Not much info here on Antigua/Barbuda. Any experience with either of these islands?
May 31st, 2007, 05:46 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not much info here on Antigua/Barbuda. Any experience with either of these islands?
In my quest to find the "perfect island" for our next Caribbean adventure, I would like to find out more about these two islands. We are looking for a lush, hilly landscape with white sand beaches and villas with a/c and a pool for about $300/night in off season. Our ideal is something that looks like Kauai and feels like St. Barts. Good food, some shopping, polite people. Would Antigua fulfil these needs? We appreciate any advice offered.
Thanks, Maggi
Thanks, Maggi
Jun 1st, 2007, 07:40 AM
#2
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Barbuda is flat, scrubby and arid with little natural vegetation. It has only one small village (Codrington), a population of only a few hundred people, two resorts and a couple of guest houses. The main draw of this island is it's bird sanctuary and miles of empty beaches. It does not meet your requirements of an island that "Looks like Kauai and feels like St. Barths.
Antigua is hilly but a bit on the arid side so it is not anywhere near as lush as Kauai. It boasts 365 beaches, although some are quite small and not readily accessible. There are however pleanty of very nice, but not necessarilly spectacular, beaches to visit during a normal vacation. The island has a number of restaurants but they are not of the caliber you found on St. Barths. There is some shopping in the capital city of St. John's but again it pales in comparison to what you found on St. Barths.
The reason Antigua doesn't get much play on this forum is most of us who have travelled extensively throughout the Caribbean give it only a "B" rating. It falls in the category of just a slightly above average island - it lacks the natural beauty of lush islands like Nevis, St. Lucia or Dominica, it's beaches don't match those found in places like Anguilla, Grand Cayman, the T&C's or the BVI's, and it doesn't have great restaurants like you can find on St. Barths, Anguilla or St. Martin.
Quite honestly, it's going to be difficult to find an island with the sophisticated feel of St. Barths that is both lush and has white sand beaches. The lusher islands are mostly volcanic in nature and therefore many have smaller cove like beaches and almost all will have darker sand beaches. If you can fore go the "white sand" requirement check out islands like Dominica, Nevis, St. Kitts or St. Lucia (these are among the lushest in the Caribbean). If you want hilly, some greenery and lighter sand beaches check out St. John (USVI's), or Virgin Gorda and Tortola(BVI's).
Finally, as far as finding a villa for $300/night that will depend on how big a villa you need, what time of year you go, and the location of the villa in relation to the beach. Generally speaking, the larger or more upscale the villa is and the closer it is to the water the higher the price. Rental prices are also higher during peak season (winter months) and around major holidays. Lowest prices are found during summer months and during "off-season (September, October and early November). Check websites like www.wimco.com or do a google searh wih topics such as "Caribbean Villa Rentals" or "Villa rentals NAME OF ISLAND" and you find links to almost every rental villa in the Caribbean. There will be complete descriptions, photos, rates, etc.
Antigua is hilly but a bit on the arid side so it is not anywhere near as lush as Kauai. It boasts 365 beaches, although some are quite small and not readily accessible. There are however pleanty of very nice, but not necessarilly spectacular, beaches to visit during a normal vacation. The island has a number of restaurants but they are not of the caliber you found on St. Barths. There is some shopping in the capital city of St. John's but again it pales in comparison to what you found on St. Barths.
The reason Antigua doesn't get much play on this forum is most of us who have travelled extensively throughout the Caribbean give it only a "B" rating. It falls in the category of just a slightly above average island - it lacks the natural beauty of lush islands like Nevis, St. Lucia or Dominica, it's beaches don't match those found in places like Anguilla, Grand Cayman, the T&C's or the BVI's, and it doesn't have great restaurants like you can find on St. Barths, Anguilla or St. Martin.
Quite honestly, it's going to be difficult to find an island with the sophisticated feel of St. Barths that is both lush and has white sand beaches. The lusher islands are mostly volcanic in nature and therefore many have smaller cove like beaches and almost all will have darker sand beaches. If you can fore go the "white sand" requirement check out islands like Dominica, Nevis, St. Kitts or St. Lucia (these are among the lushest in the Caribbean). If you want hilly, some greenery and lighter sand beaches check out St. John (USVI's), or Virgin Gorda and Tortola(BVI's).
