Most websites that talk about "travelers rights" are referring to what you can do if you get bumped by your airline or your flight gets cancelled, or your hotel is overbooked.  There are several organizations that are lobbying for rights, and that have put forth suggested regulations and guidelines, but guess what?  You don't really have any "rights" other than the right to a refund if you don't get what you paid for.   While there are plenty of people talking about "travelers rights", there are currently no laws compelling anyone to do anything for you.  Stuck unexpectedly in some connecting city overnight?  The airlines may give you a hotel or meal voucher, but they don't have to.    Hotel doesn't have the room you booked?  You can take what they offer or go somewhere else.  Be sure to read our Top 10 Travel Tips page and avoid most of the problems that get people griping about their "rights".  

All that being said, if you really do want to know about what recourse you might have if you do get bumped, delayed, cancelled, or otherwise treated unfairly by the airlines or hotels, get your hands on this book - Traveler's Rights: Your Legal Guide to Fair Treatment and Full Value (Legal Survival Guides) - written by an attorney it's the most comprehensive guide available for travelers.

However, THIS article is about something much more important.  This is about "what rights do you have when you travel outside of the United States".

It's vital to remember that when you travel outside of the United States, the protections you enjoy under our Constitution do not go with you.  You will be subject to the laws of the country you are visiting - being a U.S.  Citizen does not give you a free pass anywhere, nor does it entitle you to any special treatment, so you should know the laws as well as the local customs of your chosen destination whenever you travel.  Ignorance of their laws does not excuse you, and won't get you leniency. 

While you can, in some cases, get some assistance from the local Consular Office of the U.S. Embassy, they can't get you out of legal trouble.  All they can do is help you find a lawyer, contact your family back home, and try to ensure that you receive fair treatment in accordance with the laws of the country you are in.  However, they can't pull strings to get you out of jail, have the charges dropped, change your sentence or have a fine dropped.  In some countries, you could wind up sitting in a prison cell, even for what you think is a minor offense, with no rights - not the right to consult an attorney or someone from the U.S. Embassy, or to make a phone call.  Know before you go.

Fortunately, The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis is a parlimentary democracy and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, so they have a just legal system much like our own.   Another lucky break - Nevis has several attorney firms in Charlestown, so you'll get competent representation and since Enlish is the official language, you're assured a lawyer with whom you can communicate.  However, like most nations, they take enforcing their laws very seriously, so even minor offenses are not overlooked, and for major offenses you could do jail time.

Additional Resources:

• Top 10 Travel Tips - learn how to avoid the most common travel problems
• Fly-Rights - A Consumer Guide to Air Travel - informative guide published by the US Government Printing Office
• Local Consulate and Embassies - for St. Kitts and Nevis
• Traveler's Rights: Your Legal Guide to Fair Treatment and Full Value (Legal Survival Guides)
• MacMillan Law Library - good starting point for researching foreign laws
• Guide to Law Online: St. Kitts and Nevis