Many public telephones take coins; those that don't take phonecards , available in EC$10, EC$20 and EC$50 denominations from the post office, Cable and Wireless outlets, and convenience stores.

The country code for St Kitts and Nevis is 869.

The regional prefix for both islands is 869. For directory assistance when you're there, dial 411.

The postal service has offices in Basseterre and Charlestown (Mon-Wed & Fri 8am-3pm, Thurs & Sat 8am-12noon). Sending a postcard costs EC$0.80 to the US, EC$1 to the UK and Europe, and EC$1.20 to Australia; add 10-40¢ for letters.

The internet is only starting to catch on here and checking email is expensive. St Kitts' only internet café, Leyton's , is on Basseterre's Fort Street. Nevis' sole web source, Connextions , is on Main Street in Charlestown, south of the pier.

In case of emergency, dial 911