Size. Antigua 280 sq.km., Barbuda 160 sq.km.

Population. 89.985 inhabitants.

Government. Independent state since 1981, member of the Commonwealth.

Capital. St. John’s.

Documents. Passport and return ticket (European, American and Canadian citizens).

Customs and immigration. Quarantine for the animals (2 months).

Currency and exchange rates. The official currency is the East Caribbean Dollar. One US dollar is usually changed at around EC$2.60. (1 US$ = 2,60 EC$).

Vaccinations. No vaccination certificate required (European and US citizens).

Climate. Between 78°F and 90°F all year round; water temperature ranges between 68°F and 82°F.

Official Language. English.

Electricity. 100V or 200V and 60 Hz, sockets are american style.

Local time. -4hrs GMT.

Driving licence. To hire a car or motorbike you must be over 21 and have owned a driving licence for atl east one year. You will need to obtain a local licence, which will cost you EC$50 or US$20, either from the state police or from your car hire company. Remember to drive on the left.

Telephone. The dialing code for Antigua is 1-268. To call Europe dial 011 plus teh country code. To call USA, Canada and other Caribbean islands dial 1 plus the country code.

On arrival
You can rent a car at one of the car rental companies at the airport or take a taxi. Taxi fares are fixed and are shown at the taxi stand. There is a bureau de change in the airport, but you don’t need to change if your currency is in US dollars.