Things To Do In Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua holds a special place in my heart. My mom’s side is from here and I hadn’t been back since I was 7-years-old. It was really good seeing family and catching up with them. I’ve realized I need to make this trip a little more often and not wait another 27 years to go. As a planner, I purchased flights a year in advance when they were still cheap. I am lucky enough to have more than one option of staying with family or getting a hotel.
You can stay at resorts like The Autograph (Marriott) or Hodges Bay, but they’re a bit pricey. I stayed in town, Heritage Quay, to take care of some business for the first few days and then stayed with my aunt on the last leg of the trip. We stayed at Heritage Hotel which is located right in town and walking distance to local government buildings. I also saw where my mom grew up which was an eye-opener and met some of her childhood friends. I wanted to do some touristy things while I was there as well.
Tropical Adventures Antigua is located next door to Heritage Hotel if you’re looking for both land and sea tours. We chose one of the land tours that took us on a “safari” all over the island. The jeep took us to several national historic parks. This included Betty’s Hope Plantation, The Devil’s Bridge, Nelson’s Dickyard, The Blockhouse and several beaches as pit stops. Some beaches to keep in mind would be Dickenson Bay Beach, Fort James and Shirley Heights.
Traveling during COVID can be a bit tricky. At the time, you needed a negative test to get back into the states. You didn’t need one to travel to Antigua if you were vaccinated. A week after our trip, they lifted the guidelines and you don’t have to test to come back to the states anymore. I would still be cautious though since cases have been on the rise again.
Read more below on where I went during my stay!
Betty’s Hope Plantation
Betty's Hope was a sugarcane plantation in Antigua. It was established in 1650, shortly after the island had become an English colony, and flourished as a successful agricultural industrial enterprise during the centuries of slavery. Now, it is a museum and it was a part of our tour. We had lunch here as a pit stop.
Devil's Bridge National Park
It's said to be a place where enslaved Africans would go to commit suicide in a final effort to escape the horrors of slavery. This was part of our Tropical Antigua’s Tour as well.
The Blockhouse
The Blockhouse is a small fort that was used by British soldiers. today is a popular spot to watch the sunset, the moon rise, and our ever-popular weekly Rum in the Ruins event. This was part of our tour.
Heritage Quay Complex
Heritage Quay is located in the heart of the capital St John’s overlooking the harbour and where the cruise ships dock. This shopping area lies amid historic buildings and traditional architecture and offers some of the most impressive opportunities for acquiring duty fee items. A lot of the government buildings are located in this area if you need a new passport, birth certificate, or other documents.
Sheer Rocks Restaurant
Sheer Rock is located at Cocoa Bay Resort and is surrounded by vivid scenery, creating a backdrop for lounging in the sun, enjoying tapas lunches, and sunset dining in the evening. We went for lunch and you have to make reservations in advance. The day bed and pool is included in the day rate. Food can be bought separately or you can eat at their restaurant without making a reservation for the day bed. You’re allowed to walk over to the beach as well at the Cocoa Bay resort.
Beach LimerZ
BeachLimerZ is a local, family owned and operated bistro-bar located on Antigua’s Historic Fort James Beach, one of the Caribbean's most stunningly beautiful beaches.
Pictured: Grilled Salmon, white rice veggies
Salt Plage Beach Bar and Restaurant
Salt Plage Beach Bar and Restaurant is set right on edge of a white sandy beach just a few steps from the turquoise Caribbean Sea on Dickenson Bay. Siboney Beach Club is a hotel located there as well. If you’re staying at the hotel, then this is the perfect place to dine and swim at or you can dine by itself. In addition to Salt Plage, there are several other restaurants in close proximity to the hotel (Ana’s On the Beach) , so you have a wide variety of choices when it comes to dining. Pictured: Spinach and Goat Cheese Canneloni
Ana’s On The Beach
Ana’s On The Beach is also located at Dickenson’s Bay. You can’t miss the interior design in pink, turquoise, black and white decor as you walk up to the location. You can rent a cabana as well for the day and go swimming. We just went for dinner. It is best to make a reservation. Pictured: Carib Med -Sea; Drink: Ana on the Beach
Nelson's Dockyard
Nelson's Dockyard is a cultural heritage site and marina in English Harbour, located in Saint Paul Parish on the island of Antigua, in Antigua and Barbuda. It is part of Nelson's Dockyard National Park, which also contains Clarence House and Shirley Heights, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was part of our tour as well.
