Antigua and Barbuda Travel Guide

Browse the Antigua and Barbuda Photo Gallery

Passports and Visas

All nationalities must hold confirmed onward or return tickets and sufficient funds to cover their period of intended stay. Extensions are possible on visas. As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travelers traveling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. If departing from the USA a valid passport will be required by immigration authorities.

Americans

United States passport holders must have a valid passport or a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, as well as proof of citizenship, such as an original or certified birth certificate. A visa is not required for stays of up to one month.

UK Nationals

UK nationals require a passport. A visa is not required for stays of up to six months.

Canadians

Canadians require a passport, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, as well as proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. A visa is not required for stays of up to one month.

Australians

Australians require a passport. A visa is not required for stays of up to one month.

South Africans

South African nationals must hold a passport. A visa is not required for a stay of up to one month.

Irish Nationals

Irish nationals require a passport. A visa is not necessary for stays of up to one month.

New Zealanders

New Zealand nationals require a passport. A visa is not needed for a stay of up to one month.

Healthcare

There are no special health requirements for visitors to Antigua and Barbuda, except for yellow fever immunization for those over one year of age arriving from an infected country. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended but not mandatory. The Dengue Fever mosquito is found throughout the islands, and incidents of the disease are on the increase; care should be taken to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Travelers should be aware that some types of tropical reef fish are poisonous, even when cooked. Health insurance with provision for medical evacuation is strongly recommended, as medical treatment is expensive. There is no hyperbaric chamber; divers requiring treatment for decompression illness must be evacuated from the island. The private hospital, Adelin, requires a substantial credit card deposit before treating visitors, who then have to personally reclaim the cost from insurance on their return home.

Safety

Most visits to Antigua and Barbuda are trouble-free but visitors should not become complacent. Crime exists on the island and visitors should take normal precautions. Avoid isolated areas, including beaches after dark, and do not carry large amounts of cash or jewelry. Hurricane season is usually from June to November.