By Felicia Persaud
News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Oct. 19, 2012: Former chairman of The Caribbean Tourism Organization and Minister of Tourism & International Transport of St. Kitts, Richard ‘Ricky’ Skerritt, recently played host to the media and tourism executives at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s State of the Industry Conference in his hometown but gave News Americas an exclusive insight into his St. Kitts!
Here are his top picks:
Nightlife:
The Strip At Frigate Bay especially Mr. X’s Shiggidy Shack on Thursday nights. But you also get to choose from over a dozen beach bars between Thursday and Sunday nights, including Buddies and Cathy’s.
17 Degrees on Victoria Road in Basseterre.
The Dock at Timothy Beach on Friday and Sunday nights.
Jamrock in Frigate Bay.
Shipwreck in South Friars Bay.
Reggae Beach Bar & Grill.
Cloud Nine, a downtown club at Port Zante, is especially humming on Weds, Friday and Saturdays nights.
Bangkok in Frigate Bay, which has a live band on Friday nights.
Twist at Port Zante.
Tigers at the Marriott in Frigate Bay.
Top Restaurants
Marshalls
The Beach House
Ottley’s Royal Palm Restaurant
Spice Mill Restaurant
Best Local Dish
Saltfish, Johnny Cake and black pudding for Sunday morning breakfast.
Best Rum
Brinley Gold Shipwreck Rum.
Best Beach
Cockle Shell Bay Beach, located on the island’s southeastern tip, overlooking glamorous Nevis.
Best Hotels
Ottley’s Plantation Inn, a Caribbean hideaway set in a restored 17th century sugar plantation in Basseterre.
Marriott St. Kitts Resort & Royal Beach Casino in Frigate Bay.
Best Golf Course
The pristine Royal St. Kitts Golf Course in Frigate Bay.
Best Place to Shop
Port Zante
About St. Kitts
Saint Kitts, also known more formally as Saint Christopher Island, is one of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. is an island in the West Indies. It’s about 168 km2 (65 sq mi), or approximately 29 km (18 mi) long and on average about 8 km (5.0 mi) across. The west side of the island borders the Caribbean Sea, and the eastern coast faces the Atlantic Ocean.
Saint Kitts has a population of around 35,000.
Weather: The average temperature is around 25-30 C (75-81 F), with low humidity and an average annual rainfall of 140 cm (55 in). July and August are the warmest months of the year. November through April it is warm during the day and somewhat cooler in the evening. There are an average of 12 hours of sunshine per day all year around.
Time: Atlantic Standard Time throughout the year (GMT-4). Daylight Saving Time is not observed.
Language: English is the official language of St.Kitts & Nevis.
Currency: St. Kitts & Nevis uses the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), although US Dollars are generally accepted. The exchange rate is US$1.00 to EC$2.68
Transportation: Both islands drive on the left side of the road. There is the option of renting a vehicle, although you will have to obtain a Visitors’ Driving License. Ferries connect the twin-islands.
Entry Requirements: All visitors require a valid passport and onward/return ticket. Nationals of some countries will also require a visa. For more information on electronic visas, log on to www.evisa.com.kn
Flight times to St. Kitts from:
London (9 hours), New York (4 hours), Miami (3 hours), Atlanta (3.5 hours).
Direct Flights:
UK: British Airways (from London) – 2x / week
USA: American Airlines (from New York) – 2x / week
American Airlines (from Miami) – daily
Puerto Rico: American Eagle (from San Juan) – daily
Delta Airlines (from Atlanta) – 1x / week
US Airways (from Charlotte) – 1x / week
There are daily connecting flights from major international hubs via Antigua, St. Maarten and Puerto Rico.
St. Kitts & Nevis has a democratically-elected government and elections are held every five years. The Prime Minister is the head of government. There is a House of Assembly headed by the Speaker of the House. The Queen of England is the Head of State. The Queen’s constitutional roles are mostly delegated to the Governor General of the Federation
St. Kitts & Nevis has a single National Assembly responsible for making laws which comprises 15 members. 11 of these are directly-elected representatives whilst 3 are senators appointed by the Governor General (2 on the advice of the Prime Minister and the third on the advice of the leader of the opposition). Of the 11 elected members, 8 represent constituencies in St. Kitts and the remaining 3 represent Nevis seats.
For more log on to: https://www.stkittstourism.kn/
