Places to Visit on the Beautiful Caribbean Island of St Kitts

St Kitts is a stunning Caribbean island with immense natural beauty, but it's also quite different from other Caribbean islands in that it has a rich and long history. Although it might be difficult to drag yourself away from the glorious beaches, it's well worth while setting aside a few days to explore this fascinating island.

The town of Old Road was originally established in 1623 and was the very first British town in the whole of the Caribbean, beginning with just 15 settlers. Before this it was home to Carib Indians who had villages and ritual grounds in the area. Today is still possible to see the stone petroglyphs on the road leading to Romney Manor.

Romney Manor was originally named the Wingfield Estate and was unique for being the first to use a water wheel for power. Later on the estate was leased by the Romney family and is now home to the Botanical Gardens and Caribelle Batik. This is well worth a visit as the gardens around the 17th-century sugar plantation are beautifully restored, and it's pretty interesting to see practical demonstrations of the art of batik.

Sandy Point is the second largest town on the island and has two beautiful churches which are St Anne's Anglican Church and the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic church. Dieppe Bay town was the Protestant French commercial capital during the late 16th century. At one point the northern part of the town was ruled by the French while the southern part was ruled by the British. Although once a busy port, nowadays it's a very small town but remains historically significant.

St Kitts Is Great for Nature Lovers

With one quarter of the island devoted to rare rainforest, St Kitts makes the perfect destination for nature lovers. The forest is home to many different birds, including the Brown Pelican, Caribbean Martin and Lesser Antillean Bullfinch and birdwatchers can spend many hours seeing how many species they are able to spot.

The rainforest is incredibly beautiful and hikers will enjoy following numerous trails which give ample opportunity to spot many tropical plants and flowers. Visitors can explore the forest with a guide or opt for a four-wheel-drive tour, while thrill seekers can view the forest from the canopy from an eco-friendly zip line.

The seas surrounding St Kitts are also jam-packed full of Marine life including sea turtles. St Kitts is a nesting ground for hawksbill, green sea turtles and leatherback turtles, all of whom are on the critically endangered list. During the spring visitors can accompany research teams from the St Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network for evening tours to see nesting females and hatchlings.

Peak times for seeing these nesting turtles are between April and June, although the nesting season runs from March until July. These tours are excellent and the sea turtles are surprisingly large. Keen snorkellers and divers will enjoy exploring the reefs and historical shipwrecks around St Kitts coastline, as the area is renowned for its pristine condition.

There's not even any need to travel far from shore as the waters become pretty deep very quickly. Not surprisingly there are numerous tours available for all ages and experience, and many dive shops where all necessary equipment can be rented.

Culture and History of St Kitts

The earliest written history of St Kitts is in the account of the second voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1493, although he didn't actually bother to land. Apparently he thought the shape of the island resembled St Christopher carrying Christ on his shoulders, but there is some doubt as to whether he named the island after the patron saint of travellers or himself.

In any case the name stuck and over the centuries the island gained the affectionate nickname of St Kitts. The original inhabitants were Carib Indians who called the island Liamuiga which means fertile land. Nowadays the island's dormant volcano which gave St Kitts its productive and volcanic soil goes by the same name. The volcano's legacy can be seen in the lush tropical vegetation and the characteristically black sandy beaches which are found predominantly in the north of the island.

St Kitts has quite the history and has been the scene of many bitter battles between the native Carib Indians, the British and the French. Very early on in his history the entire native population was wiped out in a massacre at Bloody Point.

This left the island to the mercy of the English and the French, and many became very rich from their sugar and tobacco plantations, bringing in African slaves to attend to them which paved the way for St Kitts rich cultural history.

St Kitts is also distinctive in having made room for just about every religious conviction, and it has the oldest Masonic temples in the Caribbean as well as a very old Jewish Temple. Although the early history of St Kitts is somewhat bloody thristy, it is one of the most culturally and historically fascinating Caribbean islands.

Exploring St Kitts for the First Time

There is such a lot to see and do on St Kitts that it can be difficult to know where to start if you are visiting the island for the first time or if you have a limited amount of free time available during your trip, but an excellent way to orientate yourself is to take a trip on the Scenic Railway.

This is a three-hour, 30 mile tour around the island which is completed partly on the train and partly on sightseeing buses. The historic railway was built between 1912 and 1926 to transport sugar cane from the plantations around the island to the sugar factory in the capital city of Basseterre. It is now one of the few remaining railway lines in the eastern Caribbean and is an excellent way of seeing the scenery and culture of this pretty island.

The train takes visitors through fields of sugarcane and passed Mt Liamuiga, St Kitts dormant volcano and offers tantalizing glimpses of crumbling plantation estates, volcanic black sand beaches as well as scenic views of the nearby island of St Barts, Nevis, St Maarten and Saba.

As it passes through a local village, sightseers can get a quick view of local life and culture. The bus tour takes passengers passed Brimstone Hill Fortress and through numerous other little villages and towns before returning to the capital city.

It's a very nice and relaxing way to see the island and offers some great photo opportunities. Brimstone Hill Fortress tends to be on most people's ‘must see’ list as it is of both cultural and architectural significance. It is a monument to the engineers who designed it and it took nearly 100 years to finish.

Things to do on St Kitts

Many people travel to St Kitts simply to take advantage of all the beautiful beaches and warm azure water, and it is easy to see the attraction of this refined Caribbean island. However there are plenty of things to see and do around the island, and it would be a shame not to discover something of St Kitts natural beauty and rich cultural history.

St Kitts is very easy to get around, as you can choose to tour the island with your own private driver, book a group tour or hire a rental car. The Scenic Railway provides a unique view of the island and is a very relaxing way to spend an afternoon.

You can also hop on the ferry and visit St Kitts sister island of Nevis. Ferries to the island run several times a day and you can tour downtown Charleston, the galleries and museums and plantation inns and Nevis botanical garden.

Lots of people come to St Kitts for the watersports, and the clear blue waters are certainly very inviting. You can choose to snorkel or scuba dive or can go windsurfing, deep sea fishing or sailing.

There are plenty of full day and half day trips for keen divers. St Kitts is incredibly beautiful as it has an expanding and very healthy rainforest. This is ideal for trekking through or you can choose to hire a mountain bike. There are a number of easy or more strenuous trails, and you can even trek all the way up to the top of Mount Liamuiga, St Kitts very own dormant volcano.

St Kitts Visitor Bookings up by 16%

St Kitts Minister of tourism, the Honourable Richard Skerritt recently visited the Excel exhibition centre in London as he was leading the St Kitts and Nevis delegation to the 2011 World Travel Market.

He revealed that bookings to St Kitts are up on the same period last year, and advance bookings are up 16% compared to the same time last year. Visitors from the US account for 60% of visitors arrivals to St Kitts and Nevis, while visitors from Britain account for 10% as do travellers from Canada. The remaining 20% of visitors come from the Caribbean market.

Minister Skerritt said "We come to the World Travel Market because we can meet a lot of travel trade and the travel media who we do business with on an ongoing basis. We use it as a sort of a meeting point and as a networking point, but we also use it to refresh business contacts and we try to get new business.

We constantly look into introducing our destination to the British market." The London-based St Kitts tourism office has three staff members, while the entire St Kitts and Nevis delegation consisted of 13 people exhibiting from a single booth.

The tourism office partners with British Airways and does a lot of joint programmes. British Airways currently has two direct flights a week to St Kitts from London Gatwick to Robert L Bradshaw International airport. The weekly flight on Saturday will be three years old in January 2012 while the midweek flight on Tuesdays will be three years old in 2013.

According to Skerritt these flights have made all the difference in the country's ability to market in the UK. St Kitts is often promoted as being an upmarket travel destination, and this view is certainly borne out as British Airways has seen most growth in the number of business and first-class seats being sold for travel to the island.

It's Hard Not to Fall in Love with St Kitts

It’s very difficult not to fall in love with St Kitts, as it is an incredibly beautiful island with lush rainforest and numerous beaches. However there's much more to discover, as it's great for history lovers.

It was originally discovered by Christopher Columbus who was so taken with the island’s beauty that he named it after the patron saint of all travellers, St Christopher, a name which was later to be shortened to St Kitts. Nations have fought over the island, and many people became extremely wealthy due to the sugar plantations.

It's quite difficult to imagine that such a peaceful and tranquil island could have been the scene of so many battles, but a visit to the world UNESCO heritage site, Brimstone Hill Fortress can be pretty enlightening.

Take a trip on the scenic railway to familiarise yourself with the island, as this will take you through several small villages and past the remains of the sugar plantations, giving you a glimpse of the rich cultural history. If you really want to experience the culture of St Kitts then visit the island during Carnival time during Christmas.

It's easy to get swept up in the whole romance of the island, and many people choose to get married here as they can choose to say their vows on the beach, in a historic church or even in historic ruins.

Some of the most popular locations include Romney Manor which is a tropical plantation garden which is a beautifully maintained and very colourful. The centrepiece of the garden is a 350-year-old Saman tree. Those who truly love history may well choose to get married on Brimstone Hill, while Turtle Beach is ideal for those who are always wanted to exchange vows on a beautiful white sandy beach.

Popular Activities on St Kitts Beaches

One of the main reasons for visiting such a beautiful Caribbean island is to enjoy the gorgeous beaches. Although a fair amount of your time is bound to be spent just relaxing and maybe doing a bit of swimming, there are lots of beach activities available for those looking to be more active.

Popular watersports include body surfing, water skiing, windsurfing, snorkelling and diving. Some beaches are more suited towards certain activities than others so it's worth doing your research.

In fact it is quite nice, because if you just want to find a quiet spot in which to relax and sunbathe, or want to catch up on a bit of reading then you'll find plenty of choice, especially on the Atlantic side.

The Atlantic facing beaches are also ideal for a pleasant stroll, or you can even try your hand at horseback riding. If you are visiting St Kitts with your family, then many of these beaches are ideal for enjoying a picnic, and you'll find the local supermarket is packed with suitable goodies, but if you don't wish to do this then you'll find plenty of bars and restaurants which would be more than happy to serve you delicious local cuisine and cooling drinks.

The most popular beaches are located around the south-east peninsula, and one of the liveliest is Frigate Bay. If you visit the island in May your find it is full of activity at this time of year, as this is when the St Kitts International ITU Series Triathlon takes place. Competitors get the chance to earn points towards world rankings, and it's certainly a nice place in which to enjoy a relaxing break afterwards.

What Can Visitors Expect from the Island of St Kitts?

First-time visitors to the Caribbean island of St Kitts are likely to be surprised by how much this little island has to offer. Although relatively new to tourism, St Kitts has all the necessary infrastructure in place to offer visitors a luxurious yet very friendly experience. The island has seen a significant number of new developments over the past few years, many of which have been aimed at the luxury market.

It's a great destination for anyone who loves nature, as there are many opportunities to track through the expanding rainforests, and to see the natural flora and fauna of the island. Mount Liamuiga is the highest point on St Kitts, reaching 3,792 feet into the sky. It was formally named Mount Misery and was renamed on Independence Day in 1983, but you'll probably find many older residents still refer to it by its original name. You can climb all the way to the summit, but should hire a local guide.

A more relaxing way to see the island is to hop on the narrow gauge train and take a scenic tour through old sugarcane plantations. It's a great way of seeing the beautiful landscapes as well as learning about the island's history.

Snorkelling and diving enthusiasts will want to visit Bloody Bay Reef which is well-known for its underwater grottoes. Coconut Tree Reef is the place to go for spotting diverse marine life, and then of course there's the Talata shipwreck in Sandy Point Reef. The beaches here are stunning, and one of the nicest is that Frigate Bay, but if you prefer something a little quieter then try Sand Bank Bay.

Experience island Life on St Kitts

St Kitts is one of the Leeward Islands, and enjoys a tropical climate with average temperatures of 28°C. The driest months are between November and May, but St Kitts benefits from having one of the most desirable climates in the Caribbean. It's a relative latecomer to the tourism industry, and has learned from other islands mistakes.

The types of developments taking place on the island are low-density and high quality as St Kitts is interested in attracting high-end visitors looking for a luxurious and relaxing escape from everyday life. The developments are attracting investment buyers, holiday home buyers and even people looking for a retirement home.

It's easy to see why as the island is dramatically beautiful, with lush rainforests, beautiful beaches and it even has its very own dormant volcano.

Visitors to the island can enjoy a huge range of activities including watersports, rainforest tracking or visiting some of the many historical sites. Up until 2005, much of the island's revenue was generated through the production of sugarcane, and over the centuries many people became extremely wealthy through this industry.

It's still possible to see signs of this wealth in the beautifully preserved colonial buildings in downtown Basseterre, as well as in the restored plantation homes which dot the island. St Kitts was the scene of many fierce battles, and Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is the only man-made UNESCO world Heritage site in the eastern Caribbean.

St Kitts has something for everyone, whether it's gourmet dining, relaxing on the sandy beaches or exploring the island, and the island is easily accessible with a number of international flights from Europe and North America.

St Kitts and Nevis, Sugar and Rum

St Kitts and Nevis have a very rich history, being governed by both the French and the British. The islands finally achieved independence from Britain in 1983, and although politically stable, Nevis tried to break away from St Kitts in 1998, but a referendum held in Nevis failed to gain the necessary majority needed to achieve this.

The country achieves much of its income through tourism, offshore finance and service industries, and these have become even more important since the sugar industry was finally closed in 2005. The sugarcane industry had been important to the island for centuries, but ultimately turned into a loss-making business due to falling sugar prices throughout the world. The last sugarcane was cut on July 31^st in 2005.

When the sugarcane industry was operational, St Kitts used to produce its own rum, but nowadays there is just one small bottling and blending plant on the island in Basseterre which imports rum from Guyana before ageing it in French oak barrels left over from Baron Edmond Rothschilds involvement in rum production.

The Baron had decided that St Kitts water was some of the best in the Caribbean, and reasoned that the island would be able to produce some of the best rum in the world. The rum now produced in Basseterre can generally only be found locally, but does have a very good reputation. However rum lovers will find that all the bars in St Kitts have a large selection to choose from, as this is very much a Caribbean drink and some of these bars have been around for centuries.

Attractions on St Kitts

St Kitts has an awful lot to offer visitors, and although the main idea is to go there to relax and do at least a little bit of sunbathing and snorkelling, it's also nice to spend at least a day or two exploring the island.

There is a huge range of activities and attractions available, especially when you consider it's a relatively small island, and whatever your tastes you're sure to find something you'd like to do here.

The main city is called Basseterre and has a population of less than 20,000. It's one of the oldest towns in the eastern Caribbean and was originally founded in 1627 by the French.

It has a pretty chequered history as it has been destroyed during colonial wars, as well as by fire, riots, floods, earthquakes and hurricanes. In spite of this there are still a considerable number of colonial buildings in downtown Basseterre, and despite its small size this city has a large personality.

The scenic Railway runs from Sandy Point to Basseterre, and is an excellent way to discover a little more of the island. A round trip takes just a few hours using both the railway and sightseeing coaches, and it's a great thing to do relatively early on in your trip as it gives you a real feel for the island.

Although St Kitts used to be famous for its sugarcane production, it also is renowned for producing cotton, and it's still possible to visit the only remaining cotton ginnery on the island. Cotton was still produced until the 1970s, and the ruins date from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, as these were major periods in the agro-industrial history of the island.

St Kitts Culture and Festivities

St Kitts has a very rich culture which is shaped by its past and which encompasses a number of traditions and customs from different countries. This culture shapes the food, dance and music of the island, but most of all can be seen in its carnivals.

