Antigua and Barbuda language. Antigua and Barbuda on the world map: capital, flag, coins, citizenship and attractions of the island state. Where is the state of Antigua and Barbuda located and what are tourist reviews about it? Shopping and shops

“Look long enough at the sea and you will have all the stories you want.” Jojo Moyes. - The weather is pleasant. -Even the wind is like that. - I thought it would be hot and sunny. But no. - Hello everyone, friends! This is “Heads and Tails” and we have arrived in Antigua and Barbuda! - Alina, what associations come to your mind when you hear the word Antigua? - Something so beautiful, sophisticated, exotic, delicious. Antigua. - Super. Probably so rich, you know. Aristocratic. - Well, maybe. -What associations come to mind when you hear the word Barbuda? - Well, the word is “Barbuda”. It's like something is falling. Some kind of stone. Barbuda. Or some kind of shamanic dances. You know, those ugh ugh, Bar-boo-da. - Something so barbaric? - Well, yes, something like that. - Poor thing. - I am not sure. - Poor thing?! - Maybe. - Poor thing! - Fine. - Super. Then we will now flip a coin and decide which of us will be Antigua and which will be Barbuda. - Oh, that's what you're talking about! - Eagle! - Tails! - What did you say about Antigua? - Don't know. There are no longer any associations at all, Kolya. - Come on, Alinka, don’t be upset. In fact, you remain Antigua. You remain refined, sophisticated, aristocratic, beautiful, rich for sure, but not this time. I will remain Barbuda, what do I have to lose. Especially when you are Barbuda with a gold card. Antigua and Barbuda are small islands in the Caribbean. Covered with tropical greenery and surrounded by white beaches. This weekend I will show you all the delights of Antigua. And I'll go to Barbuda - a favorite vacation spot of the Hollywood rich. You can already get acquainted with the island without leaving the airport territory. And all thanks to the graffiti that depicts... The brightest, most outstanding, interesting things you can meet, see or try here. I suggest you find out Interesting Facts about these islands. In fact, the state of Antigua and Barbuda consists not of two islands, but of three. And this third one is called Retonda. It was in Antigua that cricketers were popular all over the world. This is officially my favorite sport because there are matches every day, imagine every day. In Antigua, there has been a unique variety of pineapple for 2000 years, called black pineapple. And now the most unusual and my favorite fact - Antigua has 365 beaches. Imagine, every day you can change the beach. That's why we came here with our marine. To the beach! So now I'm heading to Barbuda. There are two ways to get to Barbuda - the first is by plane, the second is by boat. Well guys, this is the Caribbean Sea, what kind of plane. I’m always ready to smell and touch it again. So I rented a private boat and set off to explore Barbuda. And I, with my 100 dollars, stay to explore the island of Antigua. And first of all, I will go to the capital - the city of St. John's. But it turned out that getting there is not so easy. I don't see a stop or any sign of public transport. But you don’t want to spend money on a taxi right away. Therefore, I suggest just catching it by hand. 20 minutes - and I’m already in the capital. Although the capital is a strong word. St. John's looks like our provincial urban village. And only 30 thousand people live here. But every day for a few hours the population of the city grows significantly. And all thanks to tens of thousands of tourists. Who sail here on cruise ships. As part of the tour, they have only 3-4 hours to get acquainted with the main attractions of the city. So, the first of them is the Heritage Quay shopping area. There are cafes and street entertainers, but its main feature is the duty-free shops. That is, stores where you can buy goods without taxes. Tourists leave tens of thousands of dollars here every day. The second attraction is Redcliffe Quay. This is the historical part of the city. It used to sell sugar cane, rum, and slaves. But slavery was abolished, and sugar production fell into decline, so now... they sell souvenirs, jewelry and delicious food. And finally, the third attraction. I am in a special place - behind me is Mr. Bird, or as the locals call him, the Pope of the Nation. This is the first Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. He is considered a national hero! He achieved the country's independence, raised wages on sugar cane plantations and restored roads on the islands. In the meantime, Alina is getting acquainted with Antigua, I got to Barbuda. Barbuda is a cozy green island with pristine paradise beaches. Private villas of Hollywood celebrities. Luxurious restaurants and hotels. But the island was like this until September 2017. Two years ago, Barbuda was hit by Hurricane Irma, the most powerful Atlantic hurricane in the last decade. He destroyed the entire infrastructure of the island. He left about 2 thousand people homeless. And caused $100 million worth of damage! Now the island is slowly being rebuilt. But even after 2 years, I still haven’t recovered from the disaster. Let's see what Barbuda now has to offer the wealthy tourist. So, to explore the island, I need a car. In order to rent a car here I need a car rental. Car rental is located in the village, in order to get there you need to take a taxi. In an hour and a half I walked around the capital of Antigua far and wide. In fact, the town itself is quite small. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to see here, guys, 365 beaches! I have something to do, so I'm off! This weekend I'm going to travel around the entire island and show you the main attractions of Antigua. The path is not close. It is unknown whether there will be shops and cafes along the way. Therefore, it is better to stock up on food in the city. Well, I took care of the restaurant - now I have it all in the bag with me. Another piece of luck - the nearest beaches can be reached by public bus- for only 2 and a half dollars. After 15 minutes, the taxi driver brought me to the only rental on the island of Barbuda, which was opened after the hurricane. - Hello, I need a car. - We don't have any cars available. - Yes, I just need one day. - Everything is booked a month in advance. - I can pay more! - Sorry, there is nothing at all. - OK. Thanks a lot. Can you help me? Can you give me a ride? - Then I'll hire you? - No problem. - Why didn’t I guess before? Let's continue to get acquainted with Barbuda! The island of Antigua is washed on one side by Caribbean Sea, and on the other - Atlantic Ocean. Therefore, there are beaches here for every taste and color. For example, “Deep Bay”! A deep bay among 2 rocks with a thin coastline of snow-white sand. The beach is public, so anyone can relax here absolutely free. The only caveat is that there are no sun loungers, no changing rooms, no cafes nearby. But “Jolly Beach” - private beach at the hotel. All amenities are available here. But if you are not a guest, you have to pay for a sunbed. And here is Hawksbill Beach. Its feature is a mountain in the shape of a turtle's head. . They say that a kind giant turtle once lived here. One day, bloodthirsty pirates swam to the shore. Unable to tolerate their ignorance, the turtle emerged from the water, scared off the villains and froze forever, becoming the amulet of this beach. And the beach is guarded by such cute creatures. Good ones. My dear ones, you saw just a little one there. so tiny. Klaaass, look what they are like. Good ones. Such a goat beach - in a good way. I also asked the taxi driver to take me to the beach. Friends, this is the most famous beach in Barbuda - Pink Beach. Translated it means “pink beach”. This is one of the few places in the world where the coastline is such an unusual color! And all thanks to crushed pink shells and corals from the nearby reef, which are washed ashore by the waves. But that was before Hurricane Irma. And now “Pink Beach” looks like this. It used to be really pink, but then a hurricane came and lost its color. No, of course he is also handsome. But it’s not so pink anymore, this unique feature of his has gone with the hurricane. The wind almost completely washed away coastline and damaged the coral reef, which is why the beach lost its color. Although if you look closely, you can see these small shells in the sand, thanks to which it was