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Antigua Guide

Know Before You Go...®

If you’re planning a trip to Antigua or Barbuda, you’ve come to right place for information about these islands. Even though they’re neighbors in the Caribbean Sea, they are quite different, with very distinct personalities. Check out the other tabs to learn more about beaches, museums, and all the many things to do during your stay, and to find out basic information about Antigua and Barbuda.

Why Antigua?

  • Antigua has 365 beaches, one for each day of the year.
  • The capital city of Antigua is St. John's.
  • Antigua is the heart of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean.
  • Antigua was once a British colony and is now an independent country.
  • Antigua has a rich cultural history and is home to the oldest working dockyard in the Caribbean.

Antigua Weather/Climate

Average Temperatures

January
82° F
71° F
February
82° F
71° F
March
83° F
72° F
April
84° F
74° F
May
85° F
76° F
June
86° F
78° F
July
87° F
78° F
August
87° F
76° F
September
87° F
75° F
October
86° F
75° F
November
85° F
74° F
December
82° F
72° F

Average Rainfall

January
3 inches
February
2 inches
March
2 inches
April
3 inches
May
4 inches
June
5 inches
July
5 inches
August
5 inches
September
6 inches
October
6 inches
November
6 inches
December
4 inches

History

One fateful day in 1684, Sir Christopher Codrington arrived on Antigua. An enterprising man, Codrington had come to Antigua to find out if the island would support the sort of large-scale sugar cultivation that already flourished elsewhere in the Caribbean. His initial efforts proved to be quite successful, and over the next fifty years sugar cultivation on Antigua exploded. By the middle of the 18th century the island was dotted with more than 150 cane-processing windmills—each the focal point of a sizeable plantation. Today almost 100 of these picturesque stone towers remain, although they now serve as houses, bars, restaurants and shops. At Betty’s Hope, Codrington’s original sugar estate, visitors can see a fully-restored sugar mill.

Most Antiguans are of African lineage, descendants of slaves brought to the island centuries ago to labor in the sugarcane fields. However, Antigua’s history of habitation extends as far back as two and a half millenia before Christ. The first settlements, dating from about 2400 B.C., were those of the Siboney (an Arawak word meaning “stone-people”), peripatetic Meso-Indians whose beautifully crafted shell and stone tools have been found at dozens of sites around the island. Long after the Siboney had moved on, Antigua was settled by the pastoral, agricultural Arawaks (35-1100 A.D.), who were then displaced by the Caribs—an aggressive people who ranged all over the Caribbean. The earliest European contact with the island was made by Christopher Columbus during his second Caribbean voyage (1493), who sighted the island in passing and named it after Santa Maria la Antigua, the miracle-working saint of Seville. European settlement, however, didn’t occur for over a century, largely because of Antigua’s dearth of fresh water and abundance of determined Carib resistance. Finally, in 1632, a group of Englishmen from St. Kitts established a successful settlement, and in 1684, with Codrington’s arrival, the island entered the sugar era.

By the end of the eighteenth century Antigua had become an important strategic port as well as a valuable commercial colony. Known as the “gateway to the Caribbean,” it was situated in a position that offered control over the major sailing routes to and from the region’s rich island colonies. Most of the island’s historical sites, from its many ruined fortifications to the impeccably-restored architecture of English Harbourtown, are reminders of colonial efforts to ensure its safety from invasion.

Horatio Nelson arrived in 1784 at the head of the Squadron of the Leeward Islands to develop the British naval facilities at English Harbour and to enforce stringent commercial shipping laws. The first of these two tasks resulted in construction of Nelson’s Dockyard, one of Antigua’s finest physical assets; the second resulted in a rather hostile attitude toward the young captain. Nelson spent almost all of his time in the cramped quarters of his ship, declaring the island to be a “vile place” and a “dreadful hole.” Serving under Nelson at the time was the future King William IV, for whom the altogether more pleasant accommodation of Clarence House was built.

It was during William’s reign, in 1834, that Britain abolished slavery in the empire. Alone among the British Caribbean colonies, Antigua instituted immediate full emancipation rather than a four-year ‘apprenticeship,’ or waiting period; today, Antigua’s Carnival festivities commemorate the earliest abolition of slavery in the British Caribbean.

Emancipation actually improved the island’s economy, but the sugar industry of the British islands was already beginning to wane. Until the development of tourism in the past few decades, Antiguans struggled for prosperity. The rise of a strong labor movement in the 1940s, under the leadership of V.C. Bird, provided the impetus for independence. In 1967, with Barbuda and the tiny island of Redonda as dependencies, Antigua became an associated state of the Commonwealth, and in 1981 it achieved full independent status. V.C. Bird is now deceased; his son, Lester B. Bird, was elected to succeed him as prime minister.

