From Wikitravel

Antigua and Barbuda [1] are two Caribbean islands, (Antigua and Barbuda), that form a country that lies between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico, off the coast of Central America. With few other natural resources, the islands have a pleasant climate that fosters tourism.

Contents 1 Regions 2 Cities 3 Other destinations 4 Understand 4.1 Climate 4.2 History 4.3 Electricity 5 Get in 5.1 By plane 5.2 By boat 6 Get around 7 Talk 8 Buy 9 Eat 10 Drink 11 Sleep 12 Learn 13 Work 14 Stay safe 15 Stay healthy 16 Respect 17 Contact

Regions

• Antigua - the southern (and larger) island of the main pair
• Barbuda - the northern island of the main pair
• Redonda - a small uninhabited island 54 km to the west of Antigua

Cities

• Saint John's - Capital, on the island of Antigua
• Codrington - town on the island of Barbuda

Other destinations

Understand

Climate

Tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation. Experiences hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts.

History

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.

Electricity

Officially 230V 60Hz. Most outlets are the standard British type. Generally speaking, U.S. and Canadian travelers should pack adapters for these outlets if they plan to use North American electrical equipment in Antigua & Barbuda.

However contact your hotel and ask to be sure. Many places are now built to North American standards.

Also in use are non-grounded North American outlets. These require an adapter to work with plugs that have the third grounding plug. Older North American outlets may not be polarized (with one slot wider than the other). To remedy this, the wider vertical blade on a polarized plug may be filed down to match the width of the other. Otherwise, adapters are available which accept a polarized plug and adapt it for use with a non-polarized outlet.

Get in

By plane

Located in north east Antigua on the outskirts of St John's, VC Bird International is the country's main airport.

Airlines that serve the airport include Virgin Atlantic (from London Gatwick, approx 8hrs) British Airways, American Airlines.

By boat

Many excursionist come in via Cruise Ships and enjoy their day in Antigua. Contact your cruise agent and ask if they travel to Antigua, many do.

Get around

Tourist manily get around by taxi or tour operators. However for the tourist on an economic budget the bus service is fairly good.

Talk

Languages spoken are English (official) and local dialects.

Buy

• Galley Boutique, English Harbour has great clothes

• 1000 Flowers, St. John's has great clothes

• Local Cuisine.

Eat

• Harmony Hall, near Freetown. It closes for the summer on May 6th. The best restaurant on the island.

Drink

• Papa Zouk, Bar and fish and chips restaurant 2 mins outside of St. John's.

Sleep

• Jolly Harbour Resort & Marina [2] All inclusive.

• Galley Bay [3]

• Grand Royal Antiguan Beach Resort [4] European or All Inclusive Plans.

• Marina Bay Condos [5]

There are many hotels in Antigua so finding one should not cause too much of a hassel.

Learn

Learn about local heritage and culture. Learn a bit of dialect along the way.

Work

Stay safe

Though Antigua is a very safe place, like all places secure your purses and wallets. Walk only with the neccessary money, avoid street urchins and vagrants and don't be afraid to ask for help. If you rent a car, park in a well lit area.

Stay healthy

Avoid taking unusual risks, eat more from packaged goods. However the public market is a great place to mingle and get inexpensive provisions.

Respect

The locals are very friendly and respectable. Approach them in a courteous manner and it will undoubtedly be returned to you. Approach them with a smile and remember please, thank you, good afternoon.

Contact

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