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General Information On
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua, the largest of the Leeward Caribbean Islands,
is often called the “Heart of the Caribbean.” Antigua and its sister islands of
Barbuda and the uninhabited Redonda make up the nation of Antigua and Barbuda.
Antigua's beaches (over 350 of them) make this the perfect place for those who
love the water. The island also boasts an interesting colonial atmosphere, from
the old stone windmills of long-abandoned sugar plantations to the renovated
naval base of Nelson's Dockyard. This is the perfect place for swimming, diving
and snorkeling.
While the country is an independent nation, it maintains a strong connection with the U.K. Although Antigua and Barbuda lack the inland scenery of major resort islands like Puerto Rico and Aruba, the rustic landscape and gorgeous beaches, in addition to an escapist atmosphere, are enough to draw many visitors. For official information, see the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism website, or the CIA World Factbook for Antigua and Barbuda. For travel advice and information, contact the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism at 1212.541.4117.
Travel and Tourism Information
| Antigua has well over 350 beaches making this
the place for anyone who enjoys the beach. You can get on a different beach just
about every day of the year. There are also plenty of places for diving and
snorkeling. The island has a colonial atmosphere, from the old stone windmills
of long-abandoned sugar plantations to the renovated naval base of Nelson's
Dockyard. On neighboring Barbuda, which is only about 25 miles north, you can track the island's frigate birds or rub shoulders with the rich and famous as some of the most exclusive resorts in the Caribbean are located here. There is only one village on the island and there are actually few visitors, mainly ardent bird watchers and a few people with their own boats or yachts enjoying the clear waters and tranquil beaches. For travel and tourist information about Antigua (and Barbuda), contact the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism, 212-541-4117. |
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Passports and Visas
Visitors from the USA, Canada and the UK may enter the
country for stays of less than six months with either a valid passport or a
birth certificate with a raised seal and a photo ID. Most other visitors,
including citizens of Australia, New Zealand and Western European countries,
must have passports, but do not need visas. Officially all visitors need a
round-trip or onward ticket.
| The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. This includes United States citizens! In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future. For additional information, go to http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html. |
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Passport Visa Express specializes in obtaining Passports for United States Citizens who wish to travel internationally within the next 30 days. We work directly with the U.S. Passport Agency assisting you in expediting your passport application in as fast as the same day! Our passport consultants have many years of direct experience working with the Passport Agency. |
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Books and
Other Travel Resources
Here is a good book to help you plan your visit to
Antigua and Barbuda. The
Adventure Guide to the Leeward Islands: Anguilla, St. Martin, St. Barts, St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda.
Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.
Money Matters
The currency in both Antigua and Barbuda is the
Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$). Although US dollars are commonly used, unless
rates are posted in US dollars (as is the norm with accommodations), it usually
is better for you to have EC dollars. The exchange rate is permanently fixed at
about EC$2.70 to each $1(USD). MasterCard, Visa and American Express are widely
accepted. Credit card charges are made in US dollars, so businesses that quote
prices in EC dollars must convert the bill to a US dollar total. Whenever you
intend to pay by credit card, it's a good idea to ask the exchange rate first to
avoid overcharging. A 10% service charge is added to most restaurant bills, in
which case no further tipping is necessary.
Traveling in comfort on
Antigua can easily mean spending several hundred US dollars a day, and even
those on a moderate budget should plan on spending around US$100 per day. A
minimal budget might be around US$30-50 a day, but this won't leave anything for
shopping, transport and activities.
►Budget meal: US$5-10
►Moderate restaurant meal: US$10-20
►Top-end restaurant meal: US$20 and upwards
►Budget room: US$15-50
►Moderate hotel: US$50-150
►Top-end hotel: US$150 and upwards
Currency Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports, railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a nightmare. Order in advance from All Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious!
Language
English and English-based patois.
Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.
Health Matters
For most visitors, the main things they need to be
careful of are Sunburn, diarrhea and intestinal parasites. Although the water is
usually safe to drink, I would suggest you drink bottled water. Holberton
Hospital on Antigua, a fully staffed and modern hospital, is the country's main
medical facility. Although crime is not common, be careful at
night as the streets can get very quiet and deserted during later hours. Of
course, always guard your valuables. Following common sense is the key to safety
in Antigua and Barbuda.
When to Go
Pretty much, anytime. However, the area is best visited during the cool and dry
winter months (mid-December to mid-April) which is the peak tourist season and
the most expensive time to visit. In January and February, the coolest months,
the average daily high temperature is about 81°F. In the summer (July and August
are the warmest months) the islands are even hotter with the average daily high
is about 86°F. It's less dry in the autumn (September to November), during the
rainy season, though Antigua's fairly dry year-round.
Time
GMT/UTC minus four hours.
Weather
Antigua
and Barbuda experience a wetter climate than some of the other Caribbean islands, with 41
inches of rainfall annually. The temperatures also vary here more than they do elsewhere in the
islands ranging from 72 to 82 degrees in January,
and 77 to 87 degrees in July (all in degrees Fahrenheit).
