Antigua
Discover Antigua
Antigua is the larger of the two main islands that make up Antigua and Barbuda. It is a beautiful getaway and many tourists enjoy the really energetic island culture but also the peace and tranquility that the surrounding seas bring. Since gaining independence from the UK in 1981, Antigua has built itself up as a tourist hotspot, and rivals St Barts, Barbados and Jamaica in the Caribbean.
What to Experience in Antigua
Taste of Antigua...
Seafood is understandably very popular here. There is a nice variety of tropical fruits that grow on the island. The national dish is called fungi (pronounced foun-gee, made of cornmeal, similar to polenta) and pepperpot. Besides the local dishes, almost every major type of cuisine can be found on the island, e.g. Italian, Mexican, American, British, Jamaican. Just ask locals for directions. There is a host of local drinks in Antigua: from pineapple, guava, mauby, seamoss, passion fruit and hibiscus to imported drinks (Coca Cola, Pepsi). All varieties of water exist, even local brands. Many beers can be found in Antigua from local (Wadadli, English Harbour rum), to regional (Carib Beer), to international, (Smirnoff and Heineken) and can be purchased at any local bar. Rum is by far the most popular spirit, best served as a "Rum Punch". Antigua is a relatively safe place but, like all places in the world, wisdom should be used. Do not travel alone at night. Stay in well-lit places. Do not carry around more money than is absolutely necessary, nor flash expensive jewellery. Do not accept anything from strangers, not even car rides. It may be best to avoid street urchins who beg for money or politely refuse them and in the unlikely event of anything contact the police force.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple Options17.136667-61.7930561 V. C. Bird International Airport (ANU) is situated on the outskirts of St John's and to the north of the island. It has regular flights from UK and America, along with smaller planes from elsewhere in the region. It is a fully functioning airport with Wi-fi capabilities. The following international airlines serve the airport: Caribbean Airlines (from Kingston, Barbados, Trinidad) From the US: American Airlines/American Eagle (Charlotte, NC; San Juan, Puerto Rico), Delta Air Lines (Atlanta), United Airlines (Newark, NJ), JetBlue (New York-JFK) From Canada: Air Canada (Toronto), Antigua Airways (Toronto) From Europe: British Airways (London Gatwick), Condor (Frankfurt, Germany), Virgin Atlantic (London Gatwick) Many tourists come to Antigua and Barbuda via cruise ships. On Antigua, passengers enjoy a short walk through Heritage Quay into the heart of St. John's. Cars may be hired from numerous places around the island....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Cars may be hired from numerous places around the island. Many car hire companies will deliver to the airport. Taxis (usually minibuses) are not at all cheap in Antigua, and as the road surfaces can be a bit patchy in places, they will take you along the best routes though. The fare, for example, from the West Coast Pineapple Beach Resort (just past the village of Wilikies) to St Johns costs US$52 per taxi up to four persons. They are in stark contrast to bus fares. From the airport to English harbour the going rate is US$48 per taxi. Local buses are said to be unpredictable but they are certainly cheap, only US$1-2 per person. All start at St Johns, in the well-ordered bus station on Market Street. St Johns offers a variety of merchants offering most everything needed to visit the island or live there. Heritage Quay, at the land end of the cruise ship piers, offers a wide variety of duty-free shopping for international visitors.
Money & Budget
St Johns offers a variety of merchants offering most everything needed to visit the island or live there. Heritage Quay, at the land end of the cruise ship piers, offers a wide variety of duty-free shopping for international visitors. To qualify you for duty-free treatment, merchants often ask to see airline tickets or ship ID cards. Offerings range from jewelry to liquor and tobacco, with one especially nice store for linens. Excellent and unique, hand-made gold jewellery can be found at the Goldsmitty on the street one short block south of and parallel to the main shopping street for the Quay. Seafood is understandably very popular here. There is a nice variety of tropical fruits that grow on the island.
Language & Talk
English is spoken everywhere on the island, along with local dialects. 17.136667-61.7930561 V. C. Bird International Airport (ANU) is situated on the outskirts of St John's and to the north of the island. It has regular flights from UK and America, along with smaller planes from elsewhere in the region. It is a fully functioning airport with Wi-fi capabilities.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Antigua is a relatively safe place but, like all places in the world, wisdom should be used. Do not travel alone at night. Stay in well-lit places. Do not carry around more money than is absolutely necessary, nor flash expensive jewellery. Do not accept anything from strangers, not even car rides. It may be best to avoid street urchins who beg for money or politely refuse them and in the unlikely event of anything contact the police force.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Antigua
green grass field near body of water during daytime
Wedding at a resort taken from a drone
This photo was taken early morning in Antigua Guatemala by Rodrigo Escalante
a rocky beach with a hut
floating house in the middle of sea at daytime
The view from my home in Antigua
Antigua and Barbuda
#antigua
green grass field near blue sea under blue sky during daytime
brown concrete building near mountain
green grass field near body of water during daytime
Wedding at a resort taken from a drone
This photo was taken early morning in Antigua Guatemala by Rodrigo Escalante