ANTIGUA & BARBUDA 
ANTIGUA & BARBUDA - CARIBBEAN - TOURISM INFORMATION
Weather: Antigua and Barbuda is warm all year round; visitors are able to bask in sunny weather whenever they like. Antigua is a year-round destination as temperatures do not vary that much throughout the year, generally between 24 and 30 degrees in the daytime. In the night temperatures are between 20 degrees in winter and 27 degrees in summer. The trade winds, a constant easterly sea breeze, are on tap to relieve the heat. The rainy season involves afternoon showers, that come and go fast. The hurricane season extends from July to November. The last hurricane that hit Antigua was in 1999.
Currency: Antigua & Barbuda use the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$ or XCD). The EC Dollar rate is fixed to the US dollar at an average of US$1 to EC$2.6882. It is advisable to verify exchange rates prior to your trip. US dollars, major credit cards and travelers’ cheques are also accepted everywhere on the islands.
Money, Exchange, Banks: Although the local currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollars, the US Dollar is accepted everywhere. The rate is fixed to US$1=EC$2.6882. Major credit cards, such as American Express, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in many places. US Dollars and Pound Sterling travelers’cheques are readily accepted, Euro travelers cheques are not widely accepted. There are banks located in St. John’s, Woods Shopping Mall, VC Bird International Airport, Nelson’s Dockyard, Jolly Harbour Marina and they are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 2pm.
Money, Exchange, Banks: Although the local currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollars, the US Dollar is accepted everywhere. The rate is fixed to US$1=EC$2.6882. Major credit cards, such as American Express, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in many places. US Dollars and Pound Sterling travelers’cheques are readily accepted, Euro travelers cheques are not widely accepted. There are banks located in St. John’s, Woods Shopping Mall, VC Bird International Airport, Nelson’s Dockyard, Jolly Harbour Marina and they are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 2pm.
Driving: Cars drive on the left-hand side of the road in Antigua & Barbuda.
Language: The official language of Antigua & Barbuda is English, although locals speak a dialect that can be very difficult to understand. Some locals may also find your English very difficult to understand.
Cell Phones: Many tri-band phones work in Antigua – check before coming if your cell operator has an agreement with any of the providers in Antigua – Cable and Wireless, A.P.U.A., P.C.S. or Digicel. If you plan to make a lot of local calls or spend a significant amount of time in Antigua it may be worth getting a pay-as-you-go deal here. As long as your phone is unlocked (EC$50 to unlock locally) you will be able to get a SIM card and local telephone number. You can then buy phone cards locally to top up your phone.
Emergency numbers: To contact the Police Department, Fire Department or Ambulance Service, dial 911 or 999.
Entry requirements: To enter in Antigua and Barbuda all that is required is: a valid passport, a return ticket, a confirmation of accommodation and sufficient funds for the duration of the stay. Nationals of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries (except Bangladesh, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, India, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone and Sri Lanka), Other EU Coutries (except nationals of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Latvia and the Slovak Republic), USA, Canada, Australia & Japan do not require visas for stays of up to 3 months. If you will need a visa check out the latest information on this link including requirements and payments at http://www.ab.gov.ag/gov_v2/government/notices/notices2007/notice_2007jan16_id1.html
Taxes: There is a US$ 30.00 airport departure tax, a room tax of 8.5% and service charge of 10% (in lieu of tipping).
Time zone: Antigua is on Atlantic Standard Time, one hour ahead of the Eastern time zone in the USA when it observes Daylight Savings (Antigua does not).
Duty Free Allowances: The duty free allowance is: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco, 1 liter of wine or spirit, 170ml perfume. Duty free Shopping is available in stores in St. John's in the Heritage Quay Shopping centre and Redcliffe Quay. In order to be eligible to buy duty free goods the purchaser must show a valid confirmed airline ticket and picture ID.
