: Mon – Thu 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Fri 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
St Kitts and Nevis important addresses
Saint Kitts and Nevis Tourism Office: 10 Kensington Court,
London W8 5DL, UK
Phone: 0044 20 7376 0881, Fax: 0044 20 7937 6742
email: uk@stkittstourism.kn
St. Kitts Authority : Pelican Mall,
Bay Road, St. Kitts, WI Mailing Address
: PO Box 132, Bay Road, Basseterre, St. Kitts, WI
Phone: 465 4040, Fax: 465 8794
email: minister@stkittstourism.kn
Nevis Tourism Authority: Main Street,
Charlestown, Nevis, WI Mailing Address
: PO Box 917, Charlestown, Nevis, WI
Phone: 469 7550, Fax: 469 7551
email: info@nevisisland.com
High Commission for St. Kitts & Nevis: 10 Kensington Court,
London W8 5DL, Great Britain
Telephone: 0044 207 937 9522, Fax: 0044 207 937 5514 Hours of Operation
: Mon – Thu 9.30am – 5.30pm, Fri 9.30am – 5pm
The High Commission for St. Kitts & Nevis is also for Germany, Switzerland and Austria responsible.
Honorary Consulate of St Kitts and Nevis in Germany: Dr. jur. Peter Gert Ahner, Honorary Consul,
Van-der-Smissen-Strasse 2, Postfach 500263, 22702 Hamburg
Telephone: (040) 3899 8911, Fax: (040) 3899 8990
email: info@st-kitts-nevis.de
Opening times: Mon – Thu 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Fri 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Consulate of St. Kitts & Nevis in Switzerland: Chemin du Petray 22,
CH-1222 Vésenaz
Tel: (022) 722 06 36. Fax: (022) 722 06 49.
St Kitts and Nevis Landmarks
According to militarynous, St. Kitts and Nevis are among the more famous vacation islands in the Caribbean. Although the country is not that big, there are a number of sights and attractions to offer to visitors.
Both islands have an excellently developed infrastructure and are connected to international travel by airports or by ship.
A visit to the carnival, music or art festival is certainly particularly interesting. All three events take place annually in stadt. The city of Basseterre has several historic buildings from the time of British and French colonial rule. This also includes a Roman Catholic and an Anglican church building.
In Basseterre, a stroll through town is definitely recommended, as you can buy various small souvenirs here.
There are also historical sights to discover outside of Basseterre. Not only does St. Kitts have the world-famous World Heritage Site Brimstone Hill, there are also rock carvings of the Caribbean indigenous people. You can also visit numerous ruins of old sugar mills. You can also marvel at old plantations with the associated houses (including Rawlins Plantation Inn or Ottleys Plantation).
Both islands are very suitable for bathers, nature lovers and sports enthusiasts. There are miles of dreamy beaches where you can relax wonderfully. If you want to play golf, this is also the place for you.
On both islands you have the opportunity to practice different sports, whether in the water or on land. It can also be booked on both island and sea tours.
Museum lovers can choose from a handful of museums, such as the Historic Muses or the Horatio Nelson Museum. If gardens are your thing, don’t miss the botanical garden, as there are tons of different orchids, cacti and roses to admire.
