Antigua and barbuda holiday season. Antigua and Barbuda on the world map: capital, flag, coins, citizenship and sights of the island nation

Do you want to enjoy a carefree holiday on the islands without hindrance? caribbean? Planning to expand your business and looking for a quiet tax haven? Are you looking for an option for a paradise life? Maybe you need to go live in Antigua and Barbuda, as thousands of seekers of the real have already done. resort paradise.

country portrait

Located on three islands in the Caribbean Sea: Antigua, Barbuda, Redonda.

• Area - 442 sq. km.
• The capital is St. John's.
• The average annual temperature is +28-30 0С.
• Hottest months: July, August.
• The rainiest: October, November.
• The population is more than 88 thousand people, mostly African Americans.
• Official language- English.
• The basis of the economy is tourism.

Peculiarities: great beaches, developed resort infrastructure, international Airport.

In the Global Index of Citizenship by Investment Programs, it ranks 3rd in the world. Visa-free regime with 124 states, including the UK and EU countries.

Geography

Antigua and Barbuda is an island nation with an area of ​​over 400 sq. km. The territory includes three islands: Antigua, Barbuda and the tiny uninhabited island of Redonda. The main resort life is concentrated in Antigua. Barbuda is a much more secluded and peaceful place.

The islands are located between two bodies of water- the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. The characteristic relief is low wooded mountains. The coastline is smooth, with an abundance of convenient bays, which attracts sailing enthusiasts from all over the world. Antigua has many clean and smooth beaches with excellent coverage. There are 365 of them - one for each day of the year.

The climate on the islands is quite dry, light rains are typical for September-November. The average temperature is + 28-30 0С, in July it can be hotter, up to + 35-36 0С. Due to the constant movement of air on the islands, even high temperatures are easily tolerated.

Political and economic structure

Antigua and Barbuda is a former British colony that gained independence in 1981. The head of state is the British monarch, who is represented by an appointed governor general. By type of government, Antigua and Barbuda is a constitutional parliamentary monarchy. The country is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, formed by the former colonies and metropolitan areas of Great Britain. Thanks to such a close connection with the Foggy Albion, the Antigua and Barbuda passport entitles visa-free visit Great Britain.

The tone in the economy is set by tourism, the income from which forms about 60% of GDP. During the year, the country is visited by 800 thousand to 1 million people. The tourist infrastructure is concentrated in Antigua. There are hotels, villas, resort villages, SPA-centers, sports clubs, marinas for yachting, diving centers and other resort entertainment.
The capital of St. John's is located in Antigua. Almost a third of the country's population is concentrated in the city.

Antigua and Barbuda is a kind of transport hub for the Caribbean. A modern airport was built on the island, 6 km from the capital, accepting flights from Europe and North America.

Taxation

There is a tax optimization regime that increases the attractiveness of Antigua and Barbuda citizenship. Income from conducting business activities outside the country is not taxed. Capital gains, donations or inheritances are not taxable.

The main types of taxes in Antigua and Barbuda

TYPE OF TAX	CONDITIONS	TAX AMOUNT
Personal income tax (paid only on income received in the country)	Income up to 36,000 Caribbean dollars (XCD) per year	Not taxed
	Income from 36,000 to 180,000 XCD per year	10 %
	Income over 180,000 XCD per year	25%
Corporate and business tax	Paid from income received in the territory of the country	25 %
sales tax		15 %
Property tax	Paid only for real estate located on the island of Antigua	From 0.1% to 0.5% of the market value of the object

Life in Antigua and Barbuda

In total, about 90 thousand people live in the country. One third of them are concentrated in the capital. Most of the inhabitants are in Antigua, the island of Barbuda is much less populated.

The majority of the local population are African Americans. The official language is English, but in everyday life they use the local dialect. The currency is the Caribbean dollar, which is pegged to the US dollar. Approximate exchange rate: 1 US dollar equals 2.7-2.8 Caribbean dollars.

A large number of tourists made Antigua real tourist paradise. It has everything for traditional tropical entertainment, from a thoughtful beach holiday to active species (yachting, surfing, diving, sport fishing). Many of the regular guests then decide to immigrate to Antigua and Barbuda, attracted by the ease of obtaining economic citizenship, the climate, the beauty and infrastructure of the islands.

There are many SPA-salons, sports centers, tennis courts on the island. A well-developed network of public catering - cafes, restaurants, bars of various price classes. Establishments can be open until early morning. lovers nightlife visit nightclubs, but there are not many of them here.

