Saint Kitts and Nevis is a small country in the eastern Caribbean Sea, consisting of two islands of the same name. Until 1983, these remote lands were an unremarkable British colony, whose inhabitants mainly earned their living from growing and processing sugar cane.
Today, Saint Kitts and Nevis is actively developing tourism: building modern resort complexes, improving transport infrastructure and laying new excursion routes. Every year, these islands are visited by hundreds of thousands of foreign tourists. In 2024 – 875,085 people visited this Caribbean jurisdiction.
Even the most seasoned travellers will be enchanted by the natural beauty and rich cultural traditions of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Here they will find historic churches and colonial-era mansions, picturesque landscapes with farm fields, tropical forests and volcanic peaks, go sailing, take part in underwater fishing or simply immerse themselves in the serene atmosphere of a seaside resort for a few days.
Foreign entrepreneurs value St. Kitts and Nevis as a reliable tax haven for registering offshore companies, where international businesses do not have to pay taxes on foreign income, and information about beneficiaries is not publicly available.
Saint Kitts and Nevis has the oldest passport programme currently in operation, under which wealthy foreigners can obtain second citizenship for a significant contribution to the island’s economy. The Saint Kitts and Nevis investment programme is chosen to gain freedom of movement around the world, as well as a comfortable refuge for the whole family in case of economic or political turmoil at home.
Regardless of the purpose of your trip to Saint Kitts and Nevis, whether you are a tourist, investor or expat, you will be concerned about the same thing: how safe is it to be in this country? What precautions should you take? Is it worth taking your family with you? Experts from Imperial & Legal answer these and many other questions in our article.
Saint Kitts and Nevis is one of the safest countries in the Caribbean. Thanks to progressive laws and the coordinated work of the local police, the islands have created a safe environment for all foreign visitors, whether they are solo travellers, newlyweds or large families with young children.
Unlike the fast-paced inhabitants of large cities, the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis lead a more relaxed lifestyle and have not lost their ability to enjoy the simple things in life. Local residents are hospitable and generally friendly towards tourists and expats.
Unfortunately, Saint Kitts and Nevis is vulnerable to tropical hurricanes, which occur during the rainy season from June to November. If you are planning a trip during this period or are considering moving to one of the islands, keep an eye on the weather conditions and develop an emergency plan in advance.
As already highlighted, Saint Kitts and Nevis is one of the safest jurisdictions in the Caribbean. According to the Numbeo Crime Index, Saint Kitts and Nevis has a relatively low crime rate. Its safety index in 2025 was 59.98, and its crime index was only 40.02.
Rank
Crime index
1
35
2
40
3
44
4
53
5
60
6
61
7
67
8
81
Foreign citizens are not a favourite target for criminals in Saint Kitts and Nevis, but so-called “situational crimes” such as petty theft, car theft and fraud are common. The police frequently detain individuals suspected of illegal possession of weapons. Violent crimes such as armed robbery, murder, shootings and sexual assault are much less common in the country. Crimes related to drug trafficking are extremely rare in this tropical resort.
The Royal St. Kitts and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) is responsible for maintaining law and order on the islands. The island police’s duties include crime prevention and investigation, traffic control and maintaining public safety.
Since James Sutton took office as the new RSCNPF commissioner, there has been a decrease in the overall crime rate and an increase in the murder clearance rate.
The US State Department considers this island nation safe to visit and therefore recommends that its citizens take the usual precautions, which boil down to purchasing travel insurance and following a few simple guidelines. The basic precautions in Saint Kitts and Nevis are like those in any American or European city:
Following these simple rules will make your trip to Saint Kitts and Nevis comfortable and safe.
Public transport is poorly developed on both Saint Kitts and Nevis, so most foreigners visiting these islands use taxis or hire cars.
General recommendations for using taxis remain the same: only use licensed carriers! They can be distinguished from unlicensed and uninsured private taxi drivers by their yellow number plates with the letters “T” and “TA”. The cost of the trip is determined by a pre-set fare. Agree on the price with the driver before they take you.
A better, albeit more expensive, option is to rent a car, which will save you a lot of time and allow you to see more of this hospitable country’s sights. What recommendations are relevant for tourists who rent a car?
Foreigners are advised to familiarise themselves with local traffic rules, road signs and the habits of local drivers in advance to minimise the risk of accidents and interaction with the island police.
When driving in the Caribbean, you may encounter wildlife, narrow and poorly maintained roads outside of town, poor road lighting and illegible road markings. Some local drivers forget to use their turn signals, and pedestrians may walk in the street after dark.
To keep yourself safe, keep your car doors locked at all times.
There is a regular ferry service between the town of Basseterre on St. Kitts and the town of Charlestown on Nevis. Thanks to the ferry service, travelling between the two islands is now much easier and takes no more than 45 minutes.
Medical and health safety on the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Even if your trip to the islands is not going to take long, it is better to think about your health in advance and purchase travel insurance. Expats purchase more expensive insurance products that cover the cost of treatment at one of the two local hospitals or emergency hospitalisation in another country.
