Island, Saint Kitts and Nevis
St. Kitts
Quiet volcanic island for hikers, divers and slow beach days, with a short ferry to Nevis. Small, pricey and car-dependent, with few budget beds and little nightlife.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$2,780–4,070Comfortable, one person · EC$7,500–11,000Details
- Value for money21/100Better value than 20% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goDec–AprWarmest: Sep, 28°CDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is treated and fine to drink; some visitors prefer bottled water, and cisterns at small villas vary.Details
- LGBTQ+2/5HostileDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$37–74Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundMinibus (route vans)Walkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards work at hotels, bigger restaurants and shops; cash for minibuses, small bars and beach vendors.Details
Where to stay in St. Kitts
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Basseterre | Walkable capital: cheaper guesthouses, local food, ferries and cruise-day buzz |
| Frigate Bay | Beach bars, resorts and condos near the Strip |
| Old Road–Sandy Point | Quiet, local, near Brimstone Hill fortress and the north coast |
Apps that work in St. Kitts
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Taxis: No ride apps operate. Taxis are metered by fixed zone rates; your hotel will call one, or ask the driver for a card to arrange pickups.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards work at hotels, bigger restaurants and shops; cash for minibuses, small bars and beach vendors. USD accepted widely, change often in XCD.
- Currency: Dollar (XCD). US$1 ≈ EC$2.70 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs in Basseterre, Frigate Bay and Charlestown; some dispense EC$ only.
- Tipping: A 10% service charge is often added; otherwise tip 10–15%.
- Paying by phone: Contactless cards work in larger places; Apple Pay and Google Pay are patchy.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Passport should be valid 6 months beyond arrival.
- All visitors must get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) and complete the online immigration form before travel.
- A yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk.
Emergency numbers
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 333 · All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type D, G · 230 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Digicel or Flow prepaid SIMs at the airport or shops with passport; a month of data is roughly US$20–40. eSIMs work for visitors.
Going to St. Kitts solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in St. Kitts meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.