Electricity
Most hotels operate on 110V AC, 60 Hz, though some
places use 220V. You may want to take your converter with you.
Telephone
From North America, dial 1 + 268 + the seven-digit
local number. From elsewhere, dial your country's international direct dialing
prefix + 1 + 268 + the seven-digit local number.
Getting To and Around Antigua and Barbuda
Travelers from the USA have the easiest access to
Antigua from which both American and Continental offer direct daily flights
during the peak tourist season (mid-December to mid-April). There is also less
frequent services in the off-season. Weekly direct flights are available on Air
Canada, British Airways and Air France. You can make direct or connecting
flights to Antigua from over two dozen Caribbean islands on LIAT, the major
inter-island carrier. All flights to Barbuda connect at VC Bird Airport in
Antigua. Cruise ships dock at St John's and yachts at English Harbour, Falmouth
Harbour, Jolly Harbour, St John's Harbour and Parham Sound. Yachters heading to
Barbuda must clear customs at Antigua and obtain a cruising permit there.
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Getting Around In Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua's VC Bird International Airport, which is about 4 miles east
of St John's, is the main airport on the island with a couple dozen daily
20-minute flights between the airport and Codrington Airport in Barbuda. There
is no airport bus service from Bird Airport, but taxis are available. Although
the taxis' fares are regulated by the government, I would confirm the fare with
the driver in advance if I were you.
Buses from St John's to Falmouth and English Harbour are plentiful and inexpensive and take only about 30 minutes. There's no bus service to Dickenson Bay or other resort areas on the northern part of the island, and there are very few buses anywhere on Sunday.
There are more than a dozen car rental agencies on Antigua, most of them with representatives at the airport. To drive, you need to buy a temporary 90-day license, which is usually obtainable from rental agents and from the Inland Revenue Department in St John's. Simply show your drivers license and pay a small fee. Driving is on the left side. Motorcycles and scooters can be rented in Jolly Harbour, and bicycles are for rent in Jolly Harbour and Hodges Bay.
Barbuda has neither public transportation nor an established taxi service, but you might be able to arrange to hire someone to drive you around. Vehicle rental is another option, but it can be difficult to find someone to rent from.
There's no scheduled passenger boat service to Barbuda, but you can often obtain a ride on a private boat or yacht. Check around at the marinas, local tour agencies and hotels on Antigua. Day junkets are available to Barbuda from Antigua; check with local tour agencies and hotels for schedules and prices. Be aware that Barbuda has a reputation for tours that fail to materialize, so confirm all reservations.
If you have information you believe I should add to this section of Getting Away, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
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Cities, Towns and Areas in Antigua and Barbuda
Deep Bay
Deep Bay
Dickenson Bay |
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Falmouth Harbour
Falmouth Harbour is a large, protected, horseshoe-shaped bay where the two main
centers of activity are the small village of Falmouth and the more
visitor-oriented east side of the harbor, where most of the restaurants are
located. The east side of Falmouth Harbour is within easy walking distance of
Nelson's Dockyard. St Paul's Anglican Church,
on the main road in Falmouth's center, was Antigua's first church. As one of the
island's oldest buildings, dating to 1676, the church once doubled as Antigua's
courthouse. You can get a sense of its history by poking around the overgrown
churchyard, which has some interesting and quite readable colonial-era
gravestones.
Runaway Bay
Runaway Bay is a quiet area with an nice white-sand
beach. The waters here are normally calm waters and there are a few small,
reasonably priced hotels. Although the north end of the beach is still being
regenerated after a hurricane, the area from Runaway Beach Club south still is a
gorgeous sandy strand and precious few beachgoers to share it with. Although the
area can seem quite sleepy, those staying here who want more action can simply
wander over to the adjacent Dickenson Bay. A channel dug a few years back
for a marina project cuts off shoreline access between Runaway and Dickenson
bays, but it's just a short walk along the road between the two areas. You can
watch as the pelicans dive for food in the inlet created by the new channel and
also along Corbinson Point, the rocky outcropping at the north end of the
bay. The point is the site of an old fort, but there's little left to see there.
A large salt pond stretches along the inland side of
Runaway Bay, and in
the evening egrets come to roost at the pond's southern end.
