Antigua Vacations

Important Travel Information for Antigua

• ATMAvailable in St John's
• Bars and Night LifeGood in St John's
• Car RentalsDrive on Left - Available
• CasinosKings Casino in St John's, 5 in total
• Credit CardsWidely Accepted
• DivingAdequate
• Golf2-18 Hole Courses
• Hurricane SeasionJune to October
• RestaurantsGood in St John's
• Sight SeeingLimited
• Time ZoneEastern
• VegetationArid & Scrubby, Coral island
• WaterWater mains chlorinated / bottled water still recommended for drinking
• Water SportsExcellent Availability

Antigua Vacations: Package Holidays Featuring Outstanding Beaches and Colonial History

General Information About Antigua Vacations

Antigua is a classic Caribbean destination island, offering all-inclusive Antigua vacations since as early as the 1960s. Antigua vacations, as with other package holidays to former British colonies, feature elements of British influence that many have come to appreciate. As well as the beach lover, the colonial history buff will enjoy the many historical sites and fortresses, particularly in the English Harbour area, that may be explored during an all-inclusive Antigua package holiday. There are several well-known Antigua vacation attractions to explore, including Fort James, St. John’s, the English Harbour, Nelson's Dockyard, Shirley Heights to see distant volcanos, a wonderful Museum, and more. However, for the real beach lover, all-inclusive Antigua vacations' 365 beaches offer great incentive to visit this outstanding Caribbean destination – a beach for every day of the year.

There are several festivals of interest that draw enthusiastic tourists to book all-inclusive Antigua packages at particular times throughout the year. An all-inclusive Antigua vacation in July allows tourists to enjoy the annual Carnival. The Seafood Festival, held in August, is another great attraction, tempting seafood lovers to book an all-inclusive Antigua package holiday in the peak of the summer season. Also, for the sailing buff, Falmouth Harbour hosts a huge Regatta in the second week of April that brings in competitors and fans from around the globe to enjoy this world-class event. Hotels are booked up months in advance for this event, so be sure to book your all-inclusive Antigua vacation early if you hope to secure accommodations.

All-inclusive Antigua packages appeal to a wide range of travellers, including couples, seniors, Brits and western Europeans. Antigua vacations feature great mobility for those who wish to take advantage of the many transportation options that are available to tourists. Taxi service is reasonable, and bus service out of St. John's provides access to all areas of Antigua. Also, for those who wish to visit Barbuda while on an all-inclusive Antigua package holiday, ferry service is available to get you there. The health-conscious Antigua vacation traveller will also be pleased to know that the water is safe to drink.

Sand and Sun on Your Antigua Vacation

All-inclusive Antigua vacation beaches are absolutely beautiful – 365 with white sand beaches set against turquoise waters. Antigua vacations are known for featuring outstanding beaches, as this is well publicized. The Antigua coastline features many small coves, each with its own beach, and the beaches vary considerably in width. The east coast of Antigua tends to have rougher waters, and most Antigua package holiday swimmers tend to appreciate the calmer waters found on the west coast of Antigua. For snorkelers, the clear waters are perfect, and many visitors take the time to appreciate the underwater scenery while on an all-inclusive Antigua vacation.

Generally, the weather in Antigua is as beautiful as the beaches. All-inclusive Antigua vacations in the winter season feature temperatures that range between 74-78?F, and summer temperatures reach into the mid to upper 80s. Trade winds from the northeast can make evenings a bit chilly during the winter season, and tourists who are sensitive to cooler temperatures should consider this when preparing for an all-inclusive Antigua package holiday in winter. Out of all the Caribbean islands, Antigua is the sunniest, with the least amount of annual rainfall. The Antigua landscape features many hills and valleys, is quite lush through the interior of the island, and is generally very clean.

Hurricane season, with its unpredictability of storm events, typically lasts from July through December, peaking from mid-August to mid-November. Although Antigua vacations are not often impacted by hurricanes, the possibility remains. However, when booking Antigua vacation packages, you can rest assured that tour operators will not fly you into a hurricane and will act fast to get you out in the event of any development if your holiday plans are affected. You can find great Antigua vacation package deals during hurricane season, and the economic advantage is well worth considering. We recommend that you speak with one of our tripcentral agents to fully understand the great value benefit vs. limited risk associated with travel to this region during hurricane season.

Things to See and Do on Your Antigua Package Vacation

For the shopaholic on an all-inclusive Antigua package vacation, the cruise port offers great duty free shopping opportunities, and the indoor/outdoor malls at both Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay offer everything from high-end designer clothing, to shoes and accessories.  A two-storey mall in the cruise pier offers souvenir shops, rum, and hand-painted T-shirts, among other items to tempt the Antigua vacation tourists.  For those in search of great dining opportunities while on an all-inclusive Antigua vacation, St. John's, Dickinson, and Runaway Bay all offer a great variety of restaurants, including West Indian, international, exotic, and seafood options. For Antigua vacationers in search of a bit of nightlife, the some hotels do offer small casinos, but Antigua is not a premier destination for nightlife. Banking is available in St. John's, although ATMs may not always be a reliable resource, so good planning is advisable. 

For those who wish to enhance an all-inclusive Antigua package holiday with some sporting activities, there are a good number of options available. All-inclusive Antigua packages offer the usual surf activities, as well as deep sea fishing, sailing, boating, ziplining, cricket, and cycling options.  Scuba and snorkelling are both available for those who wish to explore beneath the waves on an all-inclusive Antigua vacation. And, for those who wish to get in a few holes of golf while visiting Antigua, there are two golf courses available – Jolly Harbour, and Cedar Valley.

Antigua packages offer plenty of day trip opportunities, including visits to the nearby island of Barbuda.  Antigua is also in close proximity to many other Caribbean islands, and flights can be taken to each of them, vastly expanding the Antigua vacation possibilities. There are plenty of water tours offered in Antigua, such as the Jolly Roger pirate ship tour, and sailing or catamaran trips around the island.

All-Inclusive Antigua Vacation Package Availability, Accommodations, and Value

Antigua package vacation flights are offered on a weekly basis with Air Canada, only from Toronto.  Weekend charter business is also offered year round out of Toronto with Transat. Caribbean Airlines also flies from Toronto to Antigua. There are no Antigua package vacation flights available from Montreal, so all connectors from other regions must be made through Toronto.

All-inclusive Antigua package hotels are typically older structures that have been refurbished. Antigua resort properties tend to be smaller than what can be found in other sun destinations, featuring relatively small, low-rise, buildings. An all-inclusive Antigua vacation resort should be considered carefully to ensure the greatest variety of dining options – not all resorts are created equal.  New boutique hotels have also been established for those who wish for something a little different.  Most of Antigua is relatively quiet and serene, making this destination a great option for weddings in the sun. All-inclusive Antigua packages can be arranged to suit your wedding plans, but it is advisable to book well in advance.

An all-inclusive Antigua package holiday is relatively expensive, but offers great historical features, English Caribbean comfort, and a picture-perfect setting. 

Antigua Vacations Video

Antigua Vacations Pictures

One of 365 beautiful beaches - Antigua