Nevis Questions
 

Hello Fodorites!
My husband and I are traveling to Nevis for two weeks in October (lucky dogs!). On the advice of a couple of Fodorites, and a poster named Viceroy on myeyez.net, we have booked Yellow Bird villa, located just above Oalie Beach. Sunnyboy, if you read this, do you have a comment on this villa?

We would like to rent a car for two weeks. My AAA membership shows Hertz available for $228/week plux 5% tax. Not bad, except that is for a Daihatsu Charade, a tiny sedan - we would really prefer a Suzuki type jeep with removable cover. I called Hertz 800 number to see if they offer this vehicle, and they were NOT helpful (couldn't even find the location). Anyone know if Hertz has these vehicles? Also, are there any other fees besides the low 5% tax?

Is $228/week a good price on Nevis? How about for a 4WD vehicle?

Also, anyone have a favorite guidebook for Nevis? We'd like to explore the beaches and the hikes - is a guide a must, or can we wing it on our own with the hiking?

Thanks!

We stayed at the Oualie Beach Resort in June and really liked the beach there. The restaurant is fabulous and the people are just great and very friendly. We went to the beach at Nisbet Plantation and at the 4S. Also, wonderful beaches. I bought the Fodor's 05 Caribbean Guide, which has info. on all of the islands and it was very helpful. While in Nevis, we also ate at Banana's, which was superb. It might be closed in Oct., since they were relocating. We were not there long enough to rent a car, so Sunnyboy or MIM04 would be able to answer those questions. The locals did talk about some "dumb American" ( I guess I am one, too) who hiked by himself and got lost for 5 days! We hiked in St. Kitts, but not in Nevis and we did have a guide through the rainforest. So much information was gained by having O'Neill. What is so great about these islands is that you can go to any beach that you want to without feeling like a crasher! We had drinks at the 4S and visited Sunshine's. Hope you have a great trip. After corresponding with MIM04 after our return, I do think a villa is a great and affordable way to go!

I've not actually been inside Yellow Bird Villa but people I know who have stayed there report it is quite comfortable. The term "villa" can always be mis-leading as some people visualize a villa to be a large luxurous home appointed with fine furnishings and exquisite linens. In this case from what I know Yellow Bird Villa is more akin to a cute one bedroom cottage. It is nicely appointed and appears to be well maintained. From what I've seen driving by it is accurately described on the various rental villa web-sites where it is listed.

Hertz is the newest car rental agency on the island and therefore has the newest vehicles. I don't believe they have any Suzuki SUV's available. You can rent 4WD Suzuki's from Noel's (the local Avis affiliate)at 869-469-5600, TDC 869-469-5600, Parry's 869-469-5917 or Claude Nisbet 869-469-9837. In addition there are several other smaller companys where you can rent Suzuki's. In October the island is not very crowded so you should have no trouble finding a vehicle that suits your needs. It's been a while since I've actually rented a vehicle but I seem to recall all the car rental companies charge about the same (for the same vehicle) - figure about $35 to $40US per day and you'll generally get a "free day" if you rent for a week or more. You'll have to get a Temporary Driver's License ($30US). You can purchase the CDW and the added liability insurance if you wish. You should check your own policy before you leave to see whether or not your policy will cover you in the event of a loss and sometimes your credit card will also provide coverage for you if you use it to pay the bill. Keep in mind that you are in a foreign country and if you are in a serious accident causing bodily injury and/or significate damage to a local you may have to pay damages out of your own pocket befoe you leave the island and then collect from your own insurance company or credit card company later so weigh your decision to purchase the added insurance carefully.

For lots of information on Nevis visit www.nevis1.com. Chances are the villa owner will have a book which lists many of the things to do and places to see on Nevis. If, by chance they don't, then stop in at the Tourist Office in the Center of Charlestown (it's on Main Street just opposite the road leading to the main dock).

