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General Information |
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Entry Requirements: While passports are preferred, UK, US and Canadian citizens may enter Antigua with an original birth certificate plus photo ID. Citizens of all other countries should consult their local government's information on Antigua for more details. Language: The official language of Antigua is English. Time Zone: Antigua is on Atlantic Standard Time, which is four hours behind GMT (GMT-4). Note that, unlike the UK and many other countries, Antigua does not observe 'summer time' (daylight savings time) changes. Therefore, during the UK summertime, Antigua is five hours behind British Summer Time (BST -5). Currency: Antigua uses the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$), whose rate is fixed to the US dollar at an average of US$1 to EC$2.65. Please verify information on Antigua exchange rates prior to your trip. US dollars, credit cards, and traveler's checks are also widely accepted on the island. Banks: Banks are usually open Monday to Thursday from 8am to 2pm and on Friday from 8am to 4pm. The best bank for visitors is Royal Bank at High and Market streets in St. John's (tel. 268/480-1150). You'll find several ATMs here. Driving Information: Cars drive on the left-hand side of the road in Antigua. Communications: The international access code for Antigua and Barbuda is +1, in common with the US, Canada and most of the Caribbean, followed by 268. The outgoing code is 011 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 01144 for the United Kingdom). Internet cafes are available in tourist areas. Electricity: Electrical current is 220 and 110 volts, 60Hz, with American-style two-pin plugs being the norm. The supply to the villa is 220v. Customs: Arriving visitors are allowed to bring in 200 cigarettes, 1 quart of liquor, and 6 ounces of perfume. Taxes & Service Charges: Visitors pay a departure tax of US$20 and an 8.5% government tax on hotel bills. Most hotels also add a service charge of between 10% and 15%. Tipping: Tipping is general practice, usually 10% to 15% depending on the service. Some restaurants and hotels will automatically add a 10% gratuity. Porters and bellhops expect 50 cents per bag and taxi drivers 10% to 15% of the fare. |
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