Skip to content
Sunday's
← All destinations

North America / Caribbean

Antigua and Barbuda

Sailing harbors and reef-fringed beaches. As part of Caribbean in North America, Antigua and Barbuda suits travelers drawn to big cities and nature. Use this guide to plan where to go, when to visit, and how to structure your days.

Antigua and Barbuda

Start exploring.

Best time to visit: Dec – Apr

St. John's

Plan at least a full day in St. John's to enjoy its main sights, local food, and surrounding scenery.

English Harbour

English Harbour is a favorite stop for travelers exploring Antigua and Barbuda, with plenty to see on foot or by local transit.

Barbuda

Plan at least a full day in Barbuda to enjoy its main sights, local food, and surrounding scenery.

What it is known for
facts
  • 365 beaches, one for every day of the year on Antigua
  • Nelson's Dockyard UNESCO naval heritage in English Harbour
  • Sailing Week regatta drawing yachts from around the world
  • Frigatebird sanctuary on Barbuda's Codrington Lagoon
  • Dark rum and pepperpot stew at Oistins-style cookouts
key City
name
St. John's
label
Capital
why
The cruise-ship capital sits beside Dickenson Bay and is the hub for reaching English Harbour, Shirley Heights sundowners, and ferries to Barbuda.
Places to visit
  • area
    St. John's
    attractions
    • name
      St. John's Cathedral
      duration
      45 minutes to 1.5 hours
      book Ahead
      Usually walk-in; modest dress required. Donations welcome at active worship sites.
    • name
      Museum of Antigua and Barbuda
      duration
      1.5-3 hours
      book Ahead
      Book timed entry 1-2 weeks ahead for major museums; same-day often fine off-season.
    • name
      Heritage Quay
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Fort James
      duration
      2-3 hours
      book Ahead
      Book timed entry 2-4 weeks ahead for popular palaces in peak season.
  • area
    English Harbour
    attractions
    • name
      Nelson's Dockyard
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Shirley Heights
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Fort Berkeley
      duration
      2-3 hours
      book Ahead
      Book timed entry 2-4 weeks ahead for popular palaces in peak season.
    • name
      Pigeon Point Beach
      duration
      2-4 hours
      book Ahead
      No ticket required; arrive early in peak season for parking and space.
  • area
    Barbuda
    attractions
    • name
      Frigate Bird Sanctuary
      duration
      4-8 hours
      book Ahead
      Book park permits or safari slots 1-7 days ahead in peak season.
    • name
      Pink Sand Beach
      duration
      2-4 hours
      book Ahead
      No ticket required; arrive early in peak season for parking and space.
    • name
      Martello Tower
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Same-day tickets often available; book 3-7 days ahead on weekends.
    • name
      Two Foot Bay Caves
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
Itineraries
  • title
    Antigua and Barbuda Highlights Express
    duration
    5 days
    locations
    • St. John's
    • English Harbour
    • Barbuda
    highlights
    • Full day discovering St. John's
    • Full day discovering English Harbour
    • Full day discovering Barbuda
    best For
    Weekend warriors and short trips
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in St. John's
      description
      Land in St. John's, check into your stay, and take an easy orientation walk. Try a well-rated local restaurant to start your Antigua and Barbuda trip.
    • day
      2
      title
      Explore English Harbour
      description
      Dedicate the day to English Harbour: main landmarks, neighborhoods, and a signature local experience before continuing your route.
    • day
      3
      title
      Barbuda and farewell
      description
      Spend your final day in Barbuda visiting any missed sights, picking up souvenirs, and preparing for departure.
  • title
    Classic Antigua and Barbuda
    duration
    7 days
    locations
    • St. John's
    • English Harbour
    • Barbuda
    highlights
    • Cover St. John's and English Harbour
    • Explore Barbuda
    best For
    Outdoor lovers and slow travel
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in St. John's
      description
      Land in St. John's, check into your stay, and take an easy orientation walk. Try a well-rated local restaurant to start your Antigua and Barbuda trip.
    • day
      2
      title
      Explore English Harbour
      description
      Dedicate the day to English Harbour: main landmarks, neighborhoods, and a signature local experience before continuing your route.
    • day
      3
      title
      Barbuda and farewell
      description
      Spend your final day in Barbuda visiting any missed sights, picking up souvenirs, and preparing for departure.
  • title
    Antigua and Barbuda Beaches & Coast
    duration
    5 days
    locations
    • St. John's
    • English Harbour
    • Barbuda
    highlights
    • Coastal day in St. John's
    • Coastal day in English Harbour
    • Coastal day in Barbuda
    best For
    Sun seekers, swimmers, and coastal road trips
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in St. John's
      description
      Check in near the shore and take a relaxed walk along the waterfront. Swim or sunbathe if conditions allow, then settle into a seaside dinner in St. John's.
    • day
      2
      title
      English Harbour coast
      description
      Spend the day on English Harbour's shoreline: Nelson's Dockyard, Shirley Heights, Fort Berkeley, with time for cafés, boat trips, or sunset views.