There are many places you can hike to without a guide but you are likely to miss out on a lot of the local culture if you don't use a guide. Check out Top to Bottom Tours, Jim & Nicole Johnson offer no lees than 12 or 12 different hikes through the rain forests, to ruins, caves, etc. They are excellent guides and their fees are very reasonable. Whatever you do don't try climbing Mt. Nevis or taking some of the more inland hikes without a guide and the routes can be dangerous to the uninitiated.

Have a great trip.

Thanks jw and Sunnyboy! Yes I've gotten lots of info from Nevis1.com - a great site!

No, I am certainly not expecting a lavish estate - I have rented villas lots of times and I realize I'm getting a cute cottage - which is just what we had in mind.

I will definitely check out the guided hikes.

I just called my car insurance company. Ha! They do not provide any coverage outside the US. I liked it better when I was ignorant of that fact! :) I will call my credit card company too.

Which leads to another question: we vacation often on Eleuthera in the Bahamas, another un-touristy destination. Credit cards are almost unheard of there...even the rental cars are paid in cash (or traveler's checks). Do you find Nevis to be similar? Are USDollars and credit cards widely accepted? I would like to use the CC for the rental car, and cash for other expenses. However we usually run low on cash at the end...do the non-resort restaurants generally accept CC's? (I realize there may be a transaction fee from the CC company)

Thanks much!

Credit Cards are accepted by all of the major car rental companies as, of course, are $US. You can use credit cards at most restaurants and shops around the island and just about eveyone will accept $US in payment for anything on the island. You may, however, get $EC back in change (especially if you are buying something in one of the small shops). Consider bringing a samall "credit card" size pocket calculator with you to convert curency ($1US = $2.688EC but you'll get exchange rates that vary between $2.60 and $2.70EC to $1US). Some of the tourist oriented shops will mark items with both $EC and $US prices but usually if you see only one price it is in $EC (FYI - Four Seasons Gift Shop prices are all in $US). For me, I always assume prices marked are in $EC and pay accordingly. If you don't have a calculator handy use this sinple formula - divide $EC price by 3 and add 10% - the result will be very close to $US equivelent.

There are ATMs at all the banks in Charlestown that dispense $EC currency.

As always, Sunnyboy has great advice!! I just received the credit card statement from our time in Nevis and St. Kitts. Groan!!!! Like you, Joan, we were afraid to use cash at the onset of our vacation, and charged a lot of stuff. I was amazed at the transaction fee that followed each charge, since we have never dealt with this before. Is it new? Are more people traveling to the Caribbean???? Anyway, we ended up taking too much cash and charging stuff, but came home with cash to spare and then some. Maybe we are backwards....grin...We saw most items in USD and had a few dinners in EC, which, as Sunnyboy pointed out, very easy to convert. Also, while the 4S is a great place to visit, their gift shop prices are really high!! Beautiful property, though. Happy trip, again. Karen

Karen - you have made a good choice of villa. I am sure you will enjoy it a lot. There is so much to do and see on Nevis. I know you will really enjoy it a lot! [email protected] is the website for Noel's auto if you want to email for prices.

IW - I know who you are talking about getting lost... that was so crazy! Yes. I really think villa is the way to go. I think it is nice to stay at a resort, but I like to have extra space that you do not get in a hotel room. :)

Thanks again, all!

Sunnyboy, I will take your advice and bring a calculator, but I do like your shortcut - but somehow I think I'll not be too good at it after a Killer Bee!((D))

I called my CC company: they will cover a car rental on Nevis! With of course a million rules to follow...
By the way, iw, they will charge a 1% transaction fee for any charges in EC$. Sounds better than the 3% I've been hearing, but still - I'm sure it's an unfavorable exchange rate as well. So we'll probably charge the vehicle, but use cash elsewhere...

Re: car rental. One of the websites mentioned that TDC will exchange your rental car while on St. Kitts - you just park one at the pier in Nevis, pick up the other on St. Kitts for the day. Since we plan to visit St. Kitts at least once during our trip, this sounds like a great idea! Have any of you done that?

Mim, I will email noelauto and see what the rates are, and if he offers the same exchange. Thanks very much.

