While Nevis is a generally safe island, there are
things you have to watch out for. Follow these Nevis travel tips for visitors to St Kitts
and Nevis and enjoy your vacation in the Caribbean.
St Kitts & Nevis:
These sunny islands offer glorious beaches, delightful restaurants, exciting nightlife and
a wealth of great places to stay, many right on the sand.
Nevis
Weather:
View a graphical weather forecast for the week ahead in Nevis.
Passport and Visa
For nationals of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and
Commonwealth countries a visa is not required for stays of up to six months. A valid
passport, birth certificate, naturalisation papers and a return ticket are required.
Customs
The following items are duty free. 200 Cigarettes or 100 Cigars, 1
bottle (26 Oz.) of liquor, and 1 bottle of wine. Pets are not allowed in from North
America but are allowed in from England with proof that they are rabies free.
Currency
The local currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (E.C.), and is
based on the US Dollar. The exchange rate varies from $ 2.55 to $ 2.70 EC for one US
dollar. As usual the banks give the best exchange rates and hotels the worst. Credit cards
and travellers checks are widely accepted.
Creepy Crawlies and Other Dangers
While Nevis is a generally safe island, there are things you have to
watch out for. Watch out where you walk with bare feet, there are red ants, scorpions, and
centipedes which can sting. Watch out for the Manchenil Tree, it grows near the beach and
produces a small green apple-like fruit. The leaves, branches, and sap can cause burning
much like poison ivy, but worse. The numerous lizards are harmless.
Television and Radio
Most hotels have cable, so many US network and cable stations can be
seen. There are also local stations from Nevis, and other nearby islands that are
available on cable. There are numerous radio stations that can be received from all over
the Caribbean and even the US.
Some good stations for local music and news are VON radio Nevis on 895
AM, ZIZ radio St. Kitts 555 AM, ABS radio from Antigua on 620 AM, and for a bit of a
American slant on things WOSO from San Juan, Puerto Rico on 1030 AM. On the FM dial you
will find far less, but you will find the GEM Radio Network scattered all over the dial.
They play the same song on every station but from different islands.
Tipping
Same as in the US, 10% to 15%, depending on the service. Some
restaurants and hotels will automatically add a 10% gratuity. If you are in doubt, do not
feel uncomfortable asking. Usually, porters and bellhops receive $ 1.00 per bag, taxi
drivers 10-15% of the fare.
Telephones
Calling the US is easy from St. Kitts & Nevis. Most hotels offer
USA Direct calling service, or they can connect you with a US operator. Taxes St. Kitts
& Nevis has a US $14.00 airport departure tax, a room tax of 7% and service charge of
10%.
Drinking Water
Safe spring water comes from numerous volcanic springs.
Appropriate Attire
Beach attire is appropriate for the beach but not the town, shops or
restaurants. Refrain from short shorts, bikinis and bare chests in these places. Informal,
but conservative, clothing is the standard.
Time Zone
Atlantic Standard Time, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time and
the same as Eastern Daylight Time, or GMT-04:00.
Banks
Bank of Nova Scotia, Barclays Bank PLC, Royal Bank of Canada, St.
Kitts - Nevis-Anguilla National Bank Ltd., Bank of Nevis Ltd., Nevis Co-operative Banking
Co. Ltd. Banking hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 3:00 PM and Friday from
8:00 am to 5:00 PM. The St. Kitts & Nevis National Bank is also open from 8:30 am -
11:00 am on Saturdays.
Medical Facilities
St. Kitts & Nevis has doctors on call at hotels and a 24-hour
Emergency Department. Recompression chambers are available by air ambulance at nearby Saba
and in St. Thomas. Pharmaceutical services are widely available.
Shopping Hours
Monday through Saturday 8:00 am to noon and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. On
Thursdays, most shops close for the afternoon.
Sent in by: Nevis1.com
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