Antigua is a year-round destination, but there are sweet spots.
The absolute best time to visit (in this Antigua travel guide, anyway) is December through April when the weather is dry, sunny, and breezy. It’s also peak season, so expect higher prices.
If you want sunshine without the crowds, May through early July offers perfect beach days, quieter resorts, and budget-friendlier rates. Hurricane season technically runs June through November, but Antigua is outside the main storm path and tends to be less impacted than some Caribbean neighbors.
Antigua might be famous for its beaches, but this Antigua travel guide is all about exploring beyond the towel:
Come for the panoramic views, stay for the steel drums, sunset, and the absolute most Caribbean vibe you’ve ever experienced.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site that mixes history, yachts, cafés, and perfect photo spots. Wander, snack, repeat.
A classic Antigua beach: soft sand, postcard colors, and plenty of spots to relax and swim.
Bright, bold, and perfect for Instagram. Plus, the beach here is calm and absolutely gorgeous.
A natural limestone formation where the sea crashes dramatically through blowholes. It’s wild, windy, and worth the stop.
Learn about Antigua’s history at the ruins of its oldest sugar plantation.
A tiny desert island that feels like a secret — great for half-day snorkeling and swimming.
Your Antigua travel guide wouldn’t be complete without how to get here.
You’ll fly into VC Bird International Airport (ANU), the island’s main hub for international flights. Direct routes are available from major U.S. cities, Canada, and the UK. The airport is small and easy to navigate, and the drive from ANU to most resorts ranges from 20–35 minutes.
If you’re arriving by cruise ship, you’ll dock in St. John’s, right in the lively shopping and restaurant area.
Most travelers arriving in Antigua will need:
A valid passport (with at least six months before expiration recommended)
A return or onward ticket
No visa is required for U.S., Canadian, and many European travelers for stays up to 180 days
Always double-check requirements with official government sources before your trip, but overall, entry is smooth and straightforward — another win for this Antigua travel guide.
Antigua is an easy island to navigate once you know your options:
Taxis: Widely available and great for resort-to-beach or airport transfers.
Rental Cars: Perfect if you want full flexibility, especially if you’re exploring multiple beaches. Just remember — they drive on the left.
Tours & Private Drivers: A fantastic stress-free way to see the island.
Boat Excursions: Technically transportation… but also your chance to see Antigua from the water, which you should absolutely do.
Your Antigua travel guide rule of thumb: If you want freedom, rent a car. If you want ease, book a driver.
A few things that make traveling Antigua even better:
Bring reef-safe sunscreen. The water is unbelievably clear — let’s keep it that way.
Expect strong sun. This is not the place to underestimate UV.
Carry cash for small vendors. USD is widely accepted.
Don’t skip exploring. The beaches are amazing, but the island has SO much else to see.
Time your Shirley Heights visit for sunset. Trust me.
Plan beach days around the wind. Some coastlines get breezier than others.
Use this Antigua travel guide as your base, then customize your trip whether you’re here for beaches, food, or adventure.
“Outside Terminal 3” is not a pickup location at PHX.
Before your driver pulls in, text them four things: your terminal, north or south side, door number, and inner or outer curb. Grab your bags first, then call them in. Drivers can wait free in the cell phone lot instead of circling. Getting through security is easy; getting picked up is the hard part.
Save this for your Phoenix trip ✈️
Come for the architecture, stay for the view.
The Chapel of the Holy Cross has been built into Sedona’s red rocks since 1956. The outside overlooks get busy, but inside is quiet, with huge windows framing the rocks. It’s free, takes 30-45 minutes, and has a paved, wheelchair-accessible ramp. Make sure to bring water in summer.
Save this for your trip planning!
Order it well done. Trust me.🍑🍕
Peach & Pancetta Pizza at Hideaway House in Sedona: roasted peaches, salty pancetta, ricotta, basil, extra-crispy crust. Split the house salad, grab a prickly pear lemonade, and get a patio table facing the red rocks. Skip the bread if you want room for another slice.
Save this for your Sedona trip✈️
Pack your bags, Denver is not just a mountain layover. RiNo alone can eat a full day between the murals, food, and bars. Skip the concert and hit Red Rocks midday instead, you’ll basically have it to yourself. Golden’s a 30-minute trip if you want a change of pace, and if food drives your travel like it does mine, Denver Central Market and BRUTØ deserve real time on the calendar. Give it three days minimum, four if you’re eating your way through it. Save this.
Stayed at The Maven in Denver’s Dairy Block and the location alone sold me, walking distance to Union Station and most of downtown, string lights right outside at night. The room was spacious and quiet, even had a swing in it. Real talk though, there’s a $28 daily resort fee and parking isn’t cheap, valet ran us $59 a day. Bed was a little firm, but that’s the only complaint I’ve got. Save this before you book.
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
