For meals, transport, tips - whats the safe amount to carry in Saint Kitts & Nevis ? Trying to plan a daily budget for a month long trip
Saint Kitts & Nevis isn’t really a budget destination. Casual meals at beach shacks cost $8-12, while sit-down dinners in restaurants are $20-30. Public buses are cheap at $1-2, but taxis are expensive, $10-15 per ride. Tips follow Caribbean norms, 10-15%. On a budget, you could manage $50 daily by eating local and taking buses, but most travellers spend more. Drinks and beach bars add up fast, with cocktails $7-10. For a month, expect higher costs compared to other Caribbean islands.
My first month here I lived on about XCD 230/day (~USD 85). Stayed in homestays, ate fish and rice plates (~XCD 50), and used public buses and vans (~XCD 8-12). I tipped bartenders and cooks XCD 2-5, and splurged once on a catamaran cruise (~XCD 180). Cash flows are smooth and the islands feel budget-friendly with XCD 200-250/day-enough to eat good food, move around, and have fun.
Stayed two months around Frigate Bay and average was XCD 275/day (~USD 100). That covered modest Airbnb (~XCD 160), groceries and cooking (XCD 50), co-working café coffees (XCD 10 each), and transport including taxis (XCD 20/day). You don’t have metros, but ferry to Nevis was XCD 60 return. Tips for boat trips and local guides were around XCD 10. For longer stays, XCD 250-300/day gives you flexibility without luxury perks.
I budgeted XCD 300/day (~USD 110) during a 3-week trip-felt solid. That included private rooms (XCD 150), decent meals at seaside cafes (XCD 60-80), taxis (XCD 30-50 daily), and occasional excursions like snorkeling (~XCD 120). Tips were low-key (XCD 3-7). For a balance of comfort and exploration, XCD 250-350/day is a good rule.