| About Antigua | Accommodations | Beaches | Dining |
| Shopping | Exploring the Island | Sports | Essential Facts |
Getting There
The major airline that flies to Antigua's V. C. Bird Airport is American Airlines which offers four daily nonstop flights to Antigua from San Juan, Puerto Rico. A flight takes about 1 1/2 hours, and each departs late enough in the day to allow easy transfers.
Continental offers non-stop daily flights out of Newark and Miami.
US Airways has direct service from Baltimore and Philadelphia.
British Airways offers flights four times a week from London's Gatwick Airport.
Virgin Atlantic also has non-stop flights from London.
Air Canada has regularly scheduled flights from Toronto to Antigua on Saturday or Sunday.
Air Jamaica offers three weekly direct flights from New York. For many people in the greater New York area, these are the most convenient flights.
BWIA is increasingly popular. Each week, flights depart for Antigua-one from Toronto; three from Kingston, Jamaica; and two from London.
Carib Aviation flies daily to Barbuda, as well as to neighboring islands.
LIAT has daily flights to and from many other Caribbean islands.
Antigua-based Caribbean Star offers daily flights to and from several islands, as well as Miami and San Juan.
Getting Around
By Taxi
| Taxis meet every airplane, and drivers wait outside the major hotels. If you're going to spend a few days here, a particular driver will offer to guide you around the island. The typical one-way fare from the airport to St. John's is US$15, but to English Harbour it is US$28 and up. The government of Antigua fixes rates, and taxis are un-metered. |
Taxis aren't cheap, but they're the best way to see Antigua, as the drivers also act as guides. Most taxi tours go from the St. John's area to English Harbour. Drivers generally charge US$45 for three or four passengers and often wait 30 minutes or more while you sightsee around English Harbour.
To call a taxi in St. John's, dial tel. 268/462-0711; after 6pm, dial tel. 268/462-5190.
By Rental Car
Renting a car on Antigua is not advisable. Newly arrived drivers quickly learn that the island's roads are terribly potholed and poorly signposted.
If you decide to drive despite these warnings, you must obtain an Antiguan license, which costs US$20 and requires a valid driver's license from home. Most car-rental firms can issue you an Antiguan license, which they usually do without a surcharge. Remember: Drive on the left.
It's best to stick with the major car rental companies rather than use a local agency. Avis (Tel. 268/462-2840, www.avis.com) and Hertz (Tel. 268/462-6450, www.hertz.com) offer pickup service at the airport if you book through the internet. Another agency to try is Dollar on Nevis Street, St. John's (Tel. 268/462-0362, www.dollarcar.com). Budget is also represented on Antigua with a kiosk at the airport (Tel. 268/462-3009, www.budgetrentacar.com).
By Bus
Although buses are a cheap option, we don't recommend them for the average visitor. Service is erratic and undependable, and roads are impossibly bumpy. Buses are supposed to operate between St. John's and the villages daily from 5:30am to 6pm, but \don't depend on it. In St. John's, buses leave from two different "stations"-on Market Street, near the Central Market, and on Independence Avenue, adjacent to the Botanical Gardens. Most fares are US$1.
By Bike
You can rent motorcycles from J.T.’s Rent-A-Scooter (at Parham, Tel. 268/463-3578) for US$35 per day or US$150 per week.
Banks
Banks are generally open Monday to Thursday from 8am to 2pm and Friday from 8am to 4pm. For visitors, the best bank is Royal Bank (at High and Market Streets in St John’s, Tel. 268/480-1150).
Credit Cards
Credit Cards are accepted by most restaurants, hotels and duty-free shops. Traveller’s checks are also widely accepted.
Currency
The EC$ is the officially currency in Antigua. Nearly all hotels bill in US$ and only a small number of restaurants present their prices in EC$. Hence, make sure you know which currency you are being quoted with.
Customs
Arriving visitors are allowed to bring in 200 cigarettes, 1 quart of liquor and 6 ounces of perfume.
Electricity
Most of Antigua’s electricity is 220-volt AC (60 cycles). The Hodges Bay area and some hotels are supplied with 110-volt AC (60 cycles). Outlets are two-pronged and three-pronged.
Holidays
Public holidays are New Year’s Day, Good Friday (usually late Mar – Apr), Easter Sunday and Monday (usually late Mar – Apr), Labour Day (lst Mon in May), Whit Monday (usually late May or early June), Independence Day (Nov 1), Christmas Day, and Boxing Day (Dec. 26).
Hospitals
The main medical facility in Antigua is Holberton Hospital on Hospital Road, St John’s (Tel. 268/462-0251).
Language
The official language is English.
Safety
Petty theft on the rise throughout The Caribbean. Don’t leave valuable unattended to on the beach.
Shops
Although some stores still follow the tradition of closing for lunch, most are open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm. In season, if cruise ship are in port, shops in Heritage and Redcliffe Quay are likely to open on Sunday.
Tax & Service Charges
Visitors must pay a departure tax of US$20 and an 8.5% government tax on hotel bills. Most hotels also add a service charge on 10% to 15%.
Weather
Generally a year round destination, July and August can be very hot. Peak tourist season is during the cool and dry winter months between December and April.
Special Events
The week before the first Tuesday in August, summer Carnival brings exotic costumes that recall Antiguans' African heritage. Festivities include a beauty competition, and calypso- and steel-band competitions. The big event in spring is Sailing Week in late April or early May.