Why St. Kitts and Nevis for a Honeymoon
These islands suit couples who want the Caribbean without the mass-market feel. There are no huge resort strips and few chain restaurants. Instead you get rainforest climbing the mountainsides, villages of brightly painted wooden houses and beaches where locals still outnumber visitors on a Sunday afternoon.
The history runs deep. St. Kitts was the first English colony in the Caribbean, settled in 1623. Sugar shaped both islands until the industry closed in 2005. Its legacy is everywhere: the old cane railway now carries visitors around St. Kitts. The plantation houses of Nevis are some of the most atmospheric places to stay in the region.
The main tradeoff is that the beaches, while pleasant, are not as dazzling as those in Anguilla or Turks and Caicos. Come for the scenery, the inns and the sense of being somewhere that has not reshaped itself around tourism.
Best Time to Visit
The dry season runs from about December through April, with trade winds, low humidity and daytime highs in the low to mid 80s Fahrenheit. This is high season and the most reliable time for weather. Rates and occupancy peak around the holidays.
May and June are a sweet spot. Showers start to appear but usually pass quickly, the islands are green and prices drop. The St. Kitts Music Festival takes over Basseterre in late June, a big draw for fans of Caribbean and international acts.
The rainy season stretches from roughly May into November, with hurricane risk highest from August through October. Several Nevis inns close for part of September and October, so check dates. Carnival on St. Kitts runs from mid-December into early January, while Nevis celebrates Culturama from late July into early August.
Where to Go
Our two destination guides cover the islands in depth.
- St. Kitts: the bigger island, with the international airport, the capital and the most variety. Stay on the Southeast Peninsula for quiet beaches and luxury resorts around Christophe Harbour, or at Frigate Bay for walkable bars and restaurants. Day trips take in Brimstone Hill, the scenic railway and a hike up Mount Liamuiga. See our St. Kitts guide.
- Nevis: smaller, rounder and more relaxed, with Pinney's Beach on the Caribbean side, historic plantation inns on the green slopes of Nevis Peak and hot springs outside Charlestown. See our Nevis guide.
Most couples spend three or four nights on each. If you have only five nights, pick one island and visit the other on a day trip. The crossing is so short that a lunch on Nevis or an afternoon on the St. Kitts beaches is easy to fit in.
Sample 10-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Fly into St. Kitts and settle into a resort on the Southeast Peninsula.
- Days 2 to 3: Beach time at Cockleshell Bay and South Friars Bay, then a sunset drink at a beach bar on the Strip at Frigate Bay.
- Day 4: Ride the St. Kitts Scenic Railway in the morning, then tour Brimstone Hill Fortress and the gardens at Romney Manor.
- Day 5: Hike Mount Liamuiga with a guide, or take a catamaran trip along the coast if you prefer a day on the water.
- Day 6: Cross to Nevis by water taxi or ferry and check into a plantation inn.
- Days 7 to 8: Explore Charlestown and the Alexander Hamilton museum, soak in the Bath hot springs and spend an afternoon on Pinney's Beach.
- Day 9: Hike the lower slopes of Nevis Peak or take a long lunch and a nap.
- Day 10: Ferry back to St. Kitts for your flight home.
Flip the order if your inn on Nevis can arrange a boat transfer straight from the airport.
Budget and Costs
St. Kitts and Nevis cover a wide price range. The figures below are approximate and rise around the holidays.
- Rooms: simple guesthouses and condos often start around $150 to $250 a night. Midrange beach hotels and resorts at Frigate Bay commonly run $250 to $450. Plantation inns on Nevis and the top resorts on both islands can reach $600 to well over $1,000 in high season.
- Food: a casual beach bar lunch for two might cost $40 to $70. Dinner at a plantation inn or resort restaurant can run $150 or more.
- Transport: taxis charge set rates between common points, with surcharges late at night. A rental car needs a temporary local driving permit, usually arranged by the rental company.
- Activities: island tours, the scenic railway and guided hikes are moderately priced, while private boat charters are the big splurge.
Prices are commonly quoted in US dollars, though change may come back in EC dollars.
Getting There and Around
Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB) on St. Kitts is the gateway. American flies year-round from Miami and JetBlue from New York JFK, with seasonal flights added in winter from Charlotte, Atlanta, Newark and New York. Schedules shift every season, so check routes when you book. Nevis has a smaller airport with regional connections from Caribbean hubs.
The usual way to Nevis is by sea. Passenger ferries link Basseterre with Charlestown in about 45 minutes. The Sea Bridge car ferry crosses from Majors Bay on the Southeast Peninsula to Cades Bay in around 15 minutes. Private water taxis run on demand. Some Nevis hotels arrange boat transfers from St. Kitts.
Driving is on the left. Roads are narrow and winding, with goats, monkeys and pedestrians to watch for. Taxis are easy to find and drivers often double as guides for island tours.
Culture and Etiquette
Kittitians and Nevisians are friendly and fairly formal in public. Say good morning or good afternoon before asking for anything. Greet people you pass on quiet roads. Swimwear stays at the beach; cover up before heading into Basseterre or Charlestown. Loud swearing in public is frowned upon and can lead to a fine. Mosquitoes can carry dengue; if you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices before you go.
Ask before photographing people or their homes. Market vendors and taxi drivers are generally happy to chat, which is often the best way to learn about the islands.
Food is hearty and local. The national dish brings together stewed saltfish, spicy plantains, coconut dumplings and seasoned breadfruit. Goat water, a rich stew, is a Saturday favorite. Rum is ever present, often as a punch or mixed with Ting, a local grapefruit soda.
You will also notice the green vervet monkeys, brought from West Africa centuries ago. They are charming, bold and fond of unattended snacks.
Quick tips
- Book at least one lantern-lit dinner at a Nevis plantation inn, even if you stay on St. Kitts.
- Ask whether a taxi fare is quoted in US or EC dollars before you get in.
- Book a hotel transfer by boat to Nevis if you land late in the day.
