Traveling Luck for Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Barbuda, North America

Antigua and Barbuda is located in Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico.

Land in Antigua and Barbuda is mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas.

Antiguan, Barbudan land covers an area of 442.60000000000002 square kilometers which is 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Antiguan, Barbudan flag Antiguan, Barbudan national flag (Flag of Antigua and Barbuda)

As for the Antiguan, Barbudan climate; tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation.

Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s) speak English (official), local dialects.

Places of note in Antigua and Barbuda

Antiguan, Barbudan Map Antiguan, Barbudan map

Regions of Antigua and Barbuda

The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak and Carib Indians populated the islands when Columbus landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early settlements by the Spanish and French were succeeded by the English who formed a colony in 1667. Slavery, established to run the sugar plantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981.

Country Profile for Antigua and Barbuda

Tourism continues to dominate the economy, accounting for more than half of GDP. Weak tourist arrival numbers since early 2000 have slowed the economy, however, and pressed the government into a tight fiscal corner. The dual-island nation's agricultural production is focused on the domestic market and constrained by a limited water supply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of higher wages in tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on income growth in the industrialized world, especially in the US, which accounts for slightly more than one-third of tourist arrivals.

Antiguan, Barbudan natural resources include NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism

Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a very large western harbor

Antiguan, Barbudan religion is Christian (predominantly Anglican with other Protestant, and some Roman Catholic).

Natural hazards in Antigua and Barbuda include hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts.

Travel Advice for Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda

This advice has been reviewed and reissued.  The overall level of the advice has not changed.

SUMMARY

  • Most visits to Antigua and Barbuda are trouble-free.  The main type of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance is for replacing lost and stolen passports.  You should not become complacent about safety and security.  Cases of robbery and other crimes against people occur.

  • The hurricane season in Antigua and Barbuda normally runs from June to November.  Please see the Natural Disasters section of this Travel Advice and Hurricanes for more information.

  • The threat from terrorism is low.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

  • If you are travelling to Antigua and Barbuda for the ICC Cricket World Cup, which runs from 11 March to 28 April 2007, with warm-up games in the region beginning on 5 March 2007, you should see ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 for general advice you may need before you travel.

  • We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see:  Travel Insurance.


SAFETY AND SECURITY

Crime
You should take sensible precautions and be vigilant at all times.  Avoid isolated areas, including beaches after dark.  There has been a recent increase in robberies of tourists in Antigua.  Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery.  Valuables and travel documents should be left, where possible, in safety deposit boxes and hotel safes.

Political Situation
Antigua and Barbuda Country Profile
Road Safety
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.  Few streets are lit at night.
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.
In order to be able to drive a car in Antigua and Barbuda you must purchase a local driving licence, usually from the car hire company, at a cost of US$ 20 (EC$50).  You must show your current driving licence to obtain this.


LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You should note that there are severe penalties for all drug offences.  Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.
You should be aware that it is an offence for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing.
Certain homosexual acts are illegal under the laws of Antigua and Barbuda.


ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

British Passport holders do not require visas to visit Antigua and Barbuda.  Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months.  On entry, you are granted a stay of one month.  If you wish to stay longer, you must apply for an extension of stay through the Antigua and Barbuda Immigration Department.  It is an offence to overstay the entry period or to work without a work permit.
Entry requirements may change from time to time and should be checked with The High Commission of Antigua and Barbuda.


HEALTH

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance, which includes medical evacuation by air ambulance, before travelling.  Be especially careful about cover for recurring illnesses, as this may not be included in all insurance policies.  Please note the private medical clinic, Adelin, will not accept medical travel insurance in payment for treatment.  Patients must pay a deposit (US$4,000 in December 2006) via a credit card before treatment will be given.  If funds deposited exceed the cost of the treatment, a refund will be given.  You should check if your insurance company is willing to cover the cost of treatment at Adelin.  If not, you will need to use the General Hospital.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see: Travel Insurance.
The dengue fever mosquito is found throughout Antigua and Barbuda.  You should take normal precautions against mosquito bites, including using insect repellent during daylight hours and after sunset.
You should be aware of the high prevalence of the HIV/AIDS virus in the Caribbean region and take precautions to avoid exposure to it.
You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.  For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at:  www.dh.gov.uk.
NATURAL DISASTERS
The hurricane season in Antigua and Barbuda normally runs from June to November.  You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation.  You can also access the National Hurricane Centre for updates.  Please also see: Hurricanes for more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a hurricane.


GENERAL

If things go wrong when overseas, please see What We Can Do To Help.
Keep a copy of the photopage of your passport and relevant entry stamp in case your documents are stolen.
If you are on a package holiday, you must travel on the specified return date.  If you fail to do so it is likely that you will have to pay the cost of a return ticket yourself.
An airport departure tax is payable by visitors staying more than 24 hours.  In December 2006 this departure tax amounted to 50 East Caribbean Dollars (per person).
In the event of loss of your passport you will need to apply to the Passport Office at the British High Commission, Barbados for a replacement.  The British High Commission in Antigua can advise you how to do this.  Urgent applications will have to be sent to Bridgetown by courier, incurring courier costs for the applicant.  But even so, the issue of a replacement passport could take several days.
In cases of genuine emergency the British High Commission in Antigua may be able to issue an Emergency Passport valid for a single journey back to the UK.