St Kitts & Nevis

Passport and Visas
Full passports are required by all British visitors and should be valid for 6 months from departure date.  Visas are not required by British or European Passport Holders, other nationalities please consult your embassy for details.

Health
Vaccinations are not officially required unless coming from an infected area within six days of arrival.  However the following immunisations are recommended as a precaution: Hepatitis A, polio, tetanus and typhoid.  We also recommend the use of mosquito repellent.  Please consult your doctor for the most up-to-date information.

Currency
One Pound Sterling is roughly equal to four Eastern Caribbean dollars (EC$).  This rate fluctuates constantly, but the EC$ is fixed to the US$, and normally exchanges at US$1 = EC$2.70. US$ travellers’ cheques and UK sterling travellers’ cheques and major international credit cards are widely accepted at all large shopping centres, restaurants, hotels etc. 24 hour ATM services are also available.

Economy
Historically sugar was an important export but tourism, agriculture and light manufacturing have taken over.

Government
St Kitts and Nevis is a federation. Its Head of State, Queen Elizabeth II is represented in St Kitts and Nevis by a Governor-General, who acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party of the House, and the Cabinet conducts affairs of state. St Kitts and Nevis has a unicameral legislature: the House of Assembly comprises eleven elected members and three appointees. Nevis has its own five-seat island administration and is guaranteed representation in the House of Assembly.

Banking and shopping
Banks are open Monday to Thursday, 8.00am – 2.00pm and Friday from 8.00am – 4.00pm.  The St. Kitts and Nevis National Bank is open from 8.30am – 11.00am on Saturdays.   Local shops are generally open weekdays 8.00am to 4.00pm (some shops close at noon on Thursday and Saturday). 

Car Rental
There are car rental agencies. You need a visitor’s driving license which costs approximately EC$50.  Driving is on the left.

Clothing
Light summer attire is suitable at all times.  Some hotels and restaurants stipulate jacket and tie for men and dresses for ladies in the evening.  Swimsuits are not recommended in the towns or shops. Please ensure that upon entry into the country that all sports/walking shoes are clean and free of mud as they may be confiscated to be disinfected which may take several days and will incur a charge to the owner.

Food and Drink
Local cuisine is based on West Indian cuisine, with lots of fish, lobster and spicy foods.  Sea foods are a speciality.  There is locally produced rum and beer.  A 10% - 15% service charge is added onto the bill, depending on service. 

General information on St. Kitts
Location: Caribbean
Size: St Kitts is 69 square miles.
Population: 36,000 ; Nevis: 9,000
Local time: GMT -4 hours
Capital: Basseterre
Language: English
Electricity: 220 volts AC; 60 cycles.  (110 volts in most hotels.) 
Airports: Robert L. Bradshaw International in St. Kitts and Newcastle Airport in Nevis
Flight times: Approximately 9 hours
Average Costs: Three course meal £25. Beer £2.  Bottle of wine £9. 
Tap water: Drinking water is safe from the tap.
Taxis: Taxis are plentiful. Always establish the fare with the driver before you get  in.
Departure Tax: Payable at airline check-in counter. Approx EC$58 (£14). 

Duty free Allowance
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco, 1 litre wine or spirits, 170ml (6 oz) perfume.

Climate
The island enjoys a very pleasant tropical climate remaining warm and relatively dry throughout the year.  There is a northeast trade wind that keeps the island cool.  November to May are the driest months.

Taxes & Tips
Hotels and restaurants collect a 9% Government Tax. They also usually add a 10% service charge to bills.

Customs & Etiquette
Dinner dress is generally described as ‘casually elegant’. Short shorts, bikinis, bare feet and bare chest are not considered appropriate in town, stores or restaurants. Topless and nude bathing are illegal.