Antigua

365 beaches and turquoise waters

Antigua is a Caribbean island with flat terrain and white sand beaches along its coasts. The landscape features rolling hills, coral reefs offshore and historic sites such as old forts built by colonial powers. Local towns like St. John’s provide markets selling fresh seafood and tropical fruits. Outdoor activities include sailing in calm waters, hiking trails through dry forests and exploring volcanic rock formations near the shoreline. The climate stays warm year-round with gentle trade winds that make outdoor experiences comfortable most of the time.

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Island in Antigua and Barbuda

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 6.6

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	7

Read details

5/5

English is the official language and widely spoken everywhere, so communication is easy for tourists. Some locals also speak Spanish, but it's not necessary to know.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Antigua Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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Read how our scores work

World-class for tropical beaches. Swim and snorkel in clear water, sail between bays, relax on white sand and enjoy sunset views.

Place score

7.8

Best at:

Sea

Beaches

Islands

Fine dining

Street food

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

❤️ 9

Couples

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

Antigua and Barbuda – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	East Caribbean Dollar (XCD) £1 ≈ EC$3.60
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payment options are increasingly available, especially in larger tourist areas and resorts. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. A tip of 10-15% is common in restaurants.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in most areas, especially at beaches, but should be done responsibly.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places, but allowed in outdoor areas.

Antigua and Barbuda Independence Day (November)	Public celebrations and festivals.
Christmas (December)	Festivals and closures.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911
Taxi apps:	None widely used; taxis are typically hailed directly or arranged by hotels.
Other:	Antigua and Barbuda is known for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant cultural festivals.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - April, Dec.
Shoulder season:	May, July
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Hurricane season June to November, most dangerous August to October

Many hotels and restaurants close September to October, main season mid December to April

Antigua Sailing Week late April to early May; Carnival late July to early August

Don't miss

⚓ Explore historic Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO site
🏖️ Relax on the pristine sands of Dickenson Bay Beach
🌅 Hike to Shirley Heights for sunset and steel drum music
🌊 Visit Devil’s Bridge natural limestone arch and blowholes
🐠 Swim with gentle stingrays at Stingray City

You've been here?

Why travel to Antigua?

Antigua is all about sun, sea and history. With a beach for every day of the year, you’ll never run out of places to swim or sunbathe. The island’s sailing culture is world-famous and the waters are perfect for snorkeling and diving. Beyond the coast, there's rich colonial history, colorful markets and a welcoming Caribbean atmosphere. It’s a mix of relaxation and adventure that makes it an unforgettable destination.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Falmouth Harbour
2 Fort James
3 Museum Of Antigua & Barbuda
4 Nelson's Dockyard National Park
5 Shirley Heights
6 St. John's Cathedral

🎡Places for activities

1 Darkwood Beach
2 Deep Bay
3 Valley Church Beach
4 Jolly Harbour Marina Office
5 Pigeon Point Beach
6 Stingray City

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Devil's Bridge
2 Great Bird Island
3 Half Moon Bay
4 Boggy Peak

🛍️Shopping

1 Heritage Hotel
2 Redcliffe Quay Retail Area
3 Public Meat Market

🎈Events

Carnival Antigua
Antigua and Barbuda Independence Festival
Antigua Charter Yacht Show
Run in Paradise Marathon

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Rent a car early; beaches and viewpoints are spread out.
Most beaches have public access, but entrances can be hidden behind resorts – ask politely for the path.
Pack reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes; some bays have coral, sea urchins and rocky entries.
Go to Shirley Heights on Sunday for sunset views, steelpan and barbecue – arrive before dusk for parking.

How to travel to Antigua

V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU) is the main entry point, with flights from the U.S., Canada and Europe. Cruise ships dock in St. John’s, offering another way to visit. Ferries connect Antigua to Barbuda.

Access summary

From V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU): Taxi or hotel shuttle, about 15–25 minutes.
From St. John’s: Short taxi or local bus to beach areas, roughly 10–30 minutes.
Arriving by Caribbean island-hopping flights or cruises is also very common.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Antigua

Antigua offers a mix of luxury resorts, boutique hotels and beachfront villas. All-inclusive resorts are common, but there are also guesthouses and budget-friendly stays. Barbuda has a few eco-lodges and smaller accommodations.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Ocean Point Beach Resort & Spa Adults Only

8.6

The Catamaran Hotel

8.5

Antigua Superyacht Marina & Resort

8.4

PINEAPPLE BEACH CLUB - ALL INCLUSIVE - ADULTS ONLY

9.0

Lord Nelson Hotel & Residences

8.9

Hammock Cove Antigua - All Inclusive - Adults Only

9.5

Royalton CHIC Antigua, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort – Adults Only

7.9

Trade Winds Hotel Antigua

9.4

South Point Antigua Ocean Suites

8.6

Jolly Beach Resort & Spa Antigua

7.4

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Antigua

Taxis and rental cars are the best ways to explore the island. Local minibuses are available but can be unpredictable. Many visitors prefer guided tours or boat trips to access beaches and smaller islands.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-26 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 26% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to XCD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£55	£131	£349
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£30	£75	£165
🍝 Food per day	£22	£48	£137
🚕 Transportation per day	£3	£8	£46

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£21
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£8.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£7
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£7.50
☕ Cappuccino	£2.20
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£3

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.70
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£30
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.95

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£5
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£55
🤧 Cold medication	£6.50
💇 Basic haircut	£8

Safety information overview

General safety

Antigua is generally safe for tourists, but petty theft can occur in busy areas. Avoid isolated beaches at night and be cautious with valuables when exploring markets or taking taxis.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities are decent but limited. There’s a hospital in St. John’s and some clinics, but serious cases may require evacuation to the U.S. or Puerto Rico. Tap water is generally safe but bottled water is preferred.

Accessibility

While major resorts and attractions are accessible, older buildings and some beaches lack proper infrastructure for those with mobility issues. Taxis and rental cars are the best options for getting around.

Tap water

Tap water is treated and safe in most areas, but bottled water is widely used. Public drinking fountains are rare, so carrying your own water is recommended.