pink. Of course, there are much fewer of them than there were before, but they exist. The most interesting thing is that now all tourists coming to Barbuda, the first thing they do is go to the pink beach. Listen, well, they read old forums. Somewhere the beach is still really pink, but you won’t be like that. You will know that there is no pink beach here. We are trying for you. I love. I decided to give Barbuda another chance. And I asked my taxi driver to take me to the most expensive hotel on the island. It turned out to be “Beach House”. Just three years ago, a lot of tourists came here with a gold card, like me. But then Hurricane Irma came and the hotel was destroyed. The hotel had 22 luxury cottages... its own helipad, spacious swimming pool and private access to the beach. Just imagine what the view was like here. Surely there wasn't all that grass. This is how one hurricane caused so much destruction. Okay, but something has to work on this island. - Will you please take me to some restaurant? - We have no restaurants on the island after the hurricane. But I can call my friend, she will organize something special for you on the beach. Unlimited card - and in Barbuda an unlimited card! They arranged an exclusive lunch for me, firstly, secondly - in nature, thirdly, look how authentic it is. Of course, of course, there is no luxury or frills here, but look how soulful it is. So, an “exclusive lunch” in Barbuda consists of: overripe avocados and bananas, coconut water and lobster with rice and vegetables. In general, what the locals themselves eat every day. Of course, the infrastructure here is still suffering greatly, but listen, the nature is magnificent and the people are good. They didn’t have a cafe by the ocean, but they built it, even if it was small, they built it.. To their health! Well, now that you’ve seen the beaches, it’s time to get acquainted with another attraction of Antigua. Black pineapple. It grows only on these islands where it is suitable humid climate and endless sun. However, they are not transported from the island, because ripe pineapples spoil quickly. And unripe ones will not ripen in another climate. They say that black pineapple has more sugar than regular pineapple. That is why it is several times sweeter. Let's check this now. Oh here he is. But it turned out that the black pineapple is not black at all. I don't even know why it's black. Perhaps due to the difference from the classic pineapple in the color of this top, you see it is darker. Now let's check whether it's like that or whether it's sweet. It’s tasty, but I can’t say it’s downright killer sweet. I would say that this is a good ripe tasty pineapple, if they gave me a taste with my eyes closed, I would say that it is just a pineapple that tastes familiar to me. There is nothing to add. As you can see, there is practically no entertainment on the island: no restaurants, no hotels. Therefore, tourists, in order to somehow attract tourists, came up with such an attraction or something. This is a nature reserve where people are taken on this boat. Ten minutes of travel and I'm there. 20 thousand birds live here, and the island's population is 1,400 people. That is, after this, to say that Barbula is an island of people, it seems to me, no. This is the island of birds. And here are some more chicks. There's a little chick sitting there. Over there in the nest. Just hatched, look! Wow! The main attraction of this reserve is the frigate birds. They cannot swim, but they can stay in the air for hours. They cannot sing, but they click loudly with their long hooked beak. But their main feature is the red throat sac of males, which they inflate during the mating season to attract a female. Cool! I am impressed! Even though Antigua is a small island, I can’t get around it on foot. And since the buses don’t run regularly, I’ll hitchhike again. In general, as you understand, there is nothing to do in Barbuda for now. So I boarded my private boat and returned to the island of Antigua. This is where I will settle. They say that the rich are offered an exclusive housing option - right on the shores of the Caribbean Sea in a “luxury” tent. But these are no ordinary tents. No no no. This is glamping. Glamping consists of two words - glamor and camping. Why it is called that, now you will see for yourself. Glamping is outdoor recreation with all the amenities. Therefore, my tent is more like a tent, which contains a luxurious bed, a chest of drawers for things, a mini-bar, a sofa, and what is important - there is even a shower! Look, I get it, this is truly glamping. It looks like a tent, well, it looks like a tent, but what’s there? And when you go inside, it’s just luxury. And most importantly, here you can stand upright even on the bed. Where have you seen such tents? You have never seen such tents anywhere! Watch, enjoy, remember! The coolest thing here is 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 steps to the sea! I arrived at the next attraction in Antigua. Observation room. There is a life hack - until 5 pm there is an entrance fee, but after 5 pm the guard leaves and you can enter for free! By arriving a little later, you'll not only save $9, but you'll also see the best sunset in Antigua. Hats off to Antigua and Barbuda. You look at it from above and you realize that this is a real gem in the Caribbean. I want to take care of this place and not tell anyone. Can you smell it? What's happened? Listen, it’s delicious! Wow! This shaman of wonderful smells. Yes, friends, it turns out that glamping is not only a “luxury” tent, it is also a picnic on the shore, which a professional chef will organize for you. Wow, what a smell. So, what's on my plate - chicken, fish, shrimp, corn. But it was all cooked on a barbecue - with smoke still in the background of the sunset. Immediately, ordinary ingredients are transformed into a cosmic dish. You know, Kolya, now I’m also organizing “glamping” for myself. And do it yourself and absolutely free! I've already done this. So, this is definitely some kind of top or bottom. So, what is this? What kind of hospitality? I will spend the night like this, and this will protect me from animals. Ahahaha. Well, the first pancake, or rather the tent, was lumpy. It should definitely work now! Tomorrow, when I’m getting ready, don’t forget to remind me about the pegs, okay? Because my situation was so uncomfortable. And the situation was in the Maldives. Where are the pegs? These are such small, funny things, thanks to which the tent does not fly away from the wind in an unknown direction. Bring back Regina! In general, everyone should remember about pegs. Me, you, pegs. Sasha, maybe I’ll shoot and you collect? Magic wands. Well, 20 minutes of persistence and... Tadaaam! Put! Who's the beauty? I'm beautiful! Friends, as you understand, we at “Heads and Tails” are not looking for an easy way - neither for ourselves nor for you. It is here, knee-deep in water, making our way through the thickets, that we will hide for you a bottle with a hundred bucks and a note. And then you, making your way through the thickets, knee-deep in water, will look for it. So, bottle, 100 bucks, let's roll it up. Your holiday in Antigua and Barbuda will be much more enjoyable with a treasure from Eagle and Tails. And to find it, go to the island of Antigua, to the end of Valley Church Beach. There, in the stones, among the bushes, we hid the treasured 100 dollars, good luck with the search. And with a stick, a stick, like in billiards. Let's go to the hole. There is housing, all that remains is to resolve the issue of dinner. Sash, do you have a lighter? It's burning! Now let’s prepare the kitchen “equipment”, in my case a stick. First, the stick must be disinfected by dousing it with fire. You never know. Maybe some dog is an ambassador for her. You know, anything can happen. Better to play it safe. And finally, let's move on to cooking. For dinner we have overseas potatoes and sausages. Listen, the smell, the smell in general, is Michelin. So, shall we try it? Great with smoke. These are the moments that are never forgotten! Hotel all inclusive, right? From what? On the third day it's boring. You come, it’s the same thing, these tables are full of food, it’s the same thing. Breakfast lunch dinner. And then look: find this firewood, light a fire, don’t tear your dress, here comes adventure after adventure. Good night. What waves do you hear? I will fall asleep to their noise. Good morning! What