Antigua and Barbuda are two small Caribbean islands that form a country. While both of them have the white sandy beaches one may expect from a Caribbean island, Antigua is the one most visited by tourists. It has high-end resorts and all the necessary tourism infrastructure. Barbuda does not enjoy the same amenities. Since the islands do not have any other resources, tourism is one of the primary sources of revenue. However, before you start planning your vacation in A&B, you should know a few things that will help you along the way.
First of all, we need to cover the entry requirements. After all, it may be necessary for you to obtain a visa in advance. Even so, the visa policy of Antigua and Barbuda is pretty lenient. For starters, there is a list of 106 countries and territories whose citizens can enter Antigua and Barbuda without a visa. The citizens of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines enjoy freedom of movement, which means that they can travel to Antigua and Barbuda and stay as long as they want. However, all the other nationalities that are exempt need a valid passport to enter Antigua and Barbuda, and they can stay for a period that varies from 1 month to 6 months, depending on the nationality. Now, the good news is that if you do not find yourself among the visa-exempt nationalities, you can get an Antigua and Barbuda eVisa online. That is something Fast Track Visa can help you with. Of course, you have the option of going to a diplomatic mission of Antigua and Barbuda, or in some cases to a British consulate, but getting a visa online will take a lot less effort.
As you can imagine, two beautiful Caribbean islands such as Antigua and Barbuda have plenty of entertainment to offer. One of the most common reasons for which people choose Antigua and Barbuda as their vacation destination is for some rest and relaxation. After all, sitting all day in the white sand, taking a swim in the warm water from time to time, and enjoying colorful cocktails is not a bad way to spend your vacation.
The best time to visit Antigua and Barbuda is November through June. July through November can be quite violent, since the islands experience hurricanes and tropical storms. With a tropical marine climate, Antigua and Barbuda suffer insignificant temperature variation, so it will be warm anytime of year.
If you want to leave the beach one day and see something interesting, keep in mind that April is the month for regattas. The sailing regattas are a spectacular event to witness. There are two that may be especially interesting. The first one is the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, and the other is the superyacht Oyster Regatta. As mentioned above, they both occur in April.
Another thing that you may want to visit is Sherley Heights. It is Antigua’s historical National Park. Even if you’re not interested in the history of the place, you can still see some amazing views.
As far as experiences in Antigua and Barbuda go, the one that you have to try is scuba diving. There is a company called Extreme Marine Scuba that offers some of the best scuba experiences. It doesn’t matter if you’ve done it before or if you are a first-time diver. For a fee of approximately $100, you will have an unbelievable experience. The guides are fantastic, and you will have a great time.
Hunting is also quite popular in Antigua and Barbuda. What you can hunt for depends on which of the islands you’re on. In Antigua, you can shoot for ducks, and you can go saltwater fishing. Of course, it needs to be open season. Barbuda, on the other hand, allows you to hunt for Caribbean Fallow Deer, Caribbean Wild Boar, and Guinea Fowl.
If you are looking for some adrenaline, we recommend that you try the kitesurfing in Antigua. The winds can be out of this world. Plus, if you have never practiced this sport before, there are people who are willing to teach you. You may need an extended vacation in order for you to learn how to kitesurf, but it is not that hard.
If you are a foodie, you should definitely try Nicole’s Table. Not only will you enjoy some incredibly delicious food, but you can also learn new recipes, meet new people, and share some interesting stories. You will absolutely love the experience. The cooking classes explore recipes from all across the Caribbean. Or perhaps you may be interested in giving a Caribbean twist to a personal recipe. You can learn all of this by attending one of the classes at Nicole’s Table.
As far as safety is concerned, you have nothing to worry about. Antigua and Barbuda is a pretty safe place to visit. As you can imagine, petty thieves can be found here, but as long as you do not wear any visible valuables, you should be fine. At the same time, if you decide to rent a car to explore the island, please make sure to park it in a well-lit area.
The people in Antigua and Barbuda are incredibly friendly. Since tourism is their primary source of revenue, they are very welcoming to tourists. Of course, you must show respect as well. As long as you are courteous, they will be the same. When you contact someone for help, they will provide it. Just make sure to approach them with a smile; it can go a long way.
Needless to say, Antigua and Barbuda are two islands that make for an excellent vacation destination. Surely, we do not have to oversell a vacation in the Caribbean, for obvious reasons. With white sandy beaches and lively entertainment, you need few other reasons to visit.