A fascinating insight into the sugar industry, St. Kitts famous ‘Sugar Train' is the Caribbean’s only scenic passenger railway. It offers visitors a nostalgic tour by rail and road encircling the northern part of the island. Using tracks originally built to transport sugar, you pass the quaint villages and towns along the way. School children and construction workers all stop to wave ‘hello’ as the train rolls by and a traditionally dressed choir sings Kittitian folk songs while sugar cakes, a popular island dessert, are served.
Visitors will feel the island’s history come alive at the top of this magnificent 17th century fortress, the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage site in the Eastern Caribbean. Perched 800 feet above sea level with spectacular views of its surroundings, its now dormant cannons still point outward toward the harbour, where they once served to guard against invaders from the sea.
No visit to St. Kitts would be complete without a tour of the historic Romney Manor. It is one of the island's great houses and sits in an impressive nine acre estate. Highlights of any visit could be seeing the enormous 400-year-old Sanan tree in all its splendour and the 17th Century ruin, Wingfield Manor.
Romney Manor is also buzzing with industry, in the shape of colourful Cariebelle Batik making. You can watch a demonstration of the natural cotton dyeing process and take home some designs yourself when you visit the souvenir shop.
Perhaps the most exciting and captivating display of St. Kitts’ heritage is the unique folklore and pageantry of the annual National Carnival celebration, a time when local residents and visitors alike gather to celebrate the island’s unique sights, sounds and traditions. Carnival spans from Boxing Day to New Year and events take place at various sites across the island. This colourful display of island culture includes lively parades, elegant balls, j’ouvert, street parties, music from Calypso to Soul and more.
From Conch Fritters and Johnny Cakes to stewed saltfish and goat water (a local speciality stew) Kittitian food represents an authentic taste of the Caribbean, complemented by American and European influences. At Spice Mill restaurant (featured), guests can expect Caribbean flare. At this serene beachside venue, the cuisine fuses Caribbean cooking with Indian, Asian, and Spanish flavours, to create a memorable dining experience.
For the ultimate beach day out, Turtle Beach offers uninterrupted bathing on a small stretch of sand. The coral reef and crystal clear waters surrounding the bay presents an incredible display of marine life. A favourite with swimmers, take the opportunity to go on a snorkel adventure with the chance to spot a dolphin or whale during the winter months. Grab a bite to eat at The Beach House offering refreshing chilled beers and local food favourites such as mahi mahi and other tasty seafood delights.
Rainforest covers a quarter of the land on St. Kitts so a guided tour is a must for any visitor.
There are a huge variety of eco-tours you can take to truly immerse yourself in the lush surroundings. A fairly traditional hike could suit you or there are four wheel drive options for the less energetic. There is even a zip-wire option if you're feeling particularly brave.
Even if it's just a leisurely walk you seek, there are expert guides on hand to help you find tropical plants and wildlife, in particular, the island's Green Vervet monkeys.
With an old-style charm, the island of Nevis just across the water from St. Kitts is perfect for a day-trip. Quiet, lush, with beautiful beaches, the backdrop is ideal for a relaxing holiday. The horizon is dominated by the 3,232ft Nevis, which is a challenging climb. Hire a guide, and attempt to reach the summit of this notoriously difficult mountain. If you can, you'll be grinning for weeks, and the locals will be mighty impressed!
St. Kitts' natural heritage of crystal clear waters, pristine coral reefs and healthy marine life, offers exceptional diving for the novice or experienced diver. Shipwrecks, reefs, shoals, hot water vents, shallows, sloping canyons, walls and swim-through caverns await divers off its shores, while colourful marine life at depths of 40 to nearly 200 feet can be explored in virgin waters which have begun to reveal wrecks of galleons, frigates and freighters dating back to the 17th century.