Notable Events:

• carnival in August;
• sailing competitions in Dickenson Bay;
• international regatta;
• folklore festival in Barbuda.

The basis local cuisine- fruits and vegetables, meat cooked mainly on an open fire, a lot of seafood. Popular drinks include tropical juices, coconut milk and rum.

Barbuda - much more quiet island than Antigua. There are no investment projects here yet, although in the coming years it is planned to build a large hotel complex. In the meantime, those who appreciate relaxing holiday.

Communication between the islands is by plane, a daily flight takes about 20 minutes. You can also rent a yacht or boat and go on a trip between the islands. The most popular transport in Antigua is a taxi. There are few bus routes, but they do not cover the entire island.

Real estate

The rental price depends on the quality and location of the object. Renting a 1-bedroom apartment on the outskirts of the capital will cost $400-500 per month. A two-bedroom beachfront villa costs at least $2,500, while high-end real estate costs $4,000-5,000.
If you are thinking about buying your own villa, then for a good property with several bedrooms, a pool and a pleasant view, you will have to pay from $500,000 to $1.5 million.

Antigua resort real estate is located in such a way that the windows necessarily offer views of the ocean, mountains or tropical landscapes. The minimum investment threshold for the Citizenship by Investment program is $400,000. For this money, you can purchase apartments with 1-2 bedrooms or an inexpensive suite.

Prices

Life on the islands is quite expensive, as most of the goods are imported. A cup of coffee costs about $3.50, a movie ticket $12, and dinner for two in a restaurant $65-75 (without alcohol).

The prices for products of the tobacco industry and alcohol are high. A bottle of inexpensive wine - $10, beer - $2.5, a pack of cigarettes - $10-12.

A ride on a local bus costs $3, ticket for a month - from $80.

The general standard of living of the population is quite high, the average salary per month is $2800-3000. With the development of tourism, prices for food and services are also rising.

The supply of the islands is excellent. Products in stores are fresh, many agricultural products are locally produced (meat, fish, seafood).

The subscription fee for unlimited internet is about $30 per month.

Citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda

In 2012, the Citizenship by Investment program was approved, which began operating in 2013.

What are the benefits of an Antigua and Barbuda passport?

• The possibility of visa-free visits to 124 countries, including the UK, states Western Europe, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong. A visa is required to visit the United States, but citizens of Antigua and Barbuda receive a visa for 10 years.
• The country recognizes a second citizenship, so you can keep your first passport.
• Tax optimization: income received abroad is not taxed.
• The speed of obtaining a second passport: the period from application to receipt of the document is from 3 to 6 months.
• The amount of economic investment in citizenship is much lower than for similar programs in European countries.
• The non-refundable contribution to the state fund is from $200,000, and the minimum threshold for return on investment is from $400,000.
• The program is supervised by the state and implemented only through official representatives, so all payments are transparent, and the lists of investment objects are approved by the government.
• The result of participation in the program is full-fledged citizenship for the investor and his family members.
• There are no permanent residency requirements, no interview or language and history exams.

We will prepare an individual solution for you and your family, we will tell you how to obtain citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda through investment, we will select various options for investment participation. We accompany our clients at all stages, from the first consultation to the moment of return on investment. You can book your appointment right now.

General information

Official name - Antigua and Barbuda, translated from Spanish - "ancient" and "bearded". The state is located on the islands of the same name and the island of Redonda in the Lesser Antilles group (Caribbean Sea). The area is 442 km 2. Population - 86 654 people. (for 2009). Official language- English. The capital is St. John's. The monetary unit is the East Caribbean dollar.

An island nation in the West, in the Eastern Caribbean. The length of the coastline is 153 km. The country consists of three islands - Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda (virtually uninhabited).

The climate is tropical maritime with little seasonal temperature variation. All year round the air temperature is kept within the range from +26+27°С (January) to +30+32°С (July). Precipitation is about 1300 mm per year, with the maximum amount of rain falling between August and September-December. Winds blow almost constantly on the islands, significantly softening the heat. In the period from June to November, tropical hurricanes may pass over the territory of the country, accompanied by storm winds and heavy rainfall.

Story

The first inhabitants of the islands of Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda, which are now occupied by the state of Antigua and Barbuda, were Siboney, whose origin is still unclear. In the first century A.D. The Arawak Indians, who arrived in these parts from the mainland lands of the South American continent, moved to the islands. In the XIII century. The Arawaks were replaced by the tribes of the Caribs, famous for their warlike disposition and vast territories of conquest.

