The island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis is just 100 kilometers or about 60 miles away from Sint Maarten. Unfortunately, this distance is just a tad too far to visit this unique island federation on a day trip. The national carrier of Sint Maarten, Winair, services the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport with a twice-daily connection from Princess Juliana International Airport in SXM.
The adventurous traveler might enjoy the open-ocean ferry ride with MV Makana, which lasts between three and five hours, depending on the schedule, and stops on the islands of Saba and Statia. As a bonus for enjoying the frequently rough seas, the ticket price with Makana is about half an airline ticket.
St. Kitts and Nevis gained independence from the United Kingdom only in 1983. English is the official language, cars drive on the left, and the currency is the East Caribbean Dollar (USD 1 = EC 2.7).
St. Kitts is roughly double the size of Sint Maarten-Saint Martin, with a population of not more than 40,000 residents. That leaves a lot of room for tropical nature, with the most prominent feature being Mount Liamuiga, the tallest mountain in the Eastern Caribbean, raising 1156 meters or 3792 feet from the sea to the sky.
For an economical and very comfortable stay in the country's capital of Basseterre, book a room at the Colosseum Guest House. If grand luxury is part of your lifestyle, the glamorous St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino should be your first choice.
Nevis is separated from its sister island by a 3-kilometer or 2-mile channel. Fast ferries connect the islands within seven minutes. This island is roughly the same size as St. Maarten/St-Martin, but is home to only about 12,000 residents. Again, natural beauty prevails, with Nevis Peak (985 meters or 3232 feet dominating the landscape.