    • day
      3
      title
      Barbuda and farewell
      description
      Enjoy a final beach morning in Barbuda, visiting Frigate Bird Sanctuary, Pink Sand Beach, Martello Tower before you depart Antigua and Barbuda.
  • title
    Antigua and Barbuda Countryside
    duration
    5 days
    locations
    • St. John's
    • English Harbour
    • Barbuda
    highlights
    • Rural stop: St. John's
    • Rural stop: English Harbour
    • Rural stop: Barbuda
    best For
    Nature lovers, hikers, and slow travel
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in St. John's
      description
      Reach St. John's, drop bags at a rural stay, and take a short walk through nearby villages or trails to get oriented.
    • day
      2
      title
      English Harbour countryside
      description
      Explore English Harbour at an easy pace: Nelson's Dockyard, Shirley Heights, Fort Berkeley with a focus on open landscapes away from the crowds.
    • day
      3
      title
      Barbuda and farewell
      description
      Wrap up with a slow morning in Barbuda, stopping at Frigate Bird Sanctuary, Pink Sand Beach, Martello Tower before heading home.
  • title
    Antigua and Barbuda Monuments & Hot Spots
    duration
    5 days
    locations
    • St. John's
    • Barbuda
    • English Harbour
    highlights
    • Must-see: St. John's Cathedral
    • Must-see: Museum of Antigua and Barbuda
    • Must-see: Frigate Bird Sanctuary
    • Must-see: Pink Sand Beach
    best For
    Sightseeing, history buffs, and first-time landmark hunters
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Icons of St. John's
      description
      Start in St. John's with St. John's Cathedral, Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, Heritage Quay, buying timed tickets ahead when possible and finishing with a walk through the historic center.
    • day
      2
      title
      Barbuda monuments
      description
      Focus on Barbuda's tourist favorites: Frigate Bird Sanctuary, Pink Sand Beach, Martello Tower with breaks for local food between sights.
    • day
      3
      title
      English Harbour landmarks and farewell
      description
      Catch any remaining must-sees in English Harbour, including Nelson's Dockyard, Shirley Heights, Fort Berkeley, before your departure.
When to go & typical weather
summary
December through April is dry season across Antigua and Barbuda, with trade-wind breezes, calm Caribbean seas, and peak sailing regatta season. Nelson's Dockyard and the 365 beaches shine without hurricane-season disruption.
typical Weather
St. John's Dec-Apr: highs 28-29°C (82-84°F), lows 22-23°C (72-73°F), 50-70 mm rain, northeast trades. Sea 26-27°C (79-81°F). Humidity moderate at 70%.
details
  • Dec-Jan and Sailing Week (Apr-May) peak; book beach resorts early.
  • Jun-Nov hurricane season; storms possible Aug-Oct.
  • Shoulder Nov and late Apr offer good weather, lower rates.
  • Barbuda quieter year-round; day trips best in dry season.
most Affordable
period
Jun – Nov
summary
Hurricane-season months bring steep resort discounts across Antigua as hotels compete for visitors despite higher rain risk. September and October especially see 40-50% rate cuts at beach properties when cruise traffic thins.
details
  • All-inclusive resorts offer lowest annual rates Jun-Nov.
  • Sailing charter companies discount bareboat weeks in shoulder months.
  • Airfares from US East Coast drop outside Dec-Apr winter escape season.
  • Barbuda day-trip operators reduce prices when demand softens.
most Expensive
period
Dec – Apr
summary
Dry-season winter escape drives peak Caribbean pricing when North American and European travelers fill Antigua's beach resorts. Sailing Week in late April and Christmas-New Year weeks see the highest hotel and charter rates.
details
  • Christmas through mid-January requires booking months ahead at premium rates.
  • Antigua Sailing Week (Apr-May) spikes yacht charter and hotel demand.
  • Cruise ship days increase port-area restaurant and tour prices.
  • Direct flights from London and New York cost most in peak winter.
Airports & arrivals
summary
Most visitors fly into Antigua's V.C. Bird International Airport near St. John's.
airports
  • name
    V.C. Bird International Airport
    code
    ANU
    location
    St. John's, Antigua
    distance From Center
    8 km (5 mi) northeast of St. John's
    transfer Note
    Taxis and resort shuttles serve the island
Getting around
overview
Island life centers on minibuses, taxis, and rental cars; fixed-route buses run main corridors on Antigua.
trains
    ferries
    • name
      Barbuda Ferry
      description
      Passenger ferry links Antigua with Barbuda on scheduled sailings.
      ticketing
      Buy tickets at the St. John's ferry terminal before departure.
    subways
      public Transit
      • name
        Antigua Public Bus
        kind
        public
        description
        Color-coded minibuses run fixed routes from St. John's to villages and beaches.
        ticketing
        Pay cash to the conductor when boarding.
      • name
        St. John's Taxi Stands
        kind
        public
        description
        Licensed taxis queue at the cruise port and Heritage Quay for point-to-point trips.
        ticketing
        Agree on fare before departure; rates posted for common routes.
      ride Share
        Currency
        code
        XCD
        name
        Eastern Caribbean dollar
        symbol
        $
        note
        Carry some eastern caribbean dollar in cash for taxis and markets; card acceptance is strongest in major cities and tourist areas.

