Basseterre Travel & Vacation Guide

Saint Kitts Food Tours is the ultimate experience for tourists to savour the island's food and drinks through either walking tours or open vehicle tours. The main goal is to explore the scenic views and local establishments that are not typically included in traditional tours. St. Kitts Food Tours aim to teach visitors about the island's people and culture through their food and drink traditions.

Banana Bay Beach is a serene and secluded beach located on the southeast coast of Saint Kitts. The beach is a beautiful stretch of golden sand and clear water, Despite not being as remote as it used to be due to the development of some resorts and restaurants in the area, it still offers a peaceful atmosphere for relaxation. The beach is conveniently located near other popular beaches, if you are planning to do some beach hopping. The only drawback about Banana Bay is that visitors will need their own private vehicle to get there, although taxi services are available if needed.

Basseterre is the capital and one of the oldest towns in the eastern Caribbean. With a population of roughly 14,000, this port city is located on the southwestern coast of Saint Kitts Island. The Historic zone of Basseterre is definitely worth a stroll as it shows a mix of French and English colonial architecture. This vibrant area of town is also full of shops, cafés and restaurants, not to mention that is frequented by both tourists and locals. Besides being a bustling city, Basseterre also has spectacular beaches, famous for their gentle waters, and abundant natural beauty with a variety of flora and fauna.

Brimstone Hill Fortress is a collection of fortifications situated on Brimstone Hil. The fortress was constructed by British military engineers and is an example of their exceptional engineering abilities at the time. To access the fortifications and buildings, visitors must go up a steep path with steps and ramps along the way. The national park where the fortress is located is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is possible to explore the fortress on your own, but if you want to experience it to the fullest, a guided tour is highly recommended.

Located on the northwest of Basseterre, this national park is well known for its verdant central mountain chain covered by thriving rainforest. The area is considered by experts as one of the rarest kinds of forests on the planet. There are many trails through the lush forests for adventurous hikes, bike rides or family trips. Walk under the canopy of ancient trees and enjoy the sounds of the wildlife that thrives in this spectacular world.

Charlestown is the capital of Nevis in the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. It is located on the leeward side of the island in the Leeward Islands of the West Indies. Some of the main sights are the famous Main Street, the cemetery, where headstones date back to 1684, and the Nevis Peak. Getting to Charlestown from Basseterre is not complicated. There are ferries from St. Kitts to Charlestown’s waterfront. The journey is 45 minutes long and the price can be between 4 and 7 US dollars.

Dieppe Bay Beach is a black sand beach home to a variety of marine life. Given that it's protected by a major reef, the place is more than ideal for bathing and snorkelling. The beach is usually quite busy as its shiny volcanic sand and natural beauty attract so many visitors. What really sets Dieppe Bay Beach apart is the scenery. As you gaze out at the water, you will be able to see the Caribbean Sea on the left, and the Atlantic Ocean on the right.

The Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden is a unique attraction in Saint Kitts located at the foot of Olivees Mountain. The house was built in 1701 and it sits on over 2 acres of beautiful tropical gardens, which visitors can explore. The gardens are filled with lush greenery, flowers, birds, and monkeys. There are a number of different tours available to choose from. The Caribbean Flavours Cooks Tour and The Rum tasting Tour are amongst the most popular ones, however, you can also take a simple tour around the house and the botanical Gardens or get a day pass at the pool.

El Fredo's is a well known restaurant located in Basseterre, the largest city in Saint Kitts. It is within walking distance from the cruise port, making it a convenient spot for cruise passengers looking for an authentic meal. The restaurant is small and family-owned. It has a large, covered open-air dining area with friendly staff who can recommend local dishes. El Fredo's menu is affordable and changes daily depending on the season or the chef's ideas. Some of the popular dishes include garlic conch, whole snapper, spicy pork and others. All servings come with salad, fried plantain, and sweet potato garnish.

Rock Lobster Seafood & Grill is located within walking from most hotels in Frigate Bay. The menu includes various preparations of freshly caught lobster, a must try during your stay in Saint Kitts. Other popular dishes are the lionfish and tapas which range from breaded chicken strips to garlic shrimp. As it is a well known restaurant in the area, it usually gets busy, hence make sure you book a table to not miss out on this fine dining experience. The bar menu offers a wide range of tastes and occasions that go from refreshing martinis to unique signature cocktails made by experienced bartenders.

Street food is a key part in Saint Kitts and Nevis's food culture. Locals love to to stop by their favourite stalls and buy local delicacies or drinks. Although you can find street food stalls throughout the whole week, Fridays and Saturdays are usually the best days to enjoy this experience and mingle with the locals. Some of the foods visitors should definitely try are barbecued chicken and pork meat, conch fritters, which is fried shellfish that is hard to come by outside of the Caribbean, Roti; a flat bread that comes with a variety of fillings and others. Also, make sure you try the local lobster. You may think you have to go to an expensive restaurant and splurge to have lobster, but in Saint Kitts lobster is available in the most humble of establishments.