News and Notable

Eric Clapton, Oprah and Giorgio Armani have owned real estate on Antigua.

Shirley Heights Lookout
Shirley Heights Lookout has the most famous views on the island.

The view from Shirley Heights Lookout is without question the most famous view on the beautiful island of Antigua in the Caribbean. Located within the National Parks, overlooking English and Falmouth Harbours, this panoramic view, on clear days takes in Guadeloupe to the south and Montserrat with it's still active volcano to the south west. Shirley Heights Lookout is home to the 'biggest and best' party on the island every Sunday for the last 25 years where crowds of visitors and locals converge from 4 pm to reserve their spot to watch the most wonderful view of the sunset on the island, as the Steel Band plays. As hunger strikes there is an excellent barbecue with a huge selection of dishes to choose from.

Sheer Rocks
Whether you need daytime snacks and drinks, or a romantic evening watching the sun set Sheer Rocks is a must place to visit!

Sheer Rocks is perched high up on a rocky cliff, in the center of Antigua's gorgeous west coast. During the day guests will enjoy tapas lunches, but at night experience dining featuring a romantic sunset backdrop. Featuring two superb cliff-front plunge pools and linen draped day beds, there is no shortage of luxury at this exquisite venue.

Stingray City
A great place to see stingrays in their natural habitat, they are quite friendly creatures.

Stingrays are supposed to be dangerous, right? Not at Stingray City. You'll take a boat from Seaton's Village, Antigua to the barrier reef where you'll find 30-plus stingrays in their natural environment. Your experienced guide will take you swimming in the shallow, crystal-clear waters where you can pet, feed and even hold these usually-territorial animals. There is a coral reef encircling the area which also makes this a great place to snorkel. It's an experience that's fun for the entire family, even non-swimmers.

Transportation on Antigua

Getting to Antigua and getting around. Our transportation tips will help make your trip smoother. More good sand advice.

Entry Documents

Passport and return or ongoing ticket required for entry. Citizens of the U.S. and Canada may enter with a return ticket and one of the following: Passport or original Birth Certificate and a photo I.D. in the form of a valid driver’s license.

Airlines Flying Here

  • Air Canada
  • American Airlines
  • British Airways
  • Caribbean Airlines
  • Delta Airlines
  • jetBlue
  • United Airlines
  • Virgin Atlantic
  • WestJet

Airport

V. C. Bird International Airport

Departure Tax

$28 U.S.

Driving

Renting a car is an ideal way to discover more of Antigua while on your vacation. In addition to a valid driver’s license from your country of residence, or an international driver’s license, a permit to drive in Antigua is required. The rental agency can assist you in getting the temporary license.

Local Transportation

Public transportation, apart from a usually reliable taxi system, is non-existent, which includes Uber/Lyft..

Antigua Weddings and Honeymoons

Vacationers don’t just stay in Antigua villas - they come to paradise to get married and celebrate their honeymoons! Complete an application at the Ministry of Legal Affairs in St. John’s.  Cost: US$40 registration fee, US$150 special marriage application fee, US$50 for a marriage officer.  Documents Required: Passports. Divorce or death certificates, if applicable. Wait Time: No waiting period.

See our favorite villas for honeymoons.

Know Before You Go...® - Antigua Travel Tips

Before making their way to Antigua villas, vacationers like to know a little bit of helpful information to make them feel more at home during their stay. Take a look at our travel tips to make your time in villas in Antigua even more relaxing.

Capital:
Saint John's
Population:
85,000
Size:
108 square miles; 14 miles long by 11 miles wide
Electric Current:
220
Time:
10:07 am zone:-4 (GMT/UTC -4)
Official Language:
English (official), local dialects
Currency:
East Caribbean dollar (XCD). U.S. dollars widely accepted. The conversion rate is about US$1 to EC$2.70.
Tipping and Taxes:
  • Tipping: 10-15 percent depending on the service. Some restaurants and hotels will automatically add a 10 percent gratuity. Tip porters 50 cents per bag.
  • Tax: Effective January 1, 2021, an accommodation tax of 14% will be applied.
Dress Code:
Attire is informal, but conservative. Beach attire is not appropriate for town, shops or restaurants. If you’re heading into the restaurant in the evening, you’ll need to be dressed in tailored shorts and smart casual wear including collared shirts. Flip flops are not permitted when dining out in the evening. Please note that it's illegal to have army/combat/camo type clothing or print.
Topography:
Antigua has a variable climate with mostly flat plains of limestone and coral, with some volcanic/mountainous areas.
Telephone:
International Country Code: 268 Dial +1 + 268 + 7 digit number

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