In 1493, the islands of the Lesser Antilles group, which also includes the territories of Antigua and Barbuda, were discovered by the sea explorer Christopher Columbus (1451-1506). True, to find a common language with local residents the Spaniards failed: Caribbean warriors resolutely blocked the way for foreigners.

Europeans managed to gain a foothold on the islands of the future state of Antigua and Barbuda only in the seventeenth century. In 1632, the first English colony appeared on the island of Antigua. In 1663, the land was granted by King Charles II to Lord Willoughby, under whom a small plantation economy was set up here (the main crops grown at that time were indigo, ginger, and tobacco). Slaves from Africa were brought to the island to work in the fields.

Already in 1671, a full-fledged colony of the Leeward Islands was formed, which included not only the island of Antigua, but also Barbuda St. Kitts, Montserrat By 1689, each island had its own power apparatus, which was an Assembly (its members were local landowners and planters) . In addition to the previously cultivated spices and tobacco, sugar cane was grown on the territories of the colony, which later became the main export crop of the Leeward Islands. The slave-owning regime was abolished in the English possessions only in 1834, but in fact slave conditions of life remained ineradicable for many years.

Hard times for the English colony fell on the 1930s - the period of the global economic crisis. During these years, the general economic decline was accompanied by a decrease in demand for sugar, the main export product of the islands, which caused serious problems in the islands of Antigua and Barbuda. On the basis of the crisis in 1940, the Trade Union and Workers' Union was formed on the islands, which immediately began to organize working demonstrations.

In 1967, Antigua and Barbuda formally loosened the fetters of colonial dependence: the islands received the status of a state associated with Great Britain with the right to full internal self-government. Since then, gradual democratization began in the former colony, but the solution of diplomatic issues, defense and trade still remained in the hands of the British government. The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, George Walter (1928-2008), continued to fight for the freedom of the “state associated with Great Britain”, while the islands were experiencing another crisis: the sugar factories that fed most of the local population simply closed.

Antigua and Barbuda gained full independence rather late - November 1, 1981. However, the monarch of Great Britain is considered the formal head of state.

Attractions Antigua and Barbuda

Columbus named Antigua island in honor of the church of Antigua de Santa Maria in Seville. The most beautiful island with a picturesque coastline, many bays and rich vegetation, for a long time became the arena of the struggle of European colonists with aggressive Indian tribes and the forces of nature. Only in the middle of the 17th century did the life of the settlers begin to improve, and today the islands of Antigua and Barbuda are one of the largest resort areas in the West Indies.

Barbuda Island lies 42 km north of Antigua. This quiet, pastoral-rural island, which is home to only 2% of the country's population, is very rarely visited by tourists - mostly bird watchers and yachtsmen come here. But nevertheless, this small piece of land in the vast expanse of the sea is considered one of the most colorful islands on the planet, and its eight-kilometer Long Beach is also one of the most beautiful coasts in the world. More like a village capital of the island, Codrington was named after a Gloucestershire family that once leased Barbuda to the British Crown for "one fat pig a year". Barbuda, almost entirely composed of limestone rocks, is replete with caves.

Tiny and virtually uninhabited volcanic rock known as Redonda, located 56 km southwest of Barbuda. The island is practically not visited by tourists, only yachtsmen are frequent guests of these waters. Currently, Redonda is a natural park.

Spanish Port, surrounded by coral reefs, in the extreme southeast of the island, most likely named after the accident of the Spanish merchant ship "Santiago de Cullerin", is believed by archaeologists to have been the main area of ​​\u200b\u200bsettlement of the Arawaks five hundred years BC.

Dickenson Bay on the northwest coast of the island of Antigua, especially attractive for tourists with children. Thanks to clear waters and a wide beach area with soft and gentle sand. Although, of course, if the beaches around the island tend to be relatively quiet, this is not typical for the Dickenson Bay area. Large resort hotels located in Dickenson Bay are Antigua Village, Halsien Cove (with Wori Pier), Seaboney Resort. Coastline lined with restaurants, beach bars, concessions aquatic species sports. Near the coast there are several uninhabited islands and a long coral reef.

English Harbor, a village located in the south of the island, whose name comes from the nearby harbor, is a center for water tourism, especially yachting and rowing. English Harbor, located nearby (on the east coast), and Falmouth Harbor on the north coast of the island are two natural sheltered harbors for long-distance ships.