invigorating water! Well, come here, I already got up this morning, swam in the sea, exercise, breakfast, here you go. I don’t do it that way - like this. Good morning. Not far from my overnight stay there is another attraction of the island of Antigua. The so-called Pillars of Hercules. These are vertical limestone rocks on which waves have been crashing for centuries, honing a unique pattern. Locals believed that the pillars of Hercules served as the entrance to the kingdom of the dead. And a warning to sailors to stay away from this place. Believe it or not, hundreds of ships have actually crashed in this place! And if you have a mask and snorkel, you can see them without even sailing far from the shore! At a depth of only two to three meters. Here, for example, is a small fishing boat that sank in a strong storm about 20 years ago. And here are the remains of an old cargo ship that transported sugar cane. But several decades ago, it crashed on underwater rocks and now serves only as a home for a flock of yellow-striped grenades. And a free underwater attraction for tourists. In the morning I also decided to explore undersea world Antigua and Barbuda. But not floundering near the shore, like Alina, but hired a boat and went out to sea. The Caribbean Sea is one of the largest and warm seas in the world. Every six months - from June to November - terrible hurricanes sweep over it. Therefore, it is recommended to dive in the remaining six months - in order to safely view the underwater world and its inhabitants. Today I was lucky enough to meet a Caribbean reef shark. Size - one and a half meters, weight - 50 kilograms. But its main “feature” is that it is considered harmless to people. Despite this, the reef shark should not be provoked. Over the past 50 years, these predators have attacked people a dozen times. And even though the culprits of the attacks were the people themselves, it’s better for me to swim up and out of harm’s way. By the middle of the second day I got to the very beautiful beach to Antigua. Its name is “Halfmoon Bay”. It is a bay shaped like a perfect crescent. Bordered by a strip of white sand adjacent to dense tropical greenery. . This area is still untouched by private villas and hotels. Therefore, locals consider this beach to be a real paradise on earth. According to locals, this best beach, well, let's see. I don't even know where to start. Population density - yes, there is no population here, there is wild nature. Contingent - well, people like me. Those who are interested. Infrastructure. What? We haven’t heard of it here, I suggest you just enjoy it! Despite the lack of infrastructure, the beach is rated five. Another plentiful activity in Antigua is fishing for the elusive mahi-mahi. Mahi-mahi is one of the fastest predators in the Caribbean. It reaches speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour. But the main thing is that mahi-mahi is a strong fighter! She resists to the last, and often simply breaks off the bait. Therefore, catching this fish is not so easy and you need to know several nuances. Firstly, mahi-mahi bites on flying fish. Mahi-mahi loves this kind of fish. Secondly, the spinning rod must be strong, with thick fishing line. We will use 5 fishing rods - so for sure! And thirdly, you will need strong hands, an experienced fisherman. It will take about 20 minutes to get the mahi-mahi on board the boat. And, of course, the main attribute of fishing is patience. For some reason I decided to sit there, I’ll rest a little. Guys, I will now spend almost half of my budget, namely 50 dollars on the excursion that I am going on now. And they promised me that I would see not one, not two, not even five, but hundreds of stingrays! Just 10 minutes from the shore is the “city of stingrays” - this is what locals call the shallow waters on the reef, where a school of southern Atlantic stingrays lives. Here for them ideal conditions - shallow depth and warm, clean waters. It is to these stingrays that curious tourists are brought every day to swim with the sea creatures. It’s just fantastic - they are not afraid of people, but swim very close. Oh they squeak. They emerge from the water and squeak. Southern stingrays are calm and obedient animals. They are already accustomed to the fact that people come here and feed them, so they have long become tame. He is like a puppy - he goes to where they give him a treat. Stingrays feed on small fish and shellfish. So, catch a big stingray, catch a small stingray. He swims up and, like a vacuum cleaner, picks up the squid. Having learned that feeding occurs regularly during the day, local stingrays have changed their usual lifestyle: unlike their other relatives, they sleep at night and not during the day. They live in a pack, not alone, and they themselves seek contact with people. How pleasant it is to the touch. These are fantastic creatures, I am absolutely delighted, I have... goosebumps, not from the cold, but because it is simply incredible. After half an hour of waiting, it finally took the bait! Like mahi-mahi. Right. Look, look, it's spilling out there. Well now, the main thing is not to lose your temper! Wow! I don’t understand how Alina pulled out her marlin - I swung with mahi-mahi. One mahi-mahi here! A little more effort - and the second mahi-mahi is on the hook! But that's not all! Listen, finally, I’ve had some truly successful fishing in my life, and instead of one mahi-mahi, there are three at once! Hurray, we did it! Hurray, another fishing trip that came out with a plus sign. Another rare fish, and not just one, but 3! Mahi-mahi hooray! At the end of the second day, I came to the last beach on my list - Dickenson Bay. And tourists come to this beach to find a bar, but a very unusual bar - on the open sea! The bar is called Kon Tiki. It is built on pontoons and can accommodate up to 50 people at a time. And today I am among them. Take me to your place. There is even a special transfer on a small boat. You gesture that you need to actually go to the bar. A small boat comes and takes you to the desired place. The transfer is free, but drinks, of course, cost money. Another nice bonus is that everyone here is in a good mood, because they have been sitting here for several hours. Oh, it’s just swaying on the waves here. I don’t even know if it’s worth trying what the guests recommend. But word for word, and you are already on the same wavelength as other vacationers. We can afford a cocktail, Sash. So, what we have is a small company, good music, good mood. It doesn’t matter how old anyone is, who came from where, everyone is just in high spirits. I like. Not only do you drink a delicious cocktail, but you also watch the most beautiful short film of the day - it's sunset. Having visited Antigua and Barbuda, you understand - this is where the real sea ​​holiday! - 18 steps to the sea If you want, get relaxation. - Watch, enjoy, remember. If you want, look for adventure. - These are fantastic creatures, I’m absolutely delighted, I’m getting goosebumps. And it doesn’t matter whether you have a gold card or 100 dollars - there are enough beaches for everyone! - I take my hat off to Antigua and Barbuda - you look like that from above and you understand that this is a real gem in the Caribbean. - Of course, there is no luxury or frills here, but look how soulful it is. - And there is nothing to add. - We are trying for you. I love. - They are just so cosmic. One didn’t bite me, but kissed me on the shoulder. - Woohoo! The holiday has arrived! Hello! - That's for sure! Hello! - So how are you? Tell me, I’m already burning with impatience. - Very good. These islands are truly paradise. There are 365 beaches. - How did you make it? 365 beaches, have you been everywhere? - No, I was at five or six, but they were incredibly beautiful. Just like the picture. I also had contact. - You mean with aliens? - Well, actually. Ha ha ha! With stingrays! But they really are like aliens. They are just like that.. - This is all good, of course, Alinka, but this is just a warm-up. - Oh, what did you do? Caught a mahi-mahi? I don't know.. - For a second I caught a mahi-mahi mahi-mahi mahi-mahi! -Did you catch the mahi-mahi? - Yes, Alina! - Congratulations! - Woohoo! - This is plus one! - Plus three, friends! Plus three, cloudy in places. Bye bye! See you again! - This is joy! - Shall we take it or..? - We'll take it, of course! - We'll pick it up. - How are they? Well, was it hard? - It was very difficult.

The unitary island state of Antigua and Barbuda consists of two fairly large islands and smaller ones located off their coast. The country is part of the group of Lesser Antilles islands of the Caribbean Sea; on the eastern side the islands are washed by the Atlantic Ocean. Antigua is the largest and most densely populated, with an area of ​​280 km2. Barbuda - located approximately 50 km from Antigua, the second largest island in the country, area - 161 km 2. The state includes the islet of Redonda, it is uninhabited and has an area of ​​only 1.6 km 2 . The head of the country is the Queen of Great Britain.

St. John's is the capital of Antigua and Barbuda, a cultural economic center, located in a cozy bay (the main port of the country). By local standards, it is a large city with a population of 31,000 people. The city is a link with other regions of the islands, the main junction of highways.

Antigua and Barbuda has a population of approximately 87,000 people. More than 91% of the country's population are African Americans, 4.5% are mulattoes, and Europeans are about 2%. A third of the residents of Antigua and Barbuda live in so-called cities (by our standards, the capital island state comparable to a small regional center).

Language

The official language is English, but most locals speak Antiguan-Kriol. This language is a mixture of English and African languages, but true English is understood by everyone without exception, since the official authorities reject the specifics of local communication, and school instruction is conducted in the British language.

Religion

This island nation has no official religion. The religious composition of the population is very diverse. Main religions:

• Anglicanism - professed by 24% of the population;
• 7th Day Adventists - 12%;
• Pentecostals - 11%;
• Moravian Church - 11%;
• Churches of God - 4.5%;
• Catholics - 10%;
• Methodists - 8%;
• Baptists - 5%;
• Other religions - 2.5%;
• Atheists - 12%.

Regions and resorts

The island of Antigua is divided into 6 districts.

The two separate regions of Barbuda and Redonda are considered dependent territories and generally constitute integral parts of the country.

The most popular resorts of the islands:

1. Jolly Harbor
2. Bucclays
3. Bolans
4. English Harbor
5. Barbuda Resort

Difference in time

Clocks do not change between summer and winter time in this country. The time difference with Moscow is -7 hours.

Climate

The islands have a warm tropical climate with constant and comfortable temperatures throughout the year.

At times, this climate brings heavy rainfall and strong winds. There are practically no obvious differences between summer and winter. The beginning of spring is considered the coldest, the average temperature drops to 27 - 28 degrees, during the peak season (July-August) 31 - 33 o C.

The sea water is comfortable for swimming all year round. In the coolest months it is 23 - 24 degrees, and in the summer - up to 29. This means that you can visit the most popular resorts regardless of the time of year.

Visa and customs

To enter Antigua and Barbuda, if the tourist’s stay does not exceed 30 days, then a visa is not required. When arriving at your destination, you do not need to pay any taxes. Upon arrival in the country, it is not necessary to take out medical insurance, but it must be taken into account that in case of unforeseen circumstances, you will have to pay a decent amount.

How to get there

Almost the only available way to get to Antigua and Barbuda is by plane. It is necessary to take into account the possible consular fee for obtaining a visa for the country in which you will need to make a transfer.

Airplane

There are no direct flights from Russia to the main state airport V.C. Bird. I'll have to use it charter flights. Most a budget option to Antigua and Barbuda and reverse direction will cost a tourist about $700.

One of the best options is to fly from Sheremetyevo to New York using the services of Aeroflot. An intermediate transfer at an American airport can take up to 21 hours. Then another 4.5 hour flight with jetBlue. One more nuance must be taken into account: in this case, you will have to apply for an American transit visa.

Option number 2 - through the UK. Although the cost of tickets is slightly higher (about $1,100), the flight time will be slightly shorter. In this case, you will need a British visa. However, if you have an Australian, Irish, Canadian or American visa or a residence permit from one of the Schengen countries, you do not need a visa.

There are ways to fly through Norway and France with two transfers, but these are even more expensive routes, and the journey can take two days. This option is not suitable for everyone.

Excursions

Popular excursions:

• Dolly Roger Pirate Ship Cruise;
• Antigua tour (by helicopter);
• Montserrat tour;
• Tropical adventures.

Transport

For travelers from Russia, road obstacles in this country are not significant. You can feel at home here. Sometimes adventures await the tourist in the pits; in some places the asphalt may run out and turn to a dirt road, but some of the main routes are of quite acceptable quality. From the British, the indigenous people inherited left-hand traffic.

Public transport

Minibuses are one of the most popular ways of transportation. It’s not difficult to recognize them; you just need to pay attention to the license plates, marked with the letters BUS; the vehicle itself is white. In general, minibuses are quite spacious, designed for 15 seats, however, carriers manage to take twice as many passengers.

There are 2 bus stations in St. John's: one of them is located near the central market, the other is near Botanical Garden. Bus stations are open from 5:30 to 18:00. Great luck catching the bus on Sunday. Minibuses constantly run between St. John's and other settlements, but for some reason they don’t stop by the airport. Therefore, it is not possible to get cheaply from the airport to the hotel. Many hotel and guesthouse owners provide transfers for an additional fee.

Taxi

Taxis are easy to hire at the airport, as well as near large hotels or in St. John's itself. They are easy to identify by their yellow license plates with the letters TX. Taxi prices are not exorbitant, because the state regulates this type services. If you order a taxi in advance, the price will be exclusively fixed. Some nuances:

• The price does not depend on the number of passengers;
• The taxi driver indicates the price for a one-way trip; a round trip will cost 2 times more;
• If you need to make a stop (for example, to buy beer), you need to expect that you will have to pay extra.

Car rent

To rent a car, it is not enough for a tourist to have an international driver's license. You will also have to buy a temporary license, which will cost you about $20. This document can only be issued at some car rental agencies, as well as at large hotels.

Renting an economy class car will cost a traveler an average of about $280 per week. A small minibus costs from $400 to $700. Some nuances:

• The island speed limit is 40 mph (64.3 km/h);
• Rental offices do not provide travelers with child seats, but experienced tourists advise purchasing them on their own, taking into account the “ultra-modern” highways and the aggressive driving style of local drivers;
• There are very few signs and road signs in the country, so a GPS navigator will be useful.

Communications and Wi-Fi

Guests of the island state should not have problems with mobile communications. From here it is easy and simple to call anywhere in the world, the only question is the price. On average, a minute of conversation with Russia in roaming will cost approximately 160 rubles, SMS - around 27 rubles. And only 10 MB mobile internet- approximately 400 rub. per day. Therefore, using roaming services is expensive.

A SIM card from a local telecom operator costs about $7; a regular tariff plan includes 100 minutes of domestic talk, several thousand SMS and 700 - 800 MB of mobile Internet. The Internet on your smartphone will not be superfluous so that, if necessary, you can use Google Maps. This will give confidence, especially since the country is not very big.

All hotels and guesthouses offer Wi-Fi, which is usually included in the room price. But in public places this is worse; if in Antigua you can find a free hotspot in some establishments, then in Barbuda there are none at all.

Money

The national currency of Antigua and Barbuda is the East Caribbean dollar. With the exchange of currency into the national payment unit Russian tourists Some difficulties may arise. The easiest way to carry out exchange transactions is in St. John's, since there are no banks in other cities. But even those in the capital can puzzle the Russian traveler with their operating hours:

• From Monday to Thursday, working hours are from 8:00 to 14:00;
• On Friday - until 16:00;
• Saturday, Sunday - closed.

You can use a bank card, but you can use it only to purchase goods in large stores, pay at hotels and rent a car. All other services are for cash only.

Advice. When exchanging money, it is a good idea to stock up on small bills. If you want to buy some trinket or delicacy on the street, local sellers will accidentally not have change.

Prices

The local population in Antigua likes to dine in the evenings at roadside cafes. They mostly eat meat and drink local beer; a tourist can easily join their company and have fun together.

Prices in roadside cafes and mid-level restaurants

Average prices in markets and large stores

Name	Price,$
Milk, 1 l	3,20
White bread, 0.4 kg	1,87
White rice, 1 kg	1,92
Chicken eggs, 12 pcs.	3,99
Cheese, 1 kg	14 - 15
Chicken breast, 1 kg.	7,75
Apples, 1 kg	7,50
Oranges, 1 kg	2,97
Tomatoes, 1 kg	4,05
Potatoes, 1 kg	1,95
Bottle of water, 1.5 l	2,00
A bottle of wine	8 - 11
Bottle of local beer, 0.5 l	4,00
Marlboro pack	3,10

Prices for travel, fuel, communications, utilities, excursions

Prices for clothes and shoes

Apartment rental cost

Name	Prices,$ /month
Rent a 1-room apartment per month	360 - 380
Rent a 1-room apartment per month, in the center	420 - 480
Rent a 3-room apartment per month	1000 - 1250
Rent a 3-room apartment for a month, in the center	1100 - 1400

How to avoid problems

In general, the islands are quite safe and comfortable; the only thing a tourist may encounter is petty fraud. It is enough to follow the usual safety rules to avoid trouble. Recommendations from experienced tourists:

• You should not give in to temptation and buy drugs;
• You shouldn’t expect to leave by minibus in the evening; they simply aren’t here at that time.

Big cities

Since the country is small, by our standards the cities are not that large, but nevertheless...

Large settlements in Antigua and Barbuda

Shopping

Despite the fact that the country is small, Antigua and Barbuda is beautiful place for shopping lovers. In St. John's, there are entire neighborhoods with branded stores that operate under the Duty Free system. When going shopping, you should not forget about your passport and return ticket. They are necessary to provide discounts when filling out documents.

In this country you can buy watches, clothes, jewelry and cosmetics from branded manufacturers. The local range of goods includes souvenirs, jewelry, textiles, rum and coffee. You can also easily purchase inexpensive Chinese consumer goods in Antigua.

Jewelry made by hand by local jewelers and colorful clothes sewn by fashion designers in the Caribbean style are in great demand among tourists.

St. John's Main Market begins early Saturday morning with local vendors offering fruits and vegetables at bargain prices. Only here can a tourist truly learn the customs and culture of communication of the country in which he has arrived. There is also a handicraft market located nearby.

Kitchen

The indigenous people of Antigua and Barbuda are big fans of good food and drink. Favorite foods: fish, eggs, salads, chicken, pork, beef. During carnivals and holidays, a liquid stew is prepared in large containers from pork joints, legs and tails with the addition of copious amounts of onions and spices. Love it local residents blood sausage, in addition to the main ingredient, it contains rice and meat.

5 dishes that every visitor to the islands should try:

1. Dukanoo is a local dumpling based on sweet potatoes with the addition of coconut milk, grated coconut, flour and sugar. Grated nutmeg is used as a spice. Add a pinch of salt and vanilla extract to the dish. The mixture is wrapped in a banana leaf and boiled for half an hour.
2. Roasted corn. There are plenty of grannies on every corner of St. John's with grills roasting corn. A good way to grab a bite to eat while exploring the local sights.
3. It is worth trying fried pork, beef or chicken marinated with local spices.
4. Roti (similar to our pita bread). Meat stewed in a special sauce and boiled potatoes are wrapped in a flatbread.
5. Don't miss popular desserts: ice cream, fruit pies and cakes.

For drinks, tourists can try the juices of local plants from passion fruit, hibiscus, guava, and mango.

Local rum is considered national pride; Ponche Kuba is extremely popular. It is a thick, sweetish-tasting cream liqueur, which is sold in special elongated bottles.

Entertainment

• Devil's Bridge (Devil's Bridge);
• Shirley Heights (beach parties);
• Hell's Gate;
• Antigua’s Donkey Sanctuary (elephant shelter).

Attractions

• Fort James (defensive structure);
• Nelson's Dockyard (historic naval base);
• Fort Barring;
• Admiral’s House Museum (house museum);
• Museum of Antigua & Barbuda.

Holidays and Events

March-April - Good Friday.

March-April - Easter.

April-May - Trinity.

The first Monday and Tuesday of August is Carnival. The largest festival in the country, at this time circus performances, concerts, parades and processions take place everywhere.

November 1 - Independence Day (a holiday of national significance). Many events are held - craft fairs, yachting competitions, golf tournaments, etc.

Historical facts

1. The islands were discovered by Columbus during his second expedition to the Indies.
2. Since 1632, the islands became a British colony. Since 1674, sugar cane began to be cultivated here.
3. The state gained independence on November 1, 1981.
4. The first people appeared on the islands more than 5 thousand years ago.
5. Below the island of Barbuda there is an underground lake that is connected to a network of caves where people lived in ancient times.

• Gotta watch out for pickpockets favorite places whose habitats are airports, public institutions, markets.
• Homosexual relations on the islands are punishable by law, but swimming and sunbathing topless is possible without problems.
• Hunting for fish with harpoon guns is prohibited; fishing is permitted only from aboard a ship that has the appropriate permit.
• Local residents do not like being photographed without their consent.
• In Barbuda restaurants there is no shame in haggling and asking to add some ingredient to a dish. Cooks and waiters are happy to respond to the client's request.
• It is not recommended to travel around Antigua with a child on foot or by minibus. Public transport working here is not according to schedule, the best option For holidays with children there will be car rental.

1. On the uninhabited island of Redonda there is a National Park that covers the entire island.
2. The most popular sport is cricket.
3. Antigua and Barbuda has 365 official beaches (you can swim, changing your vacation spot all year round).
4. There are no freshwater rivers or lakes on the islands. All water sources are underground.
5. Only in Antigua and Barbuda you can try the sweetest variety of pineapple, which is black in color.
6. The origin of the island of Antigua is volcanic, while Barbuda is coral.
7. Pirated discs are only legal in this country. In 2007, the WTO officially allowed this country to violate intellectual rights.
8. Residents of two inhabited islands different accent.

Three islands - Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda - form a small but proud state, lost in the Caribbean Sea.

For several centuries in a row, starting from the 17th century, the British owned the islands and used them essentially as huge plantations of sugar cane, tobacco and cotton. Slaves were used for work, whose descendants make up the bulk of modern population. The country became free only in the last century, when Foggy Albion gave Antigua “freedom” and the status of a state associated with Great Britain.

The tropical climate of the islands offers a variety of beach holidays, and the best time to travel is from November to April, since during the European summer there is a rainy season. The country has beaches for every taste, and without exaggeration - 365 of them are at your service.

Natural attractions

The coasts of Antigua and Barbuda are indented with lagoons and bays that were once the craters of ancient volcanoes. By the way, three volcanoes still rise above such a modest territory of the islands: Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. But don't worry, it's safe to relax here, as the volcanic activity of these three giants stopped several million years ago.

In Barbuda, it is highly recommended to visit the caves.

Since the island is rich in limestone, you can see with your own eyes real stalactites, stalagmites, underground pools and other cave delights.

To feel like a real islander, you can go on a safari with the promising name “Tropical Adventures”; however, for safety reasons, you will move through the bushes in jeeps, accompanied by professionals, but this fact will not harm your impressions much.

Active recreation and cultural program

When you realize that you are tired of the exotic island life, you can plunge a little into the bohemian environment and visit a casino, yacht club or golf center on the island of Antigua. For extreme sports enthusiasts, there is diving and windsurfing, for which competitions are held here.

The capital of the country is St. John's (Antigua), where the main attractions of the country are concentrated. If you want to study this exotic state more thoroughly, it is worth visiting the National Museum.

The Devil's Bridge, carved into the rocks by the stormy waters of the Atlantic, is a truly impressive sight. They say that slaves used to use the bridge to gain eternal freedom - they threw themselves headfirst into the abyss of the waves. Another must see is St. John's Cathedral, a colonial-style Anglican church. Here, in the capital, a market has been preserved to this day, where slaves were traded for several centuries in a row.

Cultural characteristics

Antigua and Barbuda is a country that mixes the nationalities of European, African, American and Oriental peoples. Calypso and reggae, carnivals and, as a legacy of colonial times, cricket are held in high esteem.

Among the locals there are excellent cricketers, some of the best in the world.

The people living here are believers and peace-loving, guests are greeted cordially, but some accepted standards of behavior must be followed. For example, you should refrain from overly revealing backgammon and military style - any military symbols in civilian clothing are simply prohibited.

The most significant events cultural life Antigua and Barbuda - Sailing Week (held annually in April) and Carnival (organized every summer). The magnificent show lasts for 10 days, so there is a high chance of getting into the very center of the action and enjoying the incredible extravaganza.

National holidays

• January 1 - New Year;
• the first Monday in May is Labor Day;
• November 1 - Independence Day;
• December 9 is National Heroes Day;
• December 25—Christmas.

Kitchen

The cuisine of Antigua and Barbuda is a mixture of taste preferences of Latin Americans, French, Chinese, Danes and many others.

At the head of the table are legumes, from which soups are prepared, stewed, fried and steamed. The ingredients of many dishes include sweet potatoes and corn, fish and various seafood. Main courses are usually served with meat, poultry, beef or pork, also fried or stewed. Roast is popular, which usually contains tomatoes, the same legumes, as well as meat or sausage. They cook here in the usual ways, but there is also a non-standard approach - for example, baking a dish in banana leaves.

For dessert, various sweets are traditionally served - fruit jelly, apple, pineapple or mango pie, ice cream or coffee with fruit.

As for drinks, residents prefer juices from dates, apples, raspberries, mangoes, passion fruit, guava, etc. Alcoholic products are consumed less frequently; beer or rum are popular.

Shopping

Antigua and Barbuda is a duty-free zone, which will undoubtedly make your shopping experience even more enjoyable. What do travelers bring from the islands? Local rum, which is some of the best in the world, as well as Bay Rum cologne, which is produced at a local distillery.

Susie's Hot Sauce, which includes chili peppers, is now a beloved Caribbean delicacy and is known throughout the world, and it all began with a small family business.

Pay attention to hand-painted T-shirts with images of various animals and flowers, ceramics, figurines, wicker baskets, original jewelry made from sea shells and tree seeds. When purchasing ceramic cookware, it is important to remember that it can only be stored warm, but will crack in cold temperatures.

Store opening hours: from 08:30 to 16:30

Visa

The period of stay in the country under the visa-free regime is 1 month. Is it possible to enter the country using a general Russian passport? No. What is the validity period of the passport? The passport must be valid at the time of entry. But the rules may change, so it is better that the passport is valid for the entire trip. Do I need additional documents for entry?... Read more

How to get there?

The island state is popular tourist destination. Direct flights from Russia to St. John's Airport... Read more

Border nuances

Russian citizens do not need a visa to visit Antigua and Barbuda; there are no other border nuances. You should have with you... Read more

Customs

Allowed duty free import 200 cigarettes, 2 liters of alcohol and items for personal use. Import and export of foreign currency must be declared if the amount ... Read more

Car rental

All the world's major car rental brands are represented on the islands. This area is superbly developed here, which makes the tariffs comparatively...

Antigua and Barbuda- an island state in the Lesser Antilles group, consists of two relatively large islands and several small islets near their coast. In the east the islands are washed by the Atlantic Ocean, in the west by the Caribbean Sea.

The largest of the islands, Antigua (280 sq. km), stretches 20 km in length and 15 km in width. Located 48 km from Barbuda. The island is of volcanic origin. This is a relatively low piece of land with a flat, flat topography and an indented coastline. Reefs stretch along the coast. The highest point is Mount Boggy, 402 m above sea level.

Barbuda - coral island(161 sq. km). Two-thirds of the territory is occupied by a flat plain with a height of no more than 4 m. The remaining part of the island has a flat, elevated topography with a maximum height of 38 m. In the west, the island is washed by the picturesque vast Codrington Lagoon.

Redonda (1.6 sq. km), a virtually uninhabited rocky islet of volcanic origin. It lies 40 km south of Antigua. Almost flat, but quite green. It is one large natural park.

There is no river network on the islands, which poses an acute problem fresh water. The fauna of the islands is represented mainly by rich avifauna; in the surrounding waters there are coral reefs.

The capital of the state is St. John's, located on the island of Antigua.

Climate

Tropical trade wind, warm and dry all year round. Winds blow almost constantly on the islands, noticeably increasing in September. Rains (short-term) occur only in September-November. The driest period is considered to be from February to April, when there are no more than three rainy days per month.

Average water temperature +24..+26°C, average air temperature by month: January-March +28°C, April +29°C, May-June +30°C, July-October +31°C, November- December +29°C.

Best time to visit Antigua and Barbuda - from late November to early May.

Last changes: 03/07/2013

Population

Population - 86.8 thousand people (2010). Average life expectancy is 73 years for men, 77 years for women. Urban population – 30%.

Ethno-racial composition: blacks - 91%, mulattoes - 4.4%, whites - 1.7%, others - 2.9%.

Religions - Anglicans 26%, Seventh-day Adventists - 12%, Pentecostals - 11%, Moravians - 11%, Catholics - 10%, other Christians (Methodists, Baptists, Church of God, etc.) - 22%, others - 2%, atheists and undecided – 6%.

English is the official language, but many locals speak Antiguan Creole. The Barbuda accent is slightly different from the Antiguan accent.

In the years leading up to independence, standard English language was more widely spoken in relation to Antiguan Creole. Subsequently, Antiguan Creole came to be regarded by Antiguans as an important aspect of their culture. Generally, the upper and middle classes avoid Antiguan Creole. The education system rejects the use of Antiguan Creole and teaching is conducted in standard English.

Last changes: 03/07/2013

Currency

East Caribbean dollar (XCD or EC$), equal to 100 cents. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 dollars and coins in denominations of 1 dollar, 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cent.

The East Caribbean dollar is pegged to the US dollar, the exchange rate has not changed since 1976 (EC$2.7 = US$1). The US dollar is freely circulated; many prices are quoted in both American and East Caribbean dollars.

Credit cards and traveler's checks are accepted for payment in almost all hotels, restaurants, and shops. Banks are open from Monday to Thursday from 8:00 to 17:00, break 13:00-15:00, on Fridays from 8:00 to 17:00 with break 12:00-15:00.

Before paying for purchases with a credit card, you should definitely find out in what currency payment is accepted, since converting XCD into “hard currencies” can be an expensive undertaking.

The East Caribbean dollar is a currency used in 7 countries that are members of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Last changes: 03/07/2013

Communications

Telephone code: 1 - 268

Internet domain: .ag

How to call

To call from Russia to Antigua and Barbuda, you need to dial: 8 - dial tone - 10 - 1 - 268 - subscriber number.

To call from Antigua and Barbuda to Russia, you need to dial: 011 - 7 - area code - subscriber number.

Landline communications

The communication system on the islands is quite modern and well developed. Payphones that can make international calls are located throughout the world and operate on several types of calling cards ("phonecards"), which are sold at post offices, telephone company offices, hotels and supermarkets.

Many hotels provide a telephone in each room, from which you can make an inexpensive local call or access an international line through an operator (usually the cost of a call is hotel room 10-15% more expensive than from a pay phone).

International calls can also be made from the post office.

mobile connection

cellular GSM 850, GSM 900/1900 and TDMA standards cover all the islands and are quite well developed.

Internet

Network technologies and means of servicing them are developed quite intensively on the islands. In the capital and in the main resorts you can find Internet cafes.

Last changes: 03/07/2013

Sea and beaches

The island of Antigua has more than 300 good sandy beaches. The north of the island is rich in numerous resorts and modern hotels; this is a place for a noisy and fun holiday. In contrast to the north - South part Antigua, where secluded deserted beaches provide a quiet, relaxing holiday away from the hustle and bustle.

Barbuda is a coral island whose beaches are covered with white and pink sand. Unlike Antigua, it is a more relaxing holiday and the beaches are not crowded.

Last changes: 03/07/2013

Story

In 1493, the island of Antigua was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Christopher Columbus, which named it Santa Maria de la Antigua (after the church in Seville). Due to the lack of water on the island and the raids of the Caribs, Antigua and Barbuda was not settled by Europeans for a long time. 1632 Englishmen from the island of St. Kitts settled in Antigua. In 1663, King Charles II officially presented the island to Lord Willoughby, who directed large group settlers. They began to grow cotton, tobacco, indigo and ginger. In 1666 the island was occupied by France, but under the Treaty of Breda it was returned to England. In 1671, Antigua and Barbuda, together with the islands of St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla and Montserrat, became part of the English colony of the Leeward Islands. In 1689, King William III ordered the convening of an Assembly consisting of landowners and planters on each of the islands.

In 1674, Christopher Codrington (governor 1689-1704) founded the first large sugar cane plantation in Antigua and began to develop the island of Barbuda as a base for supplying his plantation. The cultivation of sugar cane became the basis of the island's economy, and slaves were imported from Africa to work on the plantations. By the mid-18th century, Antigua had over 150 cane processing factories.

In 1816 the Leeward Islands were divided into two separate colonies; one of them included Antigua, Barbuda and Montserrat. In 1833, the Leeward Islands colony was restored, and Antigua became its center (the residence of the governor general). In 1834, slave labor on Antigua's plantations was abolished, but the former slaves remained economically dependent on the planters. The emergence of a free peasantry was hampered by a lack of land and funds.

In 1871, Antigua had Legislative and Executive Councils. In 1898 the Legislative Council, which had been partly elected and partly appointed by the British Governor, dissolved itself and the island was introduced into a crown colony system. The new council, headed by the governor, consisted of 16 appointed members. In 1936 the Council was reorganized. It now consisted of 3 officials, 3 appointed and 5 elected members, but was still headed by the administrator of the island.

Demand for sugar fell sharply during the global economic crisis of the 1930s, causing the local economy to decline. In 1939, a royal commission recommended allowing the activities of the trade union movement, and in 1940 the Trade Union and Workers' Union arose and the strike movement began. According to the British-American agreement of 1940, the United States leased territory in Antigua to create a military base for a period of 99 years.

In 1946, Cornwell Baird, who had headed the Trade Union and Labor Union since 1943, founded the Antigua Labor Party (1946), which achieved electoral success that year. In 1951, universal suffrage was introduced in Antigua, and the ALP won elections to the Legislative Council. In 1958-1962, Antigua was part of the West Indies Federation; in 1960, the Leeward Islands colony was officially dissolved, and Antigua became a separate British possession. Vie Baird took over as Chief Minister.

In 1967, Antigua received the status of a “state associated with Great Britain” with internal self-government rights. Matters of defense and foreign policy remained under the control of the British government, and executive branch on the island passed into the hands of the local government headed by Prime Minister W. Baird.

In the general elections of 1971, the ALP was defeated for the first time; the opposition Progressive Labor Movement (PLD), based on the Antigua Workers' Union created in 1967, came to power. The new Prime Minister George H. Walter announced his desire to carry out democratic changes in the interests of workers, and in September 1972 - his intention to achieve full independence after 1976. However, Walter refused to sign an act of independence, insisting during negotiations with Great Britain on the creation of a unicameral parliament , the introduction of a representative electoral system and the expansion of self-government in Barbuda.

The country's economic situation worsened in the early 1970s. In 1972, due to the crisis in the sugar industry, sugar factories were closed. In 1976, the ALP returned to power, and V. Baird again headed the country's government. In April 1980, the ALP won the elections again. After lengthy negotiations, Great Britain agreed to provide Antigua and Barbuda with financial assistance in the amount of $18 million during the first 10 years after independence. In 1980, the government adopted a five-year development plan, in which the main role was given to the development of agriculture and industry, primarily oil refining. In conditions of 20% unemployment, the authorities promised to create 6 thousand new jobs.

On November 1, 1981, Antigua and Barbuda became an independent state. The Barbuda people's movement, which advocated the separation of the island from Antigua, refused to sign the act of independence, although Barbuda received internal self-government.

Actual power in the country passed to the Baird family clan, which also owned the largest television station. The fairly successful transformation of the economy and the development of tourism have led to a significant increase in the well-being of a significant part of the population. The ALP won the 1984 and 1989 general elections.

In the late 1980s, a struggle for leadership broke out between V. Baird’s sons, Lester and Vie Jr. W. Baird Jr. was convicted of connections with drug dealers and illegal arms trafficking; in 1990 he was forced to resign from the government. In January 1992, a report about the Prime Minister's embezzlement of $25,000 sparked mass protests; the opposition declared a general strike. 82-year-old V. Baird was forced to promise to leave politics. In 1993, he handed over the post of leader of the ALP to his son L. Baird, who headed the country's government after the elections in March 1994.

The ALP's prestige suffered significant damage in 1995 when the Prime Minister's brother Ivor Baird was caught with a drug shipment. The US has declared Antigua a money laundering center. In 1997, the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) boycotted parliamentary sessions for the first time in history. Before the 1999 elections, at the initiative of the ruling party, parliament adopted an amendment to the electoral law that allowed the use of television during the election campaign. Victory again went to the ALP, but the opposition accused the authorities of numerous violations.

In December 1999, a constitutional reform commission was created; it was planned to expand the autonomy of Barbuda and resolve the issue of transition to a republican form of government.

In the early 2000s, new scandals broke out in the country. The Byrd clan was increasingly accused of corruption and nepotism. The government was criticized for bribery, misappropriation of national plan funds health insurance, a 13-year-old girl accused the prime minister of sexually assaulting her and her brother. L. Baird denied the accusations and organized an investigation, which declared there was no evidence.

In March 2004, the country held regular parliamentary elections, which were held in a peaceful atmosphere. The opposition United Progressive Party won a landslide victory. The government was headed by 55-year-old labor activist B. Spencer, who promised that “the time for change has come.”

Last changes: 03/07/2013

In late 2007, the World Trade Organization officially cleared Antigua and Barbuda to infringe $21 million worth of intellectual property rights owned by U.S. companies. The decision came as the United States had harmed the island nation's economy by illegally blocking access to several Internet sites. casinos that are registered on the island. Now, in particular, citizens of Antigua and Barbuda will be able to legally sell “pirated” films, music CDs, etc.

Last changes: 03/07/2013

Cruise ship passengers can stay in the country without a visa, provided they depart the country on the evening of the day of arrival.

Don't forget that when leaving the country, a fee of $20 is charged for each passenger, for children under 12 years old - 50% of the fee.

Fighting fish with harpoon guns is prohibited! Sea fishing is permitted only from locally registered vessels.

Like many other Caribbean islands, in Antigua and Barbuda the daily routine seems to shift towards the evening. Lunch is late and not very filling. But dinner in these parts is often so plentiful and long that it often lasts until late. Moreover, local residents prefer to dine out, although family dinners, especially in holidays, is one of the foundations of everyday life.

Government offices are open Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 16.00 (usually until 15.00 on Friday). Shops are open from Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 12.00-13.00 and from 13.00-15.00 to 17.00-18.00. On Saturday - from 09.00 to 13.00-14.00. Many shops close for lunch at 12.00 and open their doors again only at 14.30-15.00. Some institutions practice a five-o-clock break.

Swimming and sunbathing topless is not prohibited, but it is not particularly popular - only some hotels, on the sections of beaches they own, introduce such an opportunity. On public beaches this is not accepted - most of them have separate, practically isolated areas for nudists. Often they are simply carried to the outskirts of the beach area.

Tap water is usually chlorinated and is relatively safe, but bottled water is recommended. Drinking water outside the main cities may be contaminated and not recommended for consumption. Milk and dairy products are generally pasteurized and safe, as are meat, poultry, seafood, fruits and vegetables.

Most beaches have no sharks or other dangerous sea ​​creatures no, since they are fenced off from the ocean by coral reefs.

Natural hazards inherent to the island include hurricanes and associated flooding.

Last changes: 03/07/2013

Shopping and entertainment

The island of Antigua has a casino, a yacht club and a diving center, as well as two golf courses with 18 holes each. Dickenson Bay is the center of windsurfing in Antigua, where windsurfing competitions are held in January and July. Barbuda has a 9-hole golf course.

Night life The capital of Antigua is concentrated mainly around restaurants and bars. There are only a few nightclubs here. Clubs are busier on weekends and during high season (winter) when there are many holidays and music festivals.

Good selection of goods in stores Duty free: Jewelry, gems(including the famous Colombian emeralds), watches - all at fairly competitive prices.

Shops are open from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 17:00.

Last changes: 03/07/2013

How to get to Antigua and Barbuda

Russia does not have direct flights with Antigua and Barbuda.

The most convenient options:

British Airways flight with a transfer in London (a British visa is required, as there is a change of airports - arrival from Moscow to London at Heathrow airport, departure from London from Gatwick airport to Antigua). Lufthansa and Condor flight via Frankfurt. In this case, a Schengen visa is not needed, since the flight is direct - you arrive at Frankfurt airport and fly from there to Antigua. The cost of these flight options is on average 1000-1200 euros (round trip).

international Airport Antigua VC Bird is located in the north-eastern part of the island of Antigua, 6 km east of St. John's, with daily 20-minute flights to Codrington Airport on the island of Barbuda.

Flight duration to Antigua and Barbuda: New York - 4 hours, Miami - 3 hours, Baltimore - 4 hours, Toronto - 4 hours, Puerto Rico - 1 hour, London - 8 hours, Frankfurt - 9 hours 15 minutes, Paris - 8 ocloc'k.

There are no buses from the airport - you can only take a taxi there. Some hotels provide free airport-hotel-airport transfer.

Last changes: 05/13/2013

Antigua and Barbuda is a complete snow-white beaches with turquoise water of the Caribbean Sea and 365 sunny days per year. This paradise place annually attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world who want to enjoy the picturesque seascapes or the beauty of the coral reefs.

Lovers active rest will be able to have a blast at endless parties and discos, dive underwater with scuba gear and see the beautiful underwater world, feel Robinson Crusoe on a desert island or conquer the sea on a luxury yacht. There is everything that anyone needs here, regardless of age and status.

Antigua and Barbuda on the map

The exotic state of Antigua and Barbuda is located in Northern on the islands of the same name in the Caribbean Sea and is part of the Lesser Antilles.

Geographical data

This state is washed Caribbean Sea in the west and Atlantic Ocean in the east and north. It has no natural borders with other countries. To the south of Antigua and Barbuda is Guadeloupe (an overseas territory), to the southwest is Montserrat (a British overseas territory), to the west are St. Kitts and Nevis (also Great Britain) and the Dutch Antilles.

Most of the country's territory is located on the two largest islands of Antigua and Barbuda, the distance between which is 48 km.

Also contains several small uninhabited islands. The basis of the landscape is made up of lowlands. The highest point in the country is boggy hill(altitude 402 m) in the center of the island. Antigua, the capital of the country is also located here. The largest city - St. John's.

Climate

The islands are in power tropical climate with almost constant temperatures throughout the year. The average temperature in January is +28°C, in July +31°C. The driest period lasts from to April, the wettest from September to November. Although there is little precipitation even at the rainiest time.

The islands are constantly dominated by easterly winds from the Atlantic, which reduces the heat of the tropics and brings freshness. Exactly wind period(September-) and light rains are considered the most favorable for relaxation.

The islands are often subject to severe hurricane wind, capable of causing serious damage agriculture and sea vessels.

Visa

Now quite a few countries have introduced a visa-free regime for vacationers from Russia. Find out from this page which other countries do not require a visa.

To enter the country you must have with you:

1. international passport, which is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the host country;
2. Return ticket;
3. Hotel voucher;

To get to Antigua and Barbuda no visa required. But the period of stay in the country is limited to 30 days.

If you need to stay longer, then in this case visa is issued.

How to get there from Moscow?

There are two ways to get from Moscow to Antigua and Barbuda:

• British Airways flights with a transfer in London;
• Direct flights airline Lufthansa-Condor via Frankfurt.

International Antigua Airport VC Bird is located 6 km east of the capital of St. John's, with daily 20-minute flights to Codrington Airport on the island of Barbuda.

There are no buses from the airport, you can only get to the hotel by taxi. Some hotels provide free shuttle service.

You can find a suitable flight using the ticket search form. Specify departure cities And arrival, date And number of passengers.

General information

The capital of the country is St. John's on the island of Antigua. It is the largest city and port in the country, as well as an economic and cultural center. The population is about 31,000 people. The capital is home to all the main municipal buildings, many colonial-era landmarks and beautiful sandy beaches.

Story

The main islands of the country. Antigua and about. Barbuda were open Christopher Columbus during his second voyage in 1493. At that time, the Caribs lived here, who were soon completely exterminated by the Europeans.

In 1632 the islands became part of Great Britain as overseas territories. Soon the first trading posts were founded here and sugar cane plantations appeared.

To work on the plantations, slaves from Africa began to be imported into the colony, who formed the basis of the population.

In 1958, Antigua and Barbuda became part of West Indies Federation, separated from . In 1962 the federation dissolved and from 1967 the state was again part of Great Britain as an associate member with broad autonomy.

Since 1981 Antigua and Barbuda declares independence However, to this day it is under great influence from the British Crown, which appoints its governor. The form of government is a constitutional monarchy.

Political system

Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the British Commonwealth. The functions of the head of the country are performed by British monarch, V this moment Elizabeth II, whose representative is an appointed Governor-General.

The state is divided into 6 counties(Antigua Island) and 2 dependent territories(Redonda and Barbuda).

The total population is approx. 90 thousand people. Most of them are descendants of African slaves or Europeans mixed with them (Antilleans). The official language is English or Creole (a mixture of English and other languages).

The majority of the population professes Christianity, of all possible forms, the largest share of which (25%) belongs to the Anglican Church. Although, at the official level, not a single religion is enshrined as a state religion.

The state currency is East Caribbean dollar(equal to 100 cents).

The coat of arms consists of a shield and a pair of deer, which symbolize wildlife islands. At the top are: pineapple, sugar cane, hibiscus and yucca, which are found in abundance on the islands.

On the shield you can see Sunrise over the blue sea illuminating the sugar factory with its rays. The sun is on a black background, which symbolizes the black skin color of Africans who came from overseas.

Attractions

There are few attractions in the country and all of them are mainly associated with the capital, St. John's. Here you can see:

Apart from the capital, there is no major cities. The rest of the population is evenly distributed along the coast of the islands in small villages and towns built in a beautiful Caribbean style, which reeks of exoticism and heavenly life.

There are many picturesque bays, and the waters near the island of Barbuda are truly teeming with a variety of marine flora and fauna, which is a valuable find for diving enthusiasts.

Holidays in Antigua and Barbuda

The economy of Antigua and Barbuda is one of the most prosperous in the region thanks to tourism and gambling. The islands have about 300 well-maintained sandy beaches with many resorts and hotels of different levels.

Moreover, all this concerns mainly Antigua Islands: in the northern part, life does not calm down for a minute, even at night, and in the southern part there is peace and quiet.

This flavor was created purposefully so that everyone could find a resort to their liking, both young people thirsting for “drive” and married couples seeking solitude.

Barbuda Island usually deserted, although there are also resorts there, but they are not intended for beach holiday, but rather for nature lovers, thanks to the coral reefs and a huge number of species of fish and other marine life.

Major resorts

Local beaches are absolutely safe. There are no sharks or other predators here, as the islands are isolated by coral reefs.