Antigua and Barbuda
A lightweight or safari suit, a long- or short-sleeved shirt and a tie are suitable for most business visits. Handshaking is the normal greeting for acquaintances and for formal introductions. Business cards are expected from people who do not live on the islands. Although gifts will generally be well received, they are normally only given on celebratory occasions. Office hours are from 0800-1200 and 1300-1630 Monday to Friday. Government office hours are 0800-1630 Monday to Thursday and 0800-1500 Friday.
Petty street crime does occur, and valuables left unattended on beaches or in hotel rooms are vulnerable to theft. Violent crime is on the rise, but foreign tourists are not usually targeted. Nevertheless, it is best to avoid isolated areas, including beaches after dark. Do not carry large amounts of cash or jeweler. Valuables and travel documents should be left, where possible, in safety deposit boxes and hotel safes. As everywhere, visitors to Antigua and Barbuda are advised to be alert and maintain the same level of personal security used when visiting any major city/tourist destination.
In Antigua, most of the larger hotels have rooms with either full air-conditioning or fans and have onsite dinning facilities. The more luxurious establishments offer entertainment and meeting facilities. Guesthouses which are much cheaper than the hotels offer basic but clean accommodation, sometimes with meals.
Hotels in Barbuda: are more limited but there are three major resort hotels and a number of guesthouses available.
Telephone: IDD is available to all numbers. Country code: 1 809. No area codes. Outgoing international code: 011. Fax: services are available from cable & wireless. Many hotels have fax facilities. A poste restante service is available at the post office in St. John's. Post office hours: 0800-1200 and 1300-1600 Monday to Friday.
Electricity is 220/110 volts ac, 60hz. American-style 2-pin plugs are used. Some hotels have also outlets for 240 volts ac, in this case European-style 2-pin plugs are used.
220/110 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style two-pin plugs. Some hotels also have outlets for 240 volts AC; in this case European-style, two-pin plugs are used.
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Antigua’s gastronomic specialty is lobster, with red snapper and occasionally other fish running a close second when available.
Things to know: Larger hotels offer a wide selection of imported meats, vegetables, fruits and cheeses. Casual wear is accepted in all bars and restaurants. There is an 8.5 per cent government tax on most restaurant bills. National specialties:
• Fungi and pepperpot, the national dish, is a hearty vegetable stew with salted meat.
• Roti are patties filled with curried potatoes, chicken or beef.
• Ducana are sweet potato
dumplings often served with saltfish and chop up (see below).
• Chop up is mashed aubergine, okra and seasoning.
• Tamarind balls are the local sweets.
• Popular dishes include barbecued chicken, roast suckling pig, pilaffs, curries and mushrooms. National drinks:
• Ting is a grapefruit drink that is homegrown and sparkling.
• Wadadli beer is locally-brewed, light and refreshing.
• Popular ingredients include pineapple, coconut, guavas and mangoes.
• For an alcoholic kick, rum is plentiful; try both dark and light rums (Cavalier), and rum punches.
• Imported wines and spirits are available, as well as imported sodas and fruit drinks.
Legal drinking age: 16. There are no licensing restrictions, but excessive consumption of alcohol is frowned upon and further service will be refused. Tipping:
10 to 15 per cent is included on hotel bills for staff gratuities, plus an 8.5 per cent government tax. Taxi drivers expect 10 per cent of the fare, and dockside and airport porters expect US$0.50-1.00 per bag.Nightlife
There is a wide choice of restaurants and bars around main tourist areas. Steel bands, combos and limbo dancers travel around hotels, performing nightly during the high season (November to April). There are five casinos on the island and two nightclubs/discos. Some hotels have their own discos.
