The country of St. Kitts and Nevis consists of two islands. They are the tips of volcanic mountains that lie beneath the Caribbean Sea. Tadpole shaped St. Kitts is the larger island and most of the people live there. Nevis lies just two miles (three km) to the south. Both islands have central peaks and coasts fringed by fertile plains. Some beaches have black volcanic sand. Nearly all the islanders are descended from African slaves. Most live along the coast and work in either the tourism or sugar industries – the fertile volcanic soil is ideal for sugarcane.
These are the not to be missed places in the exotic islands of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Clay Villa Plantation House & Gardens
On a visit to this Caribbean island, you should not let this Garden of Eden be missed. The Clay Villa Plantation House & Gardens is very well laid out and the diversity of plant life is worth seeing. Saint Kitts is a small and beautiful island of the Antilles volcanic. It is an idyllic travel destination because of its beaches and fabulous ocean with coral and huge variety of fish.
The warm waters of its sandy beaches and boundless natural beauty make it a place to visit in the Caribbean. You can still visit some old sugar plantation built during the colonial times. A quarter of its territory is National Park. The Clay Villa Plantation is one of those old sugar plantations where the owner decorates with their own particular taste and passion. It has a very nice bar and restaurant with fabulous dishes which you can visit after the tour of the plantation.
Brimstone Hill Fortress
St. Kitts was dominated 6 times by the British and French army. France and Britain established settlements here in the 1600s. They killed the original Arawak inhabitants and brought African slaves to work on their sugar plantations. Britain gained control in 1713 and ruled the islands as a single colony. St. Kitts and Nevis only became fully independent from any colonial rule in 1983. The Brimstone Hill Fortress is where the entire island was defended being situated in a very strategic place. To get to this fort, you must access a very steep road with many curves and reverse curves, but keep in mind that there are handles on the right side. But if you rent a car, the serious access gets very complicated, because apart from all that the road is very narrow, but it is well sign posted! At the input you must pass through several stone porticos up to the point where the minibus can take you. When you get to the top, you cannot help but feel overwhelmed by the size and magnitude of the fort.
Apart from the spectacular view towards the sea, you also have the chance to admire the mountains and the volcano behind along with the strong height of the waves from the ocean. At the entrance to the main threshold of the fortress there is a very short video shown in English narrating the story of the fort and history of St. Kitts and Nevis. A tour of the Brimstone Hill Fortress is totally free and you can take pictures as long as you want. It a free attraction but you need to be physically fit to be able to cross it because it is difficult to access for the physically disabled people, and if you come with children you must be mindful of the low walls of a fort with very high heights. Still, it is the best place to learn about the country’s history and to know well if you are considering St. Kitts in your travel plans.
Romney Manor
The Romney Manor is a stunning botanical garden that is about 30 minutes drive from the port. Once you get there, you can get lost in the tropical plants and watch the dyeing of fabrics according to tradition. This Batik making is one of the best reasons why this old house must be visited. If you want, you can also buy their products at prices that are too high considering the time and effort required to produce them. To reach this site, you must arrive at the port area and hire a taxi or van to take you to the city center of St. Kitts.
The driver will bring you to the road that leads to the Romney Manor. After a walk through the rainforest, you will reach the house where there are dozens of other vans with many tourists. It's a delightful and colorful house, built centuries ago with huge and pleasant gardens, where you will see how the Batik is done manually along with the tissues and manual preparation of the cloth fibers, painting everything by hand, all made in hand, you will see the artisans, sewing everything in hand and making beautiful fabrics.
Palms Court Gardens & Restaurant
The Palms Court Gardens & Restaurant is an oasis of greenery and nature in St. Kitts. The place is nice and the staffs are very friendly. It comes with a swimming pool overlooking the sea and the city of Basseterre and the sister island of Nevis which is simply breathtaking. Don’t forget to check out the store of shell crafts and souvenirs. It is an excellent dining place with very good atmosphere and the care provided. Aside from the good view of the islands, there are lots of things to do while enjoying their exquisite line of food. A visit to Palms Court is a must if you’re in the island of St. Kitts and Nevis.
South Friar’s Beach
The South Friar’s Beach is about 20 minutes by car from the port and lies on a strip of land that separates it from North Friars Beach; along the way you will cross the heights from which you can have stunning views of the said strip of land. It has complete beach infrastructure and you can rent them all for an affordable fee. Lined with a host of resorts and hotels you can find stretches of beach and other complex with free sun beds and umbrellas. The beach is made up of a mix of white and black sand which is very particular along St. Kitts. It degrades very slowly in the sea and there are snorkeling fun and watch the variety of fishes on areas that are very close to shore. Outside the huge structure that provides access to the beach you will find many taxi especially near the departure times of the cruise that are ready to bring you back to the port.
The taxi from the cruise ship to the beach costs $4 and takes about 15 minutes to reach this stunning beach in St. Kitts. You can stop at the dealership 'shipwreck' (which is aptly named) who rents chairs and umbrellas into disrepair. There are monkeys in freedom and it's always special to see. At this point you can snorkel and swim from one side to the left only because the background is volcanic. The things to watch out for are the sea urchins that will urge you to try a little snorkeling around this part of the beach. If you look to your right at the back of the beach, there are green parasols. Walk further (for about 10 minutes) and you will reach the Carambola beach park. It costs $ 10 per chair and $ 10 for an umbrella ($ 30 total) plus there is a bar service. The meals are very expensive ($ 20 for a club sandwich), but delicious. The toilets are luxurious. To achieve the feeling that you’re on a holiday and well rested, this is the place to go without any hesitation. The water current here is always calm and shallow which makes it very ideal with children. The snorkel and diving adventure is not suggested behind the rocks because of the sea urchins that may sometimes sting you with their spikes (don’t risk even getting near it). There are no vendors on the beach and that’s another factor why it is perfect. The beach is also safe and secure and the modes of transportation are easily accessible from the city.
