<BR>My husband and I are thinking about Antigua in February,but travel agent can't answer the following questions. <BR>For anyone who's been there recently (last year or so)can you tell me: 1) if we don't stay "all-inclusive" are local restaurants easy to get to? Which ones are good? How much can we expect to pay per day for food? <BR>Rough estimate, of course! 2) Is renting a car recommended? Safe? 3) Is public transportation available? And,(my husband asks)how much is the beer? Are local <BR>brews any good/available? I know this is a lot to ask, but any information will be gratefully received! Thanks....

I'm not a "know-it-all" but I hope I can answer some of your questions. We were on Antigua in 1998 at Dickinson Bay, and we did not stay at an all-inclusive. (We were in a timeshare condo.) Do get the Fodors Caribbean Guide, as we found it quite helpful!<BR><BR>We never had a problem finding a restuarant to eat at. Several of them even hads free vans that would provide round-trip transportation, and the others were within walking distance. Our favorites: Millers by the Sea and Home. We also stocked up on basics and snacks at the Epicurean grocery store.<BR><BR>We didn't rent a car because the driving on the left, the amount of loose livestock ont he roads, and the lack of street signs left us confused! We took taxis when needed, although we probably paid as much as we wold have if we had rented a car, and that was OK by us! There is no public transportation on Antigua that we saw.<BR><BR>The local beer is Wadadli, and it is OK. We preferred the Carib beer. You can get all alcoholic beverages cheaply at the Epicurean.

Libby:<BR><BR>I found that Antigua was one place that was really spread it and you needed a car or a taxi to go to different places. That's why there are so many All-inclusives and hotels with meal plans. So don't plan on walking from your hotel to many local restaurants. That being said, there are some very good restaurants in Antigua. I stayed at Hawksbill and had the meal plan there, but we still went out one night to Coco's for a special dinner.

Me again....<BR><BR>IF you stay on Dickinson Bay, there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance or a very short cab ride away. The rest of the island is a lot more isolated, as Maurenn experienced with Hawksbill.<BR><BR>Food is expensive. It is easy to drop $100 for a dinner for two with a couple of drinks. This is because most of the food must be flown in or brought on ships.

If you tell me which part of the island you are planning on staying I will advise you on where to eat. Transportation - rent a car - don't even consider public transportation. Beer - plenty choices including imported.