One more Q! I am really intrigued by the rail trip available on St. Kitts - I'd like to do that, wondering if any of you have tried it. It actually sounds like an old railway, refurbished perhaps for the tourist/cruise trade (don't think we can book privately unless there's no cruise ships in port). Cheesey 3:-Oor worthwhile - or both :) ?

The website for the St. Kitts Scenic Railway is www.stkittsscenicrailway.com

You can contact them directly.

I haven't tried it and have heard mixed reviews.

We spent 7 days in Nevis is summer 2003. Rented a sedan from Noel's right from the airport upon arrivalm for $318, so $228 is reasonable for 2005. A car is a must for island exploring on Nevis. Visit the Golden Rock Estates and take the short nature trail to see the monkeys. We were required to purchase a "St. Christopher And Nevis Temporary Driver's Licence", a cost of $62.50 several years ago. Robert

An excellent web site on St. Kitts & Nevis is www.islandimage.com and www.myislands.myeyez.net

To answer Joan - TDC does allow you to "swap" a rental car for a day trip to St. Kitts. Many people do it and it works out great.

I've not done the St. Kitts train but the cars are new specially designed passenger cars that travel along the existing narrow gauge tracks that run through the sugar cane fields. I've heard mixed reports about the experience mainly that it is a relatively long trip and therefore takes up precious time if you are only on-island for the day and it's a bit on the pricey side.

Regarding Credit Cards - It is now pretty standard for US credit card companies to impose a currency transaction fee on all purchases made in foreign currencies throughout the world, not just in the Caribbean. Generally speaking the fee is 3% so Joan's fee of 1% sounds like a bargain. FYI - this is not really "new" but rather the fees which use to be "hidden" are now disclosed for each transaction. It's really a case of "what the traffic will bear" - somewhat akin to ATM fees - you know the stuff that makes for humorous banking commercials.

Be sure to post a Trip Report when you return on the various forums.

LIZ

Hmm...the Railway goes over 23 bridges! Now that is very tempting - I remember riding the Silverton Durango line in Colorado and I just loved it. However, it is not getting rave reviews, costs $89 pp, apparently during Oct it runs only if a cruise ship is in port. And if I already have a rental car, I guess it would be cheaper to drive ourselves around (especially compared to 2003 car rental prices, Robert - who'd have thunk it?). Heck, for $180 we could get quite a tour...we'll have to think some more.

Yes Liz I will def do a trip report! One to rival Viceroy's I hope :S-

Just got back from our honeymoon at Montpelier! I'll save all the details for a trip report soon, but just to address the car rental stuff (though others have already covered it quite well).

We had a 4x4 Suzuki Jimmy delivered to Montpelier by TDC (Thrifty) for 4 days--the final bill was $246. It was $45/day plus driver's license, tax, gas, and pick-up/drop-off. The ultra-sub-compact vehicles as you were quoted were about $30-35/day, FYI. I didn't specify what type of vehicle we wanted, Montpelier set that up. We were glad to have the 4x4 as there's no way we could've "explored" the island as we did. So, if you've got any inkling to go off the beaten path--get the 4x4.

Oh, and I did notice the Hertz office there, looked brand new.

If you have any other q's, feel free to email me: andyran26.2 at gmail dot com. Everything is still pretty fresh. :)

Good luck.

Joan:

Be sure to visit Miss June's when you're in St. Kitts. www.missjunes.com and a new restaurant called Coconut Grove.

Liz, two of our best Caribbean memories are: Tortola, dining at Mrs. Scatliffe's home - not quite as elegant as Miss June's sounds, but fabulous food served by a wonderful woman (and her pre-teen grandson made the rum punches!) who came out of the kitchen after the meal and sang to us from the Bible. My kids still talk about her.
And, there was a restaurant in Grenada located inside an ancient home, I can't remember the name, but legend has it that the same pot of Callaloo soup was on the same stove for decades, always added to, even fed the American soldiers during the Grenada invasion. The dining room was filled with stacks of antique books and photo albums and autograph albums. It felt like you were eating inside a history book.

Anyway, we are definitely looking forward to Miss June. Will reserve before we go!

