Antigua sells itself on a beach for every day of the year – 365 of them, the locals like to say. It's an easygoing, English-speaking eastern Caribbean island with calm west-coast bays, a low-key luxe streak, and all-inclusives that range from grown-up adults-only hideaways to family-friendly sprawls. Entry is simple and the vibe is unhurried.
- Language
- English
- official
- Currency
- East Caribbean dollar – USD widely accepted
- Power
- 230V (110V at some hotels), Type A/B plugs
- Driving
- On the left
- Main airport
- V.C. Bird International, St. John's
- ANU
Where Antigua splits
The resort areas are not interchangeable. What each one is actually for.
The west coast
A run of separate coves down the sunset side, each with a single resort on it and a hill between it and the next. Pick it for a beach that is effectively private and for the west-facing sunsets the island is known for. Nothing is walkable, so every dinner out is a taxi over unlit roads.
Start with Galley Bay Resort & Spa, five-star, adults-only.
The east coast
The windward side, an hour from the airport: reef-sheltered bays with a steady trade-wind breeze, which keeps the afternoons cooler and the sandflies down. Pick it for quiet, for snorkelling straight off the beach and for the island's best value. You are committed to your resort out here, and the sea is livelier where the reef opens.
Start with Hammock Cove Antigua, five-star, adults-only.
The south coast
The green, hilly end of the island, within reach of English Harbour and Nelson's Dockyard. Pick it if you want the sailing history and the rainforest side trips as well as the beach, and for the grown-up, old-school properties that have sat here for decades. It is the furthest corner from the airport and the priciest stretch on the island.
Start with Curtain Bluff, five-star.
When to go to Antigua
Climate normals for Island-wide, and our verdict on each month.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 82 degrees Fahrenheit | 82 degrees Fahrenheit | 83 degrees Fahrenheit | 84 degrees Fahrenheit | 86 degrees Fahrenheit | 87 degrees Fahrenheit | 87 degrees Fahrenheit | 88 degrees Fahrenheit | 88 degrees Fahrenheit | 87 degrees Fahrenheit | 85 degrees Fahrenheit | 83 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Rainfall | 2.6″ | 1.7″ | 1.7″ | 2.4″ | 3.6″ | 2.5″ | 3″ | 3.9″ | 4.9″ | 5.5″ | 5.5″ | 3.5″ |
| Verdict | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Shoulder | Good | Good | Shoulder | Off-peak | Off-peak | Off-peak | Prime |
Sweet spot. December–April; rainy season runs September–November.
Storm risk. In the belt (June–November); Antigua's dry climate keeps most trips shower-light outside the fall peak.
Sargassum. East- and south-facing beaches catch seasonal drift; the northwest resort coasts are usually calmer.
Figures are long-term climate normals for Island-wide, good for planning. They are not a forecast.
Do you need a passport or visa for Antigua?
U.S. citizens need a valid passport but no visa for tourist stays of up to 30 days. Aim for at least six months of passport validity beyond your trip, as airlines often enforce this.
Antigua asks arriving visitors to complete the free online ArriveAntigua travel declaration within three days of arrival; it's currently a mobile-browser form, no app needed. Confirm the latest on travel.state.gov before you fly.
Is Antigua safe?
Antigua is generally a safe, welcoming destination, and the U.S. State Department keeps it in its lowest-risk advisory tier (the current level is shown at the top of this guide). Petty theft is the main thing to watch; use the hotel safe and don't leave valuables on the beach.
Hurricane season runs June through November. Always check the current advisory at travel.state.gov before you travel.
Currency and tipping
The local currency is the East Caribbean dollar (pegged at roughly EC$2.70 to US$1), but U.S. dollars are accepted almost everywhere and cards are widely taken.
Many restaurants and hotels add a service charge plus government tax; where they don't, 10–15% is a fair tip. At all-inclusives, a few dollars for standout bar or housekeeping staff goes a long way.
When to visit
The dry, breezy high season runs December through April, with the most reliable sunshine and the highest prices. Sailing Week in late April and Carnival in late July and early August are lively, atmospheric times to land.
Late summer through fall is hurricane season – cheaper and often still lovely, but keep an eye on forecasts.
Getting there & around
Fly into V.C. Bird International (ANU), an easy nonstop from several U.S. East Coast hubs. Most all-inclusives arrange airport transfers, which is the simplest way to go.
Antigua drives on the left. Taxis are plentiful but unmetered, so agree the fare first; renting a car opens up the island's many beaches and viewpoints.
What to do beyond the resort
Tour UNESCO-listed Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour, take in the view from Shirley Heights (Sunday-evening barbecue and steel pan is a tradition), and zip-line through the rainforest.
On the water, snorkel Cades Reef, sail to uninhabited islets, or boat over to Barbuda's pink-sand beaches and frigate-bird sanctuary.
Good to know
Power & plugs: a mix of 230V and 110V – many hotels offer U.S.-style 110V outlets, but pack an adapter. Driving is on the left.
Water: stick to bottled or filtered water to be safe. Sunscreen: choose reef-safe. The pace is relaxed island time, so build in a little patience.
Getting to Antigua
Indicative round-trip fares into V.C. Bird, St. John's (ANU) from the major US gateways, cheapest first. Tap through for live prices and dates.
| From | Airport | Round trip |
|---|---|---|
| New York | JFK | $662Cheapest |
| Atlanta | ATL | $722 |
| Boston | BOS | $780 |
| Dallas | DFW | $807 |
| Miami | MIA | $816 |
| Chicago | ORD | $923 |
| Newark | EWR | $957 |
| Los Angeles | LAX | $1074 |
Where the Antigua resorts are
10 resorts mapped stars are five-star properties
The best all-inclusive resorts in Antigua
The Antigua properties we would actually book.
Where to stay in Antigua
The resort areas we cover, and which properties sit in each.
The west coast
4The south coast
2Dickenson Bay
1Resort chains in Antigua
The brands operating here. The ones we rank in full link through to the chain, what its plan really covers, and every resort of theirs we track.
Where these companies came from
Almost nobody in this category publishes it. Read oldest first and the list is a short history of how Antigua came to look the way it does.
Antigua, head to head
Price, flights, sand, food and safety, compared honestly.
Antigua vs JamaicaMexicoDominican RepublicMaldivesGreeceSpainTurks & CaicosArubaBarbadosSt. LuciaItalyPortugalTurkeyCuraçaoBrazilCosta RicaPhilippinesFrench PolynesiaMoroccoEgyptSouth AfricaMauritiusKenyaTanzaniaMozambiqueThailandIndonesiaMalaysiaPunta CanaCancúnRiviera MayaLos CabosPuerto VallartaMontego BayNegrilOcho RiosGuanacasteCreteBahiaBora BoraMalé AtollsRodney BayBarbados South CoastBarbados West CoastViti LevuVanua LevuCanary IslandsBalearic IslandsCosta del SolSharm el-SheikhHurghada & the Red Sea CoastBelekRhodesLara & AntalyaMaldives Outer AtollsCorfuHalkidikiKosSoufrière & South St. LuciaGrenadaFijiCroatiaU.S. Virgin IslandsSri LankaSeychellesBahamasChileArgentinaUnited States
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a passport or visa for Antigua?
U.S. citizens need a valid passport but no visa for stays up to 30 days. You should also complete the free online ArriveAntigua travel declaration within three days of arrival.
Is Antigua safe?
Yes – the U.S. State Department keeps it in its lowest-risk advisory tier. Petty theft is the main concern, so secure valuables. Check the current advisory at travel.state.gov before you go.
Can I use U.S. dollars in Antigua?
Yes. The East Caribbean dollar is the local currency, but U.S. dollars are accepted almost everywhere and cards are widely taken. You may get change in EC dollars.
Do you tip in Antigua?
Many places add a service charge plus tax; where they don't, 10–15% is standard. At all-inclusives, tipping a few dollars for great service is appreciated but not required.
When is the best time to visit Antigua?
December through April is the dry, sunny high season. Late summer and fall are cheaper but fall within hurricane season, so watch forecasts.
Which airport do I fly into for Antigua?
V.C. Bird International (ANU) near St. John's. It's a roughly 4 to 4.5 hour nonstop from the U.S. East Coast, and most resorts arrange transfers.