Shipwreck Beach Bar is a popular local bar located on the South Friars Bay in Saint Kitts. It is a perfect spot for anyone looking for Caribbean foods and a breathtaking ocean view just steps away. This beach bar is a favourite for many due to its variety of rums, drinks and relaxed atmosphere. The best time to visit Shipwreck Beach Bar is the late afternoon as you can enjoy a front-row seat to watch the sunset over the ocean. Make sure you get there early or book a table in advance since tables might be a little hard to come by.

The Amina Craft Market is a small section of stalls located in the shopping zone of Port Zante. If you want to avoid the high-end duty-free shops that are typical in the area, this little market is the place to visit. Local vendors sell a variety of unique handmade items including clothing, soaps, essential oils, jewellery and pottery. Prices are not fixed and haggling is a common practice, so do not shy away from it if you wish to get a better deal. The Amina Craft Market is a great spot to buy gifts and support local artists.

At KiwieDan visitors can find clothing and accessories that range from casual to contemporary or sophisticated. The shop offers the latest fashion trends, as well as cultural and patriotic clothing that represents Saint Kitts and Nevis. These items can make great souvenirs to take back home. The shop caters only for women, however, male and female customers can also get their clothing altered and repaired by local tailors. KiwieDan has the most popular accesories in Saint Kitts like tote bags made with madras fabric, typically used on the island, or the knee-length handmade African skirts local women wear.

Pelican Plaza is a two-story shopping centre located near the cruise port. The mall is not nearly as big as Port Zante, which makes it ideal for those who want to go shopping in a more quiet environment. Visitors can find locally made products, souvenirs, beachwear, and duty-free items. Additionally, there is a bank, a restaurant, and the Saint Kitts Tourist Office where you can get a map of the area or just get proper guidance.

Port Zante is the main cruise terminal and a popular commercial area in Basseterre. Tourists can purchase a variety of duty-free goods, including local rum brands, watches, locally made crafts and souvenirs. The area is particularly popular amongst cruise ship passengers, sailors, and yacht owners. There are currently more than 60 shops to choose from and the area is easy to explore on foot. Port Zante also offers free wifi to enhance your shopping experience.

Saint Kitts and Nevis have a hot and tropical climate year-round with an averaging temperature of around 28°C. The best months to visit are between February and May because the weather is dry. The hurricane season normally runs from June to November, which means that a tropical storm could possibly ruin your holiday. Storms are most likely to happen in September or October. In light of the above, we could say the best months to visit Saint Kitts and Nevis are February and March. If you plan to travel in either one of those months, make sure you book in advance.

Named after the first Premier of St. Kitts-Nevis, the Robert L. Bradshaw Airport is an international airport located just northeast of Basseterre, on the island of Saint Kitts. It is possible to fly directly to Saint Kitts from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom as well as numerous flights from within the Caribbean area. The airport is rather small, but there are quite a few options inside for food, beverage and duty free shops. Something important to pay attention to is that camouflage clothing is prohibited in the airport premises, as camouflage is considered in the country to be strictly for military and law enforment active members.

When it comes to public transportation in Saint Kitts and Nevis, the main option is called "H Buses." These are small buses, which you can identify by their green license plates. There are two bus stations in Basseterre, one serving the east side and the other serving the west. The fares are in East Caribbean Dollars (EC$) and are quite affordable. The buses stop at designated spots, but they also stop elsewhere on request. Buses do not go from Basseterre to Frigate Bay or the SE Peninsula, hence consider taking a taxi if you want to go to these two tourist sports.

Taxis in Saint Kitts and Nevis are available in most of the important spots of the city. You can find taxi stands at the Circus in Basseterre, Port Zante, Frigate Bay and the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport. It is a common practice on the island to tip 10% of the fare, especially if get extra help from the driver. To ensure your safety while travelling, it's important to only use taxis that are licensed. Also, if you are attending late night street parties, especially during the festival season, avoid carrying large amounts of cash or expensive jewellery with you.

The standard voltage in Saint Kitts and Nevis is 230 V with a frequency of 60 Hz. Make sure you pack a voltage converter if you are travelling from the United States of America to avoid damaging your electronic devices. In terms of plug types, in Saint Kitts and Nevis you can find type D and G. Plug type D has three round pins arranged in a triangular pattern, while plug type G has three rectangular pins also arranged in a triangular pattern.

Saint Kitts and Nevis has an average download speed of 42.93 Mbit/second. The upload rate, however, is considerably lower at only 10.85 Mbit/second. There are many restaurants and national chains that offer free WiFi. Local eateries are less likely to provide free WiFi, although some of them may offer this service as well.

There are a few pharmacies in the central area of Basseterre and an in the centre of Charlestown in Nevis If you need to purchase medication. It is also possible to buy certain over-the-counter medications in grocery shops.

Port Zante is the main port of entry for most cruise ships visiting Saint Kitts. The terminal is conveniently located near Basseterre's old town. If there is not enough space to dock at a pier, cruise ships anchor at Basseterre Bay, which is located 1.5 miles east of Basseterre. Tender boats will be available to transport passengers to the yacht marina on the west side of the terminal. Currently, Port Zante welcomes more than 600 cruise ships a year with approximately 1.5 million passengers from major cruise companies. If cruise ships go Nevis Island, they anchor in open sea and passengers will be tendered ashore.