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- Destinations
- Caribbean
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Antigua
Antigua
Antigua is the largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands
and is usually the first stop for visitors to Antigua and Barbuda.
The island boasts a whopping 365 glorious beaches, a near-perfect
climate and plenty to occupy the visitor. Antigua is home to St
John's, the island's capital, with the magnificently evocative
white Baroque towers of St John's Cathedral dominating the city's
skyline. Built in 1845, the church is now in its third incarnation,
as earthquakes in 1683 and in 1745 destroyed the previous
structures. The towers are the first sight of Antigua for about
half of the island's visitors each year, many of whom arrive by
boat.
With its recently completed cruise ship dock and many hotels, St
John's is a lively hub for shopping and dining. Most tourist
activity is confined to the harbour-front complexes of Heritage
Quay, a favourite for cruise ship passengers, and the more
traditional Redcliffe Quay. For those interested in the early
history of the island, there is the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda,
housed in the colonial Court House (circa 1750). The museum
displays artefacts from the colonial period and from the earlier
Arawak settlers who lived on the islands between 35 and 1100 AD. On
Friday and Saturday mornings, there is a vibrant farmers market on
the southern edge of the city, where folk crafts, colourful
tropical fruits and a buzzing crowd make for a lively morning.
Antigua's highest point is Boggy's Peak, at 1,319 feet (402m),
but the island is mostly flat and covered with sugar cane, tropical
fruit trees, palms and exotic flowers. For those tired of lazing on
the beach, there is sailing, diving, snorkelling, beachcombing and
other leisurely pursuits on offer.
Information & Facts
Climate
The seasonal variations in Antigua are not very pronounced and
temperatures on the island seldom fall below 68ºF (20ºC). June to
November is hurricane season so visitors are advised to keep an eye
on the weather forecast during this period. The best time to visit
Antigua is when the climate is most pleasant from November to
February. On the coldest days a light sweater in the evenings is
all that is needed. No more than five degrees ever separates the
Antigua air temperature from that of the ocean, creating a perfect
climate for diving and outdoor activities.
Language
English is the official language, but most locals speak
English patois (jargon or dialect).
Money
The Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD) is the main form of currency
in Antigua and Barbuda, and it is tied to the US Dollar, with US$1
equal to EC$2.65 (long-standing, pegged rate). US currency can be
used nearly everywhere. Major currencies and travellers cheques can
be exchanged at the international banks in St John's and at many
hotels. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted but there are
not many ATMs in the area, so it is best to make arrangements
around this.
Time
Local time in Antigua and Barbuda is GMT -4.