Language

The official language of Saint Kitts & Nevis is English. However, the majority of the local population prefers to speak Saint Kitts Creole and Nevis Creole, which are English-based Creole languages that are very similar to one another. This type of Creole language has been brought to the country by the slave trade, as is the case with the rest of the Caribbean nations, and has strong West African and Garifuna influences.

Currency and Money Transactions

The official currency in Saint Kitts and Nevis is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD or EC$), with denominations of EC$5, 10, 20, 50, and 100, as well as coin denominations of EC$1 and 5, 10, and 25 cents.

That being said, the US Dollar is also widely accepted throughout the island, although chances are you will get change in EC dollars if you pay with USD. It should also be noted that the exchange rate, in this case, will be much less favourable.

Both islands have banks and ATMs that run on a 24/7 basis dispensing EC dollars. Finally, the largest restaurants and most hotels accept major credit cards.

Tipping

Tipping is optional in St. Kitts & Nevis as a 10% service charge is usually added to your restaurant or hotel bill. However, you can certainly leave a tip if you are satisfied with the offered services.

Religion

Almost 50% of the country’s population is Anglican, a religion with English-rooted Protestantism. In addition, the islands have other Protestant groups, such as Seventh-Day Adventists, Baptists, Moravians, and Methodists. Also, around 10% of the islands’ residents are Roman Catholics and a few are also followers of the Baha’i religion.

Food

The country’s gastronomy is influenced by several cultures, pleasing the palate with a wide array of flavours and tastes, such as delicious seafood starring snapper and kingfish, alongside spiny lobster, while the national dish is spicy stewed saltfish served with coconut dumplings and plantains. Two of the most popular street foods are rotis and Jamaican-inspired jerk chicken. However, do consider trying the local version of paella, Pelau, which is rice cooked with vegetables, meat, and fish!

Drink

The most popular local drink is Cane Spirit Rothschild liquor served either as is or mixed with Ting, a drink made with locally-grown grapefruit. As for rum enthusiasts, they can enjoy the locally blended Brinley Gold rum in various flavours, from mango and coffee to vanilla. Finally, beer lovers can satisfy their taste buds with a cold Carib.

Entertainment

Both Nevis and Saint Kitts have countless bakeries, cafes, restaurants, and beach bars lining their coast offering exquisite experiences, culinary and other.

Water

The most elite hotels and restaurants offer superior-standard purified water. However, it is best to opt for bottled water rather than tap water.

Clothing

Wearing camouflage clothing and having items that are made out of camouflage material (even children’s toys and clothes) is forbidden in Saint Kitts and Nevis. If you are caught carrying such items or wearing such clothes, they will be forever confiscated.

Some more formal restaurants have a formal dress code, which means that men should wear a jacket, shirt, and tie and women a dress. In general, though, cool casual cotton clothing will come in particularly handy considering that you are visiting a tropical country.

As for swimwear, although there is no regulation against wearing it in public places or places of worship, it is best to be worn in pool and beach areas only.

Duty-Free

You can buy duty-free items at either Vance W Amory or Robert L Bradshaw International Airports. In general, those over 18 years of age can bring the following goods when travelling to Saint Kitts and Nevis without incurring customs duty:

• 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes
• 250gr of tobacco
• Goods to the value of EC$400.
• 1.5L of alcohol (spirits or wine).

Culture

The biggest event in the country is the St. Kitts Music Festival, an annual festival held in July featuring a wide range of music, from gospel to reggae. Nevis also has a broad spectrum of cultural activities, including an annual play, funded by the Dram and Cultural Society.

Public Holidays

Saint Kitts and Nevis have a total of 11 public holidays, during which the banks and government offices are closed, along with some local businesses. The biggest and most celebrated national holiday is Emancipation Day, usually occurring in August, when the country celebrates slaves' emancipation. The second biggest event is National Heroes Day, where those with a significant contribution to society are honoured in various ways.

Internet

Expect average internet speed in the country, but very affordable rates. The two main internet providers in Saint Kitts and Nevis are Digicel and Flow, while there is free Wi-Fi connection to places like coffeehouses, hotels, restaurants, and airports. Now, if you wish to purchase a SIM card for your phone, you can either head to any of the retailers across both islands or buy it from the airport by simply showing your passport.

You can check out details about internet speed using Speedtest’s website, here: Saint Kitts and Nevis's Mobile and Broadband Internet Speeds - Speedtest Global Index.

Electricity

The voltage in the country is 230V provided at a standard frequency of 60 Hz. You will be pleasantly surprised to know that Saint Kitts and Nevis power plugs and sockets are Type A, B, D, and G. This means that they cover the majority of travellers, including those coming from North and Central America, Japan, China, some African countries, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, the UK. However, Type C, which is commonly used in Europe, is not covered, so European travellers will probably have to bring a travel adapter with them unless their hotel or resort provides such adapters to their guests. Kindly check with the reception or front desk about this detail before planning your trip.