Regional NotesSt Kitts GOVERNMENT St Kitts and its neighbour island, Nevis, are together an internally autonomous state within the British monarchy. Nevertheless, there are customs checks between the islands. At Basseterre, the capital and only port of entry on St Kitts, customs will want a list of the anchorages you plan to visit. Customs stand by on VHF 16. MONEY The official currency is the East Caribbean (EC) dollar; US dollars are accepted. Banking hours are Monday to Thursday 8am to 3pm, Friday 8am to 5pm. The St. Kitts & Nevis National Bank is also open from 8.30 am to 11am on Saturdays. There is a 7% tax on services, and most restaurants etc. include a 10% service charge on their bills. COMMUNICATIONS There is an up-to-date communications system. Cable and Wireless Caribbean Cellular (St Kitts) Ltd. provides a cellular phone service, on the 'A' cellular system. Visitors can pre-register by calling 1 (800) 2628366 from the USA, 1 (800) 567-8366 from Canada, or 1 (869) 465 3003 from elsewhere. or they can dial "O & SND" from their AMPS-compatible cellphone and register with an Operator upon arrival in St Kitts and Nevis. LANGUAGE & CULTURE The heritage is strongly British. Although they are a single state, the two islands are different in atmosphere. St Kitts, the larger island, is more cosmopolitan, while Nevis has a relaxed pace. Dress is casual, but swimwear should not be worn in town. More formal dress is appropriate in the evening, though men are not required to wear tie and jacket. There are many car hire firms on each island. You will need to buy a temporary driving licence from the Police Traffic Department. Traffic drives on the left. Taxi fares are fixed, and rise 50% between 10pm and 6am, and 20% for booked trips between 6pm and 6am. Public Holidays New Year's Day, Carnival Day (January 2), Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day (1st Monday in May), Whit Monday (end of May), Whit Monday (June 12) , August Monday (first Monday in August), National Heroes Day (16 September)Independence Day (September 19), Christmas Day & Boxing Day HEALTH There is a 24-hour emergency room at the Joseph N France Hospital in Basseterre, St Kitts. IMPORTANT ADDRESSES, CONSULATES etc. British High Commission, Price Waterhouse Centre, Old Parham Road, PO Box 483, St John's, ANTIGUA, Tel 268-462-0008/9. Canadian High Commission, PO Box 404, Bridgetown, BARBADOS. US Embassy, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building, Broad Street, Bridgetown, BARBADOS, Tel 246-436-4950. US Consular Agent, Juliet Ryder Hospital Hill, English Harbour, ANTIGUA, Tel 268- 463-6531. SPECIAL FEATURES All diving must be arranged through one of the island's three dive shops, who stand by on VHF 16. Regional LinksThe Locations |
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