Antigua, one of the eastern Caribbean’s Leeward Islands, is the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. It’s one of the Caribbean’s premier tourist destinations, as it’s almost always sunny and has constant trade winds complemented by low humidity.
Also known as Waladli or Wadali by the native population, Antigua is famous for its pink coral sand beaches that attract many travelers year-round. The 108-square-mile island has perfect weather – mid-seventies in the winter and mid-eighties in the summer. The warm, steady trade winds make for ideal beach weather any time of the year.
The history of the island is important and still remembered today. The Museum of Antigua and Barbuda has many exhibits to tell the story of the country from its beginning to the present day. It has many fascinating objects from the past, such as a life-size replica of an Arawak dwelling to the bat that belonged to one of the greatest cricket players of all time, Viv Richards. The museum can be found in St. John’s, Antigua’s largest city and the country’s capital.
Another piece of history that should not be missed is Betty’s Hope Estate, the island’s first and largest sugar plantation, established in 1650. It was owned by the Codrington family for almost 300 years. It’s free to visit and gives travelers an important glimpse into Antigua’s history. Today it’s being slowly restored, but is still worth a visit.
Other notable destinations include the botanical gardens near the Parliament building, which are perfect for a light afternoon stroll. The Antigua Distillery on Friars Hill Road is a fun stop. It’s where Cavalier rum is made, so visitors can buy a bottle to bring home as a souvenir. The Public Market in St. John’s harkens back to a simpler time. There are exotic fruits and vegetables as well as ready-to-eat food and drinks. Next to the Public Market is the Craft Market, where travelers can purchase handmade goods to bring home. The markets area bustling and offer a snapshot into Antiguan life.
For adventure-seekers, Antigua has lots of options, especially for water activities. Diving and snorkeling are rewarding are popular when visiting Antigua since there are hundreds of shipwrecks to explore as well as good shelf diving. Wind surfing and kayaking are popular, too.
Valid passport needed for entry
English
Eastern Caribbean dollar (American dollars are widely accepted)
Average year-round temperature is 81° F
Founded in 1543, Santiago de Guatemala (now known as La Antigua Guatemala, or simply Antigua) was the capital of Spain's Central American confederacy and the fourth most important city in the Americas (after Mexico City, Lima and Zacatecas) in the 1500s.
Antigua was devastated by an earthquake in 1773, which, combined with damage from earlier earthquakes, persuaded the government to relocate the capital to the site of present-day Guatemala City. That seeming misfortune turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Isolation and longtime neglect served Antigua well. More than two centuries of underdevelopment left the town with a treasure trove of dilapidated but historical structures, many of which have been rehabilitated into chic restaurants, shops and hotels.
Antigua can be seen on a day's excursion from Guatemala City, which is 28 mi/45 km to the east, but it deserves more time. Some visitors prefer to use this colonial gem as their base for touring the country (instead of the capital). It has a large English-speaking community, a wide range of accommodations, upscale and medium-priced restaurants, espresso bars, delicious baked goods, literally dozens of language schools, plenty of galleries, and for nightlife, jazz clubs and discos.
Antigua is also one of the best places to go in Guatemala if you want to learn to speak Spanish. About 75 schools in town offer intensive classes. But be sure to check ahead of time to know exactly what you'll get, as not all of these schools are on the up-and-up. Some courses include lodging with Guatemalan families.
Visitors also can study various arts and crafts (backstrap weaving, drawing, painting, ceramics, photography and so forth) at the Art Workshops in La Antigua Guatemala. It's not a fully Guatemalan experience, however, as a group of U.S. for-profit artists operates those workshops, not the Guatemalans themselves.
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