If you choose to visit St Kitts and Nevis they're green and lush, with rain forests and tropical flower gardens. Though rather few in number, they have unspoiled and uncrowded beaches for safe swimming, and they're great vacation spots for divers and snorkelers. St. Kitts and Nevis have a warm tropical climate which gives it great tourist potential, it is, however, also vulnerable to hurricanes. St Kitts and Nevis are two sleepy little islands of the Caribbean. The country is also one of the few islands in the region where agriculture is still a larger part of the economy than tourism. Some people relish the relaxed, slow-paced nature is ideal for a get-a-way; others get restless after a few days because the islands do not offer a "Cancun style" nightlife and atmosphere. Getting There Flying from the US is currently the only air option available to St Kitts from outside the Caribbean. American Airlines flies daily between St Kitts and Miami, New York and Boston via San Juan in Puerto Rico. At 68 square miles (175 sq km), St Kitts is the larger of the two and offers most of the opportunities for sports, nightlife and entertainment. The year is packed with music and arts festivals, pageants, carnivals and sporting events. The island's 18-hole golf course is bounded by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, and has ponds and palm trees. The 36 square mile (90 sq km) Nevis, too, has plenty to keep sportsmen and women busy - its 18-hole championship course, often voted the Caribbean's best, was designed by Robert Trent Jones II - but the pace of life is even more relaxed. A narrow strait separates the two larger islands, which are volcanic in origin, mountainous, and renowned for their scenery. The vast majority of the population are descendants of Africans originally brought to the islands as slaves. Sugar, molasses, cotton, and coconuts are exported. Tourism and a growing offshore financial industry are important to the economy. Their two historic capital towns (Basseterre on St. Kitts and Charlestown on Nevis), colonial settlements built by the British, are among the prettiest and best-conserved in the Leeward Islands group. Both islands have plantation houses and 18th century forts. Both have an enormous respect for their common Caribbean heritage and put a special emphasis on offering the highest standards of hospitality and service. Accommodation on Nevis ranges from budget bungalows to elegant, understated luxury hotels that rank among the finest in the Caribbean. It's the place to rest after a sporting week on St. Kitts - an island where you can spend your entire vacation doing nothing very much except lazing in the sun, swimming and strolling through the tropical forests. Activities include outstanding hiking through the islands' rain forests, golfing on internationally ranked golf courses, fishing, boating and diving or snorkeling through underwater reefs and unexplored wrecks. There is also an exceptional wealth of historic points of interest, including restored fortresses, haunted plantations, and ancient petroglyphs. Due to the number of sunken vessels, virgin reefs and other submerged natural wonders, dive enthusiasts are now discovering that, in St. Kitts, beauty runs deep. However, although there is also a wealth of fishing, snorkeling, sailing and other water sports to enjoy, St. Kitts is best known for its relaxed atmosphere and stunning natural beauty. When one considers the subdued character of St. Kitts, the relative vibrancy of the nightlife seems like a contradiction. Of course, we are no New York City or Las Vegas, but we certainly have enough exciting activities to keep the bar hoppers, the party animals, the romantics and the gamblers pleasantly occupied. It must be noted, however, that most of the nightclub activity is limited to weekends, as is often the case in many cities. Quick History: Amazing natural beauty, sunshine, warm tranquil waters and sandy beaches combine to make St. Kitts one a seductive spot in the Caribbean. Christopher Columbus first spotted the island in 1493. Columbus found St. Kitts when it was populated with native Carib tribes. However, the Europeans didn't colonize St. Kitts until the British arrived in 1623. St. Kitts' strategic location in the Caribbean Sea and it's valuable sugar economy allowed the island to prosper into one of the best colonies in the Colonial Caribbean. Best Scuba Diving and Snorkeling Though St. Kitts has a limited number of beaches, the island does have a healthy reef system. Sealife includes rays, barracudas, garden eels, nurse sharks, turtles, sea fans and barrel sponges. A good place for snorkeling is White House Bay on St Kitts' southeastern peninsula. Good scuba diving located at Sandy Point Bay. Wreck dives include the 148ft (45m) freighter River Taw, which sank in 50ft (15m) of water in 1985. Nevis offers good dive sites off its western coast. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/St_Kitts/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:23:09 EST St. Kitts is located in the Eastern Caribbean at 17 20 North, 62 45 West, roughly 1,200 miles from Miami, 1600 miles from New York, 4,000 miles from London and about 45 minutes by plane from Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The island is 69 square miles with a population of 31,880. Basseterre is the capital. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/St_Kitts/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:23:09 EST CLIMATE: St. Kitts-Nevis has a tropical climate influenced by the NE trade winds. There is a steady cool breeze for most of the year and humidity is low at 71%. Average annual precipitation is 1,375 mm (54 inches) and from May to October rainfall is heavier while temperatures are a little hotter. Average temperature ranges are from 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit) to 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit) all year. Endowed with beaches, scenery and a warm sunny climate which gives it great tourist potential, it is, however, also vulnerable to hurricanes. 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. The best time to go is the summer low-season (June to August); but keep in mind that, if you plan to travel to other Caribbean destinations, some of them are appreciably hotter than St Kitts and Nevis during the summer. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/weather/St_Kitts/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:23:09 EST If you prefer to take yourself around our beautiful island, you will have no problem getting a vehicle to rent. You will have a wide range of vehicles ranging from luxury cars and vans to motor bikes. Rented vehicles are available from several rental outlets listed below. Driving in St. Kitts is on the left side and requires you to have a driver's permit. This permit can be obtained from the Traffic Department for EC$64.80. Remember to keep on the left side of the road and drive safely! http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/car_rentals/St_Kitts/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:23:09 EST Restaurants and Dining: St. Kitts dining options will range from a formal plantation house's and city center restaurants, to casual beach hideouts and roadside barbeques. Certainly, you will find that the Kittitian cuisine is quite delicious! Local favorites include seafood: fresh, broiled, fried, sautéed, stewed, well done or rare. St. Kitts has a wonderful combination of local Caribbean flavours and a range of local beverages to satisfy any palate. In addition, St. Kitts also offers fantastic restaurant options from other Caribbean Islands, Latin America, North America, Africa, Europe and Asia. While visiting St.Kitts be sure to check out a few of the local Caribbean dishes, some of which are listed below. Dishes: Pelau/ Cook-Up Goat Water Conch Chowder Souse Roti Appetizers and Snacks: Conkie Chocolate Fudge Sugar Cake Tamarind Jam Tamarind Ball Guava Cheese Johnny Cakes http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/restaurants/St_Kitts/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:23:09 EST