Saint Kitts & Nevis

Recommended Vaccinations For Saint Kitts & Nevis

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers whose activities or employment may bring them into direct contact with bats (i.e. adventure travellers, veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers, etc.).

Yellow Fever Vaccine

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in this country. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 1 year of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Recommended Medications For Saint Kitts & Nevis

There are no recommendations for Saint Kitts & Nevis at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Saint Kitts & Nevis

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Hepatitis A

There is a risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Saint Kitts and Nevis through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

For Some Travellers

Rabies

Rabies may be present in bats, but has not been reported in domestic or wild animals in this country.

Zika Fever

Zika fever may occur in this country.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Saint Kitts and Nevis, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in this country. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 1 year of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Safety & Security in Saint Kitts & Nevis

Personal Safety

Saint Kitts and Nevis recorded 28 homicides in 2024, down from 31 in 2023. Overall reported crime decreased by 11 percent in 2024. Most violent crime is gang and drug related. Tourists are not typically targeted, though serious incidents including murder, armed robbery and sexual assault have occurred. Petty crimes like theft and pickpocketing happen in tourist areas and on beaches. Sexual offenses rose slightly from 68 cases in 2023 to 72 in 2024. Avoid isolated areas, particularly beaches after dark. Do not walk alone at night. Be cautious around large gatherings and beach parties, especially during festival season. It is illegal to wear camouflage clothing, with fines up to 250 Eastern Caribbean dollars and up to three months in prison. Drug trafficking carries severe penalties including fines up to 400,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars or three times the street value, whichever is higher, plus up to 10 years in prison.

Extreme Violence

Most violence in Saint Kitts and Nevis is believed to be gang and drug related. Firearms are increasingly used in crimes. Between 2003 and 2010, gun-related murders rose from 63.6 percent to 85 percent of all murders, compared to a global average of 42 percent. The country experienced its worst homicide years in 2011 with 34 murders and 2012 with a rate of 33.6 per 100,000. During that period, Basseterre was labeled the capital city with the highest murder rate in the world at 131.6 per 100,000. Recent years have seen improvement. Homicides dropped from 31 in 2023 to 28 in 2024. The police solved 16 of 28 homicide cases in 2024, representing a 57 percent detection rate. A 2023 report indicated Saint Kitts and Nevis recorded 65 murders per 100,000 people, among the highest per capita rates globally. Gang rivalries that began around 2008 are credited with escalating violence. The government arrested several gang leaders and a gun amnesty in 2019 resulted in groups handing over weapons, contributing to a drop in homicides. While violent crime is a concern, tourists and visitors are rarely targeted for serious crimes. Most violence occurs between rival gang factions fighting over drug turf.

Political Unrest

Saint Kitts and Nevis maintains a history of competitive and credible elections with civil liberties generally upheld. The political system is traditionally stable and expected to remain so. In August 2022, the opposition Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party won 6 of 11 seats in the National Assembly, replacing the multiparty Team Unity coalition led by Prime Minister Timothy Harris. Dr. Terrance Drew became Prime Minister. The country experienced political tensions in 2022 when coalition members filed a no-confidence motion against the then Prime Minister, prompting him to dissolve parliament in May before the August elections. There are no significant restrictions on freedom of movement within the country. The government generally respects rights to peaceful assembly, though civil servants are restricted from participating in partisan activities and protests. Concerns exist about government corruption and transparency. In February 2023, the government revealed at least 20 million Eastern Caribbean dollars was missing from the country’s development bank, which had not been audited since 2018. A forensic report was commissioned but not released publicly by the end of 2023. The European Union raised concerns in October 2023 about security implications of citizenship-by-investment programs in Saint Kitts and four other Caribbean countries. There are no recent reports of significant civil unrest, protests or political violence affecting travelers or business operations. Rule of law is considered strong with courts and police generally viewed as effective.

Areas To Avoid

Most crime occurs in specific areas rather than tourist zones. Basseterre, the capital on Saint Kitts, has historically experienced higher crime rates. In 2011, Basseterre had the highest murder rate of any capital city globally at 131.6 per 100,000 inhabitants. This figure has improved significantly since then. Avoid isolated areas including beaches after dark. Exercise caution around certain beaches: Cayon Beach experiences strong winds and high waves, while North Friars Bay lacks lifeguards and infrastructure with dangerous underwater currents. Popular tourist areas like Frigate Bay and the Southeast Peninsula on Saint Kitts are generally safer with more amenities and police presence. Charlestown on Nevis tends to be more tranquil with a slower pace. Areas around the cruise port in Basseterre are walkable and filled with shops, restaurants and tour operators. Well-populated tourist areas including Basseterre, Charlestown and Sandy Point Town are considered safe, particularly during daylight with strong police presence. Avoid walking alone at night regardless of location. Be cautious in areas known for drug activity. Mount Liamuiga is a potentially active volcano that is likely to erupt in the future. The University of West Indies Seismic Research Centre monitors volcanic activity. Earthquakes are a risk as the country lies in a seismically active region. Saint Kitts and Nevis is vulnerable to hurricanes during the rainy season from June to November. The 2024 hurricane season saw no major impacts but tropical storm activity occurs regularly each year.