Antigua and its dependency Barbuda is a twin island nation in the Eastern Caribbean.
The island is English speaking with a landmass of 169.9 square miles. It is green and mountainous in appearance with the highest point being Boggy Peak which stands at an elevation of 1,319 feet.
Antigua is affectionately known as the Caribbean destination with 365 beaches, one for every day of the year.
In fact, the authorities have designed a survey to make it easier for visitors to discover which is best to visit based on one’s preferences.
In this article, we answer the question as to whether Antigua is a US Virgin island as well as provide helpful travel tips to the destination.
Is Antigua a US Virgin Island?
Antigua is not a US Virgin Island. The US Virgin Islands are overseas territories of the United States of America (USA) which has a landmass of 133 square miles. The four major islands are St Croix, St Thomas, St John and Water Island. Additionally, there are about 50 smaller islets and cays.
Where Is Antigua Located?
Antigua is an island located in the Northern Caribbean region, East South East of Puerto Rico. It takes about three and a half hours by direct non-stop flight from Miami International Airport to V C Bird International Airport.
Do You Need A Passport To Visit Antigua?
A passport is required by all foreign nationals for entry into Antigua as well as proof of a return ticket.
What Is The Country Code For Antigua?
The country code for Antigua is 1-268.
Is Antigua A Good Place To Vacation?
Antigua and Barbuda is an excellent destination to consider for a Caribbean vacation for its beautiful beaches and turquoise waters.
As stated above there is a beach personality quiz which you can take to determine which spot is right for you.
Dickenson Bay is one of the well- loved beaches in Antigua by both locals and tourists alike.
Its shallow and calm waters make it an ideal spot for water sports such as paddle boarding.
The island of Barbuda is also blessed with a beautiful pink sand beach between Spanish Point and Palmetto Point.
The ferry from Antigua docks at this beach which takes 90 minutes traveling time.
One must visit location is the Nelson Dockyard located in English Harbour. It is a UNESCO heritage site.
This dockyard allows visitors to enjoy the park’s beauty. There is also the dockyard museum which provides deep insight into the dockyard’s history and current research on the island.
Is Antigua Safe?
Antigua is a relatively safe destination when compared to larger regional counterparts such as Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica.
According to the US Department State, Overseas Advisory Council based on a 2018 crime report per 100,000 citizens, Antigua had 12 murders and 4 kidnappings while its regional counterparts such as Grenada reported 11 murders and zero kidnappings during the period.
Nonetheless, visitors should exercise extreme care and due diligence as in any other foreign country.
Avoid leaving goods and valuables unattended as well as refrain from secluded areas especially at nights.
Travel Tips For Antigua
The official currency of Antigua & Barbuda is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD) which has been pegged to the US (United States) dollar since July 7th, 1976 at a rate of USD $1 to XCD $2.70.
The island is also 54 km from Montserrat which is a British overseas territory that can be accessed via ferry services.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Government has been a leader in the use of cryptocurrency in the Caribbean.
Antigua and Barbuda allows individuals to make Citizenship By Investment payments via Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies.
The citizenship by investment programme which gives individuals a local passport which has visa free access to about 150 countries globally at the time of publication.
Final Thoughts
We trust that the above information was valuable and informative especially if you are considering a visit to the beautiful Caribbean island of Antigua
For your added security, if you are traveling to the island during the Caribbean hurricane season which begins June 1 to November 30 annually, it is prudent to consider travel insurance in the event of interruptions, cancellations or delays.
Need More Information?
We trust that the information contained in this post was helpful.
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Check out the following articles linked below for more information about Antigua.
Pros & Cons Of Living In Antigua & Barbuda
What Is The Best Currency To Use In Antigua & Barbuda