How to get around Antigua and Barbuda

Awesome sunsets, heavenly beaches, rum and barbecue parties, museums and UNESCO heritage sites, rainforest. If there is one thing I recommend when it comes to Antigua and Barbuda, it is: EXPLORE IT.

Although the island has a whole range of all-inclusive resorts that just make you want to lock yourself in, you definitely need to get around Antigua to enjoy all its sides.

Only by getting around every day, I was able to make a list of the 10 best beaches in Antigua and Barbuda and do many activities, both on land and water (any example? --> Things to do in Antigua and Barbuda (beach aside)).

Yeah you got it, in Antigua and Barbuda moving your buttocks is mandatory! 😆

In this blog post, I'll explain how to get around Antigua and Barbuda.

1. How to get around Antigua and Barbuda
2. Taxi
3. Private tours
4. Car Hire
5. Things to know before renting a car in Antigua and Barbuda

As with any respectable airport, in Antigua and Barbuda you'll find taxis waiting outside the arrivals gate. Prices vary based on mileage and number of people, but generally speaking they start at 30 USD one way for two people, from the airport to the Saint John's area.

In any case, the rates between the airport, the harbour and many hotels and destinations are fixed and you can get them either upon arrival or by asking at the hotel. At this link you will find the official taxi fares approved by the government of Antigua and Barbuda.

If you want to avoid the hassle of looking for a taxi upon arrival, you can book a transfer to your hotel, round trip, starting from € 32.50 each. .
You'll find a driver waiting for you at the airport upon arrival, they will take you straight to the hotel, with no stops halfway. The price also includes the return to the airport at the end of the holiday.

What if I travel with a baby?

Families will be pleased to know that a car seat for children is available with this transfer (that's no small thing, not everyone has it!) and it's spacious enough to hold a stroller and suitcases.

At this link you can check the total price and book your transfer from Antigua and Barbuda airport to the hotel of your choice.

Many taxi drivers are qualified guides and therefore are available for island tours. This is the ideal solution if you want to know more about the place you are exploring. Who better than the locals can tell you the history, anecdotes and fun facts about their place?

You can agree on a tour with your taxi driver or book a tour through your hotel.

Tip:
Blacki Warner is a taxi driver and also a tour guide. I haven't experienced his services firsthand, but he is highly praised by travellers on the Antigua and Barbuda Facebook group. His Facebook page is Blacki taxi tours.

If you don't plan on spending your entire vacation locked in the resort or spending too much money on taxis and private excursions, you definitely need to hire a car in Antigua.

Not only will you save money, you will also be free to go wherever you want, whenever you want, stop at every corner to take photos, go to the markets for groceries and so on. It was thanks to the car hire that I was able to get around the island ad discover The 10 best beaches in Antigua and Barbuda!

Besides, the island is not huge: you can drive from the north to the south of Antigua in 45 minutes.

As I mentioned earlier, I have been to Antigua and Barbuda twice and both times I rented a car through Rentalcar.
Planning ahead, you can find reasonable prices: the first time I paid £165 / €187 for 5 days in total, the second time I paid £230 / €265 for 8 days. These are absolutely competitive prices, compared with the cost of taxis and private excursions.

If you are looking to hire a car, I recommend to pick up and drop off at the airport, so that your car will be immediately available as soon as you land.

Other things to know before renting a car in Antigua and Barbuda:

1. Documents needed to hire a car: in addition to your driving license (either foreign or international), to hire a car in Antigua and Barbuda you must have a temporary local driving license. Don't worry though, it's an easy, fast and cheap procedure! The temporary driving license is issued over the counter by the car rental, it costs 20 US$ and it lasts for 3 months. Once you have this permit, keep it together with your driving license in case of a police check.

2. Direction of travel: the direction of travel is reversed as in England, so the driver's seat is on the right and you need to keep left. If you've never done it before, don't panic, just proceed with caution and follow other cars.

3. The condition of the roads is not one of the best: they are full of potholes, poorly lit, and mostly without signs or names. They're not congested but crowded with stray dogs, chickens, horses, donkeys, goats and people that walk along the roadside and cross without looking right or left. The first night we drove in the dark, and we just got a really bad vibe. The day after though, driving along the same roads in the sunlight, we agreed that they were not that bad. You just need to get used to it, and I promise you will!

4. Google Maps works just fine, it may guide you to some imaginary street, but you'll always manage to get to your destination.

5. Watch your data! You're not in Europe, so download the offline Maps before you leave your Country if you don't want your credit to be drained in 5 minutes.

6. Petrol: is cheap and can be only paid in cash. There are several petrol stations in the north of the island, a few in the centre and south. Always check that you have enough fuel before you hit the road.

7. Parking: there are no lines on the side of the roads nor are there any real parking spaces, so it's very easy to leave your car pretty much anywhere near any beach. In the towns, avoid parking where you see yellow lines at the edge of the road and double white lines in the middle.

8. Speed limits: sore point, the speed limits in Antigua and Barbuda are on the verge of the absurd. We are talking about 18 mph in the towns and 40 mph outside. But as I said earlier, if you think about the animals, the people and the road conditions, I think these limits are absolutely justified.

Check here the price of your car hire in Antigua and Barbuda.

So, to sum up: drive carefully, don't run over people or animals and have fun!

Well, you now know what's best for you when it comes to getting around Antigua and Barbuda!

Keep on reading more blog posts on Antigua and Barbuda here:

• 10 reasons to visit Antigua and Barbuda
• The 10 best beaches in Antigua and Barbuda (with photos!)
• Best places to stay in Antigua and Barbuda
• Things to do in Antigua and Barbuda (beach aside!)
• Weather in Antigua and Barbuda: best time to visit the twin-island nation
• Where was The Apprentice UK filmed in Antigua? All the locations, activities and places to stay.

If you have any questions or doubts, feel free to drop me an email at: flavia.iarlori@outlook.com.

See you soon!