Essentials
- City
- English Harbour, Saint Paul Parish, Antigua and Barbuda
- Population
- Approximately 1,200 (increases significantly during yachting season)
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-70 Mbps; Flow and Digicel fiber are available in most marinas and villas.
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 2.70 XCD (Eastern Caribbean Dollar); fixed exchange rate. US Dollars widely accepted.
- Tap Water
- Potable but often desalinated/stored in cisterns; most nomads prefer bottled or filtered water ($2.50 for 1.5L).
- Power
- 230V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A and B (US style) and Type G (UK style) outlets are commonly used together.
- SIM Card
- Flow or Digicel; approx. $40 USD for 20GB of data (30-day plan).
- Banking for Expats
- ECAB (Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank) and Republic Bank; Revolut/Wise work for most card payments.
- Accommodation
- Villas, boutique hotels, and yacht crew lodges; prices range from $1,500 to $4,500/month.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards accepted at restaurants and marinas; cash (XCD) is preferred for local buses and small vendors.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and VRBO are standard; expect $120–$250/night for decent apartments.
- Budget Accommodation
- The Catamaran Hotel ($140/night) or Lamblion Holiday Apartments ($95/night, slightly inland).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Nelson's Dockyard (Historic center, close to museums and upscale dining).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Falmouth Harbour/Cobbs Cross (Easier access to supermarkets, gyms, and more affordable housing).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Yacht Club Marina Office (Unofficial coworking, $35/day for high-speed lounge access).
- Best Cafe for Work
- Skullduggery Cafe (Falmouth Harbour); great coffee, power outlets, and decent Wi-Fi.
- Networking Events
- Antigua Sailing Week (April) and the Antigua Charter Yacht Show (December) are the primary networking peaks.
- Social Events for Expats
- The 'Wednesday Night Quiz' at Mad Mongoose and sunset drinks at Shirley Heights.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber; use local taxi stands or 'Antigua Taxi Services' (+1 268-464-9000). Approx. $35 from airport.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Antigua Rentals (English Harbour); Scooters approx. $45/day; Bicycles $25/day.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Pigeon Point Beach (5 mins walk from Falmouth Harbour); Galeon Beach (shuttle boat available).
- Top Regional Airline
- LIAT (Leeward Islands Air Transport) or Caribbean Airlines.
- Top International Airline
- British Airways (from London), American Airlines (from Miami/NYC), Air Canada.
- Highway Access
- Dockyard Drive connects English Harbour to the main island artery leading to St. John’s (30 mins drive).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains. The 'Bus Out' terminus in West Bus Station (St. John's) is the main hub for the 17-bus line.
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes; pay $1.50 - $3.00 XCD per ride in cash to the minibus driver.
- Regional Travel
- Montserrat Ferry from St. John's ($100 USD round trip) or local island hopper flights.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Sir Lester Bird Mount St. John's Medical Centre (St. John's, 25 mins away).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Energize Wellness (Falmouth Harbour); drop-in yoga classes approx. $20 USD.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Temo Sports (Falmouth Harbour); Squash courts and gym for approx. $80/month.
- Laundry Services
- Buffy’s Laundry (Falmouth Harbour); full-service wash, dry, and fold for approx. $15 per load.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- No major apps; most restaurants like 'Cloggy's' offer direct take-away ordering via WhatsApp.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pepperpot and Fungee (Cornmeal dumplings and vegetable stew); approx. $12 USD.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Colibri (French-Creole with vegan options like vegetable tartare); Mains $25–$40.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Dockyard Bakery (hidden behind the museum); famous for 'Currant Slices' and local buns.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Covent Garden Supermarket (English Harbour) for high-end items; local fruit stands on the road for produce.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- No local version of Amazon; most use 'E-Zone' or 'Aeropost' for shipping from the US.
- Grocery Delivery
- Provisioning services like 'Antigua Yacht Provisions' can deliver to villas.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Dockyard Drive; specifically Abracadabra (Late night clubbing) and Mad Mongoose.
- Local Brewery
- Antigua Brewery (Wadadli Gold); widely available at all bars for approx. $4 USD per bottle.
- Wine Bars
- The Wine Shop (Dockyard Drive); curated selection and tastings.
- Street Food Stalls
- Barbecue stalls near the taxi stand on Friday/Saturday nights; $10 USD for chicken/ribs plate.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Trappas (International/Seafood); legendary consistent quality and fair prices.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Nelson’s Dockyard (UNESCO World Heritage Site); entry $15 USD.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Dockyard Museum (inside the naval officer's house); history of the British Royal Navy.
- Historical Sites
- Clarence House; built for King William IV when he was Duke of Clarence.
- Religious Sites
- St. Paul’s Anglican Church (Falmouth); beautiful historic Caribbean church architecture.
- Annual Events
- Shirley Heights Sunday Sunset Party (Every Sunday, 4:00 PM onwards, $10 USD entry).
- Cultural Districts
- The Historic Dockyard District.
- Theater Venues
- Limited; mostly live performance stages at outdoor festivals or Shirley Heights.
- Local Markets
- St. John’s Public Market (Saturday mornings) for incredible local spices and fruits.
- Music Scene
- Steel pan bands at Shirley Heights; Reggae and Soca at beachfront bars.
- Street Art
- Limited; mostly maritime-themed murals around the marinas.
- Cooking Classes
- Nicole’s Table (St. John's, short drive away); $100+ for Caribbean cooking experiences.
- Art Galleries
- Rhythm of Blue Art Gallery (Dockyard Drive); pottery and local paintings.
- Historic Buildings
- The Blockhouse and Fort Berkeley (15-minute hike from the dockyard).
- Local Heritage
- Strong naval history mixed with Arawak and African influences.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Christian Valley Waterfall and hiking trails in the Shekerley Mountains.
- National Parks Nearby
- Nelson's Dockyard National Park (Covers 15 square miles of coast and hills).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Jones Valley Trail; a scenic hike leading past historical ruins and gravesites.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Shirley Heights Lookout; the most famous view in the Caribbean looking over two harbours.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Wallings Nature Reserve; inland sanctuary for Caribbean species.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Galleon Beach; often features beach fires during the yachting season events.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (St. John's) and FedEx; expect significant customs duties on imports.
- Tech Repair Services
- The Computer Shop (St. John's); English Harbour has very limited tech support.
- Table Tennis Spots
- None; most leisure activity is maritime-based (Sailing, Diving).
- Language Classes
- Official language is English; Antiguan Creole is the local dialect.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- The Dockyard Research Library (Specialized in maritime history, quiet for reading).
- Community Centers
- The Antigua Yacht Club; serves as the central hub for the community.
- Gaming Lounges
- Not available in this area.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Kings Casino (St. John's); 30 minutes away.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $8,500 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $340,000 for luxury marina fronts).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $5,500 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $220,000 for inland condos).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $8,000 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $480,000 in Falmouth Harbour).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $5,000 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $300,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $7,500 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $600,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $4,500 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $360,000).
- Corporate Tax
- 25% standard corporate tax rate.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% for residents; 25% for payments to non-residents.
- Tax System
- Territorial/Residence-based; personal income tax was abolished for residents in 2016.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 0% (Personal Income Tax abolished for individuals).
- VAT
- ABST (Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax) is 15%.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules.
- Property Tax
- Yes, based on market value (approx. 0.2% - 0.5% for residential properties).
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp duty is approx. 7.5% for the seller and 2.5% for the buyer (non-citizens need an ALHL license).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes; Nomad Digital Residence (NDR) visa offers a 2-year permit. You stay tax-free on foreign income.