Nelson Shipyard Museum, housed in a building built in 1855, offers a wonderful journey into the era of privateers, pirates, majestic battles on the sea. The museum's collections are constantly replenished with exhibits thanks to archaeological and historical research in Antigua. The park itself has excellent sandy beaches, lush tropical vegetation, mangrove forests with a migratory colony of the Egyptian heron, many cactus species. Best a tourist route which starts at the Galleon Beach Hotel - from English Harbor to Shirley Heights. Reaching a height of 150 meters, travelers will be rewarded with amazing panoramic views.

Cuisine of Antigua and Barbuda

The indigenous cooking traditions of the islands of Antigua and Barbuda are based on the use of products and cooking methods specific to the countries Caribbean.

Of the products of plant origin, sweet potatoes and corn play a huge role in Antiguan cuisine, rice is a little less popular. Fruits grow in a wide variety, but most often used are coconuts and bananas, as well as exotic tamarind or Indian dates - a tropical plant of the legume family, the fruit pulp of which is used in sauces, spicy dishes, desserts and snacks.

An important place in the diet is occupied by fish and seafood: flying fish, berix, red snapper, delicious lobsters and shrimp. They are fried in coals, stewed and baked. Salted dried fish is very popular.

Meat dishes are represented by all kinds of meat, but the most used are lamb and poultry meat. Due to the high cost, beef is prepared much less frequently.

The traditional local breakfast includes salted fish, eggplant known as Troba, eggs and lettuce. For lunch, they prefer starchy dishes - rice or pasta, as well as fresh vegetables or salads from them. For lunch, a main dish of meat or fish is served with a side dish: pasta casserole, baked sweet potatoes or fried bananas. For dessert, most often eat ice cream, jelly, cake or pie stuffed with apples, pineapples or mangoes.

funji A cornmeal dish similar to Italian polenta. It is a thick porridge that is sometimes boiled with okra and served with fried flying fish or stew.

Dukan- dumplings made from grated sweet potato, sugar, flour, coconut, vanilla and nutmeg. They are boiled wrapped in foil or banana leaves. Served with salted cod Bakala or with Chop-Do - a mixture of spinach, eggplant and okra. They can also be consumed cold or cut into thin slices and lightly fried.

Peanut roasting- a popular dessert in Antigua. To prepare it, sugar syrup is boiled until caramelized, then peanuts, spices, baking powder are added and poured on a flat granite or marble surface for cooling. The cooled roasting is broken with a wooden mallet.

The most popular local soft drinks are Maubi (from the bark of the Kolubrin tree), Simoss (a drink made from red algae, milk and cinnamon, considered an aphrodisiac), tamarind, hibiscus, raspberry, mango, passion fruit, guava, soursop, ginger beer juices.

Alcoholic beverages are produced on the islands High Quality: beer, whiskey and rum, including the famous Wadadli beer named after ancient name islands, as well as the English Rum Harbor.

Antigua and Barbuda on the map

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Antigua and Barbuda are western Indian islands that are part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago.

Antigua and Barbuda is a paradise surrounded by mighty mountains, the purest waters Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, endless Coral reefs, unforgettable sunrises and sunsets, developed infrastructure and a total of 365 beaches for complete relaxation.

The area of ​​the islands is just over 440 square kilometers, and the local population is almost 87,000 people.

The capital of the state is located on the island of Antigua and is called St. John's.

Most Big city archipelago - St. John's. Here is excellent beach holiday, tasty food, beautiful nature, a variety of entertainment and a rich excursion program.

Barbuda is no less exotic and a nice place, and recognized as one of the most beautiful on the planet. Created in Barbuda good conditions for divers and snorkellers.

The third island of the archipelago, uninhabited - Redonda - is considered a national park, yachtsmen prefer to visit it.

There is no direct air connection between Belarus and the archipelago.

by the most the best option will - fly to London, and from there - a direct flight to the islands.

Connecting cities can also be Frankfurt am Main or Vienna and New York, Warsaw and Toronto.

In any case, the flight will take almost 30 hours.

Climate of Antigua and Barbuda

A tropical trade wind climate dominates Antigua and Barbuda.

All year round on the islands average temperature air is from +26 to +32 degrees, but the intense heat is softened by winds that constantly blow from the ocean.

The rainy season is usually observed between August-September-December. And the period June - November is characterized by tropical hurricanes, storm winds and heavy rains.

Beach holidays on the islands are most comfortable from the second half of December to the first half of April.

Antigua and Barbuda Hotels

Places of residence in Antigua and Barbuda are small cozy hotels with about 200 rooms. In the cost of living, as a rule, "all inclusive". The level of such hotels usually corresponds to our usual 3 * - 5 *. Everywhere you will meet high level service, great view from the room to the ocean, a balcony or a terrace with a hammock - also right in the room, and also on the territory of the hotel there can be a swimming pool with a wellness center.

There are practically no large hotels on the islands.

Antigua and Barbuda has 365 beautiful sandy beaches. All of them belong to the state, and the entrance to them is free.

The Gulf of Galli is characterized by the presence of nudist beaches.

The entire coastline of the islands has excellent conditions for divers, snorkelers, surfers and fishermen.

Half Moon Bay is comfortable for families with children - the beach is located on the territory of the national park.

There are many historical monuments on English Harbor.

Banks, money, exchange offices

The currency of Antigua and Barbuda is the East Caribbean dollar, which is equal to 100 cents. Circulation has paper banknotes in denominations of 5,10,20,50,100 local dollars and coins in denominations of 1 local dollar, 1,2,5,10,25,50 cents. The US dollar also has free circulation on the territory of the country (the cost of goods is indicated in two currencies - local and American).

Banking hours:

On weekdays - from 8.00 to 13.00 and from 15.00 to 17.00

Some - on Saturdays - from 8.00 to 12.00

Currency exchange can be done in banks, hotels and large shops. The most favorable rate is in the banks of St. John's.

You can pay with any credit cards almost everywhere, but you should clarify the conversion conditions (if the price is indicated in local dollars, and the card is in US dollars). Travel - checks (preferably in US dollars) can also be cashed almost everywhere.

Tipping is accepted (if the service fee is not included in the total price) in the amount of 10 - 15% depending on the quality of service, taxi drivers - 10%, porters - $ 0.5 per suitcase.

Tourist safety

Antigua and Barbuda is practically safe for tourists to stay, but following simple rules will help to avoid any troubles.

It is forbidden to be topless on the beaches.

You should drink only bottled water, and before the trip it will be useful to be vaccinated against hepatitis A and polio.

Transport

Between the islands, air communication is well established, but there is no railway as such.

The movement of passengers to Antigua and Barbuda is carried out by buses and taxis.

Traveling by bus is relatively inexpensive, but not all can be reached by this mode of transport. settlements and some run only on Sundays.

The work of the taxi service is very civilized: the cost is calculated according to certain tariffs, which will be indicated on the receipt, which you will definitely be given. Taxi drivers have undergone special training and can be part-time guides.

You can also rent a car on your own, with only one amendment - the traffic here is left-handed.

Entertainment, excursions, attractions

The capital of the archipelago offers to alternate beach holidays with excursions, of which there are many - in historical places, museums, attractions. In Saint John, you can visit the local market, where farmers offer their freshest products, or you can go on a jeep tour, kayaking, or motorboat promenade. For those who wish, there are golf courses.

The island of Barbuda is mysterious caves and rare bird species, as well as large golf courses. Various festivals, carnivals and holidays are regularly held on this island.

Along the coast you can take a walk on a pirate ship, fly by helicopter, swim with dolphins.

Cuisine and restaurants

All countries in the region have somehow left their mark on the culinary traditions of Antigua and Barbuda.

For Europeans, lobsters, clams, shrimp and shells are exotic and preferred in a certain way. Unusual dishes are sunfish, flying fish and red snapper.

Be sure to try the lamb and rabbit stew, as well as the local sweet potato with coconut and spices.

Coconut milk is often offered as a drink on the islands.

Shopping and shops

There are duty-free shops in the archipelago where you can buy jewelry (even the popular emeralds from Colombia), watches and other goods at a bargain price.

The main souvenirs of the islands are ceramics, shell and coral jewelry, and wooden handicrafts.

Customs

Large amounts of money upon entry are subject to declaration, but their amount is not limited.

You can take out the amounts within the limits entered into the declaration at the time of entry.

There are restrictions on the import of cigarettes and alcohol.

It is forbidden to import narcotic substances and weapons to the islands, to export - objects of artistic and historical value.

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The English admiral Horatio Nelson, who founded a naval base in Antigua in 1784, did not know that in 200 years this island, together with Barbuda, would become one of the best places for tourists in the Caribbean. Tourists to the islands of Antigua and Barbuda are attracted by numerous carnivals and, above all, magnificent white sandy beaches.

Geography of Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda is an island nation located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, 650 km southeast of Puerto Rico. The main islands of this exotic country for us are Antigua and Barbuda. In addition, this state also includes a number of smaller islands - Green, Guinea, Long, York and Redonda. The total area of ​​the country is 442 sq. km.

Most of the islands of Antigua and Barbuda are lowlands. The most high peak Antigua - Mount Obama, whose height reaches 402 meters. In Barbuda, the height of the highest local hill (there are simply no mountains there) reaches 42 meters.

The coastline of Antigua and Barbuda is heavily indented with many lagoons, beaches and natural harbors. All the islands of this country are surrounded by reefs and shoals.

There are no permanent rivers on the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, but there is a lot of underground freshwater.

Capital

St. John's is the capital of Antigua and Barbuda. More than 35 thousand people now live in this city. St. John's was founded by the British around the 1630s and 40s.

Official language

The official language of the population of Antigua and Barbuda is English.

Religion

About 74% of the population professes Christianity (most of all Anglicans, but there are also Baptists, Presbyterians and Catholics).

Government of Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda is a constitutional monarchy ruled by a governor-general appointed by the Queen of Great Britain. Formally, in 1981, this state gained independence from Great Britain. The Governor General appoints the Council of Ministers.

The bicameral local parliament consists of the Senate (17 senators) and the House of Representatives (17 deputies).

The main political parties are the Antigua Labor Party, the United Progressive Party and the Barbuda People's Movement.

Climate and weather

The climate is tropical. The average air temperature during the day is + 27-31C. The dry season runs from November to April, and the rainy season runs from May to October. But you can relax in Antigua and Barbuda all year round.

Sea in Antigua and Barbuda

The state of Antigua and Barbuda is located on the islands in the Caribbean. Both main islands (ie Antigua and Barbuda) are surrounded by beautiful coral reefs. The average sea temperature near the coast is +25C.

culture

The main cultural events in Antigua and Barbuda are Sailing Week (held every April) and Carnival (celebrated every summer).

The traditional Carnival is held in honor of the emancipation of slaves, which took place on August 1, 1838. This grand show continues in Antigua for 10 days. Preparations for the Carnival begin a few weeks before its main events.

On the island of Barbuda, the Caribana Carnival takes place every May, lasting 5 days. All local carnivals are accompanied by mass street processions, musical, dance and theatrical performances.

Every September, a popular international music Festival De Jam Festival, which brings DJs from the Caribbean, the US and the UK.

Cuisine of Antigua and Barbuda

The cuisine of Antigua and Barbuda was influenced by culinary traditions Caribbean, England, Holland and France. The main food products are fish and seafood. The inhabitants of these islands show a real talent for cooking lobster.

We recommend trying Pepperpot (stew with vegetables and spices, often served with corn porridge), Roti (cutlets with potatoes and curry), Ducana (grated sweet potatoes with coconut, sugar and spices, wrapped in banana leaf), "Tamarind balls" (local sweets), as well as black pineapples, known for their unique extra-sweet taste.

Traditional soft drinks - tea, herbal tea, fruit juices.

Traditional alcoholic drinks are Ting (homemade grapefruit sparkling drink), Wadadli (local beer), and of course rum.

Attractions Antigua and Barbuda

The main attraction of Antigua and Barbuda is the Nelson Shipyard, located on south coast islands of Antigua. Nelson's Dockyard is an English naval base built in 1725. This historical monument now includes a museum, barracks, souvenir shops, a multimedia center.

In St. John's, among the attractions are St. John's Cathedral, Fort James, medieval shops, Fort Barrington, the former slave market.

Cities and resorts

The largest city in the state of Antigua and Barbuda is St. John's, where more than 30 thousand people live. Rest local cities hardly by Western standards can be considered as such, tk. too few people live there. Thus, the population of All Saints, the second largest city in Antigua and Barbuda, is about 3 thousand people.

Antigua and Barbuda is an excellent beach resort with numerous beaches. So, only in Antigua there are 365 beaches, one for each day of the year.

On the northwest coast of the island of Antigua there are two beach areas - Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay, they are very popular with foreign tourists. Also highly regarded are the four beaches of the Hawksbill area (one of these beaches is nudist).

The beaches of the hilly southwestern and south coast Antigua (Fryes Bay, Darkwood Beach, Johnsons Point, Rendezvous Bay and Pigeon Point) do not have such a good developed infrastructure like in the northwest of the island. There are not many tourists on these beaches. The beaches on the east coast of Antigua are most often chosen by families as their vacation spot.

In turn, the flat coast of the island of Barbuda is bordered by long pink and white sandy beaches. Reefs reliably protect them from the Caribbean Sea.

