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Antigua & Barbuda form the beautiful independent country that was once an English territory. I would love to return. My first time here was at a wedding of the niece of a friend originally from the island. It was fun immersing in the culture: going into town to get my hair done with the ladies, eating fresh seafood from a food cart by the beach, and swimming in the beautiful waters that surround the islands. About 98% of the people live on Antigua. It is the largest of the Leeward Islands, an air hub for the southern islands, and also a yacht charter hub. In general, the islands are mostly flat, formed from volcanoes worn down by wind and rain. Antigua’s appeal is a coastline carved into inviting coves and white-sand beaches: 365 in all, one for every day of the year, according to the tourist bureau. The north coast is the most developed, with hotels on the beaches and large villas set in hibiscus gardens. The less-crowded southwest coast has black-pineapple plantations.
As a former colony of England, it should come as no surprise that the official language of Antigua & Barbuda is English. However, the local people on the island do speak a creole language with varying dialects.
Antigua & Barbuda’s economic system is based on the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (U.S. $1.00 = E.C. $2.65). While U.S. currency is wildly accepted, it can be easier to exchange currencies as you will often get E.C. change
All visitors to Antigua & Barbuda are required to have an onward or return ticket. Citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada do not require a visa to enter but must travel on a valid passpor
Coverage is available on both Antigua & Barbuda; however, verify with your carrier that your plan covers international calling and texting privileges. Additionally, most establishments, such as hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, and the like, provide free wi-fi access for their customers.
Like the United States, you generally tip in Antigua & Barbuda. Hotels – tip $0.50 to $1 per bag, and use your discretion on gratuity for cleaning staff. Restaurants – tip 10% to %15 of the bill, if the gratuity is not already included on the bill. Taxis – tip 10% to 15% of the fare.
ATMs can be found all over Antigua, including at the airport, in downtown St John’s, in English Harbour, and in major supermarkets, including Epicurean. All ATMs dispense E.C. dollars; some also dispense U.S. dollars. Barbuda presently has only one ATM, located in Codrington.
You don’t need a power plug adapter if you are visiting from the United States; however, you may need a voltage converter (standard voltage is 230 v and standard frequency is 60 Hz). Socket Types A and B can be found.
The best time to visit Antigua & Barbuda is from May through November, during the islands’ offseason. Typically hotel rates are cheapest during these months and although there is a slight threat of hurricanes, the weather rarely escapes 80ºF. During the months of December through April, you’ll encounter less rain but the hotel rates are more expensive and crowds are more abundant.
The best way to get around Antigua & Barbuda is by car or taxi. Having a car can save you money, especially on longer visits, but the island can be difficult to navigate due to bumpy dirt roads and hilly areas that flood easily. Travel to neighboring islands by air on charter planes or by sea aboard a cruise or a ferry.
This is one of the best ways to explore Antigua since the drivers are happy to double as tour guides in the hopes of a slightly larger tip, is by taxi. Although this arrangement can be convenient, it can also be expensive. Get a price quote before committing to one driver. Taxis can usually be found near popular attractions and the cruise port in St. John. Barry Taxi and Tour and Roger Taxi Tours are two well-reviewed companies
There are no public buses on Barbuda. Antigua has a decent network of private minivans traveling along the main roads. Buses to the south, northwest, and west leave from the West bus station opposite the Public Market in St John’s; buses to the northeast, the east, and southeast leave from the East bus station on Independence Ave. Fares cost E.C. $2.25 to E.C. $4, with a small surcharge between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am. Bus Stop Antigua has details. Buses don’t leave until full and generally run from about 6:00 am until 7:00 pm; there are very few buses at night and on Sunday. Buses to English Harbour may run as late as midnight, but do confirm this with the driver.
Scheduled air service between Antigua and Barbuda is offered by SVG Air and Fly Montserrat.
A local driving permit, available from car-rental agencies, is required for driving in Antigua or Barbuda. International car rental companies with outlets at the Antigua airport include Avis, Dollar, and Hertz. Big’s Car Rental is a local outfit in English Harbour. It costs U.S. $20 or E.C. $50 and is valid on both islands for three months. Car rentals on Barbuda are all local and very limited as much of the fleet was destroyed by Hurricane Maria. Ask at your hotel for a referral.
Check with your hotel, as many have a small fleet of bikes available for their guests. A reliable bike shop with rentals is Bike Plus in St John’s. On Barbuda, rentals are available from Barbuda Rentals, a new car-rental agency founded in the wake of Hurricane Irma to encourage tourists back to the island. Owner Kris, whose parents run Barbuda Cottages, will meet you at the airport or on the arrival jetty with a 4WD (U.S. $65 per day), a bicycle (U.S. $20), or a kayak (U.S. $40).
Bumpy 90-minute catamaran rides operated by Barbuda Express link St John’s with the River Wharf Landing in southern Barbuda. Schedules change, but in general, ferries leave Antigua early in the morning and return from Barbuda in the late afternoon. The company also operates guided day tours to Barbuda (from U.S. $129).
