Antigua and Barbuda Travel Guide

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Social Conventions

Dress is informal unless formal dress is specifically requested. It is not acceptable to wear revealing clothing or beachwear in towns or villages. It is an offense for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing. Relatives and good friends generally embrace. Friends tend to drop by unannounced, but an invitation is necessary for acquaintances or business associates. Although gifts will generally be well received, they are normally only given on celebratory occasions. Flowers are appropriate for dinner parties; bring a bottle only when specifically requested. Smoking is accepted in most public places. Certain homosexual acts are illegal.

International Travel

Getting There By Air

Antigua & Barbuda does not have its own national airline but many airlines do operate regular direct flights there. British Airways (website: www.britishairways.com) flies from the UK and Delta (website: www.delta.com) flies from the USA. Many other airlines operate inter-Caribbean flights. Some require connections.

Departure Tax

EC$50 or US$20. EC$35 for nationals of CARICOM countries. EC$25 for nationals of Antigua and Barbuda. Children under 16 are exempt.

Main Airports

VC Bird International (ANU), formerly Coolidge International, located on the northeast corner of Antigua, is 8km (5 miles) northeast of St John’s. The airport provides access to major international centers, such as Frankfurt/M, London, Miami, Montréal, New York and Toronto, with feeder services to all the Eastern Caribbean islands, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. To/from the airport: Taxi services run to the town and hotels on a fixed-fare basis (journey time - 10 to 15 minutes). Taxi drivers expect 10% of the fare, and dockside and airport porters expect US$0.50-1 per bag. Airport shuttles may be booked in advance. There is no public transport to or from the airport. Facilities: Full outgoing duty-free shopping, restaurant, bar, 24-hour ATM, post office, car hire and currency exchange.

Getting There By Water

Main ports: St John’s has a deep-sea harbor served by cruise liners from the USA, Puerto Rico, the UK, Europe and South America. Many smaller ships sail to other Caribbean islands.

Duty Free

Overview

The following items may be imported into Antigua & Barbuda without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• 1L of wine or spirits.
• 170mL of perfume.

Prohibited Imports

Firearms, ammunition, weapons and narcotics.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Air

A small airstrip at Codrington on Barbuda is equipped to handle light aircraft. Carib Aviation operates scheduled flights between Antigua and Barbuda (20 minutes’ duration, twice daily).

Getting Around By Water

Local boats are available for excursions. It usually takes 3 hours to travel from Antigua to Barbuda. However, the Barbuda Express (tel: 560 7989; website: www.antiguaferries.com) takes 90 minutes and journeys five days per week from St John’s.

Getting Around By Road

Driving is on the left. Most roads are all-weather and in reasonable condition, although they lack road markings. Few streets are lit at night.

Bus: The bus network is small, and buses are infrequent.

Taxi: Available everywhere with standardized rates. US Dollars are more readily accepted by taxi drivers. Taxi drivers are also qualified as tour guides for sightseeing trips.

Car hire: This can be organized from your home country but is easy to do on arrival. There are several reputable car hire companies on Antigua (some of which also hire out mopeds and bicycles). Hire rates are for the day and there is no mileage.

Regulations: The national speed limit is 65kph (40mph) and there is a limit of 32kph (20mph) in built-up areas.

Documentation: In order to drive a vehicle on the island it is necessary to buy a temporary local driver’s license from a police station or car hire agency. Valid for six months.

Journey Times

The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from St John’s to other major towns, resorts or centers in Antigua.