Are you planning a fantastic island vacation and your heart is set on the Caribbean? Check out the four best things to do in St Kitts and Nevis. It might be just the thing to convince you to travel to this amazing travel destination!
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1. Try hiking on St Kitts Island
With nearly 181 km² (70 mi²) of extremely rich landscapes, St Kitts Island might just be the best Caribbean outdoor leisure destination. With an average temperature of 25.5ºC (78ºF) during the year, this environment is ideal for a walk through the rainforest or a cycle ride through the ancient countryside of the islands. And these are only the first two things that come to mind when I think of things to do in St Kitts and Nevis.
Throughout the years, St Kitts island remained committed not only to the environment but also to responsible growth management. The outcome is that the things to do in St Kitts and Nevis combine the best of both worlds: comfortable lodging, world-class restaurants, and shopping, plus plenty of open space for leisure and relaxing.
Outdoor activities in St Kitts take place around Mount Liamuiga, the magnificent extinct volcano in the middle of the island. In addition, some of the most popular things to do in St Kitts and Nevis are hiking tours that take you to the peak to have a look into the crater.
Such tours take travelers through the best places with vine-encrusted woodland with vivid Caribbean birds, butterflies, and precocious green vervet monkeys. As soon as you see Mount Liamuiga, going up the 1,156-meter (3,792-foot) summit will be hard to avoid. Several travel companies offer day trips to the massive dormant volcanic crater, a 305-meter (1,000-foot) deep bowl, complete with a shallow freshwater lake.
Getting to both the top and the crater can often be difficult, don’t go without a local guide. If you’re looking for an easy hike on your own, consider Monkey Hill or Verchilds Mountain. These modest climbs can be done by families and inexperienced hikers, even though some require special equipment. But they’re definitely some of the best things to do in St Kitts and Nevis!
2. Go mountain biking on St Kitts Island
With a terrain unlike any other in the Caribbean Islands, St Kitts Nevis house some of the region’s favorite mountain bike destinations. Within the island, miles of trails snake through the rainforest around Mount Liamuiga. However, many of these trails can be challenging for all but the most experienced riders. So it’s best to be cautious when adding mountain biking to your list of things to do in St Kitts and Nevis and check trail difficulties in advance.
Closer to the sea, mountain bikers will have the chance to explore the remains of several small villages. And bikers of all ages and skill levels can enjoy the paths winding through the countryside and enjoy one of the most enjoyable things to do in St Kitts and Nevis.
One of the most famous bike rides on Saint Kitts starts in the streets of historic Basseterre, the island’s capital city. After leaving town, the group will visit the colonial sugar cane fields at the base of the St Kitts Mountain Range. Then, at the top of the mountain, riders can admire the views of the sister island of Nevis and the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea.
After getting lunch in the rainforest, the tour returns to Frigate Bay following one of the most picturesque roads in the Caribbean. Bikers are then allowed to finish their journey by swimming in the warm Caribbean waters. In all honesty, to me this is one of the best things to do on St Kitts and Nevis!
As many tour operators now appeal to bikers and hikers alike, there are many tours customized to any age or skill level. Experienced riders typically travel into the mountainous middle of the islands, while novices will enjoy the sugar cane fields and rolling hills along the coast.
And if you want to explore the natural wonders of St Kitts Island on your own, you can even borrow mountain bikes and other sporting gear from your hotel or sports shops.
Depending on your preferences, you should book a tour that provides exclusive visits to the top attractions or to hidden gems, and also tells you everything you want to learn about the Caribbean. History buffs can tour colonial plantations, sugar cane fields, and other historic sites for a snapshot into past areas. Ecotourists, or those who are interested in nature, will find tour guides specialized in the local flora and fauna, the natural history of the island, and the protection of its properties. Whatever you’re passionate about, you’ll get your chance to visit top rated must see attractions on these islands
3. Try your luck in St Kitts casinos
The smallest country in the Western Hemisphere, St Kitts and Nevis does not seem to be the most convenient place to find decent gaming opportunities. But this tiny Caribbean territory, that is the least-populous nation to be a member of the United Nations, enjoys the amenities of some fully-fledged casinos, including the famed Royal Resort casino.
Surprisingly, St Kitts casinos aren’t located in the capital city of Basseterre. Instead, you’ll find them in Frigate Bay.
The Royal Resort Casino offers an impressive 35,000 square feet of gaming opportunities. And if one wouldn’t add gambling to their list of things to do in St Kitts and Nevis, the St Kitts Marriott Resort is still a great vacation destination.
The hotel has 523 rooms and 113 suites for its guests, plus six restaurants (including the West-Indian Blu Seafood, the Italian restaurant called La Cucina, and the Royal Grille Steakhouse). This incredible resort also has an Emerald Mist Spa and three bathing pools for relaxing. And for those that are more interested in sports, there is a wide variety of other recreational sports, including horse racing, water skiing, and scuba diving.
Of course, there are some other St Kitts casinos, but this one comes with the perk of offering plenty of things to do in St Kitts and Nevis for the entire group, therefore to those not into gambling, too.
4. Get jazzed up for the St Kitts Music Festival
2020 would have been the 24th edition of the annual St Kitts Music Festival. The island is home to some of the world’s biggest musical gatherings for a five-day festival. And while the tiny island of St Kitts might seem like a surprising location for an internationally renowned music festival, this tropical location has consistently drawn top talent. Representing a wide variety of musical genres, past artists at the St Kitts Music Festival include The Temptations, Chaka Khan, Wyclef Jean, Eve, Busta Rhymes, Hugh Masekala, and Kenny Rogers.
Since its inception, the St Kitts Music Festival has been dedicated to highlighting the best talent not just on the island, but in the Caribbean. So you’re going to be exposed to exotic sounds that can’t be found at home.
This year’s festival, initially scheduled for 24-28 June was postponed due to the pandemic and the organizers had to refund all the tickets. But have a look below at the programme to give you an idea of what to expect for next year if you’re looking for cool things to do in St Kitts and Nevis:
Wednesday, 24 June
Welcome Reception / Escape Fete
Thursday, 25 June
Shensea • Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons • Mr. Killa • Patrice Roberts • Asa Bantan • Lyrikal • Kollision Band • Nailah Blackman • Voice
Friday, 26 June
Jimmy Cliff • Wizkid • Future • Beres Hammond • Anthony B • 313
Saturday, 27 June
Gladys Knight • Jhene Aiko • Chronixx • Koffee • Venelle Powell
Sunday, 28 June
White Sands @ Carambola
The St Kitts Music Festival will probably be held at the Kim Collins Stadium in 2021. It was a successful venue in 2019 and so this year it should have taken place in the same location.
The St Kitts Music Festival is the ideal complement to your Caribbean holiday so make sure to add it to your list of things to do in St Kitts and Nevis.
This is the end of our list of things to do in St Kitts and Nevis.
Contact The Travel Bunny if you have some other ideas of things to do in St Kitts and Nevis!
Travel inspiration by…
Cristina Popescu is a Romanian blogger who has been traveling since 2008. She has visited 100+ countries across all the continents and accumulated firsthand knowledge about beautiful travel destinations. There is nothing she won’t try at least once in a lifetime and she wishes to encourage others to get out and see the world, too.
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More to discover on Saint Kitts and Nevis
St Kitts history: The beautiful Romney Manor
Caribbean travel guide: St Kitts drive to discover the island
The famous St Kitts scenic railway