Area: Antigua is 108 square miles; neighboring Barbuda is 62 square miles.   

Language: English is the official language but Creole is also spoken.

Population: 67,000, with about 30,000 residing around St. John's.

Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

Rainy Season: The island receives only forty-five inches of rainfall annually; this is a hot, dry place in summer. Showers are most frequent September through November.

Getting There: Antigua is an important Caribbean hub. Every major airline serving the islands stops here. A few carriers even fly in directly from Europe . Antigua is such an important airport that it's possible to fly from here to other island destinations and even South America . Carriers include American (www.aa.com); Continental (www.flycontinental.com); BWIA (www.bwee.com); Air Canada (www.aircanada.ca); British Airways (www.britsh-airways.com). LIAT (800/468-0482) connects from other islands. Flights to Barbuda all leave from Antigua's V.C. Bird airport.

Documents: A valid on-going/return ticket is a must. American, Canadian and British citizens need only supply proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate with a raised seal and a photo ID. Everyone else needs a passport and perhaps even a visa.   

Currency: The Eastern Caribbean dollar, worth about US$2.70. US dollars are good anywhere. Most prices are quoted in EC. Banks are open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday; from 8 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.

Taxes & Tipping: An 8.5% government hotel tax and a 10% service charge. Taxi drivers expect 10%-15% and porters EC$1 per bag. The departure tax is US$12.

Electrical Current: 220 volts in most places, though 110 is provided in some hotels. Transformers are usually available.

Restaurants: Read Antigua Restaurant Reviews from our Travelocity.com partner. Go to Mexico & The Caribbean and check the Antigua Restaurant Index.

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