St Kitts and Nevis

Take a trip from the early capital of Old Road to its modern centre, Basseterre. You can pass among the colonial buildings of James Warner’s original seaside settlement and its petroglyph-covered rocks. Sip tea by the botanical gardens of Romney Manor and discover traditional crafts at Caribelle Batik. Wander the grand halls and flamboyant gardens of Fairview House. And sneak a taste of smooth local rum, before exploring European mansions and Georgian homes in Basseterre.

Gather beside the clock and fountain at Berkeley Memorial in the capital’s central circus, as people have for 150 years. Visit St George’s Anglican Church, or climb Timothy Hill for spectacular views towards Nevis. Get active in the rainforest with a sky safari and 1,350-foot zip-line. Want to take it easy? Enjoy a relaxed round at Royal St Kitts Golf Club, or an afternoon of cricket at Warner Park.

Explore the full landscape of St Kitts and Nevis, from its sandy beaches through lush rainforest to volcanic peaks. Ride the 100-year-old scenic Sugar Train and sip bottomless rum cocktails, as you glide around the spectacular scenery of St Kitts. Hike to the summit of Mount Liamuiga, peer into the “Giant’s Salad Bowl” crater, and look out across mango tree groves, tropical savannah, and the blue seas beyond.

See where lava flow once met the cooling ocean to form The Black Rocks. Learn about the island’s troubled colonial past as you walk the UNESCO World Heritage site of Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, and gaze out from the citadel to the islands beyond. And look out for vervet monkeys as you follow the mud tracks, woodland routes, and carved rocks along Wingfield-Phillips Rain Forest Nature Trail.

Beach time is the best time here. You can appreciate island life as you discover the beautiful coves and beaches of St Kitts and Nevis.

Hit the shack bar at Oualie Beach and watch boats of all sizes drifting beside the palm-lined beach. Switch from golf club luxury to the soft sounds of reggae, as you hop between the contrasting north and south sides of Frigate Bay. Sample sizzling barbecue, Creole spice, and Jamaican jerk beside the white sands of Cockleshell Bay – then lie back and enjoy the sun at Turtle Beach or by the Great Salt Pond.

Skip to the smaller island of Nevis and rest between the coconut palms of Pinney’s Beach. Sunbathe and sip, or get into the water. You can go swimming, snorkelling, sailing, kayaking or paddle-boarding, until you’re ready to rest and watch the sunset.

It's always hot in St Kitts and Nevis, with the average temperature hovering around 30°C all year. The dry season begins in December and runs until June, but the busiest time falls between December and April. You’ll find quieter beaches and fewer crowds in the shoulder season of May and June, when you might see some short showers.

Or you could plan your holiday for November, when brief downpours dry quickly to reveal sunny hours throughout the day.

St Kitts and Nevis experience Caribbean hurricane season during the rainy season months of July to November, but are rarely affected outside of September and October.

• Visas: British passport holders do not require a visa for St Kitts and Nevis
• Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
• Time difference: GMT -4 hours
• Flight duration from London: Approximately 11 hours, depending on connection
• Capital city: Basseterre