St. John's
St John's is Antigua's capital and commercial center and home to about 30,000
people, or about a third of the country's population. This is also the tourist
center of the island. St John's tourist activity is confined to the harbor front
complexes of Heritage Quay, a favorite with cruise ship passengers, and
the more rustic Redcliffe Quay, where shops, restaurants and galleries
inhabit restored stone buildings and wooden huts.
| Suggestions For Accommodations In Antigua and Barbuda |
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St John's
| Jumby Bay - Nestled two miles off the coast of Antigua, exclusive Jumby Bay is noted for its landscape lush with rare tropical flowers, stately palm trees and abundant foliage. Nearly a third of this private, 300-acre island is home to the 50 suites and villas of Jumby Bay resort. A naturalist's haven, the island features three superb, white sand beaches. One of them, Pasture Bay Beach, is home to endangered species of turtles, rare birds and sheep. Jumby Bay, a secluded hideaway accessible only by boat, is known worldwide for providing discerning travelers with world-class service and distinguished amenities. The island's gardens and paths are ideal for walking or biking. The resort's casual elegance blends smoothly into its natural environment. For additional information, or to make reservations, contact Jim at Getting Away. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com |
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Elite Island Resorts' Caribbean Island Vacations - Tropical Caribbean island beach vacation, honeymoon and wedding holiday travel / hotel destinations including St. James's Clubs, Palm Island, Galley Bay, Royal Antiguan, Grand Pineapple Beach and Jolly Harbour Villas, located on Antigua, St. Lucia and The Grenadines. Cheap all-inclusive packages offered for exotic single, group, family and couple getaways.
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Suggestions For Things To See And Do In
Antigua and Barbuda Carnival, Antigua's biggest annual festival, is held from the end of July to the first Tuesday in August and culminates with a huge parade. Most of the activities take place in St John's. You will find numbers of Calypso bands with steel bands, masqueraders, floats and street 'jump-ups' that are all part of the festivities and celebrations. If you have enough energy by the last day to be up and dancing in the streets at 4am you can jump up during J'Overt, the climax of Carnival. The other major musical event is the annual Antiguan Jazz Festival, which takes place in October. Another good time to visit is during Sailing Week, a major week-long yachting event that begins on the last Sunday in April. In addition to a series of five races, there are rum parties and a formal ball, with most activities taking place at Nelson's Dockyard and Falmouth Harbour. In June, Barbuda has a celebration of its own called Caribara.
St. John's The twin-spired St John's Anglican Cathedral, between Newgate and Long Sts, dates back to about 1681. The cathedral interior is unusual in that it's completely encased in pitch pine, creating a church-within-a-church effect that was intended to buffer the structure from damage by natural disasters. Fort James, a small fort at the north side of St John's Harbour, was first built in 1675, but most of the present structure dates from 1739. It still has a few of its original 36 cannons, a powder magazine and a fair portion of its walls intact. English Harbour has the richest collection of historic sites on the island. The area includes restored buildings, hilltop forts and museums. The harbor's main attraction is Nelson's Dockyard, an 18th-century British naval base named after the English captain Horatio Nelson. You should also make the walk to Fort Berkeley which overlooks the harbor's western entrance. Other attractions include the governor's Georgian-style rural residence and Sandy Heights, which has scattered 18th-century fort ruins and excellent views. Buses run between St John's and Nelson's Dockyard. Heritage Quay, a favorite with cruise ship passengers, and the more rustic Redcliffe Quay, where shops, restaurants and galleries inhabit restored stone buildings and wooden huts, are favorite places for shopping and dining. |
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If you have information you believe I should add to this section of Getting Away, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Suggestions For Dining in Antigua and
Barbuda
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should add
to this section of Getting Away, please contact me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Favorite Places And Things
To Do In Antigua and Barbuda
In St. John's, the harbor front complexes of
Heritage Quay, a favorite
with cruise ship passengers, and the more rustic Redcliffe Quay, where
shops, restaurants and galleries inhabit restored stone buildings and wooden
huts, are favorite places for shopping and dining.
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should add to this section of Getting Away, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Books, Magazines and Other Information|
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Caribbean Travel & Life - Escape to the Caribbean with Caribbean Travel & Life. Visit romantic hideaways and luxurious resorts and discover secluded beaches and teeming coral reefs. This magazine helps you find your own perfect place in the sun. For additional information, or to purchase a subscription, click on Caribbean Travel & Life. You can also click on Best Deal Magazines, Magazine Unlimited Magazine Subscription Superstore, or Low Priced Magazine Subscriptions for other great prices on magazines! |
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Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel
is a travel magazine for REAL people. This magazine is not just for those of
you on a budget - it's for everyone. Each issue comes packed with articles
on affordable and enjoyable vacations to just about everywhere.
For additional information, or to purchase a
subscription, click on
Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel.
You can also click on Best Deal Magazines, Magazine Unlimited Magazine Subscription Superstore, or Low Priced Magazine Subscriptions for other great prices on magazines! |
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Antigua and Barbuda
Links
Click here for language
helps, dictionaries,
electronic translators,
language software and other helps for learning
a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the
country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip
more. Jim.
Currency Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports, railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a nightmare. Order in advance from All Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious!
2007 Travel Alert - Passports Needed for Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and Caribbean. Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport. As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. Click here for the State Department Summary. And, if you need a passport in a hurry, because you forgot to apply months ago when you should have and your trip is almost upon you, click on Passports In A Hurry, or on Passport Visa Express!
