If the beach is your happy place, then you need to visit Antigua and Barbuda.

Antigua (pronounced an-tee-guh) has no fewer than 366 beaches, so you could visit one each day of the leap year. Barbuda, its wilder twin island, has many more. Do you prefer white sand, gray sand, or pink sand? Snorkeling reefs or sipping drinks? Quiet seclusion or a lively vibe? Take your pick.

And if you’re one of those people who get bored at the beach (we love you, even if we don’t understand you), Antigua and Barbuda offer hiking, sailing, shopping, fishing, and historic sites to explore. Discover the special charms of this Caribbean nation in our quick destination guide.

3 reasons to buy travel insurance for Antigua and Barbuda

1. In a medical emergency, you may have to go off-island. “Medical facilities in Antigua and Barbuda do not meet U.S. standards,” the U.S. Department of State cautions travelers. If you get injured or become seriously ill while traveling, you’ll need to be evacuated to another island or the U.S. mainland for treatment. This can cost tens of thousands of dollars if you don’t have travel insurance with emergency transportation benefits.
2. Hurricane protection is a must. Major hurricanes strike the Caribbean just about every year, leaving devastation in their wake. Look for a travel insurance plan that can cover trip cancellation if a hurricane results in an evacuation order or damages the place you’re staying. Learn more: When a Hurricane Hits, What Does Travel Insurance Cover?
3. Travel insurance can reimburse you for covered cancellations. If a last-minute emergency prevents you from going on your trip to Antigua, you could lose the thousands you spent. Don’t take that risk! Insurance with trip cancellation benefits can fully reimburse you (up to the plan limit) for lost trip costs when you cancel for a covered reason. For extra peace of mind, the  Cancel Anytime upgrade reimburses 80% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you cancel your trip for almost any unforeseeable reason your plan does not already cover.

3 of the best travel insurance plans for the Caribbean

1. OneTrip Basic includes essential protections for international travel. Get up to $10,000 in emergency medical benefits and up to $50,000 in emergency transportation benefits, plus cancellation/interruption benefits, baggage and travel delay benefits, and more.
2. OneTrip Prime features higher limits than OneTrip Basic, plus kids 17 and under are covered for free when they’re traveling with a parent or grandparent. (Free coverage for children is not available on policies issued to Pennsylvania residents.)
3. AllTrips Premier is a good choice for travelers who take two or more trips in a year. Buy it once, and get a full 365 days of protection for every trip you take.

Find a plan and get your quote!

3 of the best things to do in Antigua and Barbuda

1. Find your perfect beach. Dickenson Bay has something for everyone: lively bars, sun-kissed sand, and watersports. Galleon Beach is a quiet spot with three shipwrecks for snorkelers to explore. Ffryes Beach is a serene and starkly gorgeous beach on the southwestern side of Antigua.
2. Explore Antigua’s history. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into “Pirates of the Caribbean” at Nelson’s Dockyard, the world’s only working dockyard from the early 1700s. Climb Shirley’s Heights for a scenic view, wander the historic buildings and fortifications, or join the Rum in the Ruins tour for historical insights and cocktails.
3. Say hello to the frigatebirds. On the island of Barbuda, you can visit a sanctuary inhabited by thousands of frigatebirds, known for the males’ extravagant mating displays. The best time to go is between September and April, as the birds travel between Barbuda and the Galápagos Islands each year.

3 of the best resorts in Antigua and Barbuda

Exquisite is a good word to describe Jumby Bay Island – Oetker Collection, an ultra-luxe resort on a private island off the coast of Antigua. Guests praise the spectacular setting, the warm welcome, and the immaculate rooms. This five-star experience isn’t cheap, of course; expect to pay around $3,000 (or more) per night.

If your travel budget doesn’t stretch quite that far, another of the best resorts in Antigua is Carlisle Bay. Enjoy a relaxed, family-friendly vibe and tons of complimentary activities: sunrise Pilates, sunset yoga, afternoon tea, cooking lessons, live music, nature walks, and sailing.

Barbuda is much less developed than Antigua, making it the perfect place for an unplugged, unbothered getaway. For a low-key stay on Barbuda, we’d recommend Barbuda Cottages: a collection of darling beachfront bungalows that are eco-friendly and affordably priced. You can cook your own meals, or walk a few steps to Uncle Roddy’s. This beach bar and grill is famed for its lobster and its signature cocktail, the Barbuda Smash.

3 of the best restaurants in Antigua and Barbuda

Make sure you try the national dish of Antigua and Barbuda: fungee and pepperpot. Pepperpot is a stew of meat, dumplings, and vegetables such as spinach, okra, eggplant, and peas. Fungee is a polenta-like dish of boiled yellow cornmeal and okra.¹

One of the best places for authentic Antiguan cuisine is Hemingways in St. John. On the menu, you might find Antiguan fricassee of saltfish (buljol); local lobster flambéed with Cavalier rum; curried goat; and grilled Antiguan lobster. Cool down with a local Wadadli beer.

Cecilia’s High Point Café is universally beloved. Tucked into gardens and looking out over the sea, this laid-back place is serious about good food. Favorite dishes include a salad with fried eggplant, tomato and mozzarella; curried pork; and lobster risotto.

One standout restaurant in Barbuda is Nobu Barbuda, an upscale Japanese spot that’s right on the beach. Try the Wagyu steak, the rock shrimp tempura, or any of the sushi. Don’t expect rapid service; instead, kick back, go for a swim (Nobu even offers towels and showers), and savor the experience. 

If you’re craving an island escape, the time to plan it is now! Remember, the best time to buy travel insurance is right after paying your first trip deposit. Get your personalized quote.

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