Souvenirs/Shopping

Tourists, vacationing in Antigua and Barbuda, buy handicrafts, ceramics, paintings, scented candles, Caribbean masks, wicker baskets, straw hats, local dolls, jam, local coffee, herbal tea, spices, spices, hot sauces as souvenirs.

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The islands of Antigua and Barbuda have 365 beaches for recreation all year round, surrounded by paradise nature. Divers are attracted by magnificent coral reefs, and romantics are attracted by fiery sunsets over the smooth surface of the Atlantic. Everything about Antigua and Barbuda from the Subtleties of tourism: tours, map, photos and hotels.

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Antigua and Barbuda is a state in the West Indies, located on three islands: Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda. The nature of the country is a string of secluded bays protected from storms by coral reefs, snow-white beaches and mountain peaks overgrown with lush vegetation. The largest of the islands, Antigua is the main tourist centre with 365 beaches (change at least every day of the year!) and modern infrastructure: hotels, nightclubs, entertainment complexes, casinos. The second largest, Barbuda - completely coral, with magnificent nature, preserved in its original form.

But the creations of human hands on Barbuda were much less fortunate: in 2017, the ruthless hurricane Irma destroyed 90% of the buildings on the island - only ruins remained of residential buildings, shops and family restaurants. Antigua did not suffer so much: power lines and several coastal hotels were restored almost immediately, the airport started working after 1.5 days. Barbuda is still coming to its senses, but new buildings are being built for centuries - so as to protect locals and tourists as much as possible from the elements.

Near Barbuda is the uninhabited island park Redonda with an area of ​​​​only about 1.5 square meters. km - a self-proclaimed state, whose history is no less interesting than landscapes.

Regions and resorts of Antigua and Barbuda

Capital island nation- St. John's. All the details about the cities and resorts of Antigua and Barbuda are on the page "Subtleties of tourism".

The beaches of Barbuda are so long that sometimes they go beyond the horizon.

Time difference with Moscow

− 7 hours

• with Kaliningrad

• with Samara

• with Yekaterinburg

• with Omsk

• with Krasnoyarsk

• with Irkutsk

• with Yakutsk

• with Vladivostok

• with Severo-Kurilsk

• with Kamchatka

Climate

Tropical trade winds, warm and dry all year round. Winds blow almost constantly on the islands, noticeably intensifying by September. Rains (short-term) occur only in September-November. The driest period is from February to April, when rainy days no more than three per month.

Average water temperature +24...+26 °C, average air temperature by months: January-March +28 °C, April +29 °C, May-June +30 °C, July +31 °C, November-December +29°C. See also: weather forecast for Antigua and Barbuda for the next week and 10 days.

Maps of Antigua and Barbuda

Visa and customs

Citizens of Russia do not need to apply for a visa to enter the country for the purpose of tourism for up to 30 days. For your own peace of mind, you should take out medical insurance for the entire period of the trip in advance.

Import and export of national and foreign currencies is not limited. You can import up to 1.13 liters of wine or strong alcohol into the country, up to 200 cigarettes (as an option - 250 g of tobacco or 50 cigars). Pets are allowed in the presence of an international veterinary passport with marks of all necessary vaccinations, plants - with a phytosanitary certificate. Medicines that do not require special permission - in an amount sufficient for personal use.

Under the ban is the import of weapons and drugs, ammunition, ammunition, as well as the export without special permission of items of historical and artistic value.

How to get to Antigua and Barbuda

Until recently, there were two airports in the country: the international V.K. Bird, 6 km from St. John's, and a small one in Codrington, which receives domestic flights. Now only the first one is working, the second one was destroyed by the same hurricane.

There are no direct flights from Russia to Antigua, you can fly from Moscow with 1-2 transfers. The cheapest way to get there is with Aeroflot and Jet Blue: tickets from Sheremetyevo cost from 790 USD round-trip, a flight with a connection in New York lasts from 32 hours. Flights that are optimal in terms of price and speed are organized by British Airways: from 990 USD in both directions, from 16.5 hours via London with a departure from Domodedovo. Prices on the page are for January 2019.

Each passenger leaving Antigua and Barbuda by air must pay an airport tax of 30 USD.

The only public transport that stops near the airport is minibus number 42, which runs between the West End and American University. The fare is 2.70 XCD, tickets are sold from the driver. You can get to other points of the island by taxi: from the airport to the center of St. John's, you will get a house for 30-35 XCD, a transfer to large hotels is at fixed rates.

