Why go?
Antigua is the archetypal Caribbean island – sun-drenched, fringed with dazzling white sand and set by a warm jade and aquamarine sea. There are some excellent hotels, and the island has a long tradition of sailing, both in historic association with Britain (Horatio Nelson was stationed here) and sailing in its modern form, as the venue for the Caribbean’s major regatta and winter home to a number of mega-yachts. However, it is for the easy life and friendly islanders – and the wide variety of beaches – that most people visit.
Sister-island Barbuda is smaller, far less developed (there is just one hotel at the moment) and much dozier. Its beaches as perhaps even better than Antigua’s.
When to go
The best time to go is the winter season, between mid-December and mid-April: the weather is at its worst in some other places, and at its coolest and driest in Antigua.
If you are looking for a ‘value season’, prices outside of this period drop by as much as a third, and yet the weather is not radically different in early December or in May and June. By July and August it is much hotter but not usually unbearable. “Some Like It Hot”
September (and to a lesser extent August and October) is peak season for hurricanes and Antigua is often in the firing line. It is also very muggy and hot during these months.
Travel Insurance is strongly recommended for all of your travel reservations:
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Antigua is an amazing Honeymoon, and/or Destination Wedding Venue, for the two of you, or the extended family and friends.
Antigua
VC Bird International in Antigua (ANU) is the main airport for flights from broad to north-eastern Caribbean (Antigua serves other islands in the area including Montserrat, Nevis, Anguilla, St Maarten, St Barts and the British Virgin Islands), so there are quite a few flights each week. Flights tend to leave USA in the morning, arriving in mid to late afternoon, and then they return after noon for late night arrival in the USA.
Friends Travel LLP, JESS@FriendsTravel.com will coordinate all of your air travel, and land/resort arrangements.
Barbuda
Codrington airport (with the delightful airport code BBQ) has a handful of flights a day from Antigua with Antigua Barbuda Montserrat Air (usually two in the morning and one in the afternoon). The morning flights leave at around 8am and 9am and the afternoon flight at about 5pm.
Friends Travel LLP JESS@FriendsTravel.com will handle all these arrangements for you.
Please EMAIL us 24/7/365 with any questions on Antigua, Barbuda, or any other Caribbean Island Destination. We have been there!
JESS Kalinowsky Friends Travel LLP West Hollywood CA 90069-9309 Serving the USA to the World!
Cruise ships
Antigua is a popular stop on the cruise lines. Ships arrive in St John’s, the capital, which sits at the head of one of the west coast’s well protected harbours. St John’s has shopping in two main malls, Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay, but the best of Antigua lies beyond the town (the beaches and historical sights at English Harbour and Nelson’s Dockyard).
Some of the smaller cruise ships that stop at Antigua include Fred Olsen’s Braemar and Black Watch, the Marco Polo and Windstar’s five-masted sailing ship, the Wind Surf. Friends Travel LLP JESS@FriendsTravel.com can make all of your cruise and other transportation arrangements.
Tour operators / Friends Travel LLP JESS@FriendsTravel.com
makes it easier, and most often cheaper, to book a package through one of the Caribbean specialist tour operators.
Friends Travel LLP JESS@FriendsTravel.com will package the flights, transfers and accommodation for you.
Buses: Service run from the capital St John’s, but they are there primarily to serve locals, rather than hotel guests, and may not run to the places you want to go (i.e. the beaches). However, a regular service does run between St John’s and English Harbour.
Taxis: Alternatively, taxis are available all over the island and you should be able to book one through your hotel reception. In town, you can just stand and wait – someone will offer soon enough.
Know before you go
Currency
The currency of Antigua, like many of the former British islands in the area, is the Eastern Caribbean (EC) Dollar. The currency is fixed to the US Dollar at a rate of US$1 = EC$2.67.
US Dollars are regularly (and legally) used on the island, so that may be easier. Hotels publish their rates in US Dollars.
Make sure you know which currency you are dealing in before you make a transaction.
While the Antiguans are generally very friendly, if you are approached in the street, react sensibly and within reason – in the same way you would at home if approached by a stranger. Do not give out personal information, such as where you are staying.
Taxis are not metered in Antigua. Instead, fares are published. It is a good idea to establish the fare at the start of your journey – so it helps to know the going rate before you get into the cab.
It is easy to let your guard down with security on an island like this, so remember not to leave valuable belongings within sight in your car, or unattended on the beach.
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