To visit Saint Kitts and Nevis safely, make sure you have been vaccinated against the following diseases:
If you have a weak stomach, try not to drink tap water in Saint Kitts and Nevis. Although the water is chlorinated and generally safe, it is best to boil it before drinking or use bottled water from grocery stores to quench your thirst.
This wonderful country enjoys summer all year round. The temperature rarely drops below 24°C, and during the dry season, which lasts from December to May, the average temperature can exceed 30°C.
The rainy season in the eastern Caribbean begins in May and lasts until the end of November. This is a time of cloudy weather, prolonged rains, thunderstorms and tropical storms. Islanders know that the rains are sometimes accompanied by destructive tropical hurricanes. In 2017, Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 hurricane, swept through Saint Kitts and Nevis, causing significant damage to local property.
If you like to holiday in the low season, when there are no huge crowds of tourists and high prices, keep an eye on weather changes in Saint Kitts and Nevis, don’t miss emergency alerts, and stay in your hotel during natural disasters.
Not all beaches in Saint Kitts and Nevis are safe and suitable for swimming. Moreover, the lack of beach infrastructure and lifeguards, combined with dangerous underwater currents, can lead to tragedy, especially if a novice swimmer or child is in the water. For example, dangerous beaches include Cayon Beach (due to strong winds and high waves) and North Friars Bay (no lifeguards or infrastructure, strong underwater currents).
Find out in advance which beaches are safe for swimming and patrolled by lifeguards. Pay attention to warning signs on the beach and weather conditions before entering the water. Do not swim alone or swim far out if you are not confident in your abilities.
Our story would not be complete without mentioning sharks. Various species of sharks inhabit the waters of the Caribbean Sea, including hammerhead sharks, reef sharks, tiger sharks and bull sharks. Fortunately for the many visitors to St. Kitts and Nevis, these creatures usually avoid crowded beaches, so the chances of a tourist even seeing a shark in shallow water are relatively low.
However, as shark attacks in the Caribbean islands are extremely rare but have been recorded, here are a few simple recommendations to keep you safe while swimming:
The citizenship by investment programme has been in place in Saint Kitts and Nevis since 1984. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this oldest of the currently operating passport programmes is a benchmark for other jurisdictions planning to attract foreign investment for their economic development.
There are currently three options for investing in citizenship in this island nation:
Real estate purchased by the investor after 7 years of ownership can be sold without losing citizenship.
The government of Saint Kitts and Nevis guarantees complete confidentiality to participants in the passport programme. If you choose the third investment option – purchasing real estate on one of the islands – your funds will be invested only in existing houses, apartments or development projects approved by the government of this Caribbean jurisdiction.
Your interaction with the CIU (Citizenship by Investment Unit) will be carried out exclusively through an official programme agent – a lawyer approved by the authorities and residing directly on one of the two islands. Our representative in Saint Kitts and Nevis will be able to assess all the properties on offer on site to find the most advantageous option.
To ensure a high level of security for participation in the passport programme, the immigration authorities of Saint Kitts and Nevis impose strict requirements on investors and conduct background checks on each adult applicant.
The main applicant and their dependents over the age of 16 must also undergo an interview, which can be conducted either remotely via video link, in St. Kitts, or in any third country where a CIU representative is available.
Therefore, the process of obtaining citizenship of Saint Kitts and Nevis through investment must be accompanied by competent legal support. Imperial & Legal immigration lawyers will help you choose the optimal investment option tailored to your requirements and circumstances, and will advise you on how to successfully pass the due diligence and interview.With our lawyers, you will become the holder of a Caribbean passport within the time frame established by law. And if you plan to move to Saint Kitts with your family, we will help you organise a comfortable relocation.
The authorities of the United States, the United Kingdom and most European countries recommend that their citizens refrain from walking at night on the island of Saint Kitts.
You can walk around the secure grounds of your hotel. If you are tempted by nightlife in the capital of Saint Kitts and Nevis, choose only safe establishments with an impeccable reputation. And under no circumstances should you walk there – use a taxi service.
Camouflage clothing can be perceived as military or police uniform, so non-residents and foreign visitors are prohibited from wearing camouflage on the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis and in a dozen other Caribbean jurisdictions.
The key requirements for the main applicant are:
The key advantages of the Saint Kitts and Nevis investment programme are:
Public transport on the island consists of several bus routes. The advantage of this mode of transport is its low cost. Tourists on a budget sometimes use it to avoid spending money on taxis and to reach various attractions in St. Kitts at a reasonable price.
However, this mode of transport is not without its drawbacks. Most of these services are provided by minibuses, which can sometimes be very crowded and stuffy. Stops and route frequency are often unregulated and a mystery to outsiders. Finally, the safety of minibus driving leaves much to be desired. If you can afford it, it is better to call a licensed taxi or travel around the island in a rented car.
We will work with you to find a customised solution for your immigration, second citizenship, business, tax and other needs.
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