Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis

Capital City

With a population of just 12,920, Basseterre is a small Caribbean city that can't escape its colonial past. While the historic center retains some charm, the bureaucracy is a persistent headache and the climate is semi-arid, bringing moderate but erratic rainfall rather than the lush tropics many imagine. Basseterre's main role is as a commercial and financial hub for the Eastern Caribbean, home to the regional central bank and stock exchange. For those seeking an authentic, if occasionally frustrating, Caribbean experience, Basseterre may be worth a look, but it's hardly an island paradise.