I found a very informative list of Travel Tips, and some good general information on the Official website of the Antigua & Barbuda Department of Tourism. Great information! I am posting it here, but in several segments, due to its length. See the following posts.
I've also added some of my own photos and (in blue) comments.
I loved Antigua. It was probably my favorite port on the Southern Caribbean Itinerary.
Here's a view from high on a hill taken during our tour of the island:
Antigua (pronounced An-tee'ga) and Barbuda are located in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, roughly 17 degrees north of the equator. To the south are the islands of Montserrat and Guadaloupe, and to the north and west are Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Barts, and St. Martin.
A hilltop view from Antigua, looking toward Montserrat.
Montserrat is home to an active volcano. From this vantage point, we could actually see the steam rising from Montserrat's volcano, though my camera didn't pick it up.
As we cruised past Montserrat on our return, the captain slowed the ship and we got some great views of it:
Antigua, the largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, is about 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, encompassing 108 square miles. Its highest point is Boggy Peak (1319 ft.), located in the southwestern corner of the island. Barbuda, a flat coral island with an area of only 68 square miles, lies approximately 30 miles due north. The nation also includes the tiny (0.6 square mile) uninhabited island of Redonda, now a nature preserve. The current population for the nation is approximately 68,000 and its capital is St. John's on Antigua.
Antigua's climate is apparently great for growing things, as evidenced in this photo:
Climate:
Temperatures generally range from the mid-seventies in the winter to the mid-eighties in the summer. Annual rainfall averages only 45 inches, making it the sunniest of the Eastern Caribbean Islands, and the northeast trade winds are nearly constant, flagging only in September. Low humidity year-round.
One of the not-to-be missed sights in Antigua is Nelson's Dockyard, a historic, and still functioninig facility. A stroll around the dockyard is relaxing and enlightening.
Telephones:
Calling the U.S. is easy from Antigua and Barbuda. Most hotels offer USA Direct calling service, or can connect you with a U.S. operator for calling home.
Electricity:
Part of the island is 110 volts, the remainder is 220 volts. Most hotels have both voltages available.
Tipping/Gratuities: Same as in the US; 10-15% depending on the service. Some restaurants & hotels will automatically add a 10% gratuity. If in doubt, just ask. Give porters and bellhops 50 cents per bag, taxi drivers 10-15% of the fare.
. Taxes: Antigua & Barbuda has a US$20.00 airport departure tax, a room tax of 8.5% and service charge of 10% (in lieu of tipping).
Currency/Money:
Official currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar which is fixed to the US dollar. Recent exchange rate was US$1.00 = EC$2.65. US currency, travelers checks and major credit cards are welcome everywhere.
Banks:
Antigua and Barbuda Development Bank, Antigua and Barbuda Investment, Bank Antigua Commercial Bank, Bank of Antigua, Bank of Nova Scotia, Barclays Bank PLC, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Caribbean Corporation Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, Swiss American National Bank of Antigua. Banking hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00am to 1:00pm and again from 3:00pm to 5:00pm; Friday from 8:00am to 12:00pm, and 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Appropriate Attire:
Informal, but conservative. Beach attire is appropriate for the beach but not town, shops or restaurants. Some hotels and restaurants stipulate jacket and tie for men and dresses for women in the evening.
Speaking of the beach, I can highly recommend snorkeling with the stingrays in Antigua. Here's a pic of the point where we boarded the boat that took us out to the ray area:
Our guide told us Antigua has so many beaches that you could stay there for an entire year, and visit a different beach every day!
Passports & Immigration:
U.S. , Canadian and U.K. nationals require proof of citizenship--a valid passport, original or certified birth certificate. U.S. residents and others should contact the nearest tourist office for entry requirements. Click here for Visa Information.
Time Zone:
Atlantic Standard Time, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time and the same as Eastern Daylight Time. GMT -4.
MORE PHOTOS
There are more photos of Antigua in our CLF Cruise Gallery.
To see them, just CLICK HERE.
Medical Facilities:
There are several general practitioners and specialists on the island, a hospital and a private clinic. No vaccinations are required unless the visitor is arriving from an endemic area. Recompression chambers are available by air ambulance at nearby Saba and in St. Thomas. Pharmaceutical services are widely available.
My daughter and her new hubby decided to homeymoon on Antigua. They really enjoyed it!
They did a daytrip to Barbuda, and she was blown away by the beach sand there.
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