Planning a Trip

Getting There

In 2007, several airlines stepped up their direct or nonstop service from the North American mainland into St. Kitts. American was one of these, reinstating nonstop service from New York's JFK twice per week, and inaugurating once-per-week nonstop service into St. Kitts from Miami. This supplements service that had existed previously, including US Airways' (tel. 800/622-1015 in the U.S. and Canada; www.usairways.com) Saturday service from both Philadelphia and Charlotte to St. Kitts. Otherwise, you have to connect through 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 its hub in San Juan. From there, American's commuter partner, American Eagle, makes four daily nonstop flights into St. Kitts.

Windward Islands Airways International (known to everybody as Winair; tel. 866/466-0410 in the U.S. and Canada, or 869/465-8010; www.fly-winair.com) flies to St. Kitts from St. Maarten. The Antigua-based carrier LIAT (tel. 888/844-LIAT [5428]; www.liatairline.com), flies to St. Kitts from Antigua, Puerto Rico, and St. Maarten. Winair has two daily flights between Nevis and St. Kitts.

Air Canada (tel. 888/247-2262 in the U.S. and Canada, or 514/422-5000; www.aircanada.ca) flies from Toronto to Antigua. Excel Airlines (tel. 0871/911-4220; www.xl.com) flies about once a week from London's Gatwick to Antigua. From Antigua, you can make connections on LIAT or Winair .

You can also use the interisland ferry service between St. Kitts and Nevis. Ferry schedules follow no obvious patterns and are subject to change without notice. The fare is US$8 (£4) round-trip for any of the ferryboats that participate in the frequent runs. In addition, in 2007, car-ferry service was inaugurated between St. Kitts and Nevis, usually with a departure between the two islands once per day throughout the year. For specific schedules, call 869/465-4040 or click on www.boatschedule.leytonms.com.

Party Times in St. Kitts

Carnival in St. Kitts is celebrated not in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday, but from Christmas Eve to January 2. The festivities include parties, dancing, talent shows, and the crowning of the Carnival Queen. The final day of the celebration is known as "Last Lap," and features a repeat of many of the activities, including a multitude of bands jamming in the streets of Basseterre.

Another popular party time is the St. Kitts Music Festival, held the last weekend in June (Thurs-Sun). The Soca/Calypso night is usually the festival's opening event, and its most popular. You can also hear reggae, jazz, rhythm and blues, and gospel performances over the 4 days. For more information, call the Department of Tourism at tel. 869/465-4040.

Getting Around

Since most taxi drivers are also guides, this is the best means of getting around. You don't even have to find a driver at the airport -- one will find you. Drivers also wait outside the major hotels. First, however, you must agree on the price, since taxis aren't metered. Also, ask if the rates quoted to you are in U.S. or Eastern Caribbean dollars. The fare from the airport to Basseterre is about US$10 (£5); to Sandy Point, US$20 (£10); to Frigate Bay (site of the Marriott Hotel), around US$12 (£6). Tours of the island, each lasting around 2 1/2 hours and appropriate for between one and four passengers, cost around US$80 (£40) each. For more information, call the St. Kitts Taxi Association (tel. 869/465-8487).

Avis, Irishtown Bay Road (tel. 800/331-1084 in the U.S. and Canada, or 869/465-6507; www.avis.com), charges from US$40 to US$80 (£20-£40) per day, US$260 to US$480 (£130-£240) per week, plus US$15 (£7.50) per day for collision damage, with a US$950 (£475) deductible and a US$1.50 (75p) per day surcharge. The company offers free delivery service to either the airport or to any of the island's hotels; drivers must be between ages 25 and 75. Avis will arrange for a rental exchange if you also go to Nevis.

Avis' most impressive competitor is Thrifty Rent-a-Car, located at the corner of Central Street and West Independence Square Street, in the center of Basseterre (tel. 869/465-2991 for the major branch or tel. 869/465-3160 for their airport branch). Prices rival those at Avis, and quality of cars is generally very good.

Delisle Walwyn & Co., Liverpool Row, Basseterre (tel. 869/465-8449), is a local company offering cars and jeeps starting at US$40 to US$60 (£20-£30) per day. Tax and insurance are extra ($10/£5 per day for collision damage, US$750/£375 deductible). This might be your best deal on the island.

Remember: Driving is on the left! You'll need a local driver's license, which can be obtained at the Traffic Department, on Cayon Street in Basseterre, for US$24 (£12). Usually a member of the staff at your car-rental agency will drive you to the Traffic Department to get one.

Fast Facts

Banks on St. Kitts are open Monday to Thursday from 8am to 2pm, Friday from 8am to 4pm, and Saturday from 8:30 to 11am. You can place international telephone calls, including collect calls, at Cable and Wireless, Cayon Street, Basseterre (tel. 869/465-1000), Monday to Wednesday from 8am to 5pm, Thursday and Friday 8am to 4pm, and Saturday from 9am to noon.

The most centrally located pharmacy is City Drug, Central Street in Basseterre (tel. 869/465-2156), open Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Saturday from 8am to 7pm, Thursday from 8am to 5pm, and Sunday from 8 to 11am.

There's a 24-hour emergency room in Basseterre at Joseph N. France General Hospital, Buckley's Site (tel. 869/465-2551).

The St. Kitts tourist board operates at Pelican Mall, Bay Road in Basseterre (tel. 869/465-4040). It's open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm.