5 Reasons Why St. Kitts Is the Hidden Gem of the Caribbean
You deserve a vacation, an escape to somewhere warm and tranquil. Somewhere a world away from your worries where you can make memories that will last a lifetime. Somewhere uncrowded and unspoiled where you can relax and recharge. That somewhere you’re dreaming of? It’s the island of St. Kitts, and it’s even better in real life.
Located in the Caribbean and easily accessible by plane, St. Kitts, along with its sister island Nevis, is widely regarded as the region’s best-kept secret. The idyllic islands’ stunning natural beauty, rich history, and friendly locals make it the perfect destination for those looking for the traditional Caribbean experience. That’s not to say St. Kitts doesn’t have its own unique charms and offerings that set it apart from its Caribbean counterparts. Here are five that have delighted locals and attracted tourists time and time again to the beloved island.
NOTE: Effective May 29th, The Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis will welcome only fully vaccinated visitors. More info can be found on the St. Kitts Travel Requirements page.
Riding Through History
Though “Kitts” is the nickname and most commonly used moniker for the island today, St. Kitts was originally named St. Christopher by famed explorer Christopher Columbus himself when he visited the island in 1492 during his second voyage to the New World. Once Britain colonized the island in the 1600s, sugar soon became the island’s main export and remained so for hundreds of years until it was overtaken by tourism in the early 2000s.
Much of the sugar industry infrastructure remains for visitors to explore today, including the one-of-a-kind St. Kitts Scenic Railway, the last railway in all of the Caribbean. Originally built in the 1900s to transport sugar from the fields to the capital of Basseterre, now the railway takes passengers on a 3-hour tour through St. Kitts history and some of its most spectacular scenery. There are also complimentary drinks like rum punch and daiquiris to help you stay cool during this can’t miss attraction.
Living Like a Local
St. Kitts is famously friendly, much of it due to warm and welcoming Kittitians who are always eager to share their favorite local places to eat and explore with tourists. If you ever have trouble finding something, all you have to do is ask! Island charm and authenticity abound from end to end. Be sure to stop by one of the Saturday markets to shop and pick up some tasty street food to start your day and head to The Strip on South Frigate Bay to end it. This collection of open-air bars and restaurants by the water is the undisputed number one hot spot for tourists and locals alike and the best place to discover local live music or even a fire-eater show on weekends.
Basking at the Beach
Yes, St. Kitts has pristine white beaches and warm turquoise waters native to the Caribbean, but the variety of beaches available from the Caribbean Sea on the south side to the Atlantic Ocean on the north mean that you’ll want to explore them all. Look out for marine life and admire the panoramic views of Cockleshell Beach on the southeastern edge of the island, one of the livelier and more popular spots to soak up the sun (or “limin’ as the locals call it). Find peace and quiet at Majors Bay, also in the southeast, a more laid-back beach perfect for escaping the crowds and perhaps getting a whole beach to yourself. For something truly unique, head north to the beautiful black sand beach of Dieppe Bay that originated from a long-dormant volcano and look out to where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean Sea in a dazzling display of nature.
Hitting the Links
St. Kitts and Nevis may be the smallest country in the Caribbean, but they still offer two picturesque courses with plenty of room to perfect your swing. Widely considered one of the best golf courses in the Caribbean, the Robert Trent Jones course at the Four Seasons Resort on Nevis offers a golf oasis you won’t find anywhere on the mainland, spanning from the foothills of Nevis Peak all the way to the 18th hole on the oceanfront. Vivid and vibrant tropical foliage lines the rolling fairways and, if you look closely, you might even catch a glimpse of the playful green vervet monkeys that populate the islands on your way through the course. The back nine oceanfront holes of the Royal St. Kitt’s Golf Club on St. Kitts also draws in serious golfers and amateurs alike to the 18-hole links-style championship course that stretches between the Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea.
Park Hyatt St. Kitts © Tadeu Brunelli
Sleep Is Sweeter Here
Whether your style is a more luxe oceanfront hotel, beach bungalow, or tropical organic farm, there’s a St. Kitts resort to accommodate you. On St. Kitts, walk right from your suite to the beach at the Park Hyatt St. Kitts or enjoy restful days and first-class amenities from your spacious seaside villa at the Marriot’s St. Kitts Beach Club. On Nevis, escape to the 350-acre playground and sit under the palm trees of Cabana Row at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis or discover waterfalls and explore centuries-old ruins at the Montpelier Plantation & Beach on Nevis, a Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2020 destination.
The best part? There’s never been a better time to book. All reservations made before July 31 for travel through Sept. 5, 2021, are eligible for the Five Day Getaway promotion that guarantees a room upgrade and daily breakfast at the Park Hyatt and Marriott Resort. Are five days too short a vacation? The promotion can also be extended to seven nights, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy all St. Kitts has to offer. Promos are also available for a complimentary third night at the Four Seasons Nevis and a stay in a premium suite with free breakfast at the Montpelier for the local rate of $170 a night.
That’s just the start. Whether it’s your first time visiting or you’ve been limin’ on St. Kitts for years, the reasons to visit St. Kitts can’t fit on a list. You just have to go discover them for yourself. So, what are you waiting for? Your dream vacation awaits.
To start planning your stay in paradise and learn more about the Five Day Getaway package, visit stkittspromotions.com.
