Fun things to do in Saint Kitts and Nevis

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One of the most famous attractions on the island of Saint Kitts is the "St Kitts Scenis Railway". This railway used to be an important way of transport in the sugarcane era, but nowadays it is a very touristic attraction where cruiseship passengers are being loaded into this little train and taken around the island in an hour or two.

Although the tour that the train makes is a very interesting one, I thought this was a bit too touristy for me. Instead me and my hosts on the island went for the same Northern Loop around the island by car. The same route, but a lot more relaxed if you ask me.

The route takes you to great viewpoints, like in the northwest where you can see the islands Statia and Saba being very close. To the central area of the island where you can see the unspoiled jungle of the island, to the Atlantic Coast where the landscape is rough and to the northern part where you're crossing the sugar plantations.

A trip like this, from Basseterre to Basseterre will take you about 2 hours minimum and with a few stops un the way a bit longer. It's a great trip for a morning program, and then still you'll have plenty of time to relax on the beach in the afternoon.

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The other centre in Basseterre is the real centre, where the daily life of the Kittians takes place. This centre can be found around the central roundabout "Circle" and the mainstreet that start here that is called Fort Street.

Circle is the place where you can find the taxi stand, some souvenir shops and almost all banks in the island. The rest of the centre is located along Fort Street, that goes straight north from Circle. Shops, small restaurants, loud soundsystems, street vendors and small bars are everywhere here and here you'll see where all the people in Basseterre hang out: the streets here are crowded all day long and cars fill the streets and can create chaos on Circle.

At the end of Circle you end up at Bay Road and the Marina where the cruiseships arrive pretty much every day during the season. For the tourists too, a walk to the already busy area around Circle is often the first thing they do.

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Basseterre, the capital of Saint Kitts and Nevis, is only a small town: it counts 12.000 inhabitants only. It is also said that it is not the most attractive capital in the Caribbean, but nevertheless it is well worth a visit I think.

The "city basically has two centres. When looking at the map you would expect that the Independance Square would be it: a big square in the middle of town where the central Cathedral is the biggest eyecatcher. Looking at the buildings that you find around the square it definitely is the centre. Some beautiful old buildings can be seen here. Besides the old, clearly anglican church there are several old villas made of wood.

And in between these old buildings there is a nice and green park with a big fountain in the middle and several kinds of palmtrees around it. What you would expect at a big centrally located square like this though, a lot of traffic and a lot of people, is no where to be found here. For these two things, you should go a little bit further towards Circle.

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The only UNESCO World Heritage Site in the small Antilles can be found on the island of Saint Kitts. It clearly is the main attraction of the island, but still it is hardly discovered by mass tourism. The Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is an absolute must-see during your stay on Saint Kitts.

The Fortress is situated at about 12 kilometres northwest from the capital Basseterre. When you look up from the road along the coastline you can already see some walls on top of the hill, but from here you can't imagine the beauty you'll find up there. It takes a short taxi-ride or a 15 minutes walk to get to the entrance and from there you'll get more amazed by every step you take.

Cannons facing the sea, great views of the neighbouring islands Statia, Saba and Saint-Martin, and the beautiful blue sea and the green fields below you. But even more impressive are the all the old remains you can find here: old barracks, guard-towers, castles, gates and other buildings. The dark stones that are made to build them make a brilliant contrast with the green surroundings.

The history of the Brimstone Hill Fortress dates back to the 18th century when the Brittish built it to protect the island from French attacks. A few times it changed owner, but in 1782 it finally came back into Brittish hands and in 1850 it was finally abandoned. After thorough restaurations it was officially reopened in 1985 by Queen Elisabeth and nowadays it is not only a National Park, but it's also on the famous UNESCO-list.

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We visited St. Kitts during a cruise. We decided after doing some research, to go to Cockleshell beach. A very good choice! In the harbour, there are enough taxi drivers willing to drive you there. You can go in a group, in the "banana boat", costs 6USD one way pp. It is about a 30min. ride through fantastic scenery, wild beaches and amazing view over both the Caribbean sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Cockleshell beach is at the south tip of St. Kitts, nice view of Nevis. Lounge chairs are 5USD pp. It is not too crowded, but lively. It is a relatively small beach. If you opt not to use a lounge chair, you have plenty of space and peace a bit further on the beach. Cosy bar and restaurant, with a "famous pig" at the bar. There are, as everywhere else, people coming to ask you for massage, etc, but didn't find it disturbing. Recommended for a nice and relaxing day.

'Saint Kitts' is also known as St. Christopher - named by Columbus in 1493 after his patron saint during his famous voyage.

We arrived at St Kitts via a cruise after disembarking we decided to see the island with a local safari tour as we all know the ship trips are very expensive anyway we climbed on board a large open sided truck with ten other people we didn't know off the ship, the driver who was also the tour guide was fantastic we covered a vast area of the island loads of sugar plantations even though these had been scaled down in the 80's. There are loads of gardens to visit on the way with exotic birds and plants even local dancers.
For a fantastic view you must stop on the very top of the hill before you reach Dieppe bay, as you look out to sea, the Atlantic lies to your right and the Caribbean to your left one still side and the other very rough truly a magical site .But the jewel in the crown has to be located on the tip of St. Kitts’ Southeast Peninsula, the Beach House it's a restaurant on the beach when the tide comes in you can hear the water lapping the boards under foot. You can also watch the sea planes land at the end of the jetty .The food was fantastic seafood and local plantain yummy. Be mindful of the local punch it packs one hell of one!
All too soon the time was over I would do it all over again, a wonderfully friendly place.

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Basseterre is perhaps the least touristy and most genuine of all the capital cities in the Lesser Antilles. As a result, most tourists will tire of the city in a few hours, if not minutes, but it does provide a rather unique look into Caribbean life. Besides people watching in the Piccadilly Circus area, the walk from there to and just past the central bus terminal is well worth the little time it will take you. Just west of the marina, ferry dock, and main bus terminal along the shores of Basseterre Bay, local fisherman gather mid-morning to sell their catch. Most of the fish they sell are reef fish, some of which may well be endangered or at least protected. Regardless, it is an interesting place to observe unspoiled local Kittitian life.

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Most tourists who stay on St. Kitts end up staying at the Marriott or one of the other resorts located on or near Frigate Bay Beach. The beach falls far short of some of the Caribbean’s best beaches but is still a nice enough place to while away an afternoon. Perhaps the best thing about this area is Mr. X’s Shiggidy Shack, which serves up some of the best fresh grilled fish and lobster in all the Caribbean (there can be a long wait if you don’t arrive early, but the food and atmosphere trumps that at the equally popular Sprat Net Bar and Grill on the northwest coast). There are also some nice views to be had from the hills overlooking the beach.