Solo in Paradise: A Woman's Guide to Safely Exploring Charlestown and Nevis

My journey to Charlestown began with a flight into Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport on St. Kitts, followed by a scenic 45-minute ferry ride to Nevis. I'd recommend booking your ferry tickets in advance during high season (December through April), though I had no trouble securing a spot in early February.

As the ferry approached Charlestown's harbor, I was struck by the pastel-colored buildings lining the waterfront, with the dramatic backdrop of Nevis Peak rising behind them. The arrival experience is refreshingly low-key—no aggressive touts or overwhelming crowds, just a gentle introduction to island life.

For capturing those first magical moments of arrival, I relied on my trusty travel camera, which is perfect for solo travelers who want professional-quality photos without lugging heavy equipment. Its pocket size makes it discreet for street photography around Charlestown, while the zoom capability lets you capture both architectural details and sweeping landscapes.

From the ferry terminal, I arranged a taxi through my accommodation rather than trying to navigate public transportation with luggage. This cost about $15 USD to reach my guesthouse on the outskirts of Charlestown, and my driver Joseph provided an impromptu island orientation that proved invaluable for the week ahead.

After years of solo travels, I've developed a formula for selecting accommodations that balance safety, comfort, and authentic local experiences. In Charlestown, I opted for a small, family-run guesthouse called Hermitage Plantation Inn, about a 10-minute drive from town. This historic property offers individual cottages scattered across a mango-tree-dotted property, providing both privacy and community.

What makes this arrangement ideal for solo female travelers is the perfect balance of independence and support. The owners and staff quickly learned my name, checked in about my daily plans, and created a sense of accountability that's reassuring when traveling alone. Fellow guests—a mix of couples and other solo travelers—often gathered for the complimentary rum punch at sunset, creating natural opportunities for conversation and even impromptu dinner groups.

If you prefer staying directly in Charlestown, the Alexander Hamilton House offers historic charm with modern security features. For those seeking luxury, the Four Seasons Resort on the island's western coast provides unparalleled amenities and shuttle service to town, though at a premium price point.

Regardless of where you stay, I recommend accommodations with 24-hour reception or on-site management, secure room locks, and good lighting along pathways. I always travel with a portable door lock for extra peace of mind, which takes up minimal space in my luggage but adds an extra layer of security to any room.

Charlestown itself is wonderfully compact and walkable, with a grid layout that makes it nearly impossible to get truly lost. I spent my first full day simply wandering the streets, camera in hand, admiring the well-preserved Georgian architecture that reflects the island's colonial history.

The town center revolves around the Main Street and the Memorial Square, where you'll find the Museum of Nevis History housed in a stone building where Alexander Hamilton was born. For $5 USD, it's well worth visiting to understand the island's complex history and Hamilton's early life before he became a founding father of the United States.

As a solo female traveler, I found Charlestown exceptionally safe during daylight hours. The pace is unhurried, locals are genuinely friendly without being intrusive, and there's a refreshing absence of the persistent vendors that can make some Caribbean destinations uncomfortable for women traveling alone.

For getting around beyond walking distance, I alternated between taxis and the local bus system. Taxis are unmetered, so negotiate your fare before setting off. The island's bus system consists of passenger vans with route numbers displayed in the windshield—they're frequent, affordable (about $1-2 USD per ride), and a wonderful way to interact with locals.

For exploring the island more independently, I rented a bike from my guesthouse for two days. The anti-theft backpack I brought proved perfect for these cycling adventures—its slash-proof construction and locking zippers kept my valuables secure while the comfortable design made it ideal for day trips with my water bottle, camera, and essentials.

While Charlestown offers plenty to explore, Nevis's true magic lies in venturing beyond the town limits. The island's 36-square-mile size makes it perfectly manageable for day trips, with a surprising diversity of landscapes from golden beaches to rainforest hikes.