Thanks to Joan for pointing me to this forum, I looking for some SKN "pro's" and residents to answer some specific questions about residing on Nevis. We are negotiating a purchase of an existing home but are having difficulty finding information about importing our own personal effects, household goods, our Jeep, etc. Bottom line, just what can be brought in duty free, at least the first time around? Is there a government source or bulletin that outlines the official rules?
Sunnyboy and anyothers...your assistance will be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Cheers, Richard.

Hello, basically rule of thumb is used household goods get in duty free. You can ship stuff one time and customs is there when you unpack your containter. New household items are subject to duty. You should call the Nevis Customs office, if you have not done so already. GL

Seems like I usually pay about the same amount too..........I liked The Ritz Carlton Rose Hall in Jamaica, The Ritz Carlton in St. Thomas and The Ritz Carlton in Cancun. All three were spectacular. I plan to go to Cap Juluca shortly. I did not like Little Dix Bay or Caneel Bay.

Another place that opens soon is The Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman.....

My wife loves the marble bathrooms and the spa's too...........

To Viceroy (Richard) - getting specifics on customs duty fees is a very daunting task. Sometimes I think the customs people charge "what the traffic will bare". Actually, it's a complicated system with different duty fees for different items so the first thing you should do is hire a local customs broker on the island to assist you. They will be able to give you specifics and you can contact the Minister of Finance for up to date information.

Generally speaking, people relocating to the island can apply to the Minister of Finance for what is known as "First arrival Privilages" which will allow you to bring in one shippment of "used" personal belongings duty free. You must apply for this privilage prior to shipping anything and there is no guarantee approval will be granted for any or all of the items you declare. Your application must contain a detailed and itemized list of all the items you are declaring. For instance you cannot declare "1 box of household goods" but rather it should say something like 15 towels, 1 set of service for 8 dishes, 3 table cloths, 16 water goblets. You get the idea. Try to include as much as you can in your "First Arrival" application as you are only allowed to do this once. Anything else you bring in susequent to that first shipment will be subject to duty. Do not, under any circumstances, mix in new items or try to claim new items as being used as you risk having duty charged on everything (if you try this an get caught the customs people will thoughly check every future shipment you bring on to the island. First Arrival Privilages are limited to personal belongings, clothing and general houshold goods. First Arrival Privilages do not apply to such things as appliances, power lawn equipment, electronics, air conditioners or any other "big ticket" item. You cannot bring in any type of motorized vehicle or boat, whether new or used, without paying substantial duty. You may find it easier and more economical to purchase a car "on-island" rather than bringing in a used vehicle.

Even though you won't be paying duty on First arrival" items you will still have to pay a customs inspection fee, wharfage fees, and delivery fees. Give yourself plenty of time between your application for First Arrival Privilages and your anticipated date of shipment. Approval (if it's granted) happens on island time and nothing move quickly when it comes to getting things done on Nevis.

FYI - anything you bring on to the island subsequent to "First Arrival" will be dutible based on the CIF value (cost, insurance & freight). Duty rates vary but on average are assessed at between 25% and 35% of CIF. With the added fees you can expect to pay a total of 40% on the value of the goods you import.

Lastly, you do understand that having a home on the island does not automatically give you residency status and you will be subject to the "stay" limitations as any tourist. To apply for residency you must invest at least $250,000 in a residence or business, submit financial statements showing you have the means to support yourself without working on the island, you have to submit health statement and law enforcement background checks and other personal information. The process take anywhere from 18 to 24 months and if residency is granted you will be assessed a one time fee of about $3,800. Having residency does not allow you to work on the island, for that you will need a work permt (another difficult and lengthly process).

Good luck attaining your dream.

Thanks Sunnyboy for posting all that info. I kind of new you would :) I just got a copy of all this info. myself and yes it is a lot of work and info. and time to spend to get it all right.

Richard - GL to you! Hope you get in touch with them ASAP so you can start going on this. BTW - I know someone who is moving to Nevis right now and was not planning on being there when the container is opened, not a good idea. You NEED to be there once that time comes... again, GL

Thank you, Sunnyboy...yep, I figured a 2 to 3 year time line to get all the proverbial ducks in a row! If you can wait that long, the bar will be open (on our patio/porch) and rum punch is on me. Cheers, Richard.