Locally Made Souvenirs: Locally-made souvenirs to take home include: Antigua rums, produced by Antigua Distillery are the English Harbour Light Rum and English Harbour Five years old Rum. Susie’s Hot Sauce in a variety of flavours which the products are shipped all over the world. The Original Hot Sauce is still the most popular and it has also won awards in the United States. Little books by Antiguan designer Gilly Gobinet, long known for her colourful prints and cards. Some of the series are ‘Caribbean Cocktails’, ‘Caribbean Cookery’, ‘The top 20 places in Antigua’.
Shopping Hours: Normal shopping hours are Monday - Saturday from 9am to 5pm.
Payment: Most stores accept both EC$ and US$ and major credit cards are generally accepted in Redcliffe and Heritage Quay shopping areas.
Supermarkets: There are large supermarkets at Woods Mall and Jolly Harbour. The fruit and vegetable market opens daily except Sundays.
Post Offices: There are 4 post offices on island: at the airport, on High Street in St. John's, Wood Shopping Mall and inside the Nelson's Dockyard. Courier services such as DHL and Federal Express are available.
Antigua Tourist Information:
Antigua and Barbuda
Department of Tourism
Corner of Nevis Street & Friendly Alley
P.O. Box 363
St John's, Antigua W.I.
Tel: 268-462-0480
Fax: 268-462-2483
Department of Tourism
Corner of Nevis Street & Friendly Alley
P.O. Box 363
St John's, Antigua W.I.
Tel: 268-462-0480
Fax: 268-462-2483
Consulates, Embassies: There is a British Government Representative in Antigua and consulates or embassies for Venezuela, China, Italy, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Germany and others:
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British Consular Agent - 764-4653 (Old Parham Road)
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Embassies of the People's Republic of China - 462-1125 (Marble Hill)
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Consulate of Colombia - 560-4622
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Consulate of Denmark - 480-3070
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Consulate of France - 460-6428 (Rowan Henry St.)
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Consulate of Germany - 462-3174 (Hodges Bay)
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Consulate of Italy - 460-1543 (Galleon Beach)
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Honorary Consul of Jamaica - 462-6439
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Consulate of Norway - 462-0858 (Frances Trading)
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Consulate of Netherlands - 481-1851 (Gomez Insurance)
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Swiss, Consular Agency - 462-8975 (Woods Centre)
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U.S. Consular Agent - 462-8975 (Woods Centre)
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Venezuelan Embassy - 462-1574 (Jasmine Court, Friars Hill Road)
Customs: It is very customary to greet the people you meet. Failure to greet people on entering an office or shop may result in very slow service. Antiguans are very religious and they have a conservative attitude toward dressing. It is not appropriate to walk in the city in bathing suits. Topless sunbathing is not acceptable. The only nudist beach on the island is at the Hawksbill Resort, close to Galley Bay, the 4th beach away from the hotel.
Medical Facilities:
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Adelin Clinic (Private) - Fort Road, St. John's - 462-0866 / 7
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Emergency medical services call 999, 911 or 562-2433
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Mount St. John's Hospital - St. John's Antigua Tel: (268) 484-2700.
Pharmacies: They are concentrated in the city of St. John's and most open from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Ceco Pharmacy, located on High Street, is open 7 days a week from 8:15am to midnight. Other pharmacies are at Woods shopping centre and Jolly Harbour.
Vaccinations: No vaccinations are required unless the visitor is arriving from an endemic area. Go to the World Health Organization website for information http://www.who.int/countries/atg/en/
Accommodation Prices: Accommodations charge higher rates on high season, from the end of November to the end of April. Christmas, Sailing Week and Carnival have even higher rates.
Coming to Antigua: A list of airlines flying to Antigua and telephone & e-mail contacts:
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American Airline - 462-0950 - www.aa.com
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Air Canada - 462-1147 - www.aircanada.ca
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British Airways - 462-0876 - www.britishairways.com
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Virgin Atlantic - 560-2079/562-4148 - www.virgin-atlantic.com
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US Airways - 800-622-1015
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Continental - 462-5355 - www.continental.com