St. Kitts & Nevis

Two miles apart, the Eastern Caribbean isles of St. Kitts and Nevis have a lot in common, but in many ways they are Yin and Yang. Both have secluded beaches, horse racing, historic ruins, restored sugar plantations that are now quaint inns and towering extinct volcanoes blanketed with lush rainforests. The laid back Nevis focuses on friendliness, small, cozy hotels, nature and outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking and mountain biking. With its larger hotels, more golf courses, shopping, a marine theme park and a cruise pier, St. Kitts courts a more resorty crowd. It is also home to the Eastern Caribbean's only World Heritage Site, ...

Two miles apart, the Eastern Caribbean isles of St. Kitts and Nevis have a lot in common, but in many ways they are Yin and Yang. Both have secluded beaches, horse racing, historic ruins, restored sugar plantations that are now quaint inns and towering extinct volcanoes blanketed with lush rainforests. The laid back Nevis focuses on friendliness, small, cozy hotels, nature and outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking and mountain biking. With its larger hotels, more golf courses, shopping, a marine theme park and a cruise pier, St. Kitts courts a more resorty crowd. It is also home to the Eastern Caribbean's only World Heritage Site, Brimstone Hill Fortress. The restored 18th-century citadel is steeped in history and worth the steep walk to see spectacular vistas — southwest is Nevis and Monserrat; Saba and St. Eustatius are northwest and north is St. Barts and St. Maarten. A variety of Nevis rambles wind through pristine rainforests, to the top of Mount Nevis or through the tiny village of Charlestown, birthplace of Alexander Hamilton.

About the Expert

Roberta Sotonoff is coauthor of Eyewitness Top 10 Chicago and has contributed to many other guidebooks, including Fodor's Chicago, Fodor's Caribbean, Fodor's Caribbean Ports of Call, and Thomas Cook Traveller's USA.