Antigua Holidays & Hotels

As one would expect, Antigua boasts a very generous climate all year round, with only a slight dip in temperature during the winter months. Being one of the driest and warmest of the Caribbean islands, you are near guaranteed sunshine throughout your stay. The summer temperatures can climb to around 30 degrees C, while in the winter you can expect temperatures of 25 degrees C. It should also be noted that when the sun goes down it can get a little cooler, so you may wish to pack a couple of light jumpers along with those bikinis and board shorts. Antigua can be affected by hurricanes, due to being situated in ‘Hurricane Alley’. The hurricane season is between the start of June and the end of November, though Antigua usually experiences the after effects of a hurricane, rather than feeling its full force.

Although many may be quite happy to spend their days relaxing on one of the 365 beaches, Antigua can also accommodate those with more active pursuits in mind. Watersports are plentiful on the island and a great way to get that bit closer to the stunning scenery and delights that lie beneath the water’s surface. Snorkelling and diving are also readily available; the ideal chance to take in all the marine life and view the staggering coral reef formations. Along with the usual water skiing and jet skiing on offer, you can take part in a special fishing trip - where you have the chance of catching the kinds of exotic fish simply not found in British waters. Golf and tennis can also be enjoyed, with a beautiful backdrop making them games you’ll never forgot. Moving away from sports, Antigua has an array of jewellery and handicraft stores that give you the opportunity to purchase something special to the island and unique in its design.

With enough beaches to visit a different one each day of the year, Antigua can certainly be classed a dream destination for sun worshippers who wish to kick back and relax on the delightful sands of this Caribbean paradise. Although a firm favourite with honeymooners, visitors who seek a more active holiday can certainly find plenty in Antigua. Countless watersports, along with golf, tennis, football and of course the West Indies favourite - cricket - makes for an action-packed stay. To get the best views of the island, mountain trekking is a must. With views so strikingly beautiful throughout your ascent, you’ll be filling your camera’s memory card within minutes. Food is also a great highlight of any stay in Antigua; nobody quite manages to put as much love and vibrancy into their dishes as the Caribbean. If you like it hot then jerk chicken must be devoured, fresh seafood and the most exotic of fruits are also favourites with many visitors. Antigua makes for a holiday you’ll never forgot and you may just have to keep coming back to ensure you visit all their beaches.
Due to not needing to acquire a visa before entering Antigua, planning for your trip is a little less complicated. Simply make sure you have a valid passport and that it has at least six months left on it. Other important things to sort include getting adequate travel and medical insurance. You may think it isn’t that important and ‘it won’t happen to me’, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.

As one would expect, Antigua boasts a very generous climate all year round, with only a slight dip in temperature during the winter months. Being one of the driest and warmest of the Caribbean islands, you are near guaranteed sunshine throughout your stay. The summer temperatures can climb to around 30 degrees C, while in the winter you can expect temperatures of 25 degrees C. It should also be noted that when the sun goes down it can get a little cooler, so you may wish to pack a couple of light jumpers along with those bikinis and board shorts. Antigua can be affected by hurricanes, due to being situated in ‘Hurricane Alley’. The hurricane season is between the start of June and the end of November, though Antigua usually experiences the after effects of a hurricane, rather than feeling its full force.

Many tourists find taxis the easiest way of getting around the island, although you may wish to note that they do not run on meters like in other countries. Instead, the taxi drivers have rate cards so you will need to ask what the rate will be before setting off on your journey. You can also travel by public transport in the form of the local bus service. However, although there are plenty of buses running, trying to find the right one can be difficult due to a lack of signage and information at many of the stops. It is therefore advised to always leave plenty of time to get to your desired destination and ask locals for information about which bus you need to ride. If you’d prefer to have more control, then car rentals may be the choice for you. This, of course, means you can go where you want, when you want. Car rental prices are reasonable, with many hotels offering to sort this out for you. However, you must be aware that you will need to acquire a temporary Antiguan driving licence to drive one. These licences last for six months and only cost around $20 (£13). Scooters, mopeds and bicycles are also available to hire at a reasonable cost.

With over 100 hotels on offer, you should find the accommodation you desire in Antigua. As with most Caribbean islands, luxury hotels and villas can be readily found. From full board to self-catering, there are many idyllic hideaways on offer. For those on a tighter budget, there are small huts and apartments that are very reasonably priced and give you that dream destination for a cut down price. The summer season is when Antigua is at its busiest and therefore prices match the demand; choosing the off season to visit the island could save you a small fortune.

Christopher Columbus first discovered Antigua back in 1493; the world-renowned explorer named the island after Santa Maria La Antigua who was said to be a miracle-working saint of a European settlement. Rich in cash crops such as sugarcane, ginger and tobacco, Antigua attracted great interest from many European explorers. In 1664 Sir Christopher Codrington arrived on the island with the intention of exploiting such vast natural resources. He built large-scale sugar plantations, which turned the island into a very profitable producer.

Antigua has a nice mix of both traditional and more western food. With the tourist trade being the island’s greatest source of income, this has affected what many of the restaurants and hotels serve. They have aligned their menus to match western restaurants, so you can be sure to find many familiar dishes. However, with a little bit of exploring and seeking out some of the smaller, more traditional eateries, you’ll find an array of local cuisine to try. Fresh seafood along with native foods such as fungi, souse, callaloo and pepperpot stew are worth a try. Although you will find that many of the all-inclusive hotels only offer quite standard and somewhat generic menus, it is highly advised to spend at least a couple of nights away from the hotel restaurant and explore what the local establishments have to offer. This way you’ll be sure to get a real taste of Antigua, while also helping to support the small independent businesses. You will find that eating out in Antigua is surprisingly good value for money, with many meals only setting you back around £15 to £30. This price drops even further if you visit one of the smaller restaurants, where some meals can cost as little as £3 to £5.

As with the majority of Caribbean islands, the first image that pops to mind is that of the golden sandy beaches and the crystal clear, warm waters. Antigua certainly doesn’t disappoint on that front and has one of the best coastlines in the world. However, if you can drag yourself away from the beach, Antigua will delight in many other ways. The Botanical Gardens, situated in Antigua’s St John, is home to an abundance of wildlife, tropical plants and flowers. Continuing with the wildlife theme, the Hawksbill Turtle Preserve will give you a great insight into one of the island’s most loved inhabitants. There are also plenty of great walks, such as the well-trodden hike up Mount Obama, which will ensure breath-taking views throughout the ascent.