Finally, as far as finding a villa for $300/night that will depend on how big a villa you need, what time of year you go, and the location of the villa in relation to the beach. Generally speaking, the larger or more upscale the villa is and the closer it is to the water the higher the price. Rental prices are also higher during peak season (winter months) and around major holidays. Lowest prices are found during summer months and during "off-season (September, October and early November). Check websites like www.wimco.com or do a google searh wih topics such as "Caribbean Villa Rentals" or "Villa rentals NAME OF ISLAND" and you find links to almost every rental villa in the Caribbean. There will be complete descriptions, photos, rates, etc.
I would rather fly...say 3-4 hours than 10-12 hours to get to paradise!
Jun 1st, 2007, 09:39 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We like both Kauai and Antigua. Kauai is nicknamed the "Garden Island" because of all the rain it gets and it is the greenest place we've ever been. Antigua is more semi arid and hilly. It's beaches are white and have the talcum powder feel. There are some restaurants that I would highly recommend i.e The Bay House which serves continental cuisine. As far as shopping goes, there are street vendors who sell everything under the sun from tee shirts, wood carvings, and shells to shell jewelry and so on. The boutiques, shops and stores in the Quays sell mostly items of interest to tourists such as beachwear, jewelry, cigars, soaps, tee shirts, collectibles, wood carvings and other local handicrafts, pottery, etc. You will find more traditional shopping downtown St. John for drug stores, book stores and such. We've traveled to about a dozen of the Caribbean islands, and although there are some I like better, Antigua comes high on our list.
Jun 1st, 2007, 04:43 PM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A_Traveler, thanks for your very detailed and knowledgeable post. what I am looking for is natural beauty as well as good food and villas. Restaurants and shopping are secondary. All the places we have been so far have fulfilled those desires: Hawaii, St.John, St.Barts, Virgin Gorda (which was described as arid, but was lush when we were there.) We always go just at the beginning of the "off" season to take advantage of the lower villa rates and it's usually just the two of us, so we get the one bedroom rate. It makes a villa stay as affordable or more than at a nice hotel. Nevis, St.Lucia and Dominica, while the photos look beautiful, scare me a bit for a villa rental because I perceive them to be a little less "safe" than other places we have been. Perhaps I'm wrong? On the other hand, Grand Cayman and T&C's seem too touristy and crowded to me.
Don't know much yet about Anguilla. Grenada and Guadaloupe look appealing. Do you feel like sharing what your #1 choices are in the Caribbean?
Christie, you and I are on the same page, as always...
Knowing, is there much of a problem with on Antigua with vendors approaching you on the beach, in the water, etc? Would you care to share the other islands you like better and why?
Don't know much yet about Anguilla. Grenada and Guadaloupe look appealing. Do you feel like sharing what your #1 choices are in the Caribbean?
Christie, you and I are on the same page, as always...
Knowing, is there much of a problem with on Antigua with vendors approaching you on the beach, in the water, etc? Would you care to share the other islands you like better and why?
Jun 2nd, 2007, 06:04 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,727
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Maggi, I've rented villas on both Nevis and St. Lucia. Nevis is absolutely one of the safest islands I've ever been to. No worries there.
St. Lucia is also safe, but the locals in Soufriere can be pesty. However, the usual firm "no thanks" works every time. Also, against the advice of our printed info from the villa rep, we picked up a hitchhiker (as we cannot resist when we see someone walking up a long long hill), and he turned out to be a real turkey. We thought we were giving him a ride into town, but he thought he was giving us an expen$ive tour. We finally pulled into Ladera resort and told him to get out. No physical danger, just a turnoff.
In case you do consider Nevis, check out the Hurricane Cove Bungalows. They are high on a hill, the ones within your budget don't have a pool, but it is a small development, and there is a pool to share. Also, there are many nice villas on Nevis (the one we rented was Yellow Bird, adorable but no A/c).
