Charlestown

Introduction

Charlestown is the capital of Nevis, one of the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Sights and Activities

Nevis botanical gardens

The Nevis botanical gardens cover about 3.2 hectares of land only and are only a few minutes' southeast of Charlestown. The gardens display a rare and stunning collection of tropical greenery, orchid and rose gardens, and a rainforest conservatory. All flora is marked with its common name, making it accessible to all. There are some fine giftshops and restaurants nearby as well. Visit the Nevis Botanical Gardens website for more information.

• Museum of Nevis History

Weather

Charlestown has a warm and humid tropical climate with temperatures usually around 30 °C during the day and around 23 °C at night. June to September is slightly warmer with temperatures above 30 °C at daytime and not dropping below 26 °C on average at night. Rainfall is spread throughout the year and possible in every month but July to November is the wetter time of year while February to May is somewhat drier.

Getting There

By Plane

Vance W. Amory International Airport (NEV), about 10 kilometres from Charlestown in the north of Nevis, has flights with Windward Islands Airways (Winair) to Saint Kitts and Sint Maarten, Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT) to Antigua and Barbuda, while American Eagle has flights to and from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

By Bus

On Nevis there are two bus routes who both travel around the ring road of the island. Both routes orginate and terminate in Charlestown.
Buses traveling north from Charlestown leave from the southwest end of D.R. Walwyn Plaza and buses traveling south from Charlestown leave from the northern end of Memorial Square.

By Boat

Six ferries operate between the islands of Saint Kitss and Nevis: the MV Caribe Queen, MV Carib Breeze and MV Carib Surf, the MV Mark Twain, the MV Geronimo and the MV Sea Hustler. The MV Mark Twain is currently inactive, but the other 5 vessels have a total of 15 sailings a day between both islands in either direction, between 6.30am (first sailing from Saint Kitts) to 7pm (last sailing from Saint Kitts). From Nevis, the first one leaves at 7am and the last at 6 pm. Crossings take about 45 minutes and provide an excellent way of travelling between the capital Basseterre on Saint Kitts and Charlestown on Nevis.

Getting Around

By Foot

Charlestown is small enough to navigate on foot.

Keep Connected

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls