10 things I wish I knew before going to Antigua And Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda also boasts the most luxury all-inclusive boutique hotels in the Caribbean and is the perfect destination for any traveler. USD are easy to get hold of, ECD less so (I'm in UK). XCD Exchange Rates Eastern Caribbean Central Bank BBD Barbadian Dollar* Country Barbados Region North America However, if you do experience any issues while taking an Antigua taxi, such as being overcharged or experiencing a rude driver, you can make an official complaint to the tourist police by calling +502 5978 3586. Antigua's resorts offer a wide choice of international and local cuisine, and the island has seen both Chinese and Middle Eastern food grow in popularity in recent years. Antigua and Barbuda have no major international disputes and maintain fairly peaceful. A little nightlife. Its ok to have questions! Credit cards are always accepted as well. If you intend to use the latter you're sometimes hostage to the vendor's exchange rate and mental arithmetic, so the answer to your question kind of depends on where you'll be spending your money. Antigua taxis can take up to 4 passengers for the quoted price. Voted several years in a row as the Caribbeans Most Romantic Destination, we consider ourselves as the Romance Capital of the World. However, you will get a better rate exchanging it in Antigua. Sugar Breeze is his favourite restaurant. Monday thru Saturday 8am to noon and 1pm-5pm. US dollars are widely accepted on the island, though you will usually be given change in EC dollars, and at a less favorable exchange rate. Be sure to ask for the cost of your journey and revert back to the fare card if needed. Banking in Antigua and Barbuda: The Ultimate Guide WebAntigua and Barbudas Government Information and Services Government Services and Information Antigua and Barbuda's Passport Ranking Click here to see Passport Ranking. As you'll hopefully be aware, Along Dusty Roads sits firmly on the side of the fence that animal-based tourism should generally be avoided, or at least thoroughly researched prior to arrival. Editor of. Our advice to anyone looking for an all inclusive in Antigua is to make sure that yours is on or next to a really nice spot of beach - its likely that youll be basing yourself there for a few days at least, so you want some nice sand and sea to laze by. The U.S. dollar is the currency most used in international transactions. Instead, the Eastern Caribbean dollar - the currency of all seven full members and one associate member of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States - is the more common currency throughout Antigua and what we were quoted in at petrol stations, local supermarkets and restaurants outside our hotel. Antigua and Barbudas national bird is the Magnificent frigatebird, while its national animal is the Fallow deer. If you like your taxi driver, its completely normal to ask for their number to use them throughout your stay. An absence of mountains and forests distinguishes Antigua from the other Leeward Islands. The climate is similar to that of Antigua. Note that the two ATMs we withdrew from only offered East Caribbean dollars, and again just used the $ rather than specifically noting it was XCD. WebSix of the states using the EC$ are independent states: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Fresh fruit is plentiful, and the Antiguan black pineapple is famous throughout the Caribbean for its exceptionally sweet flavor. Antigua boasts the largest expanse of freshwater in the whole of the Caribbean, Potworks Dam is a man-made lake nearly 2km long by 1km wide. dont leave valuables unattended on the beach or in rental cars. Summer highs can reach 90 F (32 C). British passport holders dont need a visa to visit Antigua & Barbuda, and you will simply be given a stamp for a specified period of stay. There are also large proportions of Seventh-day Adventists, Pentecostals, Moravians, and Methodists. Check out our very favourite 10 beaches in Antigua here. Antigua and Barbuda has three very competent telecommunications providers namely Inet, Digicel and FLOW. One of the most unique things about Antigua is our 365 white and pink sand beaches and locals like to say, we have one for everyday of the year. Weapons of war and unprescribed drugs are prohibited. The East Caribbean dollar is also recognized as the official currency in all countries After all, you'll need somewhere to put all those souvenirs. Whether youre looking for a relaxing vacation in the sun or an adventure-filled trip, taking an Antigua taxi is the best way to get around the island. Their traditional system of land tenure is threatened by tourism development. A number of exquisite beaches are encircled by private hotels or resorts who control the main or most obvious access points, and then treat the beach as somewhere exclusive for their guests. This currency is also shared by seven other Eastern Caribbean islands and is Antigua and Barbuda If youre looking for a specialised service, there are a few tour operators that offer wheelchair accessible vehicles, such as Barry Taxi and Tours. Antigua and Barbuda