Planning a Trip

Getting There

There are no nonstop flights to Nevis from North America. To get here, you'll have to stop or change planes in Antigua, St. Maarten, or Puerto Rico. American Airlines (tel. 800/433-7300 in the U.S. and Canada; www.aa.com) has dozens of daily flights to San Juan. From here, you can catch a propeller plane to Nevis, arriving on Nevis at the Vance W. Amory International Airport, which has a single runway. You can also fly into Nevis from San Juan on two daily flights operated by American Eagle (tel. 800/433-7300 in the U.S. and Canada, or 869/465-2273). The airport is located on the north side of the island -- just 15 minutes outside the capital of Charlestown and less than 30 minutes from all the major resorts, hotels, and plantation inns on the island.

Getting Around

Taxi drivers double as guides, and you'll find them waiting at the airport or the ferry dock. The fare between Newcastle Airport and Charlestown is $18; between Charlestown and Old Manor Estate, $15; and from Charlestown to Pinney's Beach, $8. Between 10pm and 6am, 50% is added to the prices. Call tel. 869/469-1042 for more information.

You can arrange for a rental car from a local firm through your hotel. Or you can check with TDC Car Rental, on the Bay Front in Charlestown (tel. 869/469-1005), a local outfit that's loosely allied with Thrifty (tel. 800/367-2277) in the U.S.; or Nevis Car Rental, Newcastle, near the airport (tel. 869/469-9837). Another reliable firm is Noel's Courtesy Garage, Farms Estate (tel. 869/469-5199), which is convenient to guests in hotels east of Charlestown, including Hermitage, Montpelier, Old Manor, and Golden Rock. To drive on Nevis, you must obtain a permit from the traffic department, which costs $25 and is valid for 3 months. Car-rental companies will handle this for you. Remember: Drive on the left side of the road. The road that encircles Nevis has been improved and resurfaced.

Fast Facts

Banks are usually open Monday to Thursday 8am to 2pm, and Friday 8am to 3pm. Normal store hours are Monday to Saturday 8am to 4pm. Most are closed Sunday.

The post office is on Main Street in Charlestown. It's open Monday to Friday 8am to 3pm. Virtually every phone on the island allows you to make international phone calls -- in fact, the ease of international access from within your accommodation is so widespread that few opt to travel to the Cable and Wireless office anymore.

If you need a pharmacy, try Evelyn's Drugstore, Charlestown (tel. 869/469-5278), open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday from 8am to 7pm, and Sunday for only 1 hour, from 7 to 8pm, to serve emergency needs.

There's a 24-hour emergency room at Alexandra Hospital, Government Road, in Charlestown (tel. 869/469-5473). For police, fire, or medical emergencies, dial either tel. 911 or 5391 from any island phone.

The Nevis Tourist Authority is on Main Street in Charlestown (tel. 866/556-3847 in the U.S., or 869/469-7550).

For more information search www.nevisnaturally.com.