Travelling & Living Overseas

North and Central America and Caribbean

Saint Christopher and Nevis (St Kitts & Nevis) Flag of St Kitts and Nevis

Still current at: 25 July 2008
Updated: 19 May 2008

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Health section (prevalence of HIV/AIDS in St Kitts & Nevis). The overall level of the advice has not changed.  

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

Travel advice for this country

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Travel Summary

  • The hurricane season in St Kitts and Nevis normally runs from June to November.  See Natural Disasters (Hurricanes) section of this advice an d Tropical cyclones for more details.
  • There is no British High Commission in St Kitts and Nevis.  For emergency consular assistance, please telephone the British Honorary Consul (+869 466 8888; mobile +869 762 8888).  Alternatively, you can contact the British High Commission in Antigua and Barbuda .  See the Contact Details section of this advice for more details.
  • You should not become complacent about safety and security.  Cases of robbery and other crimes against people occur.
  • Around 10,000 British nationals visited St Kitts and Nevis in 2006 (Source: Ministry of Tourism). Most visits to St Kitts and Nevis are trouble-free. The main type of incidents for which British nationals required consular assistance in St Kitts and Nevis in 2007 were for: replacing lost or stolen passports; and dealing with hospitalisations.
  • There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  • We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for further details.

Safety and security

Terrorism
 
There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  
 
For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
 
Crime
 
You should take sensible precautions and be vigilant at all times.  Avoid isolated areas, including beaches, after dark.  Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery.  Valuables and travel documents should be left, where possible, in safety deposit boxes and hotel safes.
 
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
 
Political Situation
 
St Kitts and Nevis Country Profile
 
Local Travel
 
Road Travel
 
In order to be able to drive a car in St Kitts and Nevis you must purchase a local driving licence, usually from the car hire company, at a cost of EC$ 100.  You must show your current driving licence to obtain this.
 
Motorists drive on the left in St Kitts and Nevis.  Main roads are generally well maintained but many follow winding routes so careful driving is necessary.  Roads are not well lit at night. You must be alert for stray livestock and speed bumps in some areas that are not well marked.  Hiring of scooters is popular amongst visitors but safety equipment is not included in the hire price: despite the additional cost this is highly recommended for your own protection.  You should be cautious when driving a scooter, as other road users do not always give them due consideration.
 
For more general information see Driving Abroad.
 
Air Travel
 
You will have to pay a departure tax when leaving St Kitts and Nevis.  In October 2007, this departure tax amounted to 58 East Caribbean Dollars (per adult) and EC$25 (child under 12).

Local laws and customs

You should note that there are severe penalties for all drug offences. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.
 
You should be aware that it is an offence for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing.
 
Certain homosexual acts are illegal under the laws of St Kitts and Nevis.
 
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Entry requirements

Visas
 
British Passport holders do not require visas to visit St Kitts and Nevis. On entry you are granted a one month stay.  If you wish to stay longer you must apply and pay for an extension of stay through the St Kitts and Nevis Immigration Department.  It is an offence to overstay the entry period granted or to work without a work permit.
  
Passport validity
 
Your passports should be valid for at least six months.

Health

The medical facilities on the islands are limited to one hospital, which can deal only with routine medical cases.  More serious cases will need to be dealt with in Puerto Rico, USA once the patient is in a stable condition.

Dengue fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. In 2007 there was a marked increase in the number of reported cases of dengue across the region.  It is found throughout St Kitts and Nevis.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to St Kitts & Nevis and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

Natural disasters

An earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter Scale hit just off thecoast of Martinique on 29 November 2007.  The earthquake was feltthroughout the region but there were no reports of injury or majordamage to property.

The hurricane season in St Kitts and Nevis normally runs from June to November.  You can also access the World Meteorological Organisation for updates and the US National Hurricane Centre. For more general information see Tropical cyclones.

General

Insurance
 
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance, which includes medical evacuation, before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  Be especially careful about cover for recurring illnesses as they may not be include in all insurance policies.  For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.

Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
  
Package Holidays
 
If you are on a package holiday, you must travel on the specified return date.  If you fail to do so it is likely that you will have to pay for a return ticket yourself.
 
Passports
 
Keep a copy of the photo page of your passport and relevant entry stamp in case your documents are stolen.
 
In the event of loss of your passport, you will need to apply to the Passport Office at the British High Commission, Barbados for a replacement.  The British Honorary Consul in St Kitts can advise you how to do this.  Urgent applications  are sent to Bridgetown by courier, incurring courier costs, but even so the issue of a replacement passport will still take several days.

Travel advice for this country

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contacts

Antigua and Barbuda, St John's, British High Commission

Address:

British High Commission
PO Box 483
Price Waterhouse Coopers Centre
11 Old Parham Rd
St John's
Antigua

Telephone:

(268) 462 0008/9

Fax:

(268) 562 2124

Email: britishc@candw.ag

Office hours:

Mon-Thurs: 1200-1630/1700-2000
Fri: 1200-1630 GMT
Mon-Thurs: 0800-1600
Fri: 0800-1300 Local Time