Essentials
- City
- Jolly Harbour, Saint Mary, Antigua and Barbuda
- Population
- Approximately 3,000 (including permanent residents and seasonal yachting community)
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optic available via Flow or Digicel; speeds up to 100 Mbps in managed villas
- Currency & Banking
- East Caribbean Dollar (XCD); 1 USD ≈ 2.70 XCD. USD widely accepted.
- Tap Water
- Generally safe but chlorinated; most nomads prefer bottled or filtered water like 'Antigua Still'
- Power
- 230V, 60Hz (British style) but many villas have dual 110V/230V systems; 🔌 Type G and Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- Digicel or Flow; Prepaid 'Always On' data plans cost approx. $100 XCD ($37 USD) for 30GB
- Banking for Expats
- ECAB (Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank) or Republic Bank; Revolut/Wise work at most ATMs
- Accommodation
- Self-catering villas in North and South Fingers (e.g., Jolly Harbour Villas, Airbnb)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, major restaurants and supermarkets accept Visa/Mastercard; local taxis prefer cash
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and VRBO; typical waterfront villa costs $150 - $350 USD per night
- Budget Accommodation
- Sugar Ridge Resort (off-site) or nearby guest houses in Bolans starting at $90 USD/night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- South Finger for proximity to Jolly Beach and the Commercial Centre
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- North Finger for a quieter, more residential atmosphere with better long-term rental rates
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated coworking hubs; 'The Hub' at Antigua Yacht Club (Falmouth) is the closest professional alternative
- Best Cafe for Work
- Petal's Cafe (Commercial Centre) - offers shaded outdoor seating and reliable Wi-Fi
- Networking Events
- Antigua Yacht Club events or casual networking at the Jolly Harbour Yacht Club bar
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night socials at Crow's Nest or community gatherings at the Jolly Harbour Sports Center
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Bolt; use local authorized taxis or 'Antigua Taxi Services' (+1 268-562-2220)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Jolly Harbour Golf Cart & Bike Rentals; Golf carts are the primary transport ($25-$40 USD/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Jolly Beach (walking distance) or Valley Church Beach (5-minute drive)
- Top Regional Airline
- LIAT 2020 or InterCaribbean Airways (operating from V.C. Bird Int'l)
- Top International Airline
- British Airways (from London), American Airlines (from Miami/NYC)
- Highway Access
- Valley Road connects Jolly Harbour directly to St. John's and the South Coast
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- West End Bus Station in St. John’s (Route 20 or 22 buses serve Jolly Harbour)
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes; pay cash to driver (typical fare to St. John’s is $2.75 XCD)
- Regional Travel
- Montserrat Ferry from St. John's or daily flights to Barbuda via SVG Air
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Sir Lester Bird Mount St. John's Medical Centre (St. John's, 20 mins away)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Indigo Wellness Antigua (near Valley Church) - classes approx. $20 USD
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- The Jolly Harbour Sports Center - includes gym, pool, and tennis courts
- Laundry Services
- Jolly Harbour Marina Laundry or 'The Laundry' in the Commercial Centre
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- AllEats Antigua (local delivery app serving the Jolly Harbour area)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fungi and Pepperpot (available at local spots in Bolans village)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Basilico (Italian with good veg options) or Hidden Garden in St. Mary’s
- Best Dessert Spots
- Island Bakes (nearby Bolans) for local pastries and cakes
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Public Market in St. John's for fresh produce on Saturday mornings
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (requires freight forwarders like E-Zone or DHL)
- Grocery Delivery
- Epicurean Fine Foods (on-site) offers high-end international goods and delivery
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Crow's Nest (Marina side) or Castaways Beach Bar (beach side)
- Local Brewery
- Wadadli (local lager) found at almost every bar for approx. $6-8 XCD
- Wine Bars
- West Coast Liquor (Wine shop with tastings) or Sheer Rocks (Nearby luxury spot)
- Street Food Stalls
- Roadside BBQ stands in Bolans on Friday/Saturday nights
- Popular International Cuisine
- Al Porto (Italian/Pizza) - very popular $15-$25 USD per main
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Nelson’s Dockyard (UNESCO site, 30 min drive), Devil’s Bridge
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museum of Antigua and Barbuda (St. John's); Fig Tree Studio Art Gallery
- Historical Sites
- Fort Berkeley and Shirley Heights (Famous for Sunday sunset parties)
- Religious Sites
- St. John's Cathedral (Anglican) - iconic twin towers
- Annual Events
- Antigua Sailing Week (April) and Antigua Carnival (July/August)
- Cultural Districts
- Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay in St. John's
- Theater Venues
- Dean William Lake Cultural Centre (Occasional events)
- Local Markets
- The Heritage Quay Duty-Free Market
- Music Scene
- Live Soca and Steel Pan at Shirley Heights every Sunday
- Street Art
- Vibrant murals along Valley Road and in downtown St. John’s
- Cooking Classes
- Nicole’s Table (St. John's) - Caribbean home-style cooking classes
- Art Galleries
- Zemi Art Gallery (Redcliffe Quay) - local recycled and island art
- Historic Buildings
- Government House, St. John's
- Local Heritage
- The Warri board game culture (local strategic board game)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Fig Tree Drive tropical rainforest and boggy peak hiking
- National Parks Nearby
- Nelson's Dockyard National Park
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The perimeter of the Jolly Harbour Golf Course (popular for morning walks)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Shirley Heights Lookout ($10 USD entry for party nights)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Christian Valley Bird Trail (Home to the Antigua Parrot)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Pigeon Point Beach (occasional community fires, check regulations)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL Express Antigua (St. John's) or FedEx
- Tech Repair Services
- ACT (Antigua Computer Technology) in St. John's
- Table Tennis Spots
- Jolly Harbour Sports Center (on request)
- Language Classes
- Standard English is official; local Patois is spoken; few formal classes available
- Libraries & Study Spots
- National Library of Antigua and Barbuda (St. John's)
- Community Centers
- Jolly Harbour Homeowners Association (CDAL office)
- Gaming Lounges
- Limited; mostly focused on outdoor yachting lifestyle
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Grand Bay Casino (within Jolly Harbour Commercial Centre)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,500 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² Studio = $220,000 USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,800 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² Studio = $152,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,200 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $312,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,500 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $210,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,800 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $384,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,200 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $256,000 USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% standard rate
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% for residents; up to 25% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Residents are subject to tax on worldwide income, but PIT was abolished for individuals in 2016
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 0% (Personal Income Tax abolished)
- VAT
- 15% (Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax - ABST)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules currently in place
- Property Tax
- Yes, based on market value (approx. 0.2% - 0.5% for residential)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp duty: 7.5% for the seller, 2.5% for the buyer (non-citizens require ALR license)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- The 'Nomad Digital Residence' (NDR) program offers a 0% local income tax rate for 2 years