One of the biggest carnivals takes place at Christmas time and the costumes, which have evolved over 300 years are a true art form. They include peacock feathered headdresses, fringed aprons, masks and decorations of bangles, ribbons and mirrors, while the dancers show elements of both African and European dance genres.

One of the most exciting things to see are the dancers who dress as Moko-Jumbies, dancing on 6 foot stilts along the parade route. Their exact origin isn't really known; some believe their costumes relate to the African god of vengeance, while others believe it is based around the macaw, which is a very tall palm tree covered in thorns.

Whatever the origin this is a fabulous time to visit the island, especially as it makes a wonderful escape during winter. This carnival is a true celebration which goes on for 40 days from the end of November until the beginning of January and is known as Sugar Mas.

If you can't visit the island in winter, then there is also a music festival in June which was launched in 1996 and since then has been held annually, generally over the last weekend in June. It has become one of the most popular festivals in the Caribbean and features a large range of musical genres.

Experience the Lush, Tropical Paradise of St Kitts

St Kitts is part of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean, but is quite different from other Caribbean islands. St Kitts is a lush tropical paradise which is quite similar to the south Pacific Islands. Kittitians are hospitable and friendly, and visitors have a tendency to return year after year.

The island was first spotted by Christopher Columbus in 1493, and was originally populated by native tribes. It was then colonised by the British in 1623 but achieved independence in 1983. The island has a population of around 35,000, and the primary language is English.

Although it is a Caribbean paradise, there are signs of its colonial history all around the island. One of the most impressive is the Brimstone Hill Fortress, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the largest fortress ever built in the Eastern Caribbean. The fortress was the scene for many fierce battles, as the island used to be considered the gateway to the Caribbean.

There are also a number of beautifully restored plantation houses, as much of St Kitts original wealth came from the sugar plantations. St Kitts was ideal for growing sugar due to its rich volcanic soil and perfect climate. Many landowners made a fortune from this crop, and by 1775 there were 68 sugar plantations on the island.

When the last of the sugar plantations finally shut down in 2005 the government began to concentrate on promoting tourism. Thankfully it has learned from the development of other Caribbean islands, and is strictly controlling the amount of building so this beautiful island will always retain its natural charm.

The Beaches on St Kitts

Anyone visiting St Kitts is likely to spend at least part of their time on the beach, as the Caribbean is famed for having gorgeous beaches and St Kitts is certainly no different. In fact St Kitts has the advantage of having a choice of black sandy, volcanic beaches or gorgeous white sandy beaches. Some beaches are better for sunbathing and swimming while others are better for watersports and/or diving and snorkelling.

One of the best-known beaches on the island is at Frigate Bay in the south, and visitors can choose to visit the north or south side depending on their mood. The north side is fringed by the Atlantic, and is ideal for relaxing and swimming, windsurfing or surfing. The south side of the beach is fringed by calmer waters of the Caribbean. There are also numerous bars, restaurants and resorts in this area.

If you prefer something a little quieter then White House Bay is ideal, especially for snorkellers and divers, as the rocky reef harbours a sunken tugboat which is home to schools of colourful fish and marine life. It's also a great spot for just floating around in the water or simply sunbathing. Another good place for diving and snorkelling is Pump Bay at Sandy Point, and this volcanic black sand beach lies in the shadow of Brimstone Hill Fortress.

Another popular beach is Conaree Beach which lies on the Atlantic side. Although the beach is a relatively narrow strip of grey black sand, it is extremely good for snorkelling and body surfing. 

A more traditional beach can be found at Cockleshell Bay whose powdery white sands are typically Caribbean. The 2 mile long beach also offers gorgeous views of Nevis as it is directly on the Narrows which is the channel between the two islands.

St Kitts and Its History of Sugar Cane Production

If you visit St Kitts, it's nearly impossible to escape the fact that sugarcane production had a major effect on the island, as this influential part of its history is still present in a number of factories and plantation homes which have been beautifully restored and are now open to the public.

Sugarcane production reached its peak in the late 1700s, but declined in the following centuries, and nearly ceased production completely during the 20th century. Although its production had been responsible for bringing much of the wealth into St Kitts, the availability of sugar beet in Europe and the emancipation of slaves, combined with the number of countries choosing to produce their own sugar cane all contributed to the downfall of this industry.

The problem was that St Kitts used to be highly reliant on the industry which nearly became extinct in 1912, as it used to be a major part of the economy.

It was saved at that stage by the opening of the central sugar factory which was capable of processing the islands entire crop, replacing mills and boiling houses on individual plantations.

The timing was perfect, as the price of sugar soared during the First World War. However this reprieve was to be temporary and the sugarcane industry continued its gentle decline before all sugar estates were nationalised in 1974.

In 2005 production ceased completely and the island began to concentrate more fully on its burgeoning tourism industry. Nowadays the central sugar factory is designated as being a national treasure and major heritage site, and remains as a reminder of this part of St Kitts history.

St Kitts Is a Beautiful and Pristine Island

St Kitts has to be one of the most beautiful Caribbean islands, and because all development here is relatively recent it has retained its pristine and eco-friendly environment. It has something for everyone, and it's easy to see why some people are choosing to buy holiday homes here, and are returning year after year as there is always something new to do.

The island is steeped in history and boasts numerous historic sites including prehistoric Carib Indian grounds, plantation houses, remnants of sugar estate's and a fortress which is a UNESCO world Heritage site.

It has a glorious underwater world as there are ancient wrecks and numerous reefs to be explored, and dive sites tend to be a lot less crowded than on the better-known Caribbean islands. St Kitts has a thriving rainforest which is expanding rather than shrinking, and is teeming with wildlife including many fantastically coloured birds and butterflies and numerous tropical flowers.

One of the most popular places to visit is the botanical Gardens of Romney Manor which is also the home of Caribelle Batik. The estate was originally owned by Samuel Jefferson, grandfather of the American statesman. It was the only estate to use a water wheel from power, and the remnant can still be seen.

Just outside Romney Manor are some stone petroglyphs which were left by the Carib Indians who used to live in the area in the 17th century. Nowadays the estate is home to a number of artisans who give batik demonstrations. The 17th century sugar estate is surrounded by beautiful gardens that are extremely pleasant to wander around.

You'll find that two weeks isn't enough time to discover everything that St Kitts has to offer, and it's easy to see why many people return year after year.

St Kitts Capital’s Considerable History

Unlike most of Caribbean islands, St Kitts has a lot more to offer tourists than just beautiful beaches, as it has a considerable history which is especially visible in the elegant Georgian architecture in the capital city of Basseterre, and it has to be one of the nicest capitals in the Caribbean. Basseterre is set against a backdrop of lush green rainforest and has numerous interesting buildings for history lovers.

The Treasury Building is a domed colonial construction right on the waterfront which served as a Customs house, and in the past virtually everything which arrived or departed from St Kitts had to pass through its arches.

The Circus is a small roundabout in the centre of the city which is modelled on Piccadilly in London. In its centre is the bright green bronze Berkeley Memorial Clock which is a cast-iron tower with four intricate clock faces. St George's Anglican Church was once named Notre Dame in 1670 by the French, and was destroyed four times before its present Georgian style reincarnation was built in 1869.

Independence Square has a somewhat grim history as it was constructed in 1790 for council meetings and slave auctions. It was named in 1983 to commemorate the independence of St Kitts and Nevis from Great Britain. Outside the city lies Old Road Bay which was the first permanent European settlement in the Leeward Islands, and was home to Sir Thomas Warner, his family and 14 others.

Although the settlers were originally on good terms with the Carib inhabitants, this piece only lasted for a few years. Warner was originally drawn to the island by its tobacco crop, and at first this supported the settlement. Although Basseterre isn’t huge, it does make a pleasant place to spend a day or two learning about some of the history of St Kitts.

