FAQ

Non-stop flights are available from the Canada, the United States, the UK as well as numerous islands throughout the Caribbean. For more details, visit our How To Get Here page.

Antigua and Barbuda use the Eastern Caribbean Dollar which can be purchased at most commercial banks. In Antigua and Barbuda many establishments will also accept US dollars.

All of them. Antigua and Barbuda is the land of 365 beaches. It’s impossible to recommend just one.

There are multiple scenic vantage points on both islands, but the iconic view from Shirley Heights and Nelson’s Dockyard are said to be the most memorable.

Please see our Getting To Barbuda page for travel information on how you can travel to our sister island Barbuda.

Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-island gem located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. As part of the Leeward islands, we are situated 45 minutes (by plane) from the island of Puerto Rico and to the north-west of Barbados. Boasting one of the regions award-winning state-of-the-art airports, several of the major airlines fly to our shores and we welcome cruise ship passengers from most of the world’s most popular cruise lines.

One of the most unique things about Antigua is our 365 white and pink sand beaches and locals like to say, we have one for everyday of the year. Antigua and Barbuda also boasts the most luxury all-inclusive boutique hotels in the Caribbean and is the perfect destination for any traveler. Voted several years in a row as the Caribbean’s Most Romantic Destination, we consider ourselves as the Romance Capital of the World.

With adventure around every corner, a wide variety of dining options and accommodations for the budget conscious and luxury traveler Antigua and Barbuda has a little bit of something for everyone!

Banks open Monday to Thursday, 8am – 2pm and Fridays 8am – 4pm

Anglican is the most popular religion on the island. Other denominations include, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal, Moravian and Seventh Day Adventist among others. The Parham Anglican Church, is one of the oldest churches in the region built during colonial times by slaves. The St. John’s Cathedral, considered a national monument is a popular tourist attraction due to its high geometrical ceiling and unique architectural design.

Antigua and Barbuda is one of the safest countries in the Caribbean and is relatively crime-free country. Visitors can enjoy a safe and comfortable experience while vacationing in Antigua and Barbuda, But exercise normal precautions, i.e. don’t leave valuables unattended on the beach or in rental cars.

The duty-free allowance is as follows: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco, 1 litre wine or spirits, 170ml (6ozs) perfume. Weapons of war and unprescribed drugs are prohibited.

Departure tax is included in the price of the ticket for all passengers over 12 years old leaving the island via air travel.

240 Volts, 50 cycles AC (a few hotels are 110 Volts, 60 cycles). Adaptors are generally available at the resorts.

Visitors to Antigua and Barbuda require a valid passport, a return or onward ticket, confirmation of accommodation throughout the stay and sufficient funds for the duration of the stay. On arrival, the immigration officer must be satisfied that your reason for visiting Antigua and Barbuda is legitimate. For visa requirements, see our Travel Resources page.

Antigua and Barbuda is part of the Leeward Islands and consists of two inhabited main islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and a number of smaller islands and the small uninhabited Redonda island about 50km west-southwest of Antigua. The island nation shares maritime borders with Saint Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla (UK), Montserrat (UK) and Saint Barthélemy (France).

With an area of 442 km², the islands are slightly smaller than Andorra, or about 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC.

The highest elevation on the archipelago is Boggy Peak with 402m (1,319 ft.). Antigua boasts the largest expanse of freshwater in the whole of the Caribbean, Potworks Dam is a man-made lake nearly 2km long by 1km wide.

Monday thru Saturday 8am to noon and 1pm-5pm.

Official currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD) which is fixed to the US dollar at US$1.00 = EC$2.70. Of course, actual exchange rates will vary slightly from that number, depending on whether you’re buying or selling, and who you’re exchanging with. US currency, travelers checks and major credit cards are welcome everywhere.

Antigua and Barbuda is an independent democratic nation and part of the British Commonwealth.

There is a network of 26 community health facilities, one public hospital in Antigua, and an 8-bed medical facility in Barbuda that provide healthcare services to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.

Antigua and Barbuda has a number of qualified general practitioners and specialists on the island. There are also well-equipped testing clinics. The healthcare services in Antigua and Barbuda are known to be adequate, but there are some major conditions that cannot be treated. It is best to check in advance if the facility near you can treat all conditions. Most hotels have general practitioners as part of the staff. If there isn’t one, you can ask the desk for a recommendation for the appropriate doctor or specialist. Doctors, ophthalmologists and dentists are also listed in the telephone book.

The main medical care facility in Antigua is the Mount St. John’s Medical Center. Its facilities adhere to international standards. This hospital provides services such as casualty, maternity, and radiology with the latest in digital technology, pharmacy, pathology, surgery, intensive care, a children’s ward and a special care unit for babies born prematurely. The hospital also offers health promotion and prevention programs for diabetes, hypertension and antenatal care. The hospital even has a blood bank, and provides medical treatment for dialysis, nephrology, oncology, reconstructive surgery, and physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

English is the official language, but the local lingo (broken English) can be heard spoken casually and most commonly by locals.

ABST is an indirect tax and is levied at the rate of 15% on the value of a wide range of goods and services imported or supplied in Antigua and Barbuda by ABST-registered persons. The rate applied in to hotel accommodation is 12.5%.

Antigua and Barbuda has three very competent telecommunications providers namely Inet, Digicel and FLOW. All three offer cutting edge technology and can be contacted on island to secure needed services. Pre-paid mobile phone cards can be purchased island-wide for any of the three providers.

Many card and coin public phone boxes are available around the island. Cellular phones are available for rent from providers and more information is available at your port of entry or any tourist information Centre.

Internet access is available at most restaurants and hotels. Both domestic and international direct dialing are available. The international dialing code for Antigua and Barbuda is 1 268. To call the UK from Antigua and Barbuda, dial 011 44 plus number. To call USA dial 1 plus number.

Antigua and Barbuda is in the GMT -4 Time Zone.

Tourist information can be obtained from hotel front desks and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and its Tourist Information Offices: Headquarters in Antigua: 1-268-562-7600; New York: 1-212-541-4117; U.K. 020 3668 3800; Canada 1-416-961-3143. Generally, the information centers are open from 9am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.

Gratuities are not automatically added, but are customary at about 10% to 12% of bills. Tips are generally accepted by bell hops in hotels, taxis and other persons providing service.