The turquoise water and white sandy beaches that line the coast of the Caribbean draw more than 30 million people to the West Indies each year. While the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Puerto Rico account for most of the popularity, smaller islands, like Saint Kitts and Nevis, are gaining attention as they ramp up their hospitality and tourism sectors. As we near the end of hurricane season, consider bringing your next group to St. Kitts and Nevis, remarkable places to host your next meeting, incentive trip or conference.
What, Where and Why
St. Kitts and Nevis are twin islands with an overall population of around 50,000 in the Eastern Caribbean with Basseterre on St. Kitts being the capital. With both islands having international airports and a climate that hardly drops below 80 degrees, these islands are both easily accessible and picturesque. Nevis even happens to be the birthplace of U.S. Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. To escape the hurricane and rainy season, visit the islands between December and April.
Read More: Taking a Deep Dive on the Islands
Ellison “Tommy” Thompson, CEO of Saint Kitts Tourism Authority, says they’ve had an encouraging first half of the year when it comes to tourism numbers and interest. St. Kitts is a popular stop for cruises throughout the Caribbean. Thompson explains how one of the greatest things about the islands is their proximity to one another as it makes it easy to combine activities and travel between them both.
Both islands offer an abundance of engaging activities and festivals to make the most of your time on the islands. Nevis hosts a Mango Festival in July, full of mango-eating competitions, food tastings and more, and Saint Kitts hosts the “best small carnival in the world” in December which celebrates Caribbean culture, Christmas spirit and African Heritage.
Thompson recommends guests take a ride on the scenic railway in St. Kitts, the only one of its kind in the Caribbean. The railway was once a sugar train and has since been converted into a three-hour tour and attraction. For most of its history, both island’s main industry had been sugar production but in the early 2000s turned its focus on tourism due to the difficulties and high prices that came with producing sugar.
Places to Meet
St. Kitts and Nevis offer multiple resorts and hotels with ample meeting space and luxurious accommodations. Below is a list of some of the best places to stay on the twin islands to ensure a safe and memorable trip.
- Four Seasons Resort Nevis, 9,043 sq. ft. of event space
- St Kitts Marriott & Royal Beach Casino, 14,831 sq. ft. of event space
- Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbor, 31,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space
- Koi Resort St Kitts, Curio Collection, 6,353 sq. ft. of meeting and event space
Read More: Season Ticket: Island Meetings
Traveling to St. Kitts and Nevis
There are several direct commercial flights to the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB) located in Basseterre, St. Kitts, whereas the Vance W. Amory International Airport (NEV) in Nevis is reserved for private charter flights and small, regional aircraft. There are a select number of cities that offer direct flights to SKB including New York, Miami and Chicago.
For those flying into SKB, public boats and ferries are available to take you to Charlestown, Nevis’ capital.
Where to Eat
While in St. Kitts and Nevis, visitors can sample a Rastafarian diet, which is popular on the island for the belief in eating food in its natural state, from the Earth. Or they can simply enjoy the excellent seafood, exotic recipes and beachside meals at one of the restaurants listed below.
- SALT Plage: located on St. Kitts, serves a mix of Caribbean and Seafood and has an outdoor deck overlooking the beach
- Yachtsman Broil: located on Nevis, known for thin-crust pizzas with a location in between many of the most popular hotels and resorts
- Carambola Beach Club: located on St. Kitts, serves a international menu paired with Caribbean influence with a location right on the beach
- Arthurs: located on St. Kitts, Arthurs serves authentic recipes with a prime location and beach-style eats
Rainforest
St. Kitts and Nevis are commonly referred to as “untouched and unspoiled.” The islands maintain the natural beauty of their waterfalls, rain forests and more as the tourism sector is just beginning to blossom.
The rainforest in St. Kitts is growing as old sugar plantations are now being reclaimed and there are a plethora of opportunities to take advantage of while visiting the islands. You can hike up Mt. Liamuiga, a dormant volcano, on a 4-plus-hour guided hike that leads to the highest point on the island. Or you can go ziplining through the rainforest and try to spot one of the many green vervet monkeys hiding in the forest. For those who want a less adventurous but equally exciting experience, you can take a guided tour through the rainforest and spot some of the island’s Indigenous animals.
A vacation in St. Kitts and Nevis is a vacation you will never forget. Whether you host a meeting, an incentive trip or simply want to go for some rest and relaxation, the twin islands are one-of-a-kind places to visit and stay.
