When going on any Caribbean vacation it can be tempting to just relax at a hotel, on a beautiful beach, or by a gorgeous swimming pool. While some of that is obviously mandatory on any tropical getaway, there is so much more to see on islands like St. Kitts! My favorite day of our trip was getting a rental car in St. Kitts, and driving on a tour of the island. So whether you’re planning your own St. Kitts excursion or going with a company, here’s everything you need to know!

Best Route for Driving St. Kitts

There is one major road that circles the island starting in Basseterre, and one single road that cuts down the southern peninsula. We were staying at the Park Hyatt St. Kitts so we planned to cut up the road to the capital city then circle the island clockwise.

The rental car in St. Kitts provided a map of the island, and that alone was more than sufficient to navigate our route. We didn’t use a GPS, but that is only because we are very confident with our map skills and knew there was only one road around the island!

Rental Car in St. Kitts

Renting a car is pretty straight forward in St. Kitts, but here are some tips I learned:

If you‘re traveling in high season book it as far in advance as possible. There is a limited number of cars on the island, and when they are taken you’re out of luck.

You have to be 25 years or older and have a valid drivers license from your country of residence.

A one time St. Kitts license rental fee of $25 USD is collected. I had to pay in cash and it was separate from my rental car payment.

Rent from the airport if you‘re doing a car for your full stay, OR rent from the hotel if you only want it for a day or two. That way you don’t have to go back into Basseterre and pay the additional taxi costs.

Drivers use their horns as a friendly greeting so don’t be alarmed if you’re constantly being honked at during your St. Kitts excursion!

Driving Laws in St. Kitts

While I have traveled all over the world I was shocked to realize that I had never driven on the opposite side of the road. At first I was nervous, but overall more excited because I was doing something brand new.

Driving in St. Kitts Tips:

You NEED an international St. Kitts drivers license that costs $15 USD. No need to plan ahead because every rental car company has them, and it’s literally a piece of paper that they stamp. The steering wheel is on the right side of the car. Being from the United States it slowly became a joke in our group for how often I would try to get into the car on the left side after photo stops. You drive on the left side of the road. Once again, depending on where you come from this can be normal. Thankfully, I had my mom and sister who were quick to point out when I was doing something wrong!

When to Go on Your St. Kitts Excursion

Leave as early in the day as possible! I really can’t stress this enough. Give yourself time to make all the stops you might want, but remember the trip will often take longer then you expect. Also, do not try and drive St. Kitts and Nevis in one day!

I was so excited to spend this whole day exploring both islands, but boy was that a mistake! There is far too much to do and see on each island. If you do want to see both get a two day rental car from your hotel, and give St. Kitts and Nevis its fair shake!

How Long to Plan For

Plan for a full day away from your hotel, but remember it won’t necessarily all be driving. In total, the route we took from our hotel and back was 50 miles. When we left our hotel we were told to plan for about an hour of driving, and add on some time for stops and photos.

After a small mix up at our hotel with the rental car in St. Kitts (meaning they ran out of cars) we left around 10am, and were back in time to catch sunset at Salt Plague around 6:30pm. Needless to say, it took us a FULL DAY of exploring St. Kitts by car. We did stop quite a bit to take photos and beach hop, but I would be hard pressed to find any tourist who can drive that incredible loop in one hour.

St. Kitts Tour by Car Starting in Banana Bay

1st Stop: South Friars Bay

This gorgeous beach on the Caribbean side is a MUST STOP when exploring St. Kitts by car.

They are currently building another luxury hotel so I’m not sure how accessible it will be in the future. For now it is for snorkeling, swimming, and long walks on the beach.

The cruise ships dock in the main harbor, but you are sure to see some luxury yachts taking up real estate.

2nd Stop: Basseterre

There is so much to do in this small capital hub so plan to spend at least an hour.

You can shop at all the duty free jewelry places, and don’t miss out on the yummy bakeries in town! Surprisingly, my favorite was a salt fish puff pastry that I had for breakfast. Now fish pastries might sound strange, but remember the national dish is stewed salt fish!

One thing to note as I have said before… W atch out for cruise ships! We stopped just as two were being let off and there was immediately a sea of people overrunning the small town.

3rd Stop: St. Thomas’ Anglican Church

We pulled into this old church not knowing what to expect. It’s beautiful if you seek out old Churches and cemeteries, but it has deteriorated with time.

We didn’t go inside, but took some photos and it was well worth the quick stop.

4th Stop: Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park

I can’t say it enough but I LOVE Unesco World Heritage Sites, and was so excited to see that St. Kitts had one.

If you can get past the winding uphill road, this 18th Century Fortress is packed with history and displays sweeping views of St. Kitts and the neighboring islands.

5th Stop: Kittitian Hill

This hotel will make you question why you didn’t stay here! It was recommended by our hotel as a place to stop for lunch on our St. Kitts tour. While we arrived too late, that didn’t stop us from taking in the AMAZING views.

Set between Mount Liamugia and the Caribbean Sea, this sustainable resort would blow away anyones expectations on first impression. This is 100% on my list for where to stay on my next visit to St Kitts!

This fun restaurant and bar is set right on the beach in Dieppe Bay.

Enjoy local seafood and fun cocktails while taking in the view of neighboring Sint Eustatius and Saba!

Even with just eating a light lunch at Arthur’s we HAD to stop at Coopers Bar- Glenda’s Place after countless locals had recommended it.

It does have a rundown exterior and the little to no atmosphere, but the food was absolutely delicious!

They tell you what they have fresh for the day, and after a quick wait you’ll be treated to the best meal on the island!

8th Stop: Timothy Hill Overlook

When you think of St. Kitts this iconic overlook most likely pops into your mind.

A St. Kitts getaway would not be complete without a stunning photo taken here. There is a large car park and often stands selling fruits and souvenirs from the islands… Which is just another reason to stop!

9th Stop: Salt Plage at Christophe Harbour

There is no better way to end a day exploring St. Kitts by car then to sip wine in an overwater hammock at the Salt Plage!

Watching the sunset over the island will be the perfect way to end your day.

Have any questions on driving in St. Kitts? Let us know in the comments below!

Safe Travels,

Brigitte and Jake

Where to Stay in St. Kitts and Nevis

Ultra Luxury (High End) – Park Hyatt St. Kitts – This is not only the best hotel in St. Kitts, but possibly all of the Caribbean! The setting in the middle of St Kitts and Nevis is absolutely gorgeous and will be beyond your wildest dreams. As far as 5 star Caribbean hotels go Park Hyatt St. Kitts is one of the most elite!

Fun Vacation (Mid Range) – Ocean Terrace Inn Hotel – This beautiful hotel is situated in the hills of St. Kitts and overlooks the harbour and Caribbean sea below. Featuring a pool side bar and restaurant, ocean terrace has everything you need for your stay on St. Kitts and Nevis.

Hostel Life (Budget) – Culture House – While there aren’t any hostels on St. Kitts, the Culture House provides a fair budgeted yet comfortable option on the island. The bed and breakfast atmosphere will be a great place to lay your head and relax!

For more places to stay in St. Kitts you can explore the latest prices here!

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