If you’re limin’ in the Caribbean, you’re hanging out, relaxing, taking it easy. Leave plenty of time for limin’ in St Kitts and Nevis to get to the heart of this Caribbean nation.
St Kitts and Nevis sit in the Caribbean Sea, just east of Puerto Rico. First inhabited by South American indigenous people, then the Spanish, the English and the French, a fascinating colonial history is the result.
But it’s the islands’ sheer tropical beauty that really shines. Warm, crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, lush verdant mountains, and vibrant coral reefs are just the beginning.
Add to that friendly locals, irresistible Caribbean rhythms and deliciously fresh seafood and you seal the deal!
First sugarcane, and now tourism, have been the mainstays of these islands for centuries. The remains of 18th-century sugar plantations and the era of slavery upon which they depended make for some very atmospheric sites, some of which are said to be haunted.
St Kitts’s capital Basseterre is a laid-back colonial town with quaint pastel-hued cottages, easily explored on foot. To delve deeper into history, take a drive along the coast from Basseterre to Old Road Town, the Caribbean’s first British settlement, and on to the ruins of a 17th-century sugar mill at Wingfield Estate, then to the imposing hulk of Brimstone Hill Fortress. This Unesco World Heritage site dates back to the 1690s when it was painstakingly constructed by African slave labour.
History aside, there’s a dormant volcano to climb! At just over 1,150 metres, Mt Liamuiga is set amongst verdant rainforest and beautiful hiking trails. Being one of the highest peaks in the Caribbean, the four-hour hike is not for the unfit, but is rewarded with sightings of hummingbirds and tropical flora, along with its resident green vervet monkeys. The views from the top are (in both senses) breathtaking, as you look down into the crater lake, up to the aptly named Devil’s Tooth rocky outcrop, or out to the neighbouring islands.
For some beach time, head for South Frigate Bay, South Friars Bay, and Cockleshell Bay, or for a quieter vibe try the secluded bays of North Side. Snorkelling is fantastic at the black sanded Dieppe Bay Beach, thanks to a major reef that protects the bay.
Horseback riding is also a great way to experience the island’s landscape, whether through forest trails in the foothills, or along a tranquil beach, stopping for lunch at one of the rustic shacks offering authentic home-cooked food. The island’s cuisine is a highlight itself, especially if you ‘go local’ and embrace the fresh seafood. Don’t forget to try local specialties such as Johnny cakes (delicious fried flatbreads), served with a meat stew called ‘goat water’, washed down with soursop juice.
Tropical fruits are celebrated in the annual Nevis Mango Festival in July, which is followed by the vibrant 12-day Nevis Culturama festival celebrating the emancipation of slaves in the 1830s. These events and the island’s super-friendly people make Nevis well worth the ferry ride across The Narrows between the two islands.
Back on St Kitts, get a taste of Caribbean nightlife with some bar-hopping along The Strip in Frigate Bay. Live music, rum cocktails and freshly barbequed lobster grilled right on the beach, with a backdrop of crashing waves and soca rhythms. This truly is Caribbean life at its best! Time for some limin’!
Words — Caroline Clegg, World Journeys