Maybe we should adopt these residencey requirments for the U.S......Hmmmmm? Robert

Yikes, those requirement$ are truly daunting. Sounds like Viceroy is up for the challenge, though. I'm almost (almost!) hoping I don't fall completely head over heels in love with Nevis the way Viceroy has...I don't think I'd have the stamina (or the finances!) that the others have.

I just re-read Sunnyboys post and I have to disagree with a couple of items. There are actually several categories of residency.

Permanent Residency: Property owners (land or house) can apply for permanent residency, which enables them to stay on the island indefinitely. It also permits them to work without a work permit, which is required of non-nationals working on the island. The application fee for permanent residency is $200 EC, followed by a one-time payment of $3,800 EC when approved. Approval usually takes 6 months to 1 year.

Citizenship Program: Property owners who have owned for 14 years and who are Commonwealth citizens can apply for citizenship based on their length of residency in the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis. The application requires a letter of verification of length of residency. The cost is $1,750 EC CARICOM (Caribbean nationals) and $3,800 EC for non-CARICOM nationals.

Economic Citizenship Program: Purchasers can qualify for citizenship in Nevis by virtue of investing $250,000 US in the Federation in certain areas that are located in an “approved investment project”. On Nevis, these include Cliffdwellers, Fern Hill Estates, Villas at Nelson Spring, Four Seasons Resort Estates, Jones Estate, Hermitage villas, and Mount Nevis Hotel condominiums.

Hope this helps!

MIM is definitely more accurate in her description of the 3 different type of residency. I wasn't trying to be completely definitive in my reply (it's difficult to cover every aspect of the Nevis immigration laws in a single short post) but rather only pointng out that purchasing a home on Nevis doesn't automatically give you residency status (excepting if you purchase in the few "approved areas"). Nonetheless, anyone contemplating purchasing a home on Nevis or any other Caribbean Island for that matter should hire a local attorney to assist them through the process. There's a lot of red tape but it can be accomplished by those willing to make the effort - and yes it cost some money, there's no way around that. You just have to recognize that moving to an island is no different that trying to immigrate to any foreign country. There are rules and regulations that must be followed - you just can't show up on the island one day and expect to move there.

It's pretty difficult to seek extended stays in the Bahamas as well. Most still want to retain their American citizenship, to go back and forth. So, you can own a home in most Caribbean nations, without tons of immigration formalities; however, you still carry a visa and are considered by the authorities as a visitor to the island. In the Bahamas, home owners usually have to leave after 60-90 days (at last count several years ago). Home owners in the Bahamas simply turn around upon touching down in the U.S., and return the next day. You can visit friends for a week, then return to the Bahamas. There are no restrictions for leaving your pets in the Bahamas while you return to the U.S. Some U.S. citizens who own homes in the Bahamas can apply for a "Annual Residency", which runs close to $2,000/year, to avoid having to travel back to the US after the 60-90 day time restriction. Some apply for a "Permanent Residency", which is over $10,000. But, you need to document a minimum investment of a half million dollars in a home there, and also show that you have the financial resources to support yourself, because getting a job in the Bahamas is very difficult and the authorities want all jobs to go to Bahamians, first. This last process takes a few years of before approval, if you qualify. All three of these options in now way endangers your U.S. citizenship. Robert

Again, thanks to both MIM04 and Sunnyboy for adding to my (ever growing) file of knowledge. While daunting, I'm sort-of appreciative of the restrictions. We have economic immigration policies in Canada, too!
Cheers, Richard.

Hello To all.
I just moved to Nevis last year.
Purchased a property and opened a business.
It is not easy but with a good lawer it makes things get done in due time.
I still am not considered a resident even though I invested a large sum of money.
I am told that I need to be here longer to prove that I really want to live on Nevis.
I agree with the policies and think it keeps the unwanted away.
I live here with a work permit to run my own business. The work permit would never be denied as long as I use it for my own place. I had to show them that the business I opened is a business that a local could not do.Example :If you want to work in or own a BBQ restaurant they will not allow it....
If you need help come see me when you get to Nevis, I will be glad to direct you in the right path.
ask for Gary at Coconut Grove Restaurant.

