St. Kitts: A Sugar-Sweet Caribbean Destination

With the ceremony site, caterer, florist and band all booked for your big day, it’s time to start planning your honeymoon. Like many soon-to-be-married couples, it’s probably been your dream to travel to some gorgeous island in the Caribbean Sea, but with dozens of picturesque destinations to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which one is your best bet. St. Kitts, an island boasting silky-soft black and white sand beaches, crystal-blue water, historical sugar plantations, tropical rainforests, and even a dormant volcano, is a fantastic choice for honeymooners of all sorts, from active adventurers to those who just want to relax on the beach.

Climate
The sun shines on St. Kitts all twelve months of the year, with average high temperatures ranging from the low to high 80s (Fahrenheit). January, with an average high of 81 degrees, is the coolest month, while August and September are the warmest, with an average high temperature of 88 degrees.

Water Sports
St. Kitts is surrounded by the warm Caribbean Sea, making it a great destination for water-sport enthusiasts. Both SCUBA divers and snorkelers will love seeing the coral reefs and colorful fish, and divers have the opportunity to take a look at sunken ships way down below the water’s surface. Surfers, water-skiers, windsurfers and kayakers will be pleased to know they will be able to participate in their favorite activities, and if you’ve always wanted to try any of sports, St. Kitts is the perfect place to do it. If you’d rather enjoy the water from above, hop on a boat for some deep-sea fishing, an island tour or a sunset catamaran cruise.

Recreation
When you’re ready to take a break from the water, there are plenty of activities to take part in on the island. Play 18 holes at the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club, go horseback riding on the beach, or try your luck at a nearby casino. If you find yourself with some extra spending money, take a visit to one of St. Kitts’ outdoor shopping malls. When you’re ready to explore, hike Mt. Liamuiga, the island’s dormant volcano, take a walk through a rainforest or botanical garden, or tour one of the island’s many sugar plantations. After colonizing the island in 1623, Sir Thomas Warner discovered that St. Kitts’ climate was perfect for growing sugar cane, and more than 60 sugar plantations soon came to fruition. In the 1630s, Africans came to the island to work on these plantations, which helped create the vibrant and rich culture, featuring elements of Africa, Europe and Native America, that exists today.

Weddings on St. Kitts
If you’re thinking about getting married and honeymooning on St. Kitts, the island is perfect for a destination wedding. Hold your ceremony at a historic church, tropical garden, picturesque plantation estate, or beachside resort. Couples need not be residents of the island to get married on St. Kitts. A marriage license must be applied for upon arrival to the island, and a passport or birth certificate is required. If you have been married before, divorce papers, or a decree absolute, must be presented. If you plan on having a religious ceremony, a letter from a local priest certifying your ability to get married is required. Check with a local wedding planner or religious official before your wedding to make sure you have everything you need.

Getting There
The island of St. Kitts is about a three-hour flight from Miami, or a 45-minute flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Non-stop flights are offered from both of these locations, as well as from Charlotte (North Carolina), St. Maarten, Tortola, Barbados, and a few other Caribbean islands. Flights arrive to and depart from the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport in Basseterre. It is also possible to arrive via ferry from a nearby island. United States citizens need to show proof of citizenship in the form of a passport or birth certificate upon arrival.

St. Kitts At A Glance
Island Size: 69 square miles
Official Language: English
Capital City: Basseterre
Location: About 1200 miles southeast of Miami
Population: Approximately 32,000
Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time
Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar

 

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