Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and European Union member states do not require a visa for stays up to six months in Antigua and Barbuda. Visitors from these countries need a valid passport with at least six months remaining validity from the date of entry. Citizens of CARICOM member states can enter with national identification cards. Other nationalities should verify requirements through the Antigua and Barbuda High Commission or consular websites before travel. All arriving passengers complete immigration and customs forms distributed on incoming flights or available at V.C. Bird International Airport, the sole commercial airport located eight kilometers northeast of St. John's. The airport code is ANU. Departure tax is typically included in ticket prices purchased internationally but may apply separately for tickets bought within Antigua and Barbuda.
Barbuda's Codrington Airport handles small aircraft connections from Antigua via ABM Air Services, operating multiple daily flights with a journey time of fifteen minutes. The Barbuda Express ferry service operates between Antigua and Barbuda several times weekly, departing from the Heritage Quay in St. John's with a crossing time of ninety minutes. Ferry schedules vary seasonally and should be confirmed in advance. No bridge or causeway connects the two islands. Redonda remains uninhabited with no transport services or tourist access due to its steep cliffs and lack of harbor facilities.
The Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD) is the official currency of Antigua and Barbuda, pegged to the United States dollar at a fixed rate of 2.70 XCD to 1.00 USD since 1976. US dollars are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and tour operators, though change is usually given in Eastern Caribbean dollars. Major credit cards including Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in tourist areas, while American Express and Discover have more limited acceptance. ATMs dispensing Eastern Caribbean dollars operate in St. John's and larger settlements in Antigua, with fewer machines available in Barbuda. Banks typically open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 to 14:00 and Friday from 8:00 to 16:00.
Accommodation on Antigua ranges from forty USD per night for basic guesthouses to over one thousand USD for luxury resorts. Mid-range hotels typically cost between 150 and 350 USD nightly. Restaurant meals range from eight USD for local eateries serving fungee and saltfish to fifty USD or more per person at resort dining rooms. A bottle of local Cavalier or Wadadli beer costs three to five USD in bars. Grocery prices reflect import dependency, with most packaged goods costing 20 to 40 percent more than equivalent items in North American or European markets. Taxi fares operate on fixed government rates, with transport from V.C. Bird International Airport to St. John's costing approximately fifteen USD and to English Harbour approximately fifty USD. Car rental starts around forty-five USD daily for economy vehicles.
The Mount St. John's Medical Centre serves as the primary public hospital in Antigua, located in St. John's and opened in 2009 with one hundred fifty beds. The facility provides emergency services, general surgery, internal medicine, and obstetrics. The Adelin Medical Centre operates as a private hospital in St. John's offering outpatient services and some surgical procedures. The Holberton Hospital, the former main public facility built in 1940, continues limited operations. Barbuda maintains the Thomas Hanna Community Health Centre in Codrington with basic services and stabilization capacity, with serious cases transferred to Antigua by air. Pharmacies operate in St. John's and larger villages, stocking common medications, though specialized prescriptions may require ordering.
No vaccinations are legally required for entry to Antigua and Barbuda except yellow fever certification for travelers arriving from endemic countries in Africa and South America. The mosquito-borne dengue virus is endemic with periodic outbreaks. The Zika virus was documented in 2016. Tap water in Antigua comes from desalination plants and catchment systems and is generally potable, though many visitors prefer bottled water. Barbuda relies more heavily on rainwater catchment. Medical evacuation insurance is recommended given limited specialized care on the islands. The nearest hyperbaric chamber for diving emergencies operates in Saba, requiring air transport.
The Antigua Public Utilities Authority and private providers operate telecommunications across the islands. Flow, Digicel, and APUA INET offer mobile phone service using GSM networks compatible with international devices, though visitors should confirm roaming agreements with home carriers. Prepaid SIM cards are available at the airport and in St. John's from approximately twenty USD including initial credit. Coverage is reliable across Antigua with reduced signal quality in remote coastal areas. Barbuda has functional but more limited coverage concentrated around Codrington.