rxtennis

We will only have 1 day off the cruise. I have read everyone's comments on the beaches and the snorkeling. I really want to see monkeys. the month is dec. How should I spend my time? can you horseback ride and see the rainforest and monkey's all in one. who is the best tour?

Sunnyboy

No one can guarantee that you'll see monkeys on a given tour, be it by taxi, horseback or on foot but they are prevelant so the odds are in your favor.

I don't think anyone offers horseback riding tours through the rainforest (the terrain is a bit rough for the horses). Greg's Safari's and a fellow named Royston are the two names I've heard most often when people recommend guides for rainforest tours but I sure there are several others who offer the same service. Plan on taking several hours to 1/2 day for the rain forest tour - longer if you want to hike to the top of the volcano. My recollection is that you cannot really drive through the rainforest, it's a hiking tour. There is a road that passes through the lower edge of the rainforest on the way to Romney Manor where Caribelle Batik has their shop and factory (a standard stop on most driving tours of the island). The gardens and grounds here are very beautiful so it's worth a stop.

There will be lot's of taxi drivers at the pier when you disembark. They are all usually very good at giving people tours of the island - just tell them what you want to do and see and they will take you there. Otherwise, I'm sure your cruise director can make recommendations.

You are most likely to see monkeys in the rainforest area and anywhere around the southern penninsula. Finally, if you have the time pay a visit to Brimstone Hill, it's one of the most impressive old forts in the Caribbean.

Codysmom

We were just in St.Kitts in July. Sunnyboy gave me and you some good tips that I can expand upon. We tried to book a guide with Greg's Safari using our Marriott tour office TDC. We ended up with a TDC guide "O'Neal" who was excellent and a local. The hike to the top of the volcano was fantastic, but tough and lasted from morning to about 3 or 4 p.m. by the time we got back to the hotel. There were other groups walking on the same trail ahead of us and they were startling the monkeys so we didn't see any. It was a fabulous hike, but tough. I think you can do a shorter hike.

We booked a rainforest trail ride with Trinity Stables (other choice is the beach). After the funny and informative O'Neal, the horse guides paled in comparison as they were mostly silent and offered no commentary. After emailing the owner, I thought we could choose our saddles since I wanted to make sure my non-riding sister got a big western saddle. Alas, the horses were pre-saddled with either english or old army style saddles. The horses were good, but again, no monkeys. The trail was through cane fields at first and then through rain forest on a dirt road to a shack where we stopped for a soda and then returned. I was glad we did the hike first, we really got a better sense of what a rain forest is like, history of the island, etc.

The only time we saw monkeys were when a large group of them were crossing the road on the drive up to the Brimstone Hill fortress. I had trouble getting a good picture though, as they seemed shy.

One local told us that in parts of the island where there is a lot of agriculture (tons of cane) that the farmers are allowed to shoot the monkeys since they are pests to the crop. So these monkeys are understandably shy. There is a drier section of the island where the monkeys are protected. There were always a lot of fodors posts about some restaurant near this area where monkeys came down from the forest and ate your french fries off the patio table. Maybe Timothy Beach Resort, I'm not sure.

There are some opportunities to see a pet monkey, take a picture, give a little money etc. We only saw them that one time, maybe you'll have better luck. Enjoy the trip, St.Kitts is great.

cw

Turtle Beach Bar at the far end of the Southeast Peninsula is probably the bar that Codysmom is referring to. They now have a large pig, but I have seen monkeys there every time that we've been. People feed them and take pictures of their children feeding them.

We have also seen them crossing the road on the way to Turtle Beach and on the drive up to Brimstone Hill. I have never hiked the volcano but have gone on rainforest walks and have never seen monkeys there.

rxtennis

thank you all for the helpful information. I have decided the best use of my time is to see the island by taxi and avoid the rainforest and horesbackriding excursions. About how long would it take to drive from the the cruise ship to brimstone hill and the south pennisula and back? thanks

Sunnyboy

Brimstone Hill is about a 20 to 25 minute drive north of Port Zante (where your cruise ship will dock) and the Southern Penninsula is about the same distance south from the Port. You probably don't want to just drive straight through to those two locations because you'll miss some interesting and historical sights. Also, plan on spending at least an hour at Brimstone Hill (more if you are a history buff or want to see "everything" - it's a hugh sprawling fortress). If you really want to get most of your day in St. Kitts consider hiring the taxi "for the day". It will cost you around $60US (only slightly more than having the taxi take you to just Brimstone Hill, the Southern Penninsula and back to your ship) and your guide will take you all over the island, stopping when and where you want for as long as you like. You'll visit all the major attractions, including stops for shopping, lunch and some beach and swimming time (if that's what you want) and you'll be back in plenty of time for your departure. As I said in my earlier post, just tell the driver what does and does not interest you and you'll get a tour that is tailored just for you.

cw

I second Sunnyboy's recommendation. Hire a cab for the day, the driver will make suggestions, and you can tailor the trip to your desires.

It is a very scenic island and after Brimstone Hill you may want to continue driving all the way around the island, or go back and go straight to the beach.

Any way you do it, you'll have fun and will enjoy the spectacular views, and seeing the remnants of the windmills in the sugar cane fields. Plus your driver will probably tell you plenty of stories about the history of the places you pass.

rxtennis

thanks again. what about Romney Manor and is it worth the time? Where is the best place to snorkel of the beach?

cw

Most of the drivers will stop at Romney Manor on the way to Brimstone Hill. It's worth seeing the grounds, and it's right off the main road, so it won't take long.

You can snorkle at Turtle Beach or at South Friar's Beach. Sometimes depending on the wind, the water at Turtle Beach isn't as clear for snorkeling. Go to Turtle Beach, see the monkey, if it's too rough stop at South Friar's on your way back to the ship.

The driver will know it, and there are beach bars there. Will you have your own mask?