St Kitts Colourful Past

St Kitts may be a beautiful holiday destination, but it also has a colourful past and a heritage created by the nation's indigenous people and Europeans and Africans. The island is located in between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago, and was originally volcanic.

Columbus spotted the island in 1493, but long before this it was inhabited by indigenous Indians called Siboney who left very few traces behind. They were eventually overtaken by the Arawaks who were a group of farmers, who were in turn overtaken by the Carib Indians who were warriors. When the Europeans eventually began to arrive on St Kitts, the Carib Indians waged war against them.

The first British settlers arrived in 1623, while the first French settlers arrived around 1627. The two groups lived in relative harmony for a while and fought the Carib Indians and Spanish attacks together.

Unfortunately the harmony didn't last, and cumulated in a war which would last more than 100 years. In 1782 St Kitts and Nevis came under permanent British control after a bitter battle on Brimstone Hill. Once they regained control, the British began establishing sugar plantations which were originally maintained by Irish servants before being cultivated by African slaves.

A large percentage of the island's population is of African descent, and this influence is seen throughout their culture in celebrations, art, food and music. Eventually the sugarcane industry became unprofitable and has been replaced by tourism. It is now becoming one of the top luxury destinations in the world, and also has a growing reputation for eco-tourism.

St Kitts Is a Holiday Paradise All Year Round

St Kitts enjoys an enviable climate all year round, as temperatures rarely drop beneath 22°C at night and rarely exceed 30°C during the day. Even when the temperatures are high, the islands are cooled by the North East Trade winds. The climate in St Kitts is classified as tropical marine, which means it is influenced by the seas surrounding the area.

The high season is between December and February, as people from the northern hemisphere try to escape their own winters. During this time the beaches may be a little more crowded, and accommodation may cost slightly more.

A lot of tourists choose to visit during this time as it is also the Carnival season. The Carnival season begins on Christmas Eve and extends into early January. Celebrations include food festivals, parades, street dancing, masquerades and a number of other events.

The low season is during the summer months between June and August, and this is rather a nice time to visit as the beaches are a lot quieter and accommodation rates are a lot lower. The low season also has its fair share of celebrations and events including the St Kitts annual music festival in May and the St Kitts and Nevis regatta in June.

The wet season runs from May to October, and this is also the hottest time of year, and it's worth packing adequate rain gear if you intend to visit during these months. For most of the time, cool, light cotton clothing is best for staying comfortable. Even if you choose to visit during the rainy season, you will still see plenty of sunshine, and there are lots of activities and sites to keep you occupied when the weather is a little damp.

Which Are the Most Popular Beaches in St Kitts?

St Kitts is blessed with having pristine, uncrowded and utterly relaxing beaches, and some of them only used to be accessible by boat or by hiking over steep hills. The most popular beaches tend to be those on the Caribbean side, such as Frigate Bay and South Friars Bay.

A lot of people think the Frigate Bay beach is the best, and I'd have to agree as it has a long stretch of golden sand, and the waters here are generally calm. There are a number of beach bars, and there is a wide variety of watersports and other beach activities such as kayaking, Sunfish, windsurfing and scuba-diving available.

Snorkelling is excellent at either end of the beach near to the rock cliffs. Frigate Bay is popular with tourists, and is home to the excellent Oceans Edge Resort, which is a luxury resort that has been very tastefully developed. This resort has the advantage of being within walking distance of Frigate Bay, and residents can choose to go to either the Atlantic side or the Caribbean side, depending on their mood.

South Friars Bay is on the south eastern peninsular, and is great for swimming as the waters here are very calm. It has a long stretch of golden sandy beach which never feels crowded, and is a favourite with locals and tourists. It's especially good for snorkelling and other water sports. There are several bars here where you can purchase food and ice cold drinks, and it’s generally just the perfect spot for relaxing, although St Kitts is the perfect holiday destination for anyone who needs to unwind.

St Kitts a Great Destination for Family Holidays, Here's Why

St Kitts has an extremely wide appeal, as it has beautiful beaches, and an interesting historic town; in fact it has masses of history, as well as a wide variety of watersports and excursions. It is able to cater for all age groups, and is ideal for anyone who just likes lazing around on holiday, and is just as good for someone who seeks something different to do every day.

The beaches here are stunning, with gorgeous white sand as might be expected on a Caribbean island. However St Kitts also has black sand beaches due to its volcanic origins, and these are equally as stunning in their own way. The calm seas of the Caribbean are ideal for swimming, snorkelling and diving, while the slightly more turbulent waters of the Atlantic are great for anyone who loves windsurfing.

Family members who just hate to lie around on the beach for too long, or who don't want to get their feet wet everyday will enjoy exploring the interior of the island. It has the distinction of having an expanding rainforest which can be explored by taking a zip line over the canopy, or by taking the scenic railway which goes past the old sugar plantations and a number of picturesque villages.

You can also go on rainforest hikes and eco-safari tours, as this island is very much geared up towards preserving and enjoying the beautiful ecosystem. Keen shoppers will find plenty to buy in the capital city of Basseterre, and while the nightlife here is pretty low key, there are lots of excellent restaurants and bars to visit.

St Kitts Has a Rich Cultural History

A lot of people may not be aware that St Kitts has a rich history, in that it used to be one of the richest islands in the West Indies due to the sugar plantations and was very much considered to be the gateway to the Caribbean.

There is no doubt this has shaped much of the history both on St Kitts and within the Caribbean, but it has also had a huge influence on the culture here.

The island has a rich tradition of carnivals, especially at Christmas, and especially for the art of masquerade, as those taking part in the Carnival sometimes wear tall peacock feathers headdresses and masks, and their entire costume is decorated with ribbons, bangles and mirrors.

The dances tend to be a combination of European and African styles, and one of the dances has been identified as having its roots in 17th-century France. The island is also famous for the Moko-Jumbies, who dance on 6 to 8 foot stilts for the length of the parade route.

There are lots of different theories surrounding both the costumes and the dance, as some believe that Moko is the name of the African God of vengeance while others think it is a corruption of the name of a very tall palm tree called the macaw, as their headdresses resemble the macaw plant when in full bloom.

Somewhat surprisingly St Kitts is also famous for its clowns who have been part of their Christmas celebrations for hundreds of years. If you can, it's well worth visiting the island at Christmas time to see this famous and colourful carnival.

Exploring the Natural Beauty of St Kitts

St Kitts is one of the nicest of the Caribbean islands, and it's easy to see why it is growing in popularity with overseas investors. More than a quarter of its land is designated as a national park, and the rainforest is actually expanding, which isn't a claim that can be made by many countries.

It's a great spot for both divers and snorkellers, as the island is surrounded by new dive sites and huge beds of coral which attract numerous fish. In fact the wildlife is everywhere you look, as there are families of mongoose, chattering monkeys and black bellied sheep and goats.

There’s a lot to see and do here, as you can take a zip line over the rainforest or climb to the top of the still smouldering volcano. St Kitts also has a vibrant past and was once known as the Gibraltar of the West Indies due to the sheer number of 18th century battles which took place on this tiny island. Its history isn't forgotten, as Brimstone Hill Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It was built several hundred years ago, and in the lush surroundings of St Kitts, it almost looks like natural growth from the 800 foot hill on which it is situated. It was designed by British military engineers, but was built by African slaves and is made out of hard volcanic rock.

The structure was first begun in the 1690s, but didn't become a complete military community until the 1790s. Everywhere you look at there are colonial influences which speak of the French and British occupation, contributing to the rich culture that can be found on St Kitts.

The Importance of Culture and Traditions on St Kitts

St Kitts has an extremely rich history, and this has played a large part in forming the culture of the island. Much of the culture here has grown around the West African traditions of the slave populations who were brought to the island during the colonial rule of the French and British.

