Antigua and Barbuda

Caribbean tips you can trust

Why the nation
Antigua and Barbuda
is special

The modestly touristed nation of Antigua (ahn-tee'-gah) and Barbuda (bahr-boo'-dah) has some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. And you could visit a different beach on each day of the year and not repeat yourself.

Antigua
and Barbuda
tips & insights

Antigua

What to see

Except for Antigua's beaches and resorts, there is not much to excite you on the island. The one big exception is the interesting Nelson's Dockyard. This restored complex was Admiral Nelson's 18th century naval base.

Resorts

Most reside in the island's northwest and range from modest to high-end. Runaway Bay is one of the popular resort locations.

Size

Antigua is about 50% larger than Barbuda and measures 22 kilometers (14 miles) in length and 18 kilometers (11 miles) in width.

Barbuda

It is far less populated, touristed and developed than its sister Antigua. The island appeals to seclusion seekers. Ditto for birders (it has a large colony of frigatebirds) and divers (many submerged shipwrecks repose in this nautical graveyard).

Redonda

This is the country's third island. Redonda is tiny and uninhabited, and makes an interesting day exploration trip from Antigua.

British

These islands were once a British colony and the cultural influence is evident today.

Currency and language

The Eastern Caribbean dollar is the official
currency and English is the official language.

Location map