        Convert your travel budget ↗

        Visas & official entry links
        Local customs
        summary
        Antigua and Barbuda combine relaxed Caribbean hospitality with British-influenced formality in business settings. Beach culture is casual, but churches and town events expect modest dress. Friendly greetings and patience with island time set the tone.
        customs
        • Good morning and good afternoon are expected when entering shops.
        • Sunday church services are important in many communities.
        • Beach attire belongs on the beach, not in town centers.
        dos
        • Use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid standing on coral.
        • Tip 10 to 15 percent at restaurants unless a service charge is included.
        • Dress neatly for dining in English Harbour and upscale resorts.
        • Ask before photographing locals at markets or cultural events.
        • Carry cash for smaller vendors; not everyone accepts cards.
        donts
        • Do not wear camouflage clothing; it is restricted for civilians.
        • Do not take shells, coral, or sand from protected beaches.
        • Do not assume tap water is filtered; confirm with your hotel.
        • Do not leave valuables unattended on beaches.
        • Do not discuss illegal drug use; penalties are severe.
        Useful travel phrases
        language
        English
        phrases
        • english
          Please
          local
          Please
          pronunciation
          PLEEZ
        • english
          Thank you
          local
          Thank you
          pronunciation
          THANK yoo
        • english
          Yes
          local
          Yes
          pronunciation
          YES
        • english
          No
          local
          No
          pronunciation
          NOH
        • english
          How much?
          local
          How much?
          pronunciation
          how MUCH
        • english
          Where is the nearest restaurant or bar?
          local
          Where is the nearest restaurant or bar?
          pronunciation
          wair iz thuh NEER-est RES-tuh-raunt or BAR
        • english
          Where is the airport?
          local
          Where is the airport?
          pronunciation
          wair iz thee AIR-port
        • english
          I need help
          local
          I need help
          pronunciation
          eye need HELP
        • english
          I need a hospital
          local
          I need a hospital
          pronunciation
          eye need uh HOS-pih-tul
        • english
          Call the police
          local
          Call the police
          pronunciation
          kawl thuh puh-LEES
        Longer stays
        visa Summary
        U.S. citizens may visit Antigua and Barbuda visa-free for up to six months for tourism. Longer stays and relocation paths include work permits, the Citizenship by Investment program, and residence permits for retirees or property owners meeting financial thresholds. Immigration policies can be updated by cabinet order, so verify current permit categories with the Antigua and Barbuda immigration department.

        Practical tips.

        • Rent a car to reach quiet beaches like Half Moon Bay because public buses mainly serve St. John's and Dickenson Bay.
        • Carry Eastern Caribbean dollars or U.S. dollars because some beach shacks and taxis prefer cash over cards.
        • Confirm hurricane-season ferry schedules before visiting Barbuda, as service is reduced from June through November.
        More travel tips ↗

        Locate Antigua and Barbuda.

        Location map of Antigua and Barbuda

        Before you go.

        Check current entry requirements and travel conditions with official sources before booking. Read the current U.S. State Department advisory for Antigua and Barbuda ↗