During this time the British also brought in Irish servants. The native population was the Caribs, who were skilled warriors, and they fought many battles with the colonists, but in 1782 the British gained control of both St Kitts and Nevis, and they retained this control until the islands were granted their independence in 1983.

This influence means that English is widely spoken here, while some islanders speak an English influenced Creole. Other influences come from the French and the Irish.

Many of the people on the island are deeply religious, and although some are Christians, others are Rastafarians or follow the Bahai faith. At one time there was a Jewish population here as there is an old Jewish cemetery, but nowadays there is no significant Jewish community.

Much of the culture on St Kitts is very vibrant and festive, and carnivals have an important role to play in island life. The largest carnival takes place over Christmas, and mid-December marks the opening gala with the events and festivities continuing into the New Year.

Carnival traditions include the Junior Calypso show, the National Carnival Queen Pageant and Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant. However none of these have the history of the Masquerade, which has been evolving over the past three centuries and is a mix of European and African traditions.

The dances are a mix of European and African cultures, and the costumes are extremely colourful. It is worth learning a little bit about the history of St Kitts, as it is a very useful background in learning about the culture and tradition of this beautiful Caribbean island.

Reasons for Visiting St Kitts

When you think of a Caribbean island, St Kitts is probably not the first name which comes to mind, but this island is steadily growing in popularity, and for very good reason. It's a very attractive island which isn't that large, and certainly hasn't been over developed. It has good flight connections to North America and Europe, a real sense of history including beautifully restored plantation houses and a fortress, and of course some absolutely gorgeous beaches.

If you view St Kitts from its sister island of Nevis, then it looks just incredible, and I think it is one of the loveliest islands in the Caribbean. It is a lush and green volcanic island, and its crater extends into the clouds. It is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the eastern Caribbean, and it has two distinct halves.

The northern half of the island is far more traditional, and features lush green slopes, while the coastlines has traditional West Indian villages, churches and agricultural plots. You can even see the occasional brick chimney or windmill which are left over from the sugarcane industry that was eventually shut down in 2005.

In fact until very recently all the flat areas of the northern part of St Kitts were cultivated for sugarcane. The locals here have a relatively laid-back and typically Caribbean lifestyle.

In contrast, the southern part of the island is far less green and is a lot drier, but it has some of the best beaches on the island. The area around Frigate Bay is being developed for tourism as the beaches here are lovely, and anyone buying or renting accommodation here has the choice of either walking to the Atlantic side of the island, or the Caribbean side, depending on their mood that day, and I think this is one

St Kitts Forecasts Cruise Ship Visitor Numbers to Grow for Fifth Consecutive Year

It’s just been announced that St Kitts expects visitor numbers to grow for the fifth consecutive years, and arrivals from cruise ships are expected to increase by more than 20% between October 2011 and September 2012.

The announcement was made by Senator Ricky Skerritt who is Minister of Tourism and International Transport as he was addressing a local cruise stakeholder’s launch for next year's cruise ship schedule, which took place at the St Kitts Marriot resort.

He pointed out that it was a significant achievement for the island to the be able to forecast a fifth consecutive year of arrivals growth for the cruise ship season, and that by assessing current bookings they have been able to forecast but more than 650,000 visitors would arrive by September next year.

Skerritt said that the cruise ship sector would only continue to thrive if passengers enjoyed the quality of the visitor experience. The launch was also attended by tour operators, primate petting vendors, taxi operators, hair braiders, craft vendors and watersports operators.

The fact that more luxury cruise ships are choosing to stop at the island has to be good news for property owners here, as some of those visitors may well choose to holiday on the island at a later date. St Kitts has undergone significant improvements during the last few years, and has a lot to offer tourists, and the area around Frigate Bay is especially nice. There are a number of high-end resorts here designed to appeal to discerning tourists looking for something a little different from the better-known Caribbean islands.

St Kitts Looks Set for a Good Recovery from the Recession

A recent report from the International Monetary Fund indicates that the tourism industry in St Kitts and Nevis is recovering from the recent recession, and that this year has already seen considerable improvement, which is partly due to the reopening of the Four Seasons hotel in Nevis, and partly due to the fact that the United States is also coming out of recession as its own property market begins to stabilise. While the US is one of the major markets for St Kitts, it is also becoming a far more popular tourism destination for Canada and Europe.

The government in St Kitts has also taken steps to implement a strong fiscal adjustment program which includes tax revenue reforms, expenditure cuts and other measures designed to control inflation. Although it has been controlling spending it has still bought two new electricity generators to ensure the increased demand for power is met throughout the island, and is still ensuring that its tourism industry is promoted and that improvements to the infrastructure continue to be made.

Air Canada is due to begin flying out of Toronto to St Kitts at the end of the year, and although at the moment these flights are only due to continue until April 2012, there are rumours that if it is successful the flights will continue year-round. At the moment it is the only non-stop commercial flight from Canada, even though North America is a key market. Robert Bradshaw International airport was recently expanded as part of the government's programme to encourage visitors. There are already a considerable number of non-stop flights from the United States and European cities.

If You Love Hiking through the Forest Then You'll Adore St Kitts

St Kitts is ideal for anyone who loves spending time outdoors exploring the local fauna and flora, or just anyone who doesn't want to spend every minute on the beach. The island has an abundance of rainforest, and there are a number of easy-going or more strenuous hikes available.

The island is relatively pest free, and as many of the hikes are 1200 feet above sea level they are also quite cool. It's a great way of exploring, and gives you a chance to see local exotic fruits and vegetables, beautiful freshwater springs, exotic hummingbirds, bamboo groves and an awful lot more of nature.

If you don't want to spend a lot of time hiking then there are lots of tours available which will take you up into protected areas in specialist 4x4 land Rovers which are specially built for off-road touring. It's a lovely way to see exactly how beautiful this island really is, and a trip up to the volcano crater rim is an absolute must as it gives spectacular views over the island.

Other tours take you through the former sugar plantations, and you'll even get a chance to see inside these beautiful homes and to catch a glimpse of how life must have been. These types of trips are excellent, and don't require a great deal of fitness.

The lovely thing about St Kitts is that although tourism is becoming more important, the government is ensuring that developments such as Ocean’s Edge are carefully constructed to fit in with the natural environment, and the emphasis is very much on enjoying the natural splendor of the island as much of it is dedicated to National Park.

The Advantages of Buying Property in St Kitts

St Kitts is very much an up-and-coming tourism destination, and the country is being carefully developed in order to create sustainable tourism aimed at more discerning holidaymakers. A quarter of the island of St Kitts is set aside as a national park, and unlike the majority of the world, the rain forest here is actually growing.

The island has numerous dive sites offering ample opportunity for beginners and more experienced divers to explore the reefs and to experience something new. In fact wildlife is abundant on this island as there are lots of species of birds, families of mongoose and of course lots of grey-green monkeys.

There are numerous opportunities to explore this island, as you can either take a zip line over the rainforest, or hike or drive up to the edge of the volcano. Of course there are plenty of beautiful beaches, and one of the best is at Frigate Bay on the southernmost part of the island.

The Caribbean side is quite lively with lots of bars and restaurants and a beautiful one-mile stretch of white sandy beach, while the Atlantic Coast beach is within walking distance, and is ideal for relaxing, swimming and surfing.

In recent years St Kitts has become far more popular as a tourism destination since the government began promoting the island in 2005. The international airport has been recently upgraded, and there are increasing numbers of international flights, and the island is especially popular with visitors from the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.

My Favourite Watery Places on St Kitts

Of course I love the beaches, the abundance of great restaurants and lively bars on St Kitts, but I also love the fact it has such a rich history, and when I get bored of lying on the beach, which I can assure you does happen from time to time, I like to go exploring.

One of my favourite places to go, and it's somewhere I recommend to all first time visitors, is the Wingfield River and Water Works. This dates back to the 17th century, which is when the English first settled in the lands and began cultivating cotton, ginger and tobacco.