Find flights to Antigua and Barbuda

Transport

By minibuses (about 10 routes in total) you can get from the capital to Falmouth, English Harbour, the West End and other points of the island, it is quite convenient and cheap (2.70 XCD per trip), the journey takes no more than half an hour. In Dickenson Bay and other northern locations public transport No.

There are even fewer buses to Antigua on Sundays than on weekdays.

Ferries deliver to Barbuda (off. site in English), a round trip costs 220 XCD, departure 1-2 times a day from St. John's harbor. Taxis run around Antigua, and trips between the main points are paid at fixed rates. Taxi drivers are qualified guides for fact-finding tours - it is quite possible to combine business with pleasure.

Antigua and Barbuda

Car rental in Antigua and Barbuda

There are about a dozen car rental agencies in Antigua, both local and international level Avis and Hertz, most of them have offices at the airport. Car rental requires national or international driver license, credit card, as well as a local driving permit issued by the rental office (to purchase it you need to show your license and pay 55 XCD).

International car rental companies have more guarantees, but the prices are much higher: renting a compact car costs from 200 XCD per day, a standard model - from 235 XCD, an SUV - from 275 XCD, while for local ones - from 70 XCD, 100 XCD and 160 XCD, respectively. . The cost of gasoline is 3.50 XCD per 1 liter.

Most of the roads in Barbuda have been destroyed by Irma, some sections have already been restored, but the repair work is still in full swing.

Traffic is left-handed, there are few gas stations, roads - even those that are not touched by a hurricane - are uneven, winding, dotted with potholes. The quality of the main highways is acceptable, but there are not always road signs. Traffic jams are rare, traffic jams happen only at the main attractions. It is better to leave the car paid parking lots, the cost is about 10 XCD per hour.

Antigua and Barbuda Hotels

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Shopping and stores

In St. John's, there are entire streets with duty-free shops offering a variety of goods: clothes and shoes of world brands, jewelry, precious stones (including the famous Colombian emeralds), watches at fairly competitive prices.

On Fridays and Saturdays, the capital hosts a farmers' market with fresh seafood, meat, vegetables and fruits, so you can stock up on groceries and buy edible souvenirs like guava jam. Shops are open from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 17:00.

From alcohol it is worth grabbing high-class Caribbean rum Cavalier and English Harbor. An excellent addition to the gift - colognes and shaving products with a recognizable rum aroma.

Colorful souvenirs are sold all over Antigua: wooden masks, woven mats and baskets, jewelry made from mollusks and shells, handicrafts made from coconut. Fashionistas will like bohemian wide-brimmed hats, fans of original interior decorations - porcelain and crystal clocks and exotic lamps of various shapes and sizes.

There are fewer stores in Barbuda, but there is something interesting there too: for example, in the Art Cafe near Two Foot Bay, you can pick up hand-painted T-shirts, bright paintings on silk and whimsical accessories.

Entertainment and attractions of Antigua and Barbuda

The main wealth of Antigua and Barbuda is, of course, nature: amazing white and pink beaches, warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, colorful coral reefs, caves and rocks. But connoisseurs of architecture should take a walk around St. John's, where old defensive buildings and colonial mansions have been preserved. For example, Fort James was built in the 18th century to protect against the French conquerors: today only cannons with monograms remind of their former greatness, but the view of the harbor exceeds expectations.

Even more impressive Observation deck- Fort Barrington at an altitude of 90 m.

The naval base in English Harbor was once commanded by Admiral Nelson, and his house-museum is also located here - a magnificent example of British architecture with valuable, albeit shabby exhibits. The Museum of Antigua and Barbuda has been opened in the center of the capital (off site in English), which tells about the history and culture from the time of the Arawak Indians to the present day. And by the walls Cathedral St. John's is an ancient cemetery - gloomy, but very bewitching.

The nature of Barbuda was less affected by the hurricane than the infrastructure, but so far tour operators bring guests here for a maximum of a day: on the beaches put in order, you can snorkel, fish and wander through the caves.

famous natural monuments have frightening names: from a sheer cliff, the Devil's Bridge, slaves jumped into the water, gaining freedom at the cost of life, and the Hell's Gate is a giant stone arch towering above the sea northeast of Antigua. Families with children are recommended to go to a touching donkey shelter (off site in English), party-goers - to noisy Sunday parties in Shirley Heights. The list of entertainment is completed by helicopter flights, jeep safaris, swimming with dolphins in the Marina Bay lagoon and catamaran trips to the mysterious uninhabited islands.