Vacationing in Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda is a country found in the Caribbean Sea and located in the middle of the Leeward Islands. These islands are perfect for vacationing in a warm, tropical paradise and are near to other great island chains, such as Barbados, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Anguilla. Because of Antigua and Barbuda’s proximity to the equator, the weather here is warm all year round, and tourists love the seasonal sun.

The country of Antigua and Barbuda is made up of a number of small islands close to one another with the island of Antigua being the largest and most populated. The island of Barbuda is slightly north of Antigua and is also relatively large compared to the other islands in the chain. Redonda, a small island with large phosphate reserves, is also part of Antigua and Barbuda. Most of the islands here are either privately owned or uninhabited government property. Large towns in this country include St. Johns on Antigua and Codrington on Barbuda.

Antigua and Barbuda used to be a part of the British empire, so if you travel here you’ll still see a heavy British influence, as well as an America one, since the United States brings many tourists to this country every year. Like most of the other Caribbean islands, tourism is the main industry in Antigua and Barbuda, and most places you go in this country will have people who speak English as a first language and will accept the American dollar.

If you decide to visit Antigua and Barbuda, one of the best times of year to do so is during August when Carnival is occurring. Carnival is a national celebration that historically celebrates the abolition of slaver and includes a number of great events. You can take a break from the beaches to see parades and pageants, try great festival foods, and even participate in fun contests.

However, if you simply enjoy beaches, you certainly have your pick in Antigua and Barbuda. Locals like to joke that there are 365 beaches—one for every day of the year. They aren’t far from the mark. You can head to the local public beaches, look for a hotel with its own private beach, or even take a charter to one of the small islands away from the larger islands for your own beach paradise.

Sporting events are also great if you want to travel to Antigua and Barbuda. Cricket is extremely popular, and the 2007 Cricket World Cup found a home in this county. The island of Antigue features the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, which houses many of the main sporting events and is newly build within the last few years. If sports and beaches both seem a bit boring to you, there’s always shopping, museums, tours, and plenty of other things to do in this country, so it is a great destination for Caribbean travel.