Vacations in the The Capital of Basseterre

As the capital city of St. Kitts and Nevis, Basseterre is a historic city with strong French influences. The city formally came into existence in 1627 as a French colony, and the city served as a hub for French governance throughout the West Indies. Over the centuries, the city has endured colonial conflict and natural disasters, yet retains a large number of original buildings from its colonial era. The historic nature of the city, along with its natural wonders, makes it an ideal vacation destination.

Located on the Basseterre Bay on St. Kitts, the city features lush mountains, such as the Olivee Mountains, as well as impressive vistas and natural life. The city’s name means “low lands” in French, and reflects the valley in which much of the city’s buildings are situated. Visitors to the city will find the city retains its historic layout, with major, narrow streets connecting the town centers of Circus and Independence Squares. At the center of the city are historic cathedrals and government buildings. Although limited in size, Basseterre has hosted Cricket Cup events, as well as several major ports and medical schools ranging from Windsor University to the Ross School of Veterinary Medicine.

Transportation in Basseterre

International visitors can fly into the city from the Robert Bradshaw International Airport, which features direct flights from major US and European cities, including Miami, Florida and London, England. During peak vacation seasons, a number of regional airports also fly directly into the city. For visitors who have arrived in the city, there are a number of bus routes and taxi cabs to help navigate the city, along with a Railway train which crosses the city.

City Landmarks

The main center of the city are Independence Square. As the commercial center of the city, Independence is home to a number of historic buildings, local merchants as well as tours of the city’s history. The city also has a rich religious, Anglican tradition as embodied in St. George’s Church, which dates back to 1710, and has been re-built several times to restore its structure, and serves as a prominent church in modern St. Kitts. The Warner Park Sporting Complex serves as the athletic center of the city, hosting tennis, volleyball and cricket matches, including the 2007 Cricket World Cup.