Gary is right that a good lawyer helps, but you have to apply for permanent residency after you acquire property. You can also apply for citizenship based on spending $250,000 on property in certain designated areas, or after 14 years on the island. There are also certain qualifiers for people depending on what country they come from. It's best to always check with a lawyer or the office of National Security on St. Kitts to get the rules.

It is really not as complicated as it may seem as a good real estate agent and a good lawyer will walk you through the process.

To Garysxm,

Do you have a website for your restaurant ? I thought I saw it on nevis1.com, but can't find it now.

I'm spending the month of February in Nevis. Maybe you'd be interested in stocking my refrigerator/freezer :-) ?

Marion

We eaten in Gary's restaurant (Coconut Grove) several times and the food is very good. As he readily admitted in an earlier post they had some "theething pains" when they first opened a few months ago which was to be expected with any new restaurant but things seem to be going very well during our most recent. The restaurant is very attractive, the food is excellent, service was attentive without being overbearing and the presentation of the different courses is top notch. The restaurant has a comfortable bar area and a superb wine list. We wish him well.

I remember reading some less stellar posts about Coconut Grove in the past, but Rome wasn't built in a day. Gary, wish you only the best with your endeavor!! If I ever get to Nevis, I will stop by. It's on my short list, but definitely not this year.

To peruse the menu at Coconut Grove visit www.islandimage.com and Click on Travel Forum.

Scroll down to "Travel News You Can Use".

Feel free to become a member...

OK! I love the way this thread is going. I just have a few more visitor questions:

- Has anyone booked a rental vehicle via email before going? I have been unable to get a response from noel auto, and I would prefer to get a written quote vs a phone call. But hey I'm easy! Should I just bite the bullet and make some phone calls to Nevis? I checked Hertz online, actually got a great rate, but they don't have the vehicle I want: a soft top Suzuki 4X4.

- Should we bring snorkel gear? We are avid snorkelers, and no I don't expect the coral gardens I've seen elsewhere, but is there snorkeling off the beach? We love driving around, packing a lunch and snorkeling off the beach as the mood strikes. If the only snorkeling available is by boat, then we'll leave the gear home and take an excursion instead.

Thanks so much!

Noel's Car rental is very reputable and we've booked rentals for our houseguests many times via e-mail but they can be a little slow in responding. Call them (ask for Mauva -I think I've spelled her name right)for a quicker response (869-469-7926 - the call is not very expensive from the US).

As for off-beach snorkeling is concerned, as I've said in many previous posts, it is not all that good on Nevis. Quite honestly it is not worth taking up valuable luggage space with your snorkel equipment (if the mood strikes, you can probably rent gear at Oualie Beach Watersports). The best snorkeling in the area is at Shitten Bay off the South Penninsula of St. Kitts and is accessible only by boat (there are several day trip operators who can take you there and they have equipment available).

To Sunnyboy and MIM - thank you so much for the valuable information regarding used household goods that can be brought into St. Kitts. We recently purchased a place on St. Kitts and will hopefully be able to retire there for the winter months in a few years time. This is exactly the kind of things we need to know. I'm printing it out and keeping it for when I need it. Richard (aka Viceroy) - you make the rum punches for when we visit Nevis and I'll reciprocate for when you come to St. Kitts!!

Hey Nancy, don't forget me! As the starter of this thread, and a soon-to-be occasional visitor, I'll bring the ice and the shrimp cocktail!((D))

Sunnyboy: Are you Shitten me? :-D
Sorry, I tried to resist. I really did.
OK I will not bring snorkel gear, that's what I figured.
And thanks for the phone number for noel's auto - I will use it and get everything all set. I hope he does the free St. Kitts exchange like some of the other car companies.

Can't wait to try Coconut Grove - Gary will you be open for lunch also?