Weather Lowdown
Surrounded by Montserrat, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis is a small island nation in the Caribbean Sea. As its name implies, it is made up of the islands of St. Kitts (in the north) and Nevis (in the south). St. Kitts is a superb tropical destination, lined with beaches and characterised by that wonderfully laidback Caribbean atmosphere.
Consider visiting St. Kitts in May, one of the calmest months of the year, yet featuring delightful weather. May has an average temperature of 27°C, which is nothing less than amazing by all accounts. The afternoon temperature of 30°C invites visitors to spend their days lounging in a hammocks, swimming in the crystal-clear and 28°C-warm Caribbean Sea or sunbathing on the pristine sand beaches. With an average low, nighttime temperature of 23°C, this is also a great time and place to go for after-dinner beach walks or to relax on a local restaurant's terrace.
May, although falling within the dry season, experiences a peak in rainfall, receiving 120mm of precipitation in total during this month. This makes it the third wettest month of the year, together with November. There are 11 days with rainfall and the chance of a rain shower ranges around 20%. There is one main type of rainfall, light rain, which occurs on 62% of the days with precipitation. Other possible rainfall types are moderate rain and thunderstorms, respectively observed on 25% and 13% of those days. Even though this may be one of the wettest months of the year on the island, the total of 120mm is minimal compared with other tropical destinations around the world. Rain is really nothing to worry about in St. Kitts in May.
There is plenty of sunshine to be enjoyed hours per day on average, in fact. This is the number of daily sunshine hours that is seen during the majority of the months. Only March and June are sunnier, while October is a bit less sunny. There is an 80% chance of a sunny day throughout the month, which pretty much guarantees a lot of quality beach time during your May holiday.
Where to Stay
Visiting St. Kitts in May? Consider staying at the Seaview Inn, situated right next to the ferry dock in the heart of Basseterre, the capital city. It offers affordable accommodation to the budget-conscious traveller and features typical Caribbean charm. The inn lies within striking distance from Port Zanté and has its own restaurant.
Also a good accommodation option is Watercolours Villa, a beautiful villa overlooking popular Frigate Bay, the Caribbean Sea and the island of Nevis in the distance. The villa has two bedrooms, two and half baths, a living room with cable TV and DVD player, and a full kitchen. Guests can easily walk to the nearby golf course and restaurants.
Another villa in Frigate Bay, Villa Vista offers easy access to Basseterre, the golf course, a couple of the best beaches on St. Kitts and several great restaurants. While staying at this villa, guests can enjoy the amazing infinity swimming pool.
Hit the Beach
Half Moon Bay is a wonderful place to enjoy the 9 hours of sunshine in May. This long and narrow sand beach faces the Atlantic Ocean and doesn't have a coral reef to protect it from the waves. This makes it a great place for bodysurfing and regular surfing. The ocean can be a bit rough at times, though, so it is recommended that you don't venture out too far into the water when going for a swim. There are no facilities, but the beach's peacefulness is its main attraction.
Eating and Drinking Out
Lemongrass is a bar and grill focusing on Asian and Caribbean cuisine, the place where "the East meets the West Indies." Its eclectic menu includes delicious dishes such as chicken roti, spring rolls and hoisin ribs. It is located right in the heart of Basseterre, its long balcony offering great people-watching.
If you're after some excellent Italian food, you should definitely consider booking a table at La Cucina. Specialising in cuisine from northern Italy, this wonderful restaurant features a welcoming, rustic setting and a well-filled menu. Its wine list is rather extensive as well.
Another recommended place to go for dinner is Marshall's Restaurant. Opened daily from 6 pm to 10 pm, this excellent restaurant has a poolside and ocean view dining room and is a great spot for romantic dinners or family outings. While its menu includes a wide variety of dishes, guests are encouraged to try their seafood dishes.
Things to Do
St. Kitts, as a former colony in the West Indies, used to be home to many plantations. One of the major heritage sites on the island is the St. Kitts Sugar Factory and Compound. After suffering from a decline in sugar production between the late-1700s and the early-1900s due to increased sugar beet farming in Europe, St. Kitts' sugar industry was saved when this central sugar factory was opened in 1912. It was capable of processing of entire crop of sugarcane on the island in one place. Now, the factory is closed, but it remains a massively important historic site on the island.
With an average temperature of 27°C and 9 hours of sunshine per day, May is a magnificent month to be outdoors. If you're looking for some thrills, you simply must visit Sky Safari Tours. This adventure company offers zip line adventures in St. Kitts' rainforest. There are five zip lines, each line positioned in such a way that it offers different, yet equally spectacular, views.