Check out this thread on Guadeloupe too:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=5
St. Lucia is also safe, but the locals in Soufriere can be pesty. However, the usual firm "no thanks" works every time. Also, against the advice of our printed info from the villa rep, we picked up a hitchhiker (as we cannot resist when we see someone walking up a long long hill), and he turned out to be a real turkey. We thought we were giving him a ride into town, but he thought he was giving us an expen$ive tour. We finally pulled into Ladera resort and told him to get out. No physical danger, just a turnoff.
In case you do consider Nevis, check out the Hurricane Cove Bungalows. They are high on a hill, the ones within your budget don't have a pool, but it is a small development, and there is a pool to share. Also, there are many nice villas on Nevis (the one we rented was Yellow Bird, adorable but no A/c).
Check out this thread on Guadeloupe too:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=5
Jun 2nd, 2007, 07:49 AM
#7
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Maggi - my two favorite islands are Virgin Gorda and Nevis. By the way, Virgin Gorda is somewhat arid as islands go but if you happen to visit after periods of prolongued rains it will look fairly lush.
I wholehartedly agree with Joan about Nevis being a very safe island. That said no matter where one goes you have to be aware of your surroundings. Just because there are palm tress and sunshines doesn't mean you should throw caution to the wind. You are going to find various levels of crime anywhere in the Caribbean but I've been traveling to the area for over 20 years and never felt unsafe.
I didn't particularly like St. Lucia so I'll leave the commonts on that island to others.
Anguilla is a very interesting destination for those seeking great white sand beaches (there are 35 on the island) and great restaurants (over 80 to choose from) but other than sitting on the beach and eating there's not much else to do since the island is flat, scrubby and has no natural beauty but, oh those beaches and bright torquoise waters are spectacular to look at!!!!
FYI - we found "beach vendors" very prevallent all over Antigua. We encountered more there than on any other island we've visited.
I wholehartedly agree with Joan about Nevis being a very safe island. That said no matter where one goes you have to be aware of your surroundings. Just because there are palm tress and sunshines doesn't mean you should throw caution to the wind. You are going to find various levels of crime anywhere in the Caribbean but I've been traveling to the area for over 20 years and never felt unsafe.
I didn't particularly like St. Lucia so I'll leave the commonts on that island to others.
Anguilla is a very interesting destination for those seeking great white sand beaches (there are 35 on the island) and great restaurants (over 80 to choose from) but other than sitting on the beach and eating there's not much else to do since the island is flat, scrubby and has no natural beauty but, oh those beaches and bright torquoise waters are spectacular to look at!!!!
FYI - we found "beach vendors" very prevallent all over Antigua. We encountered more there than on any other island we've visited.
Jun 2nd, 2007, 07:56 AM
#8
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One more thing - if you are interested in Nevis visit this website: www.nevis1.com It will tell you everything you could possibly need to know about the island. FYI - there's a section which provides detailed descriptions and links to just about every rental villa on the island. Just so you know, Nevis has darker sand beaches (there are however, very picturesque) and there are only a handfull (probably less than 6) true beachfront villas for rent on the island.
Jun 2nd, 2007, 06:59 PM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Maggi,
We encountered a couple of vendors (a total of 2)on Antigua who approached us via the water selling handcrafted jewelry and shells. It was very minor. We politely said no thanks and they told us to have a nice day and left us alone.
Islands I liked better and why:
Nevis is my favorite. It was so relaxing and the locals are the most genuine people we've ever met.
Our second favorite is Barbados. Loved the beaches, there is so much to see/do and the food - oh my, it was like having your own private caterer. Lots of nightly entertainment.
Our third favorite is Curacao. Somewhat of a secluded feel to it, very relaxing but it was also a great place for us to be active. Colorful architecture. Cosmopolitan place, with lots of cultural attractions, shopping and places to eat. It really satisfied us when we were looking for an alternative type of vacation.
Antigua comes in fourth place for us. Does that make it sound bad? Don't let it. We prefer it over many other places, including the USVI and GC. Not that they were bad, we just liked Antigua better.
Our least favorite island has been St. Lucia.