However it was the introduction of sugar which really put the island on the map, and Wingfield was one of the major sugar plantations of its time, and was also ahead of its time in that it used water to power its factory, being one of only a very few on the island to do so. Its aqueduct is a unique architectural feature, and allowed Wingfield to provide for all its fresh water needs. Nowadays it is incorporated into the public water supply system, and provides water for people living on the leeward side of the island.

Staying within the watery theme, when travelling around St Kitts you might notice that there is a system of public cisterns which can be found in each village. These are made out of stone, and each are individually designed depending on the community. They enabled villagers to collect water, and interestingly enough the majority of these have a post box embedded into one of the walls, and many of these are still in use.

International Monetary Fund Approves Stand by Arrangement for $84.5 Million

A loan to St Kitts and Nevis, worth $84.5 million has just been approved by the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund. Apparently this loan is to help restructure debts, to support the economic programme within the islands, and to help build sustainable growth. This three-year Stand by Arrangement will give the island's immediate access to the funds, which in total are equal to around 590% of the islands IMF quota.

This was good news for the island's Prime Minister, Dr Denzil Douglas as it will enable his government to restructure existing debt and will ensure that the financial system within the islands remains healthy. It will also enable him to plan for sustainable growth within St Kitts and Nevis.

St Kitts and Nevis were impacted by the global economic downturn as the islands are largely dependent on tourism and foreign direct investment. During 2009 both tourism and FDI decreased by around 25% each, and the economy contracted by 9%, and by another 1.5% last year. However now the outlook is much brighter and the economy is predicted to grow by around 1.5% during this year and the next.

Both islands are relative newcomers to tourism, and they have been at pains to ensure developments are in keeping with the islands beauty and culture. St Kitts in particular has some extremely nice developments which are aimed at more discerning tourists. The island is growing in popularity, and as such is attracting more international flights which will boost the property sector as well as the tourism industry. Low-cost Barbados airline, REDjet is also negotiating to operate flights between Barbados and St Kitts, and to fly from St Kitts to St Maarten.

Getting the Very Best Out Of a Visit to St Kitts

More and more people are choosing to visit this small Caribbean island, and although the beaches are obviously fantastic, I hope that most will take the opportunity to discover a little more by taking time out to explore. It’s well worth doing, and even though there are a number or new, luxury developments springing up, they do not detract from the natural beauty of this island, as you don’t have to travel far from luxurious surroundings to find untamed scenery.

I love visiting Brimstone Hill Fortress, not only for the historic interest of the place, but also to take in the wonderful views. It is possible to see six different Caribbean islands from this vantage point, which I suppose proves how well placed it is.

Anyone visiting the island for the first time should be sure to take a trip on the railway which was once used to transport sugar cane to the factory, as it goes through some spectacular scenery.

The more active will probably enjoy hiking through the forest, and it’s a great way to work up an appetite for the flavour packed West Indian food served on St Kitts. Curries are big here, as is goat stew, and no visit is complete without sampling the local rum punch.

Although St Kitts is promoting tourism, it is being done in a very sympathetic manner so that the unspoiled feel of the island remains, while all the amenities expected by up market travellers are already in place. It’s easy to see why so many people are choosing to invest in property here, as it is still cheaper than other larger and more well established Caribbean islands, and in my opinion, a lot nicer.

St Kitts Offers Something for Everyone

St Kitts has an incredibly rich history, as it was originally discovered by Christopher Columbus who named it Saint Christopher after the patron saint of travellers, but eventually this name was shortened to St Kitts. One of the most interesting historic sites on the island is the beautifully preserved Brimstone Hill Fortress, which is a UNESCO world Heritage site and was originally one of nine forts guarding the coastline.

If you like watching birds then this is definitely the place to visit, as you might be lucky enough to spot frigate birds, cattle egrets, black whiskered vireos and black faced grass quits. Scuba diving enthusiasts will love the abundance of wrecks and reefs, while those who prefer to stay above the ocean may want to experience some of the beautiful golf courses.

Even though St Kitts stopped production in 2005, you're still likely to see fields of sugarcane. The narrow gauge railway which was built to transport the sugarcane harvest to the factory is now a scenic train ride operating between October and May.

The majority of hotels and resorts are located around the south of the island, especially around Frigate Bay, as this is one of the most beautiful parts of the island. The beaches in the south are white sand, while the further north you go the darker the sand gets due to the volcanic history of the island.

St Kitts is still being developed for the tourist industry, and what makes it stand out from the rest of the Caribbean is the high standard of accommodation being built. High-end resorts such as Oceans Edge are being built with the luxury travel market in mind.

Must see sights on St Kitts

Although St Kitts is one of the smaller Caribbean islands, it still has a considerable number of attractions and historical sites which are well worth a visit. I always suggest that first time visitors to the island begin by visiting the capital of Basseterre.

It is easy to see the colonial influences in the old buildings, and one of the most important landmarks in the city is Independence Square. This was originally called Pall Mall Square and is infamous as being the area where the slave auctions took place during the 18^th and 19^th centuries. Nowadays there is very little to betray its bleak history, as the auction block is thankfully long since gone.

The Circus can also be found in Basseterre, and it’s a circular shaped space at the intersection of several streets. At its centre is the Berkley Memorial Clock, which was built in memory of Thomas B.H. Berkley who was the former president of the General Legislative Council in the 19^th century.

Another must see on St Kitts is Romney Manor, which has the reputation as being one of the most beautiful houses on the island. It supposedly once belonged to Thomas Jefferson, and the house is surrounded by six acres of beautiful gardens. Nowadays it is home to Caribelle Batik, and it’s pretty interesting to watch artisans hand printing fabric using a technique which was originally developed 2,500 years ago.

There are many other attractions to visit on St Kitts, but as you will want to spend time exploring its gorgeous beaches there is only one sensible solution, and that is to visit again. This may be part of the reason why so many people are choosing to buy property here, as there is always something new to discover.

My favourite places to visit on St Kitts

St Kitts obviously has beautiful beaches, and it's well worth spending some time exploring and relaxing on some of the dramatically beautiful black beaches in the north of the island and the picture perfect golden sands in the south, but there's so much more to do and see.

There are lots of historic sites to visit including the largest fortress in the eastern Caribbean and beautifully restored plantation houses. Visiting some of these attractions will give you a very good idea as to what life may have been like in during the colonial period. For an even earlier view of this island history why not visit the petroglyphs which give a fascinating glimpse of life before European settlers. Independence Square which is located in the capital city of Basseterre is an excellent way to learn about the slave trade which used to exist on St Kitts.

If you don't particularly like looking round old buildings and then another excellent way to get to know this pretty island is to explore the shores and to enjoy the peace and tranquility offered. St Kitts is being carefully developed to make sure that it doesn't become overcrowded, so you'll always be sure to find that perfect desert island beach. If you enjoy nature then you'll love this island as it has a wide variety of birds that are lucky enough to call St Kitts home.

Those visitors seeking a little nightlife may be interested to know that there are a couple of excellent casinos on the island, so if you are feeling lucky then why not give them a go. There are lots of options on St Kitts so that people can enjoy an interesting and fun filled holiday.

Getting around St Kitts

I think St Kitts is a great island to visit, as it isn’t particularly big, but there is a lot to see and explore. It doesn’t matter if you own property there and visit regularly, or if you are planning a one off visit, you are always likely to find something new and interesting, and getting around is easy as there are numerous car rental companies, and the roads are relatively quiet.

One fun attraction is the Sky Safari, which has five zip lines, and has ferried hundreds of passengers across the canopy since it opened a couple of years ago. It’s very eco-friendly as the lines are anchored to rocks rather than trees. Everyone receives a safety briefing on a short practise line which is just 10 feet off the ground, before embarking on the real thing. Although I find the initial ‘take off’ slightly unnerving, the gorgeous scenery is so distracting that it’s difficult to be frightened. After going on the initial zip line, you’ll find that subsequent zip lines are shorter and faster, and it’s possible to reach speeds of up to 45 miles an hour.

