Saint Kitts and Nevis is a federation of two islands in the eastern Caribbean. Cruise ships berth at Port Zante in Basseterre, the capital, on St Kitts, the larger island, where Mount Liamuiga is a potentially active volcano; Nevis, centred on the small town of Charlestown, lies across a narrow channel and is reached by passenger ferry, car ferry or water taxi. The federation is outside the EU's Roam Like at Home area, so a European SIM that connects there is billed at its operator's own roaming rates.
Key facts for Saint Kitts and Nevis
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: Flow (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: 911 for police and ambulance; fire 333; coastguard 465 8484 or 466 9280
- Embassies: the UK, the US and Canada all cover the federation from Bridgetown, Barbados
The eTA and the arrival form
Every visitor must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation, or eTA, before travelling, through the official Electronic Border Management System website or its mobile app. A separate immigration form also speeds up arrival: complete it online before you leave, or after landing on your own phone, using mobile data or free Wi-Fi. British passports need six months of validity from the day you arrive, and British visitors can stay for up to six months without a visa. You also need a yellow fever certificate if you come from a country where the disease is a transmission risk.
Over to Nevis
Passenger ferries run between Basseterre and Charlestown. The Sea Bridge car ferry crosses from Major's Bay on St Kitts to Cades Bay on Nevis, and water taxis leave from Reggae Beach for Oualie Bay or can be chartered between other points. Skippers arriving on their own boat must contact the Port Authority at least 24 hours ahead, fill in the immigration form and get in touch with the St Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority for St Kitts or the Nevis Air and Sea Ports Authority for Nevis.
Taxis, hire cars and the roads
Licensed taxis have a yellow plate with T or TA in the number, and their drivers carry or display identification; unlicensed cars often have no insurance to carry passengers. Fares are not metered, but standard prices exist for most destinations, so settle the amount first; US dollars are often accepted alongside Eastern Caribbean dollars. To drive, you need a local licence: the Inland Revenue Department sells temporary ones valid for three months or a year, against your home licence and passport, and hire firms usually help. The minimum age to hire a vehicle is 21, but most companies ask for 25. Traffic keeps to the left, minor roads have potholes and unmarked speed bumps, rural bends are blind and pedestrians walk in the road. A first drink-driving offence can bring a fine and 12 months in prison, and after any accident you should call the police on 911 and leave the vehicle where it is.
Laws with real teeth
Camouflage clothing is illegal for everyone, children included, and wearing it can cost a fine and three months in prison. All drug offences are punished severely, trafficking above all: a conviction at the Magistrates Court can bring up to 10 years in prison, and High Court sentences run from 15 years to life. Cannabis for personal use has been decriminalised, but only with a licence, and smoking it without one or in some public places brings fines. Starting a wildfire, or trying to, can mean up to 10 years in prison, so report any fire straight away during hot, dry spells.
Volcano, earthquakes, storms and health
Mount Liamuiga is likely to erupt at some point, and the Seismic Research Centre of the University of the West Indies monitors it. Earthquakes are another risk, and the hurricane season runs from June to November; follow the US National Hurricane Center and local orders, including evacuations. Serious crime such as murder, armed robbery and sexual assault does happen, so avoid isolated beaches after dark and take care at street and beach parties in the festival season. The main hospitals are the Joseph N France General Hospital on St Kitts and the Alexandra Hospital in Charlestown. Treatment is expensive and serious cases may need evacuation.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM installed before departure lets you finish the immigration form in the arrivals hall without searching for a Wi-Fi signal. A Saint Kitts and Nevis plan suits a stay in the federation, a Caribbean plan also includes Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat and many other islands, and a World plan works for longer trips. Leave your usual SIM active for bank texts and one-time codes, but turn its data roaming off.
Consular protection: who to call in Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Call 911 for the police or an ambulance and 333 for the fire service; the coastguard answers on 465 8484 or 466 9280.
- There is no British embassy or consulate in the federation: British nationals are helped by the British High Commission in Bridgetown, Barbados. The US Embassy and Canada's High Commission, both in Bridgetown, cover the islands too. France serves its citizens from its embassy in Saint Lucia.
- Before you go, use the Telcomia app to find which embassy or consulate of your country looks after Saint Kitts and Nevis, and save its address and phone.
- If your EU country has no embassy or consulate responsible for the federation, the mission of any other EU country must help you on the same terms as its own citizens (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- English is the official language.
Questions travellers ask about Saint Kitts and Nevis
Does my EU tariff work in Saint Kitts and Nevis?
Not under EU rules: the federation is outside Roam Like at Home, so your operator charges its own roaming rates.
Do I need an eTA?
Yes. Every visitor needs one before travelling, from the official website or app; apply in good time and keep the approval on your phone.
Which network does a Telcomia eSIM use in Saint Kitts and Nevis?
Flow, with 4G where available.
How do I get to Nevis?
By passenger ferry from Basseterre to Charlestown, on the Sea Bridge car ferry from Major's Bay, or by water taxi.
The short version
Apply for the eTA well before you fly, install the eSIM at home, fill in the immigration form on your phone, ride only in taxis with T or TA plates, leave camouflage at home, keep an eye on volcano and hurricane alerts, and save 911 and 333.
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