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St. Kitts Facts
- Shopping Hours:: top
Monday through Saturday 8:00 am to noon and 1:00 pm-4:00 pm. On Thursdays, most shops close for the afternoon.
- Tipping Overview:: top
A 10% service charge is normally included in hotel bills. In restaurants, leave 10%-15%. Tipping taxi drivers is not customary.
- Water:: top
The water is of good quality and suitable for drinking. It is collected from direct precipitation, mountain springs and wells, and is chemically treated for purification. Locally bottled water is also available.
- Electricity:: top
The domestic market is served by a 230 volt single phase supply. However, a 117 volt supply is available in most hotels.
- Currency:: top
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$). U.S. bills are accepted by most stores and businesses and change is given in E.C. currency. U.S. coins are not accepted. Exchange Rate: US$1 = EC$2.70
- Banks:: top
Banks are open Monday-Thursday 8am-2pm; Friday 8am-4pm Saturday 8:30am -11am.
Each bank provides 24 hour ATM services where you can get cash advances from your VISA or MasterCard. You can also withdraw from or check the balance of the primary chequing and savings accounts linked to your bankcard, via the PLUS/Electron or Cirrus/Maestro networks.
- Travel Documents and Entry/Departure Requirements: top
Citizens of Canada and the United States need only to present proof of citizenship – preferably a passport or birth certificate with the raised seal – in order to enter St. Kitts-Nevis. If the birth certificate is used, it must be accompanied by a government issued photo ID (a drivers licence, for example) showing the same name. Where applicable, documentation of a legal name change (for example, a marriage certificate) must also be presented.
Additionally, proof of sufficient funds and a return or onward passage might be required. There is a departure tax of $60 XCD (about $22 USD) payable in cash, or by credit card, at the airport.
- Religion:: top
There are a number of different churches on St.Kitts. The predominant religion is the Christian faith. However, there are small Rastafarian, Orthodox and other communities.
- Local Etiquette: top
Leave bikinis, bare chests, and bare feet for the beach only. Dress tastefully when out in public.
Before taking photographs of residents, it’s respectful to ask their permission. Do this when photographing people, their children, and their personal property, including their homes.
Join in with the local ritual of saying “good morning” and “good afternoon” even to total strangers.
Dress for dinner is generally “casually elegant.” Jackets and ties are not required for men at any of the restaurants.
- Television:: top
Most hotels have 22 cable channels, including CNN, ESPN, the Disney Channel, premium movie channels and local stations.
- Medical Care: top
Medical care is limited. There are three general hospitals on St. Kitts, and one on Nevis. Both islands have several health clinics. Neither island has a hyperbaric chamber. Divers suffering from decompression illness are transported to the island of Saba, in the Netherlands Antilles. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the U.S. can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health services. Make sure your health insurance covers you while you are outside of the United States. Divers should purchase additional coverage that covers accidents for this activity.
- Phones:: top
Cable & Wireless serves 17, 000 telephone lines in St. Kitts & Nevis. Direct Dialing, Leased Circuits, Internet, Class Services, Voice Mail, Caller ID and other features are currently offered. ISDN and DSL services are also available. The area code for St. Kitts is 1-869.
- Health:: top
There are no particular health concerns associated with St. Kitts. Therefore special vaccines are usually not required. Modern ambulatory services are available and there are specialists in most fields of medicine. A brand new state of the art hospital was opened in 2003, and emergency 911 services are available.
- Emergency Numbers:: top
Police / Ambulance - 911
Fire - 333
Air Ambulance - (869) 465-2801
JNF General Hospital - (869) 465-2551
- Time:: top
Atlantic Standard Time throughout the year. 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-4 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed.
- What to Wear:: top
Light summer clothing may be worn all year. Dress is informal, even at elegant hotels and plantation inns, though you may want to dress up a bit for a nice dinner. Nudity is not permitted at any beach. Swim wear or scant clothing should never be worn in towns or villages.
- Legal System: top
The legal system is based on English Common Law served by a high court of justice, a Court of Appeal and her Majesty's Privy Council in London. St. Kitts has agreed to be included in the Caribbean Court of Appeals Circuit.
- Internet Service:: top
Internet services are available at all of the hotels, as well as from an Internet Cafe in the city. Broadband connections (DSL & Cable) are also available, as are Web developing and hosting technology.
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CaribbeanMag.com
Caribbean Travel Tips
Preparation for Your Trip
Start Early. If a passport is required for you to enter the country where you are planning to travel, apply for it as soon as possible.
Learn about the countries you plan to visit. Before departing, read up on the culture and people for the places you will travel.
As you travel, keep abreast of local news coverage. If you are in an area experiencing civil unrest or a natural disaster, if you will be staying more than two weeks in an area, or if you are going to a place where ... more
Basic Emergancy Kit
Band-aids, antibiotic ointment, tweezers, nail clippers (for some reason we think our nails grow faster down there???), tylenol, anti-bacterial wipes.
View All Tips |
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