Essentials
- City
- St. John's, Antigua, Saint John Parish, Antigua and Barbuda
- Population
- Approximately 22,000 in the city; 97,000 nationwide
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-70 Mbps; High-speed fiber available via Flow or Digicel
- Currency & Banking
- Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD). Fixed rate: 1 USD ≈ 2.70 XCD
- Tap Water
- Safe but often desalinated/chlorinated; locals and nomads prefer bottled or filtered water
- Power
- 230V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A and B (US style) are common, but some areas use Type G (UK style)
- SIM Card
- Flow or Digicel. Prepaid 10GB data plans cost ~100 XCD ($37 USD)
- Banking for Expats
- ECAB (Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank), Republic Bank; Wise and Revolut work for ATMs
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, VRBO, or local agents like Antigua Estates for monthly rentals
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly; credit cards accepted at resorts/supermarkets, cash needed for buses and local markets
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (avg. $120/night), Caribbean Place, or Belleview Heights
- Budget Accommodation
- Catamaran Hotel (Falmouth) or Global Backpackers St. John's (~$60/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Dickenson Bay for beaches and resorts; Jolly Harbour for amenities
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Hodges Bay or Jolly Harbour (secure gated communities with amenities and stable power)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Gardens Innovation Hub (St. Mary's St); Day pass approx. 55 XCD ($20 USD)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Island B-Hive (Heritage Quay) or NOMAD St. John’s (very laptop friendly)
- Networking Events
- Antigua & Barbuda Investment Authority (ABIA) workshops; Yachting season social events at Falmouth
- Social Events for Expats
- Antigua Nomad Digital Residence (NDR) community meetups; Hash House Harriers (hiking/social)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber; use local taxis or 'Taxis Antigua' app. Base fares start at $12 USD
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Paradise Boat Sales or local shops in Jolly Harbour; Rental approx. $25/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Fort James Beach (5-min drive) or Dickenson Bay
- Top Regional Airline
- LIAT (Leeward Islands Air Transport) or InterCaribbean Airways
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines, British Airways, Air Canada
- Highway Access
- Sir George Walter Hwy and Sir Sydney Walling Hwy connect the island
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- West Bus Station (for south/west coast) and East Bus Station (for north/east coast)
- Public Transport Passes
- No formal passes; minibus fares are cash-only, usually 2.50 - 5.00 XCD per trip
- Regional Travel
- Ferry to Barbuda (Barbuda Express, $110 USD round trip); Flights to Montserrat via FlyMontserrat
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Sir Lester Bird Mount St. John's Medical Centre (MSJMC), Michael's Mount, St. John's
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Salty Kisses Yoga (Dickenson Bay) or Sugar Ridge Wellness Centre
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Stay Fit Gym (Old Parham Rd); Weekly rates approx. 100 XCD ($37 USD)
- Laundry Services
- Laundromania (Fort Rd); Wash and dry service approx. 30 XCD per load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- AllEats or 1761 Delivery
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fungi and Pepperpot (salted meat and vegetable stew with cornmeal dumplings)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- One Stone Health Food (Viking Hill); Wadadli Animal Nature Park cafe
- Best Dessert Spots
- Fred's Belgian Waffles & Ice Cream (Heritage Quay)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- St. John's Public Market (Saturdays); Epicurean Fine Foods (lower prices at Jolly Harbour location)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- ShopAntigua.com or local Facebook Marketplace groups
- Grocery Delivery
- Epicurean Fine Foods Online
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- English Harbour (Mad Mongoose, Skullduggery) is the hub for nightlife
- Local Brewery
- 284 Brewing Co. (Wadadli Gold is the commercial local beer)
- Wine Bars
- Cloggy's (Falmouth Harbour) for a great wine and harbor view
- Street Food Stalls
- Independence Avenue vendors (Jerks, rotis); ~$7-10 USD per meal
- Popular International Cuisine
- Ana's on the Beach (Italian/Mediterranean); Al Porto (Pizza)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- St. John's Cathedral (distinctive twin silver towers); Government House
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museum of Antigua and Barbuda (Long Street); Zemi Art Gallery
- Historical Sites
- Nelson's Dockyard (UNESCO site, 30 mins from St. John's); Betty's Hope (Sugar plantation)
- Religious Sites
- St. John the Divine Anglican Cathedral
- Annual Events
- Antigua Sailing Week (April); Antigua Carnival (July/August)
- Cultural Districts
- Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay (historic shopping districts)
- Theater Venues
- Dean William Lake Cultural Centre
- Local Markets
- St. John's Public Market (South End of town) for fresh fruit and spices
- Music Scene
- Shirley Heights Sunday BBQ (world-famous steel pan and reggae session)
- Street Art
- Murals around the Redcliffe Quay waterfront
- Cooking Classes
- Nicole's Table (Cooking with local ingredients; ~$120 USD)
- Art Galleries
- Fig Tree Studio Art Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- The Court House (1747), now the national museum
- Local Heritage
- The Antiguan Pineapple (Black Pineapple) - the sweetest in the world
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Stingray City (Antigua); Fig Tree Drive (Rainforest)
- National Parks Nearby
- Nelson’s Dockyard National Park; Devil’s Bridge National Park
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Christian Valley Hiking Trail; Signal Hill path
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Shirley Heights (Panoramic view of English Harbour)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Frigate Bird Sanctuary (Barbuda; accessible by day trip ferry)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Darkwood Beach (with local permission/resorts)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL Antigua (Factory Rd); FedEx (Central St)
- Tech Repair Services
- Computer World (Old Parham Rd)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Antigua and Barbuda Table Tennis Association (ABTTA) training center
- Language Classes
- English is the official language; Patois is the local dialect
- Libraries & Study Spots
- National Public Library of Antigua and Barbuda (Hailes Promenade)
- Community Centers
- Multipurpose Cultural Centre (Perry Bay)
- Gaming Lounges
- None prominent; mostly mobile gaming or private groups
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- King's Casino (Heritage Quay)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $180,000 USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $128,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $252,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $180,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $320,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $224,000 USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard rate)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% for residents; may vary for non-residents under tax treaties
- Tax System
- Territorial/Residency based; Personal income tax was abolished for residents in 2016
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 0% (No personal income tax)
- VAT
- 15% ABST (Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No
- Property Tax
- Yes, based on market value (Residential rates are low, fixed at 0.20% to 0.50%)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp duty: 7.5% for sellers, 2.5% for buyers
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes, 'Nomad Digital Residence' (NDR) visa allows 2 years of residence with 0% local income tax