Antigua and Barbuda tourism is diverse and exciting. This beautiful island, located south of Barbuda, offers visitors a lot of places to see and do. A mix of Caribbean and European culture, Antigua has been voted as one of the top five must-visit destinations in the world. Whether you’re here for the glamour and glitz of Antigua’s sun-drenched tourist attractions or for more practical matters, you can find a lot to do in Antigua and Barbuda.
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Antigua lies on the southern end of the Barbuda chain, its capital city sits on a narrow strip of land bordered by grand hotels on one side, and a pristine sandy beach on the other. The island, which is often referred to as the sister-island of Barbuda, is surrounded by water on three sides, with Antigua being the inner most of these. Barbuda’s international airport serves international flights arriving in the city, and ferries ferry vacationers from the closest airport to Antigua.
Antigua and Barbuda Tourism focuses on preserving the fragile, unique Caribbean environment. It is rare to find a place like Antigua in which all natural habitats are in balance. Tourism in Antigua includes preservation of its environment, which includes protecting mangrove forests. Mangroves provide habitat for a variety of wildlife, including birds, sea turtles, and giant tortoises. A big part of Barbuda’s tourism is in preserving the rainforest, which is home to thousands of unique species of plants and flowers. These plant and animal species have been threatened by unsustainable logging practices in recent years, but the Botswana government has worked hard to save the rainforest and protect the wildlife.
The year-round attraction of Barbuda is its clean white beaches, mariner style architecture, and year round sunshine. When visiting the island in the summer months, the best time to visit is from May through September when temperatures are warm and perfect for scuba diving and snorkeling. The island’s dry, sandy soil enables deep underwater exploration for those who wish to explore the underwater life of the world. The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority work diligently to support these divers and sea turtle conservation programs. For those who wish to see the sights without diving or snorkeling, there are a number of parks and recreational areas available for visitors.
Travelers planning to travel to Antigua will find that there are a number of things to do outside of the beaches. The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority maintain a travel advisory that includes not only information about current weather conditions but recommendations on what to expect before, during, and after travel to the islands. This Barbados travel advisory can be found on the Antigua tourism office’s Web site. Other agencies also offer similar travel advisories and are listed on the Barbados government’s Web site, as well.
Before leaving for Antigua, all international travelers must comply with all airport procedures and adhere to all airport security measures. There are special procedures and protocols for arriving passengers and those leaving from international airports. When traveling to Antigua, all passengers must also adhere to all airport protocols when it comes to clothing, footwear, and personal items. There are several government organizations that offer information about traveling to and from Antigua, including the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Commission.
Passengers can obtain information about traveling to Antigua via the official Antigua website, as well as through the Department of Foreign Affairs in the Caribbean country. In addition to the government and tourism agencies, visitors can also obtain information on traveling from the United States Consulate General in Antigua. There are several commercial airlines that fly to Antigua; however, there are no scheduled commercial flights for international passengers to arrive to the island until at least May 2021. During this period, there will be no flights to Barbuda or the Antiguan cities of Charlotte Harbor, Grand Cayman, and George Town. All international passengers who are departing from these cities should book tickets on a commercial airline to Antigua.
When leaving for the Antigua and Barbuda region, all international travelers should contact their airlines and passport offices to confirm their travel plans. This is to ensure that all necessary paperwork and procedures are in order. It is not uncommon for minor delays to occur when departing for the Antigua region; passengers should allow ample time for the customs paperwork to be processed before departure. While waiting for an airline or passport to arrive in order to travel to Antigua, visitors to the area should plan to visit the famous sights of Barbuda, including the observation deck of the Royal Antiguan Hospital on George Street, the marina, and the airport. The observation deck, which overlooks George Street, is open for visitors who wish to tour the historic district of Barbuda, and there is also an art gallery inside the hospital.