Antigua and Barbuda’s fine cuisine is an exciting blend of national and international dishes served with a Caribbean flair and it reflects the islands’ international status. Over 100 restaurants can be found in Antigua offering delicious cuisine from exotic, local dishes to West Indian, Italian, French, Chinese and Swiss-German fare. Barbuda is famous for impeccably-fresh seafood, and an opportunity to dine in local homes and village shops, making the visitor experience colorful and authentic in keeping with the island’s natural surrounding
Fungee is a bread ball similar to polenta, consisting of cornmeal mixed with okra. To make fungee, okra is boiled in salted water and mixed with wet cornmeal until the mixture becomes stiff. When the mixture does not stick to the pan, the fungee is ready to be consumed. Pepperpot, on the other hand, is a one-pot stew that is originally from Guyana but has been adapted to the Caribbean islands
The dish is a type of dumpling made with coconut and sweet potatoes, often cooked in banana leaves. It is usually served with stewed or salted fish and is a common staple food for many locals that enjoy the contrast of sweet and savory flavors.
A thin, brown soup consisting of goat meat, breadfruit, onions, tomatoes, flour, and fresh herbs, goat water. Dumplings, potatoes, and yams are sometimes added to the dish for an extra kick of flavor.
These flavorful Antiguan fritters are made with blue crab meat, minced conch, minced vegetables, eggs, baking powder, seasonings, and black angel-hair pasta. The combination of these ingredients is then deep-fried in oil, and the fritters are typically garnished with diced tomatoes and parsley.
Set against scenic backdrops or on picturesque beaches, Antigua and Barbuda offer a selection of accommodations. From world-class resorts and boutique spa hotels to private luxury villas, historic inns, and intimate guest houses, as well as modern apartments for that friends and family vacation, romantic getaway, or business trip.
Antigua and Barbuda’s award-winning hotels leave visitors spoilt for choice with excellent services, a range of amenities, and the absolute best in fine-dining.
Nelson’s Dockyard is a cultural heritage site and marina in English Harbour, located in Saint Paul Parish on the island of Antigua, in Antigua and Barbuda. It is part of Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, which also contains Clarence House and Shirley Heights, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Darkwood offers some of the most iridescent seas and white beaches on the island, set on a backdrop of hilltops and tropical forestry; the views are both panoramic and spectacular also on a clear day, you can see Montserrat. Being one of the longest stretches of beach there is ample space to take it all in and with the warm, alluring sea lapping up on pristine sands, there is plenty of reasons to visit.
Your Stingray City Antigua snorkel adventure will be the highlight of your vacation, and an experience that will live with you forever. The Southern Rays are the brightest rays in the Caribbean, very friendly and gentle. Come and enjoy this unique experience of interacting and feeding a Stingray, together with snorkeling amongst magnificent coral reefs and colorful tropical fish.
Situated in the heart of the rainforest the Fig Tree Studio Art Gallery is shaded by giant silk cotton and royal palm trees. This gallery provides a fabulous opportunity to purchase original artwork directly from a variety of Caribbean artists. There is a wide range of paintings and crafts on sale, and this gallery is a must to anyone visiting Antigua.
Simply pull off the road into the grove of coconut palms at the back of the beach. You’ll always find some friendly animals grazing here. The water on this side is often just a little cooler and crystal clear for a refreshing dip and a beach walk to dry off
Set off in the same way from the dam as for the Signall Hil hike, but once you reach the ridge take the right-hand path. You will go down towards the sea for while, then slightly up., then come to a lemongrass clearing, from which you will get a good view of the valley seawards and Rendez Vous Bay.
Accommodation
Hotel or Hostel (single): $74
Double-occupancy room: $147
Food
Meals for one day: $27
Transportation
Taxis, local buses, train: $7.77
Intercity: $20
Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows: $36
Entrance to Museum of Antigua & Barbuda: $3
Admission to Nelson’s Dockyard Nation: $5.18
2 hr Snorkeling trip: $40
1 hr Windsurfing equipment rental: $50
Two-tank dive: $80
90-min Rainforest canopy tour: $80
Catamaran island tour: $120
Alcohol
Drinks for one day: $8.14
Accommodation
Hotel or rental home (single): $180
Double-occupancy room: $360
Food
Meals for one day: $66
Transportation
Taxis or Car rental: $19
Intercity: $47
Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows: $871
Entrance to Museum of Antigua & Barbuda: $3
Admission to Nelson’s Dockyard Nation: $5.18
2 hr Snorkeling trip: $40
1 hr Windsurfing equipment rental: $50
Two-tank dive: $80
90-min Rainforest canopy tour: $80
Catamaran island tour: $120
Alcohol
Drinks for one day: $19
Accommodation
Resort or hotel (single): $418
Double-occupancy room: $837
Food
Meals for one day: $148
Transportation
Car Rentals or private driver: $42
Intercity: $106
Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows: $202
Entrance to Museum of Antigua & Barbuda: $3
Admission to Nelson’s Dockyard Nation: $5.18
2 hr Snorkeling trip: $40
1 hr Windsurfing equipment rental: $50
Two-tank dive: $80
90-min Rainforest canopy tour: $80
Catamaran island tour: $120
Alcohol
Drinks for one day: $39
When planning for your trip to Antigua & Barbuda, don’t forget about travel insurance! You never know what might happen and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
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