Telephones in Antigua and Barbuda

GSM tri-band mobile phones from the United States and United Kingdom usually work on Antigua; you can also rent one from LIME (formerly Cable & Wireless) and APUA (Antigua Public Utilities Authority), though service is occasionally spotty and tariffs can mount up. Basic rental costs range between EC$25 and EC$50 per day (you can buy a SIM card and top it up with regular phone cards), with a EC$300 refundable deposit; typical calls to the United States range between $1.25 and $2 per minute, but you'll certainly save on local calls.

Most hotels have direct-dial phones; other hotels can easily make connections through the switchboard. You can use the LIME Phone Card (available in $5, $10, and $20 denominations in most hotels and post offices) for local and long-distance calls. Phone-card phones work much better than the regular coin-operated phones.

To place a local call, simply dial the local seven-digit number. To call Antigua from the United States, dial 1 + 268 + the local seven-digit number.

To call the United States and Canada, dial 1 + the area code + the seven-digit number, or use the phone card or one of the CALL USA phones, which are available at several locations, including the airport departure lounge, the cruise terminal at St. John's, and the English Harbour Marina. These take credit cards and, supposedly, calling cards (though Cable & Wireless tacks on a fee).

Information

APUA (Cassada Gardens, St. John's. 268/480-7000 or 268/727-2782. www.apua.ag). LIME (Woods Centre, St. John's. 268/480-2628. www.time4lime.com).