are two Caribbean islands, (Antigua, pronounced "an-tee'-gah" and Barbuda), that form a country that lies between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico.. The tour departs on Tuesday and Thursdays, at 7 am. The ISO 3166-1 numeric or numeric country code of Antigua & Barbuda is 28 , ISO3166-1-Alpha-2 or two letter country code of Antigua & Barbuda is AG and ISO3166-1-Alpha-3 or three letter country code of Antigua & Barbuda is ATG. That is official government policy, but although the theory says that all Antiguan beaches are public, that doesnt necessarily mean they are easy for the public to access. Registration error. For more details, visit our How To Get Here page. It promotes sustainable and responsible travel for the curious modern day explorer. For US citizens, a visa is not required if you have an onward or return ticket, confirmation of accommodation, and can produce evidence of your ability to maintain yourself (which wont always be asked for). Than, when you pay for anything, you will generally get your change back in ECD anyway, so you will have some available to use. The main anchorage is the deepwater harbour of St. Johns. CV link has been copied: paste it anywhere! WebThe currency of Antigua and Barbuda is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$ or XCD). Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Redonda, an uninhabited rock, lies 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Antigua. WebAlthough we have our own currency (Eastern Caribbean Dollars) US dollars are widely used. Many card and coin public phone boxes are available around the island. The hospital also offers health promotion and prevention programs for diabetes, hypertension and antenatal care. The currency is Powder white sand, sapphire clear blue water and palm tress rustling in the light breeze - you wont want to go home! ),we first experienced this awkwardness when trying to visit the four wonderful little bays at Hawksbill. Antigua Is it necessary to get ECD in advance or are there plentiful ATMs/Currency Exchanges? Banks open Monday to Thursday, 8am 2pm and Fridays 8am 4pm. As part of the Leeward islands, we are situated 45 minutes (by plane) from the island of Puerto Rico and to the north-west of Barbados. The largest of the islands is Antigua (108 sq mi [280 sq km]), which lacks forests, mountains, and rivers and is subject to droughts. Reply. It does tend to get cooler at night, so it's also worth popping a jumper or wrap into your suitcase. WebThe official currency of Antigua & Barbuda is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD) which has been pegged to the US (United States) dollar since July 7 th, 1976 at a rate of USD $1 to XCD $2.70. 3 replies to this topic. If youre looking to take an Antigua taxi, finding one couldnt be easier. Below are several questions we get on a regular basis, as well as some basic information on Antigua & Barbuda and traveling to and from our beautiful twin-island nation. Antigua and Barbuda Doctors, ophthalmologists and dentists are also listed in the telephone book. The longer your journey, the more it will cost. Generally, the information centers are open from 9am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. You can see a full list of prices and available set-routes for taxis in Antigua here. 7A2AEB20-9444-4320-9263-BCD049522F4A Created with sketchtool. Same price as a regular Taxi from the line. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. If youd prefer to know your fare upfront, you can book your Antigua taxi in advance with Welcome Pickups. All of them. Oops please provide a valid email address, Oops please provide a valid phone number. There are direct flights from London Gatwick with Virgin (8-9 hours), and multiple flights to Miami, Atlanta. Bird International Airport to Marina Bay Beach you would be looking at a taxi fare of $16 (14), whilst the journey from St Johns to Galleon Beach would cost $24 (21). If there isnt one, you can ask the desk for a recommendation for the appropriate doctor or specialist. The East Caribbean dollar is the currency of: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Anguilla and East Caribbean Dollar Barbuda, formerly Dulcina, lies 25 miles (40 km) north of Antigua. WebAntigua and Barbuda use the Eastern Caribbean Dollar which can be purchased at most commercial banks. FAQ Visit Antigua & Barbuda After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review. I would highly recommend this tour.. Tourist information can be obtained from hotel front desks and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and its Tourist Information Offices: Headquarters in Antigua: 1-268-562-7600; New York: 1-212-541-4117; U.K. 020 3668 3800; Canada 1-416-961-3143. Though for many, Antigua is a place to simply come, relax and enjoy paradise, it is essential that every visitor understands the historical context of the island, and how Antigua was built upon the backs of slavery and British Colonialism. Antigua is in the tropics, so cool casual cotton clothing is recommended, and if you're planning on dining in some of the more formal restaurants, men should pack a shirt, tie and