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Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, EU and most Commonwealth countries do not need a visa for stays up to 6 months. Check with your nearest Antigua & Barbuda embassy for your specific nationality.

V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU) receives direct flights from the US (Miami, New York, Atlanta), UK (London Gatwick), Canada (Toronto) and several Caribbean islands. Major airlines include British Airways, American Airlines, JetBlue, Caribbean Airlines and LIAT.

A valid passport (with at least 6 months remaining), a return or onward ticket, and proof of accommodation. Some nationalities may need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

Yes — the Antigua & Barbuda Hospitality Tourism Levy (HTL) of $50 USD per person is typically included in your airline ticket price. Confirm with your airline.

The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$), fixed at 2.70 EC$ to 1 USD. US dollars are widely accepted everywhere. Major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and shops.

Yes — ATMs are available at the airport, in St. John's, and at most larger towns. They dispense EC$. Some bank ATMs also offer USD withdrawal.

Tipping is customary. Most restaurants add a 10–15% service charge. If not included, 15–20% is standard. Tip hotel porters $1–2 per bag, taxi drivers 10–15%, and tour guides $5–10 per person.

The peak season runs December to April with warm, dry weather (average 28°C / 82°F) and low humidity. The low season (May–November) is hotter and wetter but offers significant discounts. Hurricane season is officially June–November, with highest risk August–October.

Average temperatures range from 25°C (77°F) in winter to 30°C (86°F) in summer. Trade winds keep the island comfortable year-round. Water temperature stays between 26–29°C (79–84°F).

Antigua is one of the driest Caribbean islands. Rain showers are typically short and tropical — they pass quickly. The wettest months are September–November. Annual rainfall averages about 45 inches.

Yes — several local and international rental companies operate from the airport and St. John's. You'll need a temporary Antigua driving permit ($50 USD, available at rental agencies). Driving is on the left side of the road.

Yes — taxis are available at the airport, cruise port, hotels and popular tourist areas. Fares are government-regulated and posted at taxi stands. Always confirm the fare before departing. A taxi from the airport to St. John's costs approximately $15–20 USD.

Local buses run between St. John's and most parts of the island for EC$2.50–3.75. They operate roughly 6 AM – 7 PM with no fixed schedule — flag them down at marked bus stops. Buses are colourful minivans.

The Barbuda Express ferry runs daily from St. John's (approximately 90 minutes, ~$100 USD round trip). Charter flights take 15 minutes.

Antigua famously claims a beach for every day of the year. While the exact count depends on how you define a "beach", there are certainly hundreds of beautiful beaches ranging from long white-sand stretches to tiny secluded coves.

Yes — all beaches in Antigua & Barbuda are public up to the high-water mark. Some resort beaches may have restricted access to their facilities (loungers, bars), but the beach itself is always public.

Snorkelling, diving, sailing, jet skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, kite surfing, deep-sea fishing and catamaran cruises are all widely available.

Everything from all-inclusive luxury resorts (Sandals, Curtain Bluff, Jumby Bay) to boutique hotels, self-catering villas, guesthouses and B&Bs.

For peak season (December–April), book 3–6 months in advance, especially during Antigua Sailing Week and Carnival. Low season bookings can often be made last-minute with significant savings.

Antigua is generally very safe for visitors. Exercise normal precautions — don't leave valuables unattended on the beach, use hotel safes, and be aware of your surroundings at night. Violent crime against tourists is rare.

No specific vaccinations are required for entry. However, routine vaccinations (hepatitis A/B, tetanus) are recommended. Bring insect repellent — mosquitoes are present, especially in the rainy season.

Tap water in Antigua comes from desalination plants and is generally safe to drink. However, many visitors prefer bottled water, which is widely available.

Police: 911 or 462-0125. Fire: 911 or 462-0044. Ambulance: 911 or 462-0251. Mount St. John's Medical Centre (main hospital): 484-2700.

English is the official language. You'll also hear Antiguan Creole, a colourful local dialect. Spanish, French and other languages may be heard in tourist areas.

Antigua uses Type A and Type B plugs (same as the US/Canada). Voltage is 230V at 60Hz. Bring a universal adapter if travelling from the UK or Europe.

Most hotels, restaurants and cafés offer free Wi-Fi. Mobile data is available via Digicel and FLOW (Caribbean networks). You can buy a local SIM card at the airport.

Atlantic Standard Time (AST) — UTC −4. Antigua does not observe daylight saving time. During US daylight saving, Antigua is the same as Eastern Time.