Antigua and Barbuda: good to know
The general-information half of trip planning: how expensive Antigua and Barbuda feels, what is considered polite, what is not, and the everyday practicalities - alongside our 37 written places.
Easy-going and church-going - 365 beaches and a firm belief that greetings come before everything.
✓ Considered polite
- Greet with good morning, good afternoon or good night before any request - good night is a hello here, not a farewell
- Dress smart casual for dinners out
- Ask before photographing people or their market stalls
- Learn a cricket name or two - it is the national game and instant common ground
✗ Better avoided
- Pack camouflage clothing - wearing or importing it is illegal for civilians and customs does confiscate it
- Wear swimwear away from the beach - cover up in town and shops
- Rush anyone - island time is real and hurrying reads as rude
- Plan errands for a Sunday - most of the island closes for church and family
Worth knowing
- Eastern Caribbean dollars are official but US dollars work almost everywhere - check which currency a price is quoted in
- A 10% service charge is common on restaurant bills; tip beyond it only for standout service
- Driving is on the left and visitors need a temporary local permit, sold with rental cars
- The Sunday evening barbecue and steel-band party at Shirley Heights is a weekly institution
Plugs and voltage: Wikipedia, «Mains electricity by country» (after the IEC World Plugs list), read 15 October 2026.
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Customs are living things - regions differ, cities relax, generations shift. Take these notes as a friendly head start, watch what locals do, and when in doubt a smile and a greeting in the local language cover almost everything.