jacket, and women a smart dress. Sugarcane was long the dominant crop on Antigua, but its production is now insignificant. Please see our Getting To Barbuda page for travel information on how you can travel to our sister island Barbuda. There is one dependency, the small island of Redonda. As ever, whatever your nationality, check the latest entry / visa requirements before you travel. Coins are in denominations of EC$2 and EC$1, and 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Youll notice however that some locals converse together at a much quicker, almost indecipherable pace and in a difficult to follow accent beyond the odd word here and there - this is Antiguan Creole English. WebThe national currency of Antigua and Barbuda is Eastern Caribbean dollar, XCD. Two of our favourite days in Antigua involved us renting our own wheels and driving all over the island in search of its best beaches, best landscapes, and local life and rhythms. WebNational currency of Antigua and Barbuda is Eastern Caribbean dollar Currency is a form of money used as a medium of exchange for goods and services. Unfortunately, after much research, it became clear that swimming with stingrays in Antigua was not something we could endorse. Weve put together an article with our pick of six of the best all inclusive resorts in Antigua. Want to know our favourite beaches in Antigua? Codrington, the only settlement, lies on a lagoon to the west. Antigua and Barbuda is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary form of government. Every first time visitor in Antigua has likely got confused about the currency situation when reading prices; so let's clear it up for you. After all, what goes on in a resort is not representative of day-to-day life in Antigua. Long-time readers of Along Dusty Roads will know that Emily is a hot sauce addict; Antigua was therefore her happy place. They have a variety of export partners, including Poland, Cameroon, the U.S. and the U.K. In general, Antigua is a very safe and welcoming place, and this includes their local taxi drivers. ST39468, 2023 Audley Travel | Audley Travel US, Inc. (Delaware 5398866), You can find all your favorites in the menu, Speak to a certified Antigua specialist to start planning your, Carnival final days - first Monday and Tuesday of August. This roundtrip transfer is highly rated, and really very good value (from $36 USD, depending on group size). If youre staying for one week, then we would highly recommend that you rent a car for the DURATION of your stay (or at least 50% of it if youre here for two weeks). You can hail a taxi in the street, call and have a local taxi pick you up, or you can book your transfers in advance. Although there are many local taxi drivers in Antigua, there can be a very long wait for your cab during peak times. There are also around 10,000 Spanish speakers. The local Antigua taxi drivers offer flat-rate fares for journeys around the island with the starting point and end destination determining the cost. Several countries use the U.S. dollar as their official currency, and many others allow it to be used in a de facto capacity. If you're at one of the more remote resorts, then US$ are probably easier. If youve really enjoyed our guides, you can buy us a virtual coffee here. Barbuda is without streams or lakes and receives less rainfall than Antigua. Omissions? With few other ABST is an indirect tax and is levied at the rate of 15% on the value of a wide range of goods and services imported or supplied in Antigua and Barbuda by ABST-registered persons. more, Get answers to your questions about Antigua and Barbuda. Understandably, this has caused controversy with local residents refused access to beaches. Antigua and Barbuda Currency Converter Agriculture, once the mainstay of the economy, has been largely supplanted by tourism. Corrections? Antigua and Barbuda Currency Guide - East Caribbean dollar (XCD) By using these, you are directly supporting Along Dusty Roads to remain an independent travel blog, and to create free guides to help you travel more, travel better. If you continue to use this site, we'll assume you're ok with that. In Antigua and Barbuda many establishments will also accept US dollars. No. Antigua and Barbuda use the Eastern Caribbean Dollar which can be purchased at most commercial banks. Our specialists can advise you on all the destinations you can currently book with us. What currency do you need in Antigua, should I bring USD? We were fortunate enough to stay at the excellent Verandah Resort on the eastern side of the island, which served up wonderful food, had staff that could make a mean cocktails, and gave us majestic sea views from our whitewash villa. Tip | For a reliable ATM, go to the supermarket in St Johns (maps). Antigua and Barbuda is the land of 365 beaches. What currency to take ? - Antigua Forum It helps us easily trade and Cricket is a big deal in Antigua, with the island regularly playing host to international tournaments and matches. If you're not hiring a car from the airport, the easiest way to get to your hotel is by private or shared transfer.

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