No restrictions in this travel advice

Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all but essential travel to whole country

Avoid all travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all travel to whole country

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• There is no British High Commission in Antigua and Barbuda.  British nationals requiring emergency consular assistance may contact the British Honorary Consul, Robert Wilkinson, on 1(268) 561 5046.  If the Honorary Consul is not available and for all other non-consular related matters please contact the British High Commission in Bridgetown , Barbados. See the Contact Details.
  
  
• Most visits to Antigua and Barbuda are trouble-free. 15 British Nationals required consular assistance in Antigua and Barbuda for the period 01 January - 31 December 2010.There has been an overall increase in crime in Antigua over recent years, including gun crime, and five foreign tourists have been killed since July 2008.  See Crime.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General - Insurance.

Safety and Security - Terrorism
There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see terrorism abroad.

Safety and Security - Crime
Around 97,000 tourists visit Antigua and Barbuda each year (source: Ministry of Tourism, Antigua) and the vast majority of visits are trouble-free. There have been incidents of violent crime including murder. These tend to occur within the local community but can sometimes affect tourists.

There has been an overall increase in crime in Antigua over recent years, including gun crime and murder which has affected British nationals. You should therefore maintain at least the same level of security awareness as you would in the UK and ensure that your living accommodation is secure. Apply the same measures if you are staying on a yacht. You should take precautions and be vigilant at all times. Avoid isolated areas, including beaches after dark. Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery. Valuables and travel documents should be left, where possible, in safety deposit boxes and hotel safes.

For more general information see our victims of crime abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road travel
In order to be able to drive a car in Antigua and Barbuda you must purchase a local driving licence, usually from the car hire company, at a cost of US$ 20 (EC$50). You must show your current driving licence to obtain this.

You should drive with care and attention at all times. The national speed limit is 40mph and there is a limit of 20 mph in built up areas.

Motorists drive on the left in Antigua and Barbuda. Main roads are generally well maintained, although they lack road markings. Pot holes, even on main roads, and poorly marked speed bumps can catch the unwary. Overtaking on blind corners and cutting corners when turning right are commonplace. Stray cattle, goats and dogs are an additional hazard. Pavements are few and very narrow so pedestrians walk on the road. Few streets are lit at night.  

See our driving abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Air travel
An airport departure tax of EC$70 is payable per adult (over the age of 12 years) by visitors staying more than 24 hours.

For more general information see airline security.

You should note that there are severe penalties for all drug offences. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.

You should be aware that it is an offence for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing.

Certain homosexual acts are illegal under the laws of Antigua and Barbuda.

For more general advice for different types of travellers see our Your Trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas
British Passport holders do not require visas to visit Antigua and Barbuda. On entry, you are granted a stay of one month. If you wish to stay longer, you must apply and pay for an extension of stay through the Antigua and Barbuda Immigration Department. It is an offence to overstay the entry period or to work without a work permit.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity
You must hold a valid passport to enter Antigua and Barbuda. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Antigua and Barbuda.

Entry Requirements - Foot and mouth disease
You are banned from bringing meat products into Antigua and Barbuda from the United Kingdom in your personal luggage.

You should note that the private medical clinic, Adelin, will not accept medical travel insurance as payment for emergency medical treatment. You must pay a US$4,000 deposit  via a credit card before treatment will be given. If funds deposited exceed the cost of the treatment, a refund will be given. Before being treated at Adelin you should check if your insurance company is willing to cover the cost of treatment. If not, you will need to use the General Hospital.

Dengue fever is common across the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection that can cause a feverish illness associated with headache, muscle aches and pains, and rash. Some cases of dengue are severe. Dengue can be prevented by avoiding being bitten by the disease-carrying mosquitoes that feed predominately during daylight hours. For more information on prevention, see the National Travel Health Network and Centre website:  http://www.nathnac.org/pro/factsheets/dengue.htm.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Antigua & Barbuda and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general information see our travel health page.

Natural Disasters - Hurricanes
The hurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from June to November.  You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation and the US National Hurricane Centre. For more general information see Tropical Cyclones.

General - Insurance
You should obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance, which includes medical evacuation by air ambulance, before travelling. Be especially careful about cover for recurring illnesses, as this may not be included in all insurance policies. Check for any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see our travel insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then see our when things go wrong page.

General - Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

General - Passports
Keep a copy of the photo page of your passport and relevant entry stamp in case your documents are stolen.

The passport service for British nationals in Antigua and Barbuda has now moved from Barbados to the UK Passport Service Centre for the Americas and Caribbean in Washington D.C. (http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/passports).

If you are applying for a renewal of you UK passport and you are in Antigua and Barbuda, your application, with the appropriate passport fee plus a return courier fee of US$21, should be sent direct to:

The UK Passport Service for the Americas and Caribbean
British Embassy 
19 Observatory Circle, NW
Washington, DC 20008

The British High Commission in Bridgetown will continue to issue Emergency Passports for people who have lost their passports and who have an urgent need to travel to the UK.