Things to do in St Kitts

SHOPPING AND DINING

You’re never far from a good meal in St Kitts; street food, a beach shack or fine dining, there is plenty to choose from. Being in the Caribbean, seafood is always fresh and plentiful, with options from locally caught snapper to lobster.

St Kitts grows a rich variety of produce and, as with other Caribbean islands, has an abundance of seafood and meats. West Indian cuisine is common, of course with its own twist. Goat is a favourite, the country’s national dish is “Goat Water” a kind of stew.

The best of shopping is to be found at independence square in Basseterre, where you’ll find a mix of souvenir shops, arts and crafts as well as restaurants and bars.

Head off to Amina Craft Market, here you’ll find duty free shops selling jewellery and souvenirs you will also find stalls selling locally made art and crafts as well as food!

CULTURE AND HISTORY

In common with other Caribbean islands, St Kitts has a vibrant culture of celebrations and carnivals, with the main event taking place around Christmas time and encompassing several days of celebration.

Music is a big part of local life with several festivals throughout the year, as well as Soco, Calypso and Steel Pan music, Jazz and Salsa are now becoming more popular.

Take a walking tour of historical Basseterre. Highlights include; Independence Square, the bustling Basseterre Circus – inspired by London’s Piccadilly Circus and home to the Berkeley Memorial, the Anglican church and the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church featuring amazing 18th-century architecture. Don’t miss the national museum in the Old Treasury building located in downtown Basseterre.

WATER AND SPORTS

Zoom through the lush tropical rainforests of St. Kitts on a zipline. Friendly, professional zipline staff will guide you through a total of five lines, up to 1350 ft long, that offer breath-taking views. Zipline through the ravine, to get a glimpse at Brimstone Hill and listen to the teeming sounds of the forest.

No visit is complete without visiting the exotic black sand of Dieppe Bay Beach. Sun-lovers will love sun bathing on the shiny volcanic sand. Its calm clear waters are ideal for bathing, thanks to a major reef that protects the bay. Home to a colourful array of marine life, the reef makes for excellent snorkelling right from the beach.

NATURE AND WILDLIFE

While most rain forests on earth are disappearing, the rainforest in St. Kitts is actually growing, thanks to old sugar plantations now being reclaimed. Not for the unfit traveller, a hike up Mt. Liamuiga – a dormant volcano – is a unique adventure as you trek pass waterfalls, the tropical rainforest and the cloud forest at higher elevations. The spectacular view from the peak, is a rich reward for this 4+ hour guided hike.

Booby Island seems to be the only place in St Kitts & Nevis free from the non-native mammals. This forms a vital refuge for native species despite being only one hectare in size.

Originally brought from Africa as pets in the 17th century, the green velvet monkey has become abundant. Whilst popular with tourists, locals are less impressed with them.