Antigua: By Car

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By Car

If you are staying on Dickenson Bay, in and around English Harbour, or at an all-inclusive resort, you may not want to rent a car. But if you plan to dine out, then one may be a necessity, since taxi rates can mount up quickly. To rent a car, you need a valid driver's license and a temporary permit ($20), available through the rental agent. Costs start about $50 per day in season, with unlimited mileage, though you may get a better rate if you rent for several days. Most agencies offer automatic, stick-shift, and right- and left-hand drive. Four-wheel-drive vehicles ($55 per day) will get you more places and are refreshingly open; they are also useful because so many roads are full of potholes.

Gasoline in Antigua tends to be more expensive than in the continental United States. The main roads, by and large, are in good condition, although there are bronco-busting dirt stretches leading to some more remote locations and a few hilly areas that flood easily and become impassable for a day or two. Driving is on the left, although many locals drive in the middle -- or think nothing of stopping at the roadside to chat. Don't be flustered by honking: it's the Caribbean version of hello.

Information

Avis (268/462-2840). Budget (268/462-3009). Dollar (268/462-0362). Hertz (268/481-4440). Thrifty (268/462-9532).