Antigua

Passport and Visas
Full passports are required by all British visitors and should be valid for 6 months from departure date.  Visas are not required by British of European Passport Holders, other nationalities please consult your embassy for details.

Health
Vaccinations are not officially required.  However the following immunisations are recommended as a precaution : Hepatitis A, polio tetanus and typhiod.  We also recommend the use of mosquito repellent.  Please consult your doctor for the most up-to-date information.

Currency
One Pound Sterling is roughly equal to four Eastern Caribbean dollars (EC$).  This rate fluctuates constantly, but the EC$ is fixed to the US$, and normally exchanges at US$1 = EC$2.60.  US$ travellers’ cheques and US$ notes accepted.  Credit Cards: American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard and Visa.  Eurocheques are not widely accepted.  US$ and £ Sterling may be changed at all banks in St. Johns, or exchanged at hotels and larger stores.

Economy
Tourism is the island’s main source of revenue, and accounts for almost 90% of the gross national product.

Banking and shopping
Banks are open Monday to Thursday 0800 - 1300, Friday 0800 - 1300, 1500 - 1700. Saturday some banks open until midday.
Heritage Quay, St. Johns is where most shoppers head for, with all duty free items, liquor, cigarettes, china, crystal, jewellery, perfumes available as well as local arts and crafts, pottery, painting, precious and semi-precious jewels.

Car Rental
Several international car rental companies are located at V C Bird International Airport.  A local drivers’ permit is obtainable on presentation of a valid drivers’ licence and payment of a nominal fee.  Driving is on the left.

Clothing
Light summer attire is suitable at all times.  Some hotels and restaurants stipulate jacket and tie for men and dresses for ladies in the evening.  Swimsuits are not recommended in the capital.

Food and Drink
Local Antiguan cuisine is based on West Indian cuisine, with lots of fish, lobster and spicy foods.  Sea foods is a speciality, as are the famous West Indian ‘jerk’ dishes.  Fungi and saltfish is a local dish, salted codfish stewed with onions, tomatoes and oil with a cornmeal pastry.  There is a locally produced rum and a light beer (Wadadili beer).

General information on Antigua
Location: Caribbean
Size: Antigua is 108 square miles.
Population: 66,000
Local time: GMT -4 hours
Capital: St John’s
Language: English
Electricity: 220/110 volts AC; 60 cycles. Dual voltage appliances recommended. American-type 2-pin electrical sockets
Airport: V.C. Bird International
Flight times: Approximately 9 hours from UK
Average Costs: Three course meal £35. Beer £2.  Bottle of wine £9.  1lt of petrol £1.50
Tap water: Chlorinated therefore bottled water is recommended.
Taxis:  Taxis available at VC Bird International Airport, at major hotels, and in downtown St. John’s.
Departure Tax: Payable at airline check-in counter. EC$54/US$20.  Exemptions: Children under 16 years & 24 hour transit passengers.

Duty free Allowance
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco, 1 litre wine or spirits, 170ml (6 oz) perfume.

Climate
The island enjoys a very pleasant tropical climate remaining warm and relatively dry throughout the year. November is historically the month with most rainfall, although this is in effect negligible.

• Antigua Tourist Board