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Places to Visit in Antigua

Fig Tree Drive

Enjoy an afternoon, scenic Drive to English Harbour, through the lush green "Fig Tree Drive". Stop along the way at a local vendor for fresh pineapple and mangos. Rain-forest Zip Lines tour is along the way.

Nelson's Dockyard National Park

Today Nelson's Dockyard has been completely restored, and it is now the only Georgian dockyard in the world. Gift shops, restaurants, sailboats and museum.

Shirley Heights Scenic Lookout Point

This is a spectacular vantage point to see the entire southern tip of Antigua. Sunday evening join the party! Fun, dancing and excitement, drinks, live band and food! Don't miss the much fun.

Betty's Hope Sugar Plantation

Established in 1650 during the British Colonial rule. Since 1995, it has been developed as an open air museum with a visitor center. It's a lovely country drive about 15 minutes out of town to get there.

Fort James

Historical Fort James is a must see. Located on a point at the entrance to St. Johns harbour in Antigua. Originallybuilt by the British in the 18th Century. (Photo Credit JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD*)

Drive along the Coastline

Start in St. Johns. Take a relaxing drive past Jolly Harbour and then through Earlings and past Turner's Beach. Visit Curtain Bluff beach. There is a lookout point just past the hotel. Good photos along the way.

365 Beaches

Antigua is known for the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. With one beach for each day of the year, be sure to visit a beach or two along the way - enjoy relaxation under a palm tree and an ocean breeze.

Devil's Bridge

A natural rock formation along the Atlantic Ocean. It is located on the Northeastern side of Antigua - along the Atlantic Ocean. Hundreds of years of wave and wind action has carved this amazing arch formation.

Neighboring Islands

Bird Island is just a few minutes boat ride of the northern coast of Antigua. There are local tour companies available to take you there for the day. Please ask us for details once you arrive on island.

Tourist Information – Driving in Antigua
Even if you have an International Drivers License, in order to be able to drive a car in Antigua and Barbuda you must purchase a local driving license, usually from the car hire company, at a cost of US$ 20 (EC$50). You must show your current driving license to obtain this.

You should drive with care and attention at all times. The national speed limit is 40mph and there is a limit of 20 mph in built up areas. Motorists drive on the left in Antigua and Barbuda. Main roads are generally well maintained, although they lack road markings. Pot holes, even on main roads, and poorly marked speed bumps can catch the unwary. Overtaking on blind corners and cutting corners when turning right are commonplace. Stray cattle, goats and dogs are an additional hazard. Pavements are few and very narrow so pedestrians walk on the road.

Most streets are lit at night, but not with as many street lights as in the U.K. and U.S. Recently a greater effort has been made to provide directional road signage especially to tourist attractions.

DRIVERS LICENSES:
Please note that the Antiguan government requires that you purchase a temporary drivers license to drive here. Even if you are the holder of an International Drivers License you are still required to purchase one. They cost US$20 US or EC$50 whether you purchase it from us, the police station, or the Transport Board. We pre-purchase them for your convenience. They are valid for 3 months and the agent will need to see your valid license from your country of residence to issue the temporary one. We accept cash for the licenses.

GAS STATIONS:
There are quite a few gas/petrol stations throughout the island. Some are full service stations that provide tire changes/repair and other services and others are mainly to get gas/petrol/diesel. In Antigua the service station attendant pumps your gas. You do not pump your own gas. You simply tell them how much you need and they will take care of the rest. All of the gas stations on the island are clearly marked on the map we provide to our clients.

PASSPORT & IMMIGRATION
US, Canadian and UK nationals require proof of citizenship, a valid passport, original or certified birth certificate.

VISA REQUIREMENTS
For visa information visit: www.antigua-barbuda.org
Cruise Ship passengers who are 'in transit' and stay less than 24 hours are not required to present a visa in Antigua.

TIME ZONE
Atlantic Standard Time = 1 hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time. GMT-4

TELEPHONES
Most hotels offer USA direct calling service, or can connect you with an operator for calling home. Phone booths & pay phones are located around the island. Cell phones are available in several retail stores for sale or rent.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Police Emergency: 911 or 999
Fire: (268) 464-0044
Sea Rescue: (268) 462-3062
General Information
LANGUAGES
English is the official language of Antigua & Barbuda. However, dialect is spoken quite often by locals.

GOVERNMENT
Antigua achieved its independence on November 1, 1981. It is a member of the British Commonwealth under a Parliamentary system with a Prime Minister as its head.

CURRENCY
The Eastern Caribbean dollar which is fixed to the US dollar - is the official currency.

Exchange rate is US $1.00 = EC $2.70.

The most widely accepted currency is US dollars and EC dollars, travelers checks and major credit cards.

DRIVERS LICENSE
A temporary driving permit is required for all drivers in Antigua. It is US $20. It is valid for 3 months. You may obtain one from the Transport Board, car rental agencies and police stations.

BANKS
Most banks are open Monday – Thursday: 8am to 2pm and Friday until 4pm.
ACB Bank is open on Saturday from 8am to noon at certain locations.

INTERNET & WIRELESS
WIFI is offered for free at most places around the island.



*Fort James photo; JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons