Guest Post by Hege Jacobsen Of Epic Nomad Life

Quick Facts About Antigua: 

Population: 98,000

Capital City: St. Johns

Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)

Languages spoken: English and Antiguan Creole

Highest peak: Mount Obama (named after President Obama) at 402 meters above sea level

Climate: tropical, hot, and humid

Among the smallest nations in the world, with a territory about 2.5 times the size of Washington D.C.

Road trip? In Antigua, the road standard is not great, and you drive on the left

Is Antigua Safe For Travelers?

In all travel safety indexes for Antigua in the Caribbean, you will find that this beautiful island is considered one of the safest Caribbean islands for travelers. 

Although statistics may imply that crime levels are on the rise, the picture for travelers is a lot more nuanced.

The majority of crime in both Antigua and Barbuda is mainly connected to drugs and gangs in areas that are not among the popular tourist destinations. 

There have been incidents of violent crime on the island, but this number is small compared to other types of crime, like property and petty crimes.

Official advice from the US State Department for travelers to Antigua is not to worry.

The island’s safety is ranked in the Level 1 category, which is very safe, and the advice is merely to “exercise normal precautions.”

That basically means that there aren’t any serious threats to your life or your well-being while traveling in Antigua.

Similarly, the Canadian Government advises travelers to Antigua to “take normal security precautions,” stating that there is no cause to worry about their lives and health.

Exercising normal precautions includes things like  

• Make sure your accommodation has good security, even at a beach resort or a yacht. 

• Be vigilant if you walk alone off the main roads (and don’t do that at night).

• Close bags, purses, and pockets with personal belongings.

• Avoid getting intoxicated or drunk. 

• Avoid walking alone in isolated areas, including on the beach, particularly after dark. 

• Make sure you use registered taxis.

• Be vigilant if you attend late-night street parties, especially during the festival season. 

• Don’t carry large amounts of cash or display jewelry. 

• Leave the passport and valuables in a secure hotel safe. 

• If you travel alone, you might want to inform your host or hotel front desk that you are traveling solo.

You can feel very safe walking around Antigua during the day, and the risk to travelers walking alone during the night is considered moderate.

There are variations depending on what neighborhood you are in, so to stay on the safe side, you are advised to avoid going to these places in St. Johns. 

• Redcliffe Quay

• Market Street

• Heritage Quay

A “fun fact” about Antigua is that it is illegal for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing.

This law is strictly enforced, so my strong advice is that you do not wear garments or bring accessories (bags, purses, hats) with any form of military resemblance when you visit. 

Is Antigua Safe At Night? 

The safety in Antigua at night is considered to be “moderate.”

To stay safe at night in Antigua, avoid walking in isolated areas and quiet streets without lighting and only take registered taxis.

Don’t flash money or jewelry, avoid drinking too much, and keep an eye on your drink (and keep an eye on the bartender mixing your cocktail in bars and clubs), and you will be fine. 

Is Antigua Safe For Solo Female Travelers? 

Antigua is considered to be a relatively safe destination for solo female travelers.

Although incidents of sexual assault have been known to happen, the risk of this is low.

Also, street harassment is not a massive issue. Antigua scores a 1 on the solo female travel safety scale on both the US and UK indexes, which is the best score a destination can have. 

A lot of women who have traveled solo in Antigua report that they felt perfectly safe and that the local population was helpful and friendly. 

In addition to sticking with the general safety advice, as a solo female traveler, you should also not accept favors or drinks from strangers and not leave your drink unattended.

If you, for some reason, do this, get a new one – don’t take any unnecessary risks. 

You can also inform your host or hotel front desk that you are traveling solo and about your plans and expected time for return if you want an extra level of safety.  

Solo female travel safety index: 

https://www.solofemaletravelers.club/solo-female-travel-safety-antigua-and-barbuda-ag

Is Antigua Safe For LGBT+ Travelers? 

Attitudes towards the LGBT+ community are generally quite conservative in the Caribbean region.

In Antigua, there is no longer legislation against same-sex relationships.

However, showing affection in public spaces is not very common and might still attract negative attention. 

Hurricane Season In Antigua

Antigua and Barbuda are located in the hurricane belt, and there is a risk of hurricanes hitting the islands during the wet season, which runs from May through October every year.

The risk of hurricanes is highest in the period of August through October.

Although a devastating hurricane is not a common occurrence, if it hits, damage can be severe. 

The last hurricane that caused considerable damage was Hurricane Irma back in 2017.

Although Barbuda, which is about 26 miles north of Antigua, was the hardest hit of the two islands, there was also considerable damage in Antigua. 

If you’re planning to visit Barbuda, you should: 

• Consult international and international weather updates 

• Always follow the advice of the local authorities 

• Ensure your accommodation is secure. 

You can check the weather updates for your planned holiday dates on Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services, as well as the World Meteorological Organization and the US National Hurricane Center.

Always follow the advice of the local authorities, including any evacuation orders. 

Also, if you travel during this period, make sure your travel insurance covers any incidents connected to tropical storms and hurricanes.

Health Risks In Antigua

There are no special health awareness notices for travelers to Antigua. 

You should check with the national guidance for your nationality for any recommendations for vaccines or other health-related advice before traveling. 

Tap water is officially safe to drink in Antigua, but the U.S. travel advisory advises against it.

Although you might be just fine, there have been reports of problems related to drinking tap water, so the tourist advice is still to drink bottled water.

Tap water may have a distinct chemical taste, and if you tend to have a sensitive stomach, it is probably best to avoid the risk. Or bring a water bottle with a filter.

Mosquitoes can be very persistent, so bring mosquito repellent with you on your holiday.

Although there is no malaria registered in Antigua, there are dangers like dengue fever, so avoiding mosquito bites is a good idea.

It is also smart to have travel insurance that includes health coverage.

Antigua And Drugs

It is illegal to possess drugs in Antigua, and there are severe penalties for all drug offenses.

Make sure you pack all luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else. And don’t do drugs.  

Transport In Antigua

Taxis In Antigua

Make sure you always take registered taxis in Antigua. You also need to know that taxis do not have meters or standard fees, so you need to negotiate the price to your destination with your taxi driver before you get in.

Taxi drivers generally accept US dollars as well as the local currency, Eastern Caribbean dollars.  

Public Transportation 

Traveling by bus in Antigua is generally considered to be safe. The island has two main bus stations, each with public buses and taxis.

The West Bus Station is located at the end of Market Street in St. Johns, and the East Bus Station is at the end of the High Street. 

Bus tickets are 1-2 US dollars, so it is a super nice budget way to travel.

Be aware that buses are often minibusses, and as they have no fixed schedules, they tend to leave the stations when all seats are full.

There are public bus stops around the island, but in reality, you can flag down a bus along any street in Antigua. 

Driving In Antigua And Barbuda

Booking a rental car is a popular way to get around Antigua and probably the best way to explore the island.

To drive, you need a temporary local driver’s license. Your rental car company will often help you with this, or you can get one at the local police station or the Transport Board.

You will need to present your national driving license to get the temporary license before you can collect your rental car.

Be aware that road standards in Antigua are not great. You will find that road signs are scarce, roads are often unlit at night, and there are lots of potholes and unmarked speed bumps.

Roads can be narrow and have blind corners. Also, be aware that pedestrians often walk on the road and that other cars often do not use indicators. 

You should not stop the car if pedestrians flag you down, and keep your car doors locked while driving.

Should you have an accident, just call the police, wait, and do not move your car. Also, remember that they drive on the left side of the road here.

Safe Places To Stay In Antigua

1. Antigua Village Beach Resort

⭐️ Rating: 8.5/10     📌 Location: Dickenson Bay, 00000 St. John’s, Antigua & Barbuda   Check Rates Here

If you’re looking for a relaxing stay with excellent amenities and a private beach area, the Antigua Village Resort is your best choice!

Beautifully designed with gorgeous tropical interiors, this beachside resort features a kitchen, a balcony, and an outdoor pool.

2. Siboney Beach Club

⭐️ Rating: 8.2/10     📌 Location: Dickenson Bay, 11111 St. John’s, Antigua & Barbuda   Check Rates Here

Situated in a beautiful beachfront area in St. Johns, Siboney Beach Club offers a laid-back vibe and relaxing ambiance for your stay.

This hotel offers upscale features such as a private patio, spacious rooms, and a Caribean restaurant.

Guests can also enjoy snorkeling and other water activities at the beachfront.

FAQs – Is Antigua Safe

When Is The Best Time To Visit Antigua?

The best time to visit Antigua is during the region’s dry season, which is between December and April or early May.

For budget travel, the best time is the shoulder of the dry season, from February through April.

Summers tend to be very hot and humid, and from August through October, the risk of hurricanes is also at the highest.  

Is It Safe To Walk Around In Antigua?

Yes, walking around in Antigua is considered safe. However, the advice is still to stay alert and use common sense.

To avoid petty theft, leave your valuables in a safe place, close your bag and purse, and be mindful of where you walk, especially at night. 

Is It Safe To Leave The Resort In Antigua?

Yes, it is safe to leave the resort in Antigua. Pay attention to local customs, ask the locals and hotel staff for safety tips, follow the advice in this article, and you will be ok – and have a great time. 

Wrap-Up: Is Antigua Safe?

My personal mantra when I travel, and I usually travel as a solo female, is that everywhere I visit is someone’s local neighborhood.

Lots of people live there, and most of them are fine!

So as long as you check the respective travel advisories, ask the locals for their advice and inside tips, and actually follow the advice, you are given, you can stay safe pretty much anywhere. 

The bottom line for Antigua is that it is one of the safest destinations in the Caribbean.

You can still be targeted for petty crime as a tourist, which is why following all the travel tips you get is a really good idea to make sure you can have a safe, wonderful holiday, not interrupted by annoying or risky incidents!

Additional Caribbean Travel Posts

Booking a last-minute trip to Antigua?  

If so, we have you covered.  

Top Tours in Antigua

Lobster Lunch Cruise to Bird and Maiden Island (Best powerboat and snorkel tour in Antigua)

Turtle Beach Power Snorkeling Adventure (Famous sea scooter snorkeling tour)

3-Hours Snorkeling Activity in Stingray City (Unique snorkeling experience)

Tuk-Tuk Adventures Rainforest and Beach Hopping(Explore breathtaking landscapes on a tuk-tuk)

Antigua VIP Tours – Private Platinum Tour (Top-rated Antigua private tour)

Top Rated Hotels & Accommodations

Siboney Beach Club (Relaxing luxury beach resort)

Tropical Garden Cottage Antigua (Affordable top-rated hotel)

Sandals Grande Antigua (5-star all-inclusive resort and spa)

Antigua Village Beach Resort (Beach resort with awesome sea views)

Looking To Get Around In Antigua? 

Check out rental car rates here! 🚗