St. Kitts and Nevis Welcome International Travelers

As of July, the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis is inviting fully vaccinated travelers to its shores, and Dinogo will guide you through everything you need for a delightful stay on these sunny islands.

Essential Information for Visiting St. Kitts and Nevis

Currently, entry to St. Kitts and Nevis is permitted only for fully vaccinated travelers. According to the St. Kitts Tourism website, travelers are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of a two-dose series (Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca) or after receiving a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson). This rule does not apply to the islands' citizens or residents, and unvaccinated children under 18 traveling with fully vaccinated parents or guardians are exempt.

All travelers to St. Kitts and Nevis must present a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of arrival, along with a printed travel authorization form, vaccination record card, and cash for taxi fare, as only authorized taxis can transport them to their accommodations. Those traveling to Nevis will use a certified COVID-19 sea taxi for their transfer.

COVID-19 PCR tests should be conducted using a nasopharyngeal sample. Any self-administered samples, rapid tests, or home tests will not be accepted as valid.

As of October 12, all international travelers who are staying at a "Travel Approved" hotel in St. Kitts and Nevis must take a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival. This test will be carried out on-site by a Ministry of Health-approved medical professional and costs $150 for non-nationals and non-residents, while nationals and residents will pay $100.

Once visitors receive a negative test result, they are free to enjoy open tours, visit attractions, and travel throughout St. Kitts and Nevis. This rule also applies to unvaccinated children under 18 who are traveling with fully vaccinated parents.

All visitors are obligated to "Vacation in Place" at their approved hotel, where they can move freely within the property and use all available amenities until they receive confirmation of their negative test result.

Getting There

Flights to St. Kitts and Nevis (SKB) can be pricey, with only two airlines currently providing nonstop service from the U.S.: American Airlines and Delta.

American Airlines operates direct flights from New York (JFK) and offers twice-daily service from its Miami (MIA) hub from Wednesday to Sunday. Delta provides nonstop flights from Atlanta (ATL).

For a January round-trip ticket from New York in the main cabin, expect to pay $644 or 40,000 points (+$75.27). Business class costs $1,672 or 170,000 points (+$75.27) for a round trip.

In January, American Airlines offers basic economy seats for nonstop flights from Miami at $588 round trip or 34,500 points (+$69.67). The main cabin fare is $668 round trip or 34,500 points (+$69.67), while business class costs $1,201 round trip or 114,500 points (+$69.67).

Delta provides more affordable nonstop economy flights from Atlanta, priced at $473 or 34,000 points (+$70) for round trips. Main cabin seats are available for $553 or 42,000 points (+$70), Comfort+ seats for $771 round trip or 61,000 points (+$70), and first class for $1,607 round trip or 158,000 points (+$70) in January.

(Photo by Zach Griff/Dinogo)

Where to Stay

Visitors to St. Kitts and Nevis must choose from a list of seven government-approved hotels. Fortunately, this includes some top picks, such as the Park Hyatt St. Kitts, Four Seasons Nevis, and St. Kitts Marriott Beach Club, alongside Paradise Beach and Royal St. Kitts Hotel.

If you're considering a stay at the Four Seasons Nevis, traditional hotel points won't apply, but booking through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts—accessible with The Platinum Card® or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express—can provide added value and elite-like benefits.

Hilton's Koi Resort St. Kitts, part of the Curio Collection, was closed until October 15 but is now sold out for the remainder of 2021. For January 2022, prices range from $145 to $200 per night, or 42,000 to 60,000 points per night.

For those wanting to use points, the Park Hyatt St. Kitts is a great choice, classified as a Category 7 property in the World of Hyatt program. Rooms can be booked for 30,000 points per night, with cash rates starting at $754 for standard rooms in January.

Suite at the Park Hyatt St. Kitts. (Photo by Zach Griff/Dinogo)

Acquiring World of Hyatt points is straightforward if you don't already have some. The program partners with Chase Ultimate Rewards; you can transfer those points directly to Hyatt. Currently, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of opening your account.

For Marriott enthusiasts, the St. Kitts Marriott Beach Club is worth considering. This Category 6 property within the Marriott Bonvoy program is an excellent value for a beachfront resort. A free night costs 40,000 points during off-peak times, 50,000 points for standard nights, and 60,000 points during peak times. It’s an ideal option for those holding specific Marriott co-branded cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card.

Final Thoughts

St. Kitts and Nevis have effectively managed the COVID-19 pandemic, and the clear guidelines make it simple for international travelers to fully experience all that this destination has to offer.

The approved hotels for international visitors are among the finest on the islands, with numerous options for utilizing points and miles to reach them.

Featured image by Zach Griff/Dinogo.