Prior to visiting St. Kitts and Nevis I honestly didn’t know much about it. Pictures of the gorgeous St. Kitts beaches and delicious food initially drew me in, until it got to the point where I HAD TO book a vacation there. Yet after a few days in paradise I realized there was so much more to St. Kitts in the Caribbean! Here’s 10 things I didn’t know before visiting St. Kitts and Nevis.

1. Smallest Country in the Americas

I knew before visiting St. Kitts and Nevis that the two island country was small, but I didn’t realize how small! It takes the title of smallest country in the Americas in terms of both size and population. When it comes to a global scale it’s ranked 8th smallest country in the world behind the Marshall Islands, Liechtenstein and Monaco to name a few. On the upside it is very easy when visiting St. Kitts to explore the island in one day!

2. You Can Swim From St Kitts to Nevis

Once a year you can swim across the narrows (waterway between St. Kitts and Nevis) in a event called the Cross Channel Swim. However, this 2.5 mile (4km) stretch is it is not just for athletes! You can register for assisted and use flippers, snorkels and even wetsuits to help make the journey! I’ve added this to my bucket list for next visit, and plan to one day join the 240+ people who make the journey from the St. Kitts beaches.

3. Sugar Cane is Out and Tourism is in

What used to be a booming sugar cane industry and the islands main form of income is now a distant memory. In 2005, the country shut down its last sugar plantation and the main revenue of the island has shifted to tourism. St. Kitts in the Caribbean now has plantations converted into hotels, and cruise ships that fill the harbor. With the boom of tourism several luxury hotels have just been completed such as the beautiful Park Hyatt St. Kitts, and many more are in the development stage.

4. Smushed Between the Atlantic and Caribbean

To the east of St. Kitts and Nevis is the chilled water of the Atlantic, and to the West sits the warm Caribbean Sea. This puts the tiny little island country smack dab in the middle! It makes sense that they have to meet at some point, but to see where it is actually quite amazing. The best view is from Timothy Hill Overlook where you can see both oceans and St. Kitts beaches in all their glory.

5. Kittitians and Nevisians

On the island of St. Kitts the locals are referred to as Kittitians and on Nevis they’re Nevisians. From the week I spent on the island I can say that both Kittitians and Nevisians are very proud and warm people who where excited to share information and history about their island. They also know the best St. Kitts food to eat which led me to amazing local places like Coopers!

6. Named After Christopher Columbus

Like many things in this world named after great explorers, St. Kitts and Nevis is said to have come from Christopher Columbus. Prior to using Columbus’s nickname of Kit, the island was called Liamuiga which means “fertile land.” When it comes to the island of Nevis it was named after “Nuestra Señora de las Nieves” meaning Our Lady of the Snows. The snows refer to the white clouds that float above the volcano top of Nevis and look like snow.

7. Island Life Away From The Hotels

Growing up in New England when I heard of places like St. Kitts I thought about swanky hotels and luxury boats. While the island does have these luxuries, there is so much more to it! When we rented a car and explored for the day we saw run down houses and poor infrastructure in the non-touristic areas. While this is common on many islands I think it is an important reminder when traveling to support the local community when possible. Maybe that means leaving your hotel and eating local St. Kitts food, or even hiring a taxi to take you around the island. Just always something to keep in mind while traveling.

8. Live on St. Kitts and Go To Veterinary School

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine is a well known school located on St. Kitts and Nevis. The beautiful campus overlooks the Caribbean Sea and volcanic mountains of the island. Due to it’s tropical setting, people come from all over the world to study and spent 28 months living here!

9. Volcanic Formation

This islands of St. Kitts and Nevis were formed almost exclusively from two volcanos. Mount Liamuiga on St. Kitts and Nevis Peak on the island of Nevis. Fortunately for travelers, both islands volcanoes are now extinct with the last reported eruption over 1,800 years ago. Still when visiting St. Kitts and taking in the surrounding landscape it is hard not to be amazed by the beauty of its natural wonders.

10. You can Pay to Become a Citizen

Did you know that in St. Kitts you can literally pay to become a citizen?!?! Before arriving on the island I had no idea. The country is actually credited with this economic tourism concept. You can buy land of a certain value or make relief donations, and with it be granted citizenship. There are a few stipulations such as no criminal record, high net wealth and good health, but if you meet them you can soon be living on St. Kitts in the Caribbean full time!

Have any questions about visiting St. Kitts beaches or learned something interesting from this post? Please comment below!

Safe Travels,

Brigitte and Jake

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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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