St. Kitts and Nevis have a history, perhaps even a legacy, of violence and strife, but in the last few years, significant efforts have taken place to crack down on crime, improve everyone’s standard of living, and make things safe.
Today, these two islands that make up the independent microstate focus on tourism in a big way, hoping to draw in travelers from across the world eager to enjoy the beautiful beaches and local scenery.
For the last few centuries, all or parts of the islands have been owned by a variety of countries, including Great Britain, France, and Spain. Sometimes ownership was transferred via violent means, and sometimes ownership treaties were revised in Europe as part of larger diplomatic discussions, without any say-so from the people who actually lived here.
The islands also have an indigenous population that has been present for thousands of years, sometimes co-existing, sometimes fighting the colonial system.
Is St. Kitts and Nevis a safe place to visit?
The answer seems to be yes but with basic precautions recommended.
For instance, people walking at night should stick to well-lit areas or walk in groups. Women should also keep an eye on their purses. Pickpocketing danger, along with assaults and robberies, are both low, but the temptation for someone to do so should be minimized.
The same need to be generally aware of one’s surroundings also applies to people visiting the area who are staying on yachts but coming into town to explore the community and beaches. They’re encouraged to avoid taking side roads or alleys when possible, going to poorly lit beaches at night, especially in small numbers, staying out of potentially vulnerable situations, and looking like a victim, such as carrying around a lot of visible wealth or personal documents or being obviously intoxicated and alone.
The current U.S. travel advisory for St. Kitts and Nevis is Level 1 which means exercise normal precautions.
What are the risks in St. Kitts and Nevis?
Local leaders have taken efforts to curb violent crime, which has continued to decline from a high in 2016. However, there’s the possibility of visitors being injured or killed on the roadways. The roads are often known to be narrow, poorly lit, poorly maintained, and curvy in places. Drivers drive on the left here, which might feel unusual or challenging for visitors from certain parts of the world where driving is done on the right side.
However, avoiding some of these potential risks on the roadways could be as simple as taking a taxi, riding the local bus or similar public transportation, or hiring a local driving service vs. trying to navigate unfamiliar roads.
Are there storms?
St. Kitts and Nevis are at the southern end of the Caribbean Sea, which means the area can experience various hurricanes or summer storms, especially in August, September, and October, when the number of storms increases overall.
People can minimize their risk of being impacted by these storms by paying attention to short-term and long-term weather forecasts and being prepared to seek shelter if advised. In general, visitors are advised to look to the locals to see how seriously they’re taking an approaching storm.
What about the water?
The beautiful Caribbean Sea is great for looking at the water while you’re on the beach or traveling on a boat. There is also plenty of potential for snorkeling or scuba diving. Though there are reports of smaller reef sharks, most of the larger species of sharks are usually found around other Caribbean islands such as the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. Instead, you’re more likely to spot turtles and various fish species. People playing in the water should also be aware of their surroundings and not swim alone. There are known to be strong currents in places, and many beaches are private and aren’t monitored by lifeguards or posted warnings.