Telephones: Calling home is easy from Antigua. Most hotels offer USA Direct calling service, or they can connect you with a U.S. operator. Your cell phone should connect seamlessly to our of our three cell networks, FLOW, Digicel or APUA Inet. All three offer 4G LTE networks.

Taxes: The Government requires a mandatory 12.5% Value Added Tax and a service charge of 10% is typical.

Television: Antigua Village offers a wide range of cable channels with most of the popular US networks, including NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, CNN, ESPN, the Disney Channel, premium movie channels HBO and various European channels, BBC World, as well as our local station ABS. A full list can be found in your guest room.

Electricity: 230 volts, 60 cycles. Most hotels have 110 volts, and converters are available.

Drinking Water: Although the water from the tap is safe to drink we would advise you to either filter it or drink bottled water.

Appropriate Attire: Beach attire is appropriate for the beach but not the town, shops or restaurants. Please refrain from short shorts, bikinis and bare chests in these places. Informal, but conservative, clothing is the standard.

Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time, GMT +4, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time and the same as Eastern Daylight Time.

Currency/Money: The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, which is fixed to the US dollar. The current exchange rate is US$1.00 = EC$2.70.  US currency, travellers’ checks and major credit cards are welcome everywhere.

Banks: Antigua and Barbuda is home to a variety of international and domestic banks offering full commercial and private banking services. The principal banks include Scotiabank, First Caribbean International Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, Antigua Commercial bank, ECAB and Caribbean Union Bank and others are available.  Banking hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm and Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Medical Facilities: The Mount St John’s Medical Centre provides most care services. Several private clinics are also available

Passports and Immigration: A valid passport is required to clear customs. Visitors from many nations do not require visas to enter Antigua and Barbuda. This is to facilitate the tourism industry. However, for visitors who do need a visa, please contact one of the Embassies or Consulates of Antigua and Barbuda.

Shopping Hours: Monday through Saturday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The major supermarkets are open 7 days a week from early morning until late in the evening.

Driving and local transport: Minibuses are reliable, frequent and cheap; taxi and car hire are available. Vehicles keep to the left. An international driving permit is recommended. A foreign license can be used to obtain a temporary visitor’s permit.

Personal Safety: Antigua is relatively crime free, but exercise normal precautions. For example, don’t leave valuables unattended in rental cars or on the beach.