Capital: Basseterre
Time zone: GMT – 4
Telephone services: Country Code: 1 869 Outgoing Code: 1 (Caribbean, Canada and USA) 011 elsewhere
Emergency telephone numbers: 911
Tourist information: St Kitts & Nevis Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Environment, Box 132, Bay Rd. Basseterre, St.Kitts. Tel: 465 2602 or 465 4040 Fax: 465 8794.
Passport information: Valid passport required by all except nationals of Canada and the USA with valid ID (for up to 6 months). Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact embassy before departure.
Visa information: Required by all except nationals of: Great Britain, Australia, Canada, USA, EU Countries (except Portugal who do require a visa) and Japan. Commonwealth countries (except Namibia and South Africa who require visas) Argentina, Bahrain, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Jordan, South Korea, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Monaco, The Netherland Antilles, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, US Virgin Islands and Venezuela. Visitors continuing their journey to a third country within 14 days (Not available to certain nationals – see High Commission).
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink.
Currency: Easter Caribbean Dollar (EC$) = 100 cents. Amex and Visa are the only credit cards accepted. Travellers cheques in US dollars are preferred.
ATM availability: 2 locations.
Cost of living: Very expensive, especially accommodation although this is reduced in the low season.
Languages: English
Weather: Hot tropical climate with cooling sea breezes. Possibility of hurricanes Aug – Oct. Most rainfall during the summer May – Oct. Showers may occur throughout the year.
Electricity: 230 volts Ac, 60 Hz.
Post: 5 – 7 days
Transport: SEA: There is a regular ferry service between St Kitts and Nevis. ROAD: A good road network on both island makes anywhere accessible within minutes. BUS: There are private; regular but unscheduled buses, which provide a comfortable service. TAXIS: Services on both islands have set fares. CAR & MOPED HIRE: Several agencies provide hire services. It is best to book cars through the airline well in advance. DOCUMENTATION: A local temporary licence must be obtained from the Police Traffic Department before driving any vehicle. This is readily issued on presentation of a valid national licence and a fee of EC$ 30.
Special information: The islands are now commercialised and all visitors are readily welcomed. Suitable clothes should be worn for towns and hotel/restaurants Tourism is on the increase, especially on Nevis.