This is a great way to see the jungle, but to really explore you do need to be on foot. I particularly love the trek to the summit of Mount Liamuiga, which is a hike of 3,792 feet, and is easily achievable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. It is a dormant volcano and there are numerous rare orchids and ferns in the shaded forest. In addition to seeing the island by car, zip line or foot, you can also choose to explore by quad bike or even horseback.

Three things I love about St Kitts

St Kitts is a relatively small Caribbean island which has a huge amount to offer, and there is a lot to recommend St Kitts over more developed islands. The first thing I love about this beautiful island is its climate. It has a pleasant year round climate, so there isn’t really a bad time to visit. Even when the weather gets really hot, it is tempered by the cooling breezes of the trade winds. The temperature hovers around a comfortable 80 degrees, winter and summer, and the winters are especially pleasant as they tend to be dry. The winter season is generally between November and April, while the summer season is between May and October.

The second thing I love about St Kitts is the abundance of flora and fauna. There is a wide variety of tropical flora including hardwoods and flowers. Common flowers include bougainvillea and hibiscus, while popular varieties of plants and trees include lemon trees, tamarind, white cedar and sweetwood. There are some rare varieties of fauna which can be spotted on St Kitts, but you are almost guaranteed to see the black faced vervet monkey. Marine life is equally exotic, with queen conch, hawksbill turtles and green sea turtles being on most keen observer’s lists.

This brings me on to the next thing I love about the island, and that is the excellent diving. It is a bit of a well-kept secret as it isn’t nearly as well publicised as other better known Caribbean islands, and as such has an abundance of virgin reefs and blissfully un-crowded dive sites. It doesn’t matter if you are an experienced diver, or a complete novice as St Kitts has something for everyone.

Discovering St Kitts

Although I am slightly biased, I think St Kitts is one of the most beautiful of the Caribbean islands. When it was first spotted in 1493 by Christopher Columbus, it was populated with native tribes, but wasn’t colonized by Europeans until 1623. It quickly became one of the most luxurious islands in the area due to its strategic location and lucrative sugar trade.

When the sugar cane industry finally closed its doors, the government turned its attention towards developing the tourism market, but unlike other Caribbean islands it has been at pains to ensure all developments are of the highest quality, so that St Kitts will remain an unspoiled paradise, and the delicate ecosystems are protected.

Anyone who enjoys nature will love it here, as there are various tours through tropical forests, lava formations and coastal lagoons. There are some great boat trips to take from the island, and of course scuba diving. One of my favourite things is to explore the tiny towns and quaint shops, and much of the colonial architecture still remains to this day.

If you are looking to purchase property here then one of the most beautifully developed areas is around Frigate Bay. The developments here are sympathetically designed to blend in with the natural environment, and one of the advantages of buying a condo or villa in this resort is the close proximity to both the Atlantic and Caribbean seas, so you will get the best of both worlds. This also means that property here will have greater appeal as holiday lets.

St Kitts incentive schemes for overseas investors

The St Kitts government has been very pro-active in making the country as attractive as possible to overseas investors. In the past, the country has had a reputation for money laundering and drug trafficking, but the introduction of new laws cracked down on this problem, and they have attracted more mainstream businesses.

The St Kitts Investment Promotion Agency was set up in 2007, and it actively promotes the island as being a centre for international finance, and it is able to arrange local and foreign investment projects.

The most important sources of income for the island are still offshore finance, tourism and service industries. St Kitts and Nevis also have a total of eight industrial and commercial free-trade zones, and another four fully developed industrial sites, where investors can choose to have production facilities constructed to their specifications. It’s expected that the amount of factory space will continue to increase in coming years.

These specially designated export processing free zones give investors exemptions from custom duties for exports and imports, and investors are also exempt from any St Kitts and Nevis tax for fifteen years. Commercial treatment zones tend to be located near the jungle frontier, and give investors the benefit of exemption from VAT, a reduction in customs duty and accounting in foreign currency.

Although tourism is one of the most important sectors, and most overseas investors will choose to buy property, this island has a lot more to offer than just fabulous luxury living, year round good weather and gorgeous beaches.

Why invest in St Kitts?

If you have been looking to invest in property in St Kitts, then you're probably weighing up the pros and cons of this little island compared with more established Caribbean islands, but I feel there are lots of good reasons to choose St Kitts. It's fast becoming one of the rising stars in the Caribbean, and visitor numbers are predicted to continue increasing especially as some of the luxury resorts such as Oceans Edge are completed.

The majority of investors choose this island largely because of its unspoiled landscape and its commitment to ecotourism, with many of the developments being constructed to have a low impact on the environment. It also has an abundance of activities for visitors to choose from, and there is literally something for everyone, so rental property here will hold greater appeal across all age groups.

The fact that tourism is only just beginning to really take off means that property prices here are much more affordable than other parts of the Caribbean that have been established for longer, so the opportunities are greater as the growth in high-end tourism continues.

St Kitts now receives a large number of international flights, including flights from New York, Miami, Atlanta and Charlotte as well as flights from London Gatwick. There is also a regular daily flight service from other Caribbean destinations. In addition St Kitts has an increasingly service oriented labour force, as the college here has degree courses in hospitality management. This is a mark of the government's commitment to ensuring that tourists receive world-class services which will make them far more likely to return. In my opinion St Kitts will become one of the most sought-after luxury destinations in the Caribbean.

Why I love St Kitts beaches (and you will too)

One of the primary reasons people choose to holiday in the Caribbean is the beautiful beaches, and this is where St Kitts wins hands down. It has something a lot of the other islands don't have, and that's diversity.

The beaches here range from soft golden sand which are primary found around the south-east peninsula, to the more unusual black grey sand which dominate the north and south western coastlines. You'll find the Atlantic sea on the Windward side the island, and the Caribbean sea on the Leeward side. Some developments such as Oceans Edge in Frigate Bay are perfectly placed to take advantage of both the Atlantic and Caribbean Sea, as they are just a few minutes’ walk from the resort. It's located on the south-eastern peninsula so the beaches here are golden sand.

There has been a lot of debate about the beach at North Frigate Bay, as some say it's one of the most scenic of all the beaches in St Kitts, and it's certainly one of my favourites. It's located on the Windward side of the island and is great for those who enjoy windsurfing or swimming in slightly more challenging waters. The long golden stretch of beach is ideal for walking and relaxing.

A close contender for best beach in St Kitts is South Frigate Bay, where the calm waters are perfect for swimming. Tourists visiting this beach can just relax, swim, snorkel and generally chill out. Other good beaches include Friars Bay, Cockleshell Bay and Banana Bay, but really the list is endless and you'll just have to come and see for yourself.

Resort Reviews: Ocean’s Edge, St Kitts

The Ocean's Edge development in St Kitts is unashamedly luxurious, but luckily buyers can have an easy conscience as the development is part of the Green Globe Benchmarking Programme, which is the certification process used by the travel and tourism industry, and consists of 41 different criteria covering sustainable management, cultural heritage, social and economic development and environmental issues.

This sets the tone for ownership in St Kitts as it is very much geared towards preserving the environment and making the best of natural features.

This particular development is just a 10 minute drive from Robert Bradshaw International airport, and views from the property are spectacular, while all residences are extremely luxurious. Purchasers can design and build their own villa, or buy a one or two bedroom condo, cottage or villa.

All are fitted with top of the range appliances and some even have their own private plunge pools. The amenities within the resort are extremely good, and include the usual restaurants, pools, a spa and fitness centre and clubhouse, and the Royal St Kitts golf club is nearby.

Property prices here are still a lot lower than other Caribbean destinations such as Barbados and St Barts, and the cost of living is also very reasonable. Purchasers also qualify for citizenship and various tax breaks, including tax-free status on foreign income, inheritance tax and capital gains.