We encountered a couple of vendors (a total of 2)on Antigua who approached us via the water selling handcrafted jewelry and shells. It was very minor. We politely said no thanks and they told us to have a nice day and left us alone.
Islands I liked better and why:
Nevis is my favorite. It was so relaxing and the locals are the most genuine people we've ever met.
Our second favorite is Barbados. Loved the beaches, there is so much to see/do and the food - oh my, it was like having your own private caterer. Lots of nightly entertainment.
Our third favorite is Curacao. Somewhat of a secluded feel to it, very relaxing but it was also a great place for us to be active. Colorful architecture. Cosmopolitan place, with lots of cultural attractions, shopping and places to eat. It really satisfied us when we were looking for an alternative type of vacation.
Antigua comes in fourth place for us. Does that make it sound bad? Don't let it. We prefer it over many other places, including the USVI and GC. Not that they were bad, we just liked Antigua better.
Our least favorite island has been St. Lucia.
Jun 2nd, 2007, 08:25 PM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
All three of you had good things to say about Nevis...hmmm. Two of you mentioned St. Lucia was your "least favorite". I wonder why? It looks extremely beautiful especially with the Pitons as a backdrop. Joan, I think you had a nice vacation on St. Lucia, if I recall (except for the scary hitchhiker story, of course. You guys are so nice!) I love the Hurricane Cove site - its a keeper. But the Guadaloupe link you provided didn't work for me.
Knowing, I will look into Barbados and Curacao. Thanks!
Knowing, I will look into Barbados and Curacao. Thanks!
Jun 4th, 2007, 12:58 AM
#12
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Im my experience (and I haven't been to the US or British VI), lush and hilly doesn't always go with white sand beaches. St Lucia is definitely lush and hilly. But the beaches in St Lucia are not white, more beige or grey but still beautiful, swimmable and a few degrees warmer than the waters of Hawaii.
Since Guadeloupe has been mentioned, it is indeed green, mountainous with golden and black sand beaches on the Basse-Terre side and flat, arid with white sand beaches on the Grand Terre side which is where most of the tourists are.
http://tinyurl.com/22kzld
Since Guadeloupe has been mentioned, it is indeed green, mountainous with golden and black sand beaches on the Basse-Terre side and flat, arid with white sand beaches on the Grand Terre side which is where most of the tourists are.
http://tinyurl.com/22kzld
Jun 4th, 2007, 08:16 AM
#13
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,870
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Maggi, I'll add in my own two cents' worth here. I love Antigua because while it may not excel in any one given category, it is very strong across several. Somebody here called it a "B" island, which I mostly agree with, as "B" is still above average in terms of the US grading system.
I have no help in terms of villa recs because we always stay at the Long Bay Hotel on the east coast. I have no doubt there will be plenty of villas in your price range for the time of year you're considering going.
Maybe it's because I was married there and have visited quite a few times, but I always felt that the Antiguans I met were warm and welcoming. Long Bay is on the less-traveled side of the island (may not be for long, as large new resort was just slated to open down the road from it) and so a little less touristy than, say, the Dickenson Bay area. I thought the beaches were beautiful and that the water had those wonderful multihued blue tones. The shopping there was clustered around the cruise ship port in St. John's and I didn't pay much attention to it. The only non-trinket shopping I've done was purchasing a small watercolor at Harmony Hall--a must-do place if you're traveling November-April.
I don't think I've ever been approached by a beach vendor on Antigua, but I think that's unusual. At Long Bay the vendors have a little market set up between the two beach hotels so that tourists approaach them, not the other way around. And the other beaches we visited were fairly remote and without vendors the days we visited (Darkwood, Hawksbill's 4 beaches, Half Moon, etc).
I agree with others that Nevis is a fantastic place to visit and I would return there in a heartbeat. It's small, intimate, and full of lush beauty. Friendly locals and expats and easy to get around.
However, I also loved st. Lucia, but let me add there that it was my first trip to the Caribbean and we were largely resort-bound. My travel style has changed considerably since then. still, I've never seen a place so breathtakingly beautiful as the Jalousie Plantation, smack-dab between the Pitons. I would also return there (for the right price) and just make sure I got out to see more of what St. Lucia has to offer. On that trip I only made one day trip and left the resort three times for dinner, so I didn't really see much.
