In this post, the investment migration and real estate experts at Astons elaborate on what to see and enjoy in St Kitts and Nevis and explain the perks of the country’s government-approved citizenship program. 

What you need to know 

St Kitts and Nevis is a small two-island country in the Eastern Caribbean. If you look it up on the map, keep in mind that both tropical islands are part of the Lesser Antilles. The country is a member of the Commonwealth (its citizens have many privileges in this regard). The official head of state is Queen Elizabeth II who is represented by a Governor General.

The capital is the town of Basseterre where two-thirds of the population reside. All in all, there are two major towns – Basseterre in St Kitts and Charlestown in Nevis. Smaller coastal towns also attract lots of tourists and expats.

Go to the capital’s centre

The green clock tower whose dial plates face the four winds is a key place in Basseterre. Drinking fountains attract weary tourists and locals who got used to the tower – a gift to St Kitts in celebration of the country’s centenary in the British Commonwealth. Palms and figs grow around saving you from the hot Caribbean sun, along with sweet-smelling jasmine.

Relax on the tropical beaches

Banana Bay, Dieppe Bay and White House Bay are the beaches where you should simply lie down and take a rest. Banana Bay, a beautiful place with white sand and gentle waves, is most frequented by families with children.

Dieppe Bay attracts tourists with its astonishing dark sand and privacy. Here you can swim and sunbathe peacefully leaving all hard thoughts behind. White House Bay is the top choice for divers willing to explore the marvels of the undersea.

Visit Middle Island

Visitors come here to see Brimstone Hill Fortress built by the British and enjoy a captivating panorama of the coast from its viewpoint. You can also drop into the Fort George Museum and walk in the national park scattered around the fortress. Brimstone Hill is not only one of the country’s key landmarks but also a UNESCO-protected site.

Stroll around Old Town Road

The first thing to observe here is petroglyphs created by indigenous people of the islands. Some researchers call petroglyphs the first animation ever: the stories reflect the lives and myths of their creators.

The second thing is the renowned Caribelle Batik factory built in the 1970s on the site of a former sugar plantation. Curiously, many people come here not for the batik but for the oldest tree in the country. The factory’s garden is home to a 350-year-old Saman tree.

Summit the Liamuiga peak

Mangrove alleys, coconut palm forests and tropical jungle vegetation – this is what awaits a courageous explorer daring to summit the 1,156-metre extinct volcano (the last eruption happened almost two centuries ago). At the top of Mount Liamuiga, you’ll find a volcano vent that had long become a lake due to precipitation and a stunning view of the Caribbean Sea. At the foot of the hill, you’ll find a shore where pelicans live and nestle.

Take a picture of the Nevis Botanical Gardens

These popular gardens were opened in the 1990s. The Botanical Gardens of Nevis are gorgeous indeed. Here, you’ll see familiar roses and orchids as well as tropical flowers with the most sophisticated names and contours. On the back of sumptuous Caribbean flora, you’ll encounter the natural waterfalls, ruins of an indigenous temple, a fountain and a restaurant.

Try the Caribbean cuisine 

The culinary traditions of St Kitts and Nevis stem from Continental, French, Creole, Chinese, Indian and Mediterranean cuisine. In local restaurants, you’ll be served roasted pork, steaks, curry, lobsters and crabs with inventive tropical garnish of local fruit and vegetables.

If you feel like eating something genuinely local, try pelau – the Caribbean paella. Keep in mind that it may contain not only rice and peas but also pigeon meat (which you can easily swap for seafood). Another popular dish is ‘goat water’, perhaps the best known of St Kitts cuisine. It’s goat meat stewed in tomato sauce with a touch of jackfruit, papaya, rum or whisky.

‘Roti’ – thin cakes with various fillings – and simple dishes made of local fish are also highly popular. Try ‘tourment d’amour’ for dessert: it’s traditional Caribbean four-tier pie made of crusty dough, coco jam, scalded cream with vanilla and sponge cake.

Obtain a second citizenship 

Citizenship of St Kitts and Nevis is the leading passport offering in the Caribbean region. In the first half of 2020, the country’s Citizenship by Investment programme attracted a record number of foreign investors, with a 25% increase in submitted applications.

Immigration analysts explain the demand for St Kitts and Nevis passports is due to its cost-efficiency. The citizenship of this Caribbean country can be obtained with a minimum investment of $150,000 and provides its holders many rights and privileges.

The key benefits of St Kitts and Nevis passport:   

  • Citizenship of St Kitts and Nevis unlocks free global travel. This passport allows you to visit 152 countries without a visa, including the EU and the UK. Holders of St Kitts and Nevis passports also enjoy facilitated processing of long-term (up to 10 years) visas to Canada and the US.
  • You can obtain citizenship of St Kitts and Nevis in just 2-3 months. There is also a fast track option that will get you the passport in 45–60 days.
  • Within the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment programme, investors can add to the application their spouses, financially dependent children under 30 years old, parents, grandparents older than 55 years old, as well as dependent unmarried siblings under 30 years old.
  • You can obtain citizenship of this Caribbean country with a donation of $150,000 or property purchase at $200,000–$400,000. You’ll be able to exit the investment in 5–7 years.
  • Members of the St Kitts and Nevis programme purchase villas, resorts and seaside hotels. The potential ROI on property is 2–3%.
  • A property in St Kitts and Nevis allows you to benefit from everything this Caribbean state has to offer: a favourable climate, delicious cuisine, unique flora and fauna, secluded beaches, cultural and historical sights. The high quality of life allows business people from all over the world to deploy a full-fledged home office in St Kitts and Nevis during the remote work period.
  • At the moment, St Kitts and Nevis enables investors to add three family members to the application at no cost. The donation sum for a family of four (the main applicant and three family members) is now $150,000 – the same as for a single applicant. Previously, this setup would have set you back at $195,000. You can seize on this opportunity until the end of 2020.
  • You can obtain a passport of St Kitts and Nevis 100% remotely. Experienced Astons lawyers will help you prepare the documents, choose the best-fitting investment option and submit the application correctly so you receive your second citizenship with the guaranteed result.
  • Due to meticulous and manifold paperwork checks, Astons clients can keep their peace of mind: 100% of our clients who filed applications under the Citizenship by Investment programme of St Kitts and Nevis obtained their second citizenship.

Astons is a leading global immigration advisory firm with offices worldwide. We offers residency & citizenship investment solutions in Europe and the Caribbean. For further information or to discuss your personal circumstances in a private consultation, please contact Astons at [email protected].