Situated over 1,000 south of Miami, St. Kitts stakes claim on being the first Caribbean island to be colonized in 1623. This beautiful island attracts over 100,000 stay-over tourists and half a million cruise passengers every year. But it isn’t just beaches and sunshine! This island has great cultural and historic significance as well! Multiple airlines will bring you non-stop to this beautiful Caribbean oasis from main hubs like Atlanta and Charlotte. If you would rather take your time getting there, cruises are another great option!

Best Times to Visit: The best time to visit is in May and June, when hotels lower their rates to lure in travelers and the winter crowds thin out. Carnival is hosted in February during the peak season of December to April.

Things to do:

Take a ride on the St. Kitts Scenic Railway. The Scenic Railway offers visitors a glimpse of the real St Kitts along it’s 18 miles route with an additional 12 miles by bus. The complete circle of the island is 30 miles. This 3-hour tour allows visitors to get a glimpse of many of the island’s villages plus famous and historic sites.

Explore Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park. The Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park was built over the course of 100 years by African slaves mostly under British command. From the high vantage point, it is easy to see why this spot was chosen for a defensive fortress. On a clear day, this park offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and neighboring Caribbean islands – St. Barts, St. Eustatius, Saba St Martin and federation island Nevis.

Take a catamaran cruise to Shitten Bay. This picturesque small bay on the southeast coast of St Kitts has a visible shipwreck with tons of beautiful coral and colorful fish. The best way to get here? A catamaran cruise is the best way to see all of the secluded bays, coves, and the rich sea life.

Explore downtown Basseterre. Be sure to spend a few hours exploring the historic capital Basseterre which has applied for UNESCO World Heritage Status. Wander around and marvel at the architecture on Basseterre’s lively streets like Liverpool Row, College Street Ghaut, Princess Street, Rosemary Lane, etc. Be sure to bring your camera!

Feature Hotels: Park Hyatt St. Kitts, Belle Mont Farm

• Try the local fare. Stewed saltfish with spicy plantains and coconut dumplings is the national dish of St. Kitts & Nevis.

• You have to talk the talk. Saint Kitts Creole is spoken in the country as a Caribbean creole based in English. While estimated 40,000 people speak creole, it is not officially recognized in the islands.

• Don’t worry about exchanging currency. The Eastern Caribbean Dollar is the official currency of the islands but the American Dollar is widely accepted as well!