Black Rocks
The name says everything; Black Rocks were formulated after the eruption of the volcano leaving behind these groups of dark magma rocks that can be found at the foothills of Mount Liamuiga. Nonetheless they create an appealing sight as the Caribbean waves beat against them. If ever you’re around the area with a guide or on a solo adventure don’t forget to go around this side of the mountain, it is worth taking time to see its breathtaking views and a splendid place to stop and rest on its all green landscape. There are stalls where refreshments can be purchased affordably and the typical merchants offering souvenir items and hiking tools. The costs are sensible and haggling is usually acknowledged.
On the drawback, be careful when you’re approached by photographic artists with their monkeys, simply ignore because it cost so much and can constantly follow and be irritating. Likewise, watch out for the donkeys too. They have all the earmarks of being inadequately taken care of and looks starved, hence in a journey for nourishment they will approach individuals, bump them forcefully and tend to attack and bite guests unexpectedly.
Fairview Great House & Botanical Garden
The Fairview Great House & Botanical Garden is an immersion in the time of plantation management. It is not easy find this former colonial house but it is worth all the effort as you will be warmly received by its owners and engage you on a private tour of the plantation. Immediately you will admire a magnificent mansion with fantastic views of the Caribbean Sea. You can also see the well-restored rooms as you go all the way up to the top floor, plus, you get all the necessary explanations about the past lives of the families who once lived there. After the interiors is a tour of the outbuildings up to the small but impressive garden.
There is a small information room with descriptions of the former owners. There are old conveyors, photos, maps, and lots of informative material about how it used to operate as a plantation. The other buildings can only be viewed from the outside. At each greenhouse you will find signs for every plant and their botanical names and explanations. A tour all around the lovely Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden is a nice break from the beach and sea adventures from this side of St. Kitts.
Cockleshell Beach
The Cockleshell Beach is one of the favorite destinations for a Caribbean honeymoon by most couples. The beach is clean and well maintained. Take time to have a relaxing massage offered by the local massage therapists along the shore. They make use of the leaf extract of Aloe Vera which is characteristic of this island. They will gather it and extract the nectar from a fresh leaf in front of you; however it is quite expensive but still worth a try for its relaxing and nourishing benefits to the skin and body.
To access this beach, from the port it takes about 30 minutes via taxi ride that goes uphill and downhill. It is one of the most exciting paths to try in St. Kitts but once you arrive at the beach, you will forget everything because of the great views and the lovely blue sea. You can walk all the way to the end and hired a cot or sun beds with parasol at the Reggae Beach Bar for $10. From here, you can have a delicious meal and drinks which they will serve to you as you lie down and relax in front of the beach.
St. Kitts Scenic Railway
If you go on a holiday to the Caribbean Sea, it is because you are interested with the beach and the round of activities you can do along the shore. The St. Kitts Scenic Railway is one of the most popular attractions of the island but it has nothing to do with the beaches. Now if you are tired of the same and want something different to see on this island and you like trains, go for it! Don’t dare miss this train travel on the island of St. Kitts; it’s a very fun and enjoyable trip. The carriages are open to have more freedom to look and take pictures of all the great things you will see all around the railway like: abandoned sugar cane fields, quaint villages and a lot of people waving and asking how you are.
Some houses that you will see are not real houses to begin with but more like tin sheds which you can always have a glimpse of when you take the train ride. On this ride, there is not a single time to get bored; there are invites for soft drinks and cocktails if one drinks alcohol. There are also some young people who entertain passengers with songs. The island itself is fun to discover and it starts from these cozy and nice people you will meet along the train adventure.
Frigate Bay Beach
If you’re going to St. Kitts Frigate Bay Beach, a stay at the Marriott is the best choice because it is very quiet, no beach vendors, and good ambiance. The taxi to the beach from the port costs $10 one way and $12 on a return tour. The admission to the Marriot is worth $45 per person. From the port it has black sand caused by the volcanic ash; you can swim on its totally transparent sea, and also find a good place to snorkel. A visit here is a must when you’re in the majestic island of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Nevis Peak Hike
Conquering the trail to the Nevis Peak Hike is a challenging excursion that you can make with friends and contracting a porter guide is an outright must. The hiking trail is not sign posted and numerous parts are congested with the rich biodiversity of the rainforest. About 95% of the hiking trail is a steep ascension, straight up on most occasions and can be accessed by climbing over rocks, tree roots and thick ropes. The trek is physically draining, yet it is likewise a mental test. If you go with well-trained guides the ride will be easy and the real thing that needs to be conquered is the fear of heights because the steep location is really one for the books.
The island of St. Kitts and Nevis is a surprising discovery in the Caribbean Sea because; it has managed to retain almost intact its authenticity in the winding colorful streets that converge on the central square with a large garden where once slaves were sold. Saint Kitts is around 37 kilometers long and 11 wide (the size of Nevis is practically half) and right from the slavery of the past, most of the population is of African origin, mainly concentrated in the narrow flat area near the sea. It is said base on some accounts that Christopher Columbus landed here and was enchanted by its beauty. Discover a volcanic island and why its strategic structure makes it very suggestive. It is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs, beaches, and lush forests because of the torrential rains that hit continuously from June and November.
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