Social ConventionsDress is informal unless formal dress is specifically requested. It is not acceptable to wear scanty clothing or beachwear in towns or villages. It is an offence 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 AirAntigua & Barbuda does not have its own national airline but many airlines do operate regular direct flights there including
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 TaxEC$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 AirportsVC 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 WaterMain 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.
OverviewThe 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 ImportsFirearms, ammunition, weapons and narcotics.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirA 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 WaterLocal 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 RoadMost roads are all-weather and in reasonable condition, although they lack road markings. Few streets are lit at night. Driving is on the left.
Bus: The bus network is small, and buses are infrequent.
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.
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.
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, costs US$20.
Journey TimesThe following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from
St John’s to other major towns, resorts or centers in Antigua.
| Road |
| VC Bird (airport) | 0.10 |
| English Harbour | 0.35 |
| Jolly Beach | 0.20 |
| Shirley Heights | 0.35 |
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