I have no help in terms of villa recs because we always stay at the Long Bay Hotel on the east coast. I have no doubt there will be plenty of villas in your price range for the time of year you're considering going.
Maybe it's because I was married there and have visited quite a few times, but I always felt that the Antiguans I met were warm and welcoming. Long Bay is on the less-traveled side of the island (may not be for long, as large new resort was just slated to open down the road from it) and so a little less touristy than, say, the Dickenson Bay area. I thought the beaches were beautiful and that the water had those wonderful multihued blue tones. The shopping there was clustered around the cruise ship port in St. John's and I didn't pay much attention to it. The only non-trinket shopping I've done was purchasing a small watercolor at Harmony Hall--a must-do place if you're traveling November-April.
I don't think I've ever been approached by a beach vendor on Antigua, but I think that's unusual. At Long Bay the vendors have a little market set up between the two beach hotels so that tourists approaach them, not the other way around. And the other beaches we visited were fairly remote and without vendors the days we visited (Darkwood, Hawksbill's 4 beaches, Half Moon, etc).
I agree with others that Nevis is a fantastic place to visit and I would return there in a heartbeat. It's small, intimate, and full of lush beauty. Friendly locals and expats and easy to get around.
However, I also loved st. Lucia, but let me add there that it was my first trip to the Caribbean and we were largely resort-bound. My travel style has changed considerably since then. still, I've never seen a place so breathtakingly beautiful as the Jalousie Plantation, smack-dab between the Pitons. I would also return there (for the right price) and just make sure I got out to see more of what St. Lucia has to offer. On that trip I only made one day trip and left the resort three times for dinner, so I didn't really see much.
Jun 4th, 2007, 09:11 AM
#14
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 746
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hi maggi
my husband and i fell in love with this island having visited twice on our own, returning with our three young adult kids in august. it is truly beautiful, lush and green, hilly with farms, mangroves, ponds and gorgeous beaches. we did find the "white sand" beaches on our excursion with antigua adventures, taking the power boat around the entire island. we stopped along the way to have lunch, explore, snorkle and swim with the singrays....and i believe it is worth it to rent a boat with a captain and get to these wonderful spots for the day. we plan on bringing a packed lunch and exploring when we bring our kids. day trips to barbuda can be arranged and we plan on doing that as well.
im sorry i cannot help you with the villa but the "island" experience that we take home with us after vacationing in antigua is that of calm, bliss, fulfilled spiritually as well as physically, content with images of beauty and serenity.....ALL of that coupled with hospitable, caring, fun-loving people and you have the grand package !!!
the beaches for the most part are honey-colored with steel blue waters...and to our delight, spotted with gorgeous palms that sway and sing above you giving much needed shade with a smathering of sun !!
can you tell i love it here?
check out trip advisor, there is plenty of information there about these two wonderful islands.
have a great time!
albee
my husband and i fell in love with this island having visited twice on our own, returning with our three young adult kids in august. it is truly beautiful, lush and green, hilly with farms, mangroves, ponds and gorgeous beaches. we did find the "white sand" beaches on our excursion with antigua adventures, taking the power boat around the entire island. we stopped along the way to have lunch, explore, snorkle and swim with the singrays....and i believe it is worth it to rent a boat with a captain and get to these wonderful spots for the day. we plan on bringing a packed lunch and exploring when we bring our kids. day trips to barbuda can be arranged and we plan on doing that as well.
im sorry i cannot help you with the villa but the "island" experience that we take home with us after vacationing in antigua is that of calm, bliss, fulfilled spiritually as well as physically, content with images of beauty and serenity.....ALL of that coupled with hospitable, caring, fun-loving people and you have the grand package !!!
the beaches for the most part are honey-colored with steel blue waters...and to our delight, spotted with gorgeous palms that sway and sing above you giving much needed shade with a smathering of sun !!
can you tell i love it here?
check out trip advisor, there is plenty of information there about these two wonderful islands.
have a great time!
albee