The rental market in St Kitts is quite buoyant due to large numbers of US medical students attending university here, and people working on various tourism initiatives. This means that properties can be let for the longer term if necessary.

The Skinny on St Kitts and Nevis Basseterre

The capital city of St Kitts and Nevis is Basseterre which had an estimated population of 15,500 in 2000. It is on the south-western coast of St Kitts and was founded in 1627 by the French. At the time the French colony was called Saint Christophe and consisted of just the northern and southern most parts of the island, while the centre belonged to the British.

Under French command the town quickly became a successful port and remains one of the chief commercial depots in the Leeward Islands. It still has a considerable number of historic buildings in the downtown area.

The city is also home to 2 prestigious American medical institutions which are the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and the International University of Nursing. There is also the American owned medical school, Windsor University.

Basseterre is a financial centre within the Eastern Caribbean and the headquarters of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange are located here. It has the distinction of being a major Eastern Caribbean industrial centre which exports locally mined salt, electronics, their fridges and apparel. The harbour in the city is capable of handling cargo ships and cruise ships; Port Zante is used exclusively for cruise ships and is capable of accommodating the largest cruise ships in the world.

Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport is located in the north eastern part of the city and has direct flights to New York, London and Miami as well as a large number of seasonal flights to other major cities in the USA and Canada.

St Kitts and Nevis Establish Diplomatic Relations with Hungary

The Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, the honourable Dr Denzil Douglas, has met with the Special Envoy of the President of Hungary and Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations, his Excellency Csaba Korosi, to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The ambassador was in St Kitts and Nevis to attend the recent meeting of Caribbean ministers of foreign affairs and met with the Prime Minister to discuss mutual areas of interest that could be pursued. These included establishing diplomatic relations, appointing honorary consuls and strengthening ties between Europe and CARICOM. They also looked at gaining support from the European Union to help diversify the economy of St Kitts and Nevis.

The special envoy to Hungary had already gained approval from his country for establishing diplomatic ties, and has proposed a date by which relations should be brought into effect. He also outlined areas where both countries could benefit from cooperation.

These included food, security and processing, and also research into cancer and diabetes. Other areas which were discussed included renewable energy and climate change. Renewable energy is especially important to St Kitts and Nevis as they have very little in the way of natural resources but are committed to becoming a green and energy-efficient nation.

Hungary asked for support from St Kitts and Nevis for their petition for a non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council, and for their part St Kitts and Nevis asked Hungary to support the CARICOM initiative during the special high-level meeting on non-communicable diseases. The meeting is due to be held at the United Nations this September.

St Kitts and Nevis Boosted by Renewable Plans

The government of St Kitts and Nevis recently finalised their National Energy Policy and the Energy Minister, the Hon. Dr Earl Asim Martin announced that they are hoping for a 60% increase in renewable energy by 2015.

Dr Martin expects this to be achieved through a number of different initiatives and it’s the government's aim to make the country the smallest green nation in the Western Hemisphere. At the moment the government run electricity department is 100% dependent upon fossil fuel but there are plans to exploit the geothermal energy capabilities on Nevis.

The West Indies Power Holdings BV, a geothermal developer is planning an 8.5 MW project on the island of Nevis with a $55 million loan from the Export Import Bank of the United States. This will also upgrade 8 miles of transmission lines. These projects will focus on Nevis and Saba. Exploration for geothermal energy has been ongoing 2006 with initial drilling proving extremely successful.

There are also plans for wind energy on St Kitts and the government has entered into an agreement with North Star Ltd for the construction of a 2.1 MW wind generation plant. It will be built in Bellevue and is expected to produce 20 MW of wind energy.

The government is also considering a waste to fuel plant and a solar energy plant as part of its plan to produce clean energy. It already has proposals from Concord Blue Energy for the waste to energy project and from Gigawatt Global for the solar energy project. Access to renewable energy should be extremely useful to the rapid development that is taking place on the island.

St Kitts’ Glamorous Harbour

The Caribbean island of St Kitts is as yet largely undeveloped, but that is changing rapidly as it is only just beginning to capitalise on the tourism market. There are a number of new developments under construction on the island, and they are trying to lure in buyers with the promise of dual citizenship for those investing a minimum amount of US$350,000. One of the largest developments is Christophe Harbour Marina which broke the ground in January 2010.

Once completed it will be a multi-billion-dollar development on the south-eastern peninsula of St Kitts. It estimated it may take as long as five years to fully complete as it will cover 2500 acres.

There are due to be 1400 residences, although there is space for 2000, and it will also include a hotel operated by Mandarin Oriental who has to be one of the most luxurious chains in the world. There will also be an 18-hole Fazio designed golf course. The marina will have 300 slips, 60 of which will be for mega-yachts.

Christophe Harbour is being sympathetically developed in keeping with the natural environment, with most of the land being left in its natural state, and light pollution being kept to a minimum.

As far as islanders are concerned that this development has to be a good thing as it will bring a considerable number of new jobs and the need for more skilled labour. The island itself is very beautiful and is perhaps unique in that its rainforest is actually expanding while most are shrinking, and the majority of visitors agree it is the best in the Caribbean.

What's so Great about St Kitts?

St Kitts is fast becoming the most popular destination for overseas investors in the Caribbean. It used to rely on its sugarcane industry for its economy, but after this collapsed it began to concentrate on attracting foreign investment. This meant promoting the island to tourists which makes perfect sense as it is ideal as a year round holiday destination.

As yet it's still quite underdeveloped when compared to other nearby Caribbean islands, and the property market is still developing as many sellers are holding on in anticipation of prices rising in the near future. It has already attracted major hotel chains who have built luxury resorts, and an increasing number of cruise ships are choosing to stop at the island.

The capital of St Kitts is Basseterre which is located on the south-west coast of the island and is surrounded by mountains and hills. While the capital is home to some beautiful historical ruins it has also been subjected to some of the worst natural disasters in the Caribbean. In 2007 it hosted the Cricket World Cup and is able to offer good quality services and a substantial infrastructure.

The second largest town is Sandy Town on the north-west coast which was first developed in the 1620s when it had an active shipping port and was an important commercial centre.

It's now an industrial centre for manufacturing equipment but is also attracting tourists due to amenities such as the La Vallee golf course being built. It's the entrance to the Brimstone Hill Fort which is a UNESCO world Heritage site, and is the only man-made UNESCO site within the Caribbean. It was classified as a national park in 1987 and has undergone extensive restoration making it a popular tourist attraction.

The Cost of Buying, Selling and Renting out Property in St Kitts

The cost of buying property in St Kitts can be quite high, even though most overseas buyers purchase their properties for cash. Transactions generally take around 2 to 4 months to complete which includes all due diligence, transferring deeds and payment of government duties.

Anyone wanting to purchase property in St Kitts will have to obtain an Alien Land Holding License, although properties of less than two acres in Frigate Bay and the South East Peninsular ere exempt. The cost of this license is 10% of the asking price.

The stamp duty on purchasing a property is just 1% of the assessed value, but when it comes to selling the property the percentages are quite different:

Stamp duty is payable on the assessed market value of the property with condominiums being charged at 5%, freehold properties at 12%, properties in special development areas at 14%, and properties in the South East peninsular at 18.5%. Stamp duty is paid directly to the Inland Revenue by the seller’s solicitor.

Estate agents commission is generally 6%. In general the cost of buying the property will be about 11.5% to 13% of the property's value while the cost of selling is between 11% and 24.5%.

The rental laws in St Kitts are pro-landlord and are based on UK common law, but without the current levels of tenant protection legislation. There is no specific legislation on St Kitts and it is largely down to the rental agreement between landlord and tenants. There are two American universities on St Kitts, and foreign university students and workers form a large part of the long-term rental market. Gross yields are generally low at about 3.7% to 3.8%.