My favorite day began with an early morning taxi to the Golden Rock Inn, where I started the Nevis Peak trail. Though challenging in parts, the first portion of this hike is manageable for most fitness levels and offers spectacular views. I arranged for my driver to return four hours later, giving me ample time to explore at my own pace. For this adventure, my hiking sandals were perfect—secure enough for uneven terrain yet breathable in the tropical heat.

For beach days, Pinney's Beach is the postcard-perfect stretch of sand that's easily accessible from Charlestown. I felt completely comfortable here as a solo traveler, with enough visitors to create a safe atmosphere but never feeling crowded. The beach bars like Sunshine's (home of the famous 'Killer Bee' rum punch) provide natural gathering spots where I struck up conversations with both locals and fellow travelers.

One of my most memorable experiences was joining a market cooking class arranged through my guesthouse. We began with a guided tour of the local market in Charlestown, selecting fresh ingredients while learning about traditional Nevisian cuisine. The subsequent cooking lesson at a local home provided not just culinary skills but invaluable cultural insights and connections.

For history enthusiasts, the island's sugar plantation ruins tell the complex story of the Caribbean's colonial past. I particularly recommend visiting the New River and Coconut Walk estates, where you can explore the atmospheric ruins without the crowds that often pack similar sites on larger islands.

Navigating evenings as a solo female traveler requires a different approach than daytime explorations, and Nevis offers a wonderfully balanced experience in this regard. While the island isn't known for wild nightlife (a plus in my book for safety), there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy evenings without feeling isolated.

Dinner at plantation inns has become something of an island tradition, with properties like Montpelier Plantation and Golden Rock Inn opening their exceptional restaurants to non-guests. These settings provide natural social environments where I often found myself invited to join tables of interesting fellow travelers or engaging with staff who remembered me from previous visits.

In Charlestown itself, I felt comfortable walking the main streets in early evening, though I switched to taxis after dark. Many restaurants close surprisingly early (around 9pm), so adjust your dining schedule accordingly. For evening transportation, I established a relationship with a reliable taxi driver on my first day and saved his number in my phone—well worth the peace of mind for evening returns to my accommodation.

One evening safety tip that served me well: I always carried a compact flashlight as street lighting can be minimal outside the town center. This small investment proved invaluable for navigating dimly lit pathways and making myself visible to drivers when walking roadside at dusk.

For a uniquely Nevisian evening experience, time your visit to coincide with the Thursday night seafood barbecue at Oualie Beach. The combination of fresh grilled lobster, steel pan music, and tables set directly on the sand created one of my most memorable Caribbean evenings—and the family-friendly atmosphere meant I felt completely comfortable attending solo.

One aspect of solo travel that's particularly important to me is moving beyond surface-level tourism to create meaningful connections with local culture. In Nevis, this proved remarkably accessible due to the island's small size and the genuine warmth of its residents.

Nevis maintains a strong sense of cultural identity, with traditions that blend West African heritage, colonial influences, and distinctly Nevisian innovations. During my week, I was fortunate to catch a performance of masquerade dancers practicing in a schoolyard—a vibrant tradition with roots in both African ceremonies and European colonial festivities.

As in many Caribbean nations, religious life forms a cornerstone of community, and I found attending a Sunday service at St. Thomas' Anglican Church in Charlestown provided not just spiritual reflection but cultural insight. Visitors are warmly welcomed, though respectful dress is expected (I packed a lightweight travel dress that was perfect for both church and nicer dinners while taking minimal suitcase space).

For deeper historical understanding, the Nevis Heritage Trail connects significant sites across the island. Rather than rushing through all locations, I chose two sites daily, allowing time to truly absorb their significance. The Nevisian heritage site guides I encountered were passionate about sharing their island's complex history, from indigenous Arawak and Carib settlements through plantation economics to post-colonial identity.

Perhaps my most cherished memory came from an impromptu invitation to join a family's Sunday afternoon gathering at Pinney's Beach. What began as a simple conversation while photographing their picnic setup (with permission) evolved into sharing their homemade provisions and stories that spanned generations of island life. These unplanned connections often become the heart of solo travel experiences, reminding us that authentic cultural exchange happens when we approach new places with open hearts and genuine curiosity.