Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-island paradise in the Eastern Caribbean, famous for its 365 pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and rich colonial heritage. From the UNESCO-listed Nelson's Dockyard to pink sand beaches in Barbuda, this nation offers luxury resorts, water sports, and authentic Caribbean culture.
Local currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD/EC$) — US Dollars widely accepted.
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Antigua And Barbuda.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $25-40 (limited hostel options; guesthouses from $35)
- Budget
- $80-$140 (guesthouses, small hotels like Trade Winds or Pillars Hotel)
- Midrange
- $200-$450 (mid-range resorts like Cocobay, Galley Bay)
- Luxury
- $600-$5000+ (Carlisle Bay, Jumby Bay, Hermitage Bay)
Food
- Street
- $5-12 (roti $7-12, saltfish & fungi $8-10, fruit $2-5)
- Local
- $10-20 (Dennis Restaurant, Shorty's Place, local lunch spots)
- Midrange
- $25-50 (Papa Zouk, Big Banana, Chez Pascal)
- Fine
- $80-160+ (Sheer Rocks, East at Carlisle Bay, Le Cap Horn)
Transport
- Bus
- $1-2 (EC$2.50-$5 for minibus routes across island)
- Taxi
- $20-55 (St. John's to Dickenson Bay $20, to English Harbour $45-55)
- Airport
- $20-55 (St. John's $20-25, English Harbour $45-55)
- Daytrip
- $100-150 (Barbuda ferry return $100; car rental $40-70/day)
Activities
- Museum
- $5-8 (Museum of Antigua $5, Betty's Hope $5)
- Sites
- $8 (Nelson's Dockyard $8 adults)
- Tour
- $45-95 (Stingray City $60-100, canopy zip-line $85-95)
- Excursion
- $100-150 (Barbuda day trip, catamaran sailing tours)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Antigua And Barbuda costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$560-840/week (staying in guesthouses, eating local, limited activities)
Midrange traveller
$1400-2450/week (mid-range resort, mix of dining, several activities)
Luxury traveller
$3500-10500+/week (luxury all-inclusive resort, fine dining, premium experiences)
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Rent a car for 2-3 days rather than taking taxis everywhere — at $40-50/day, it's cheaper than multiple taxi rides and gives complete freedom to explore all 365 beaches
Eat at local food spots in St. John's (Dennis Restaurant, Jackee's Kwik Stop, Roti King) rather than hotel restaurants — you'll pay 60-80% less for arguably better, more authentic food
Visit beaches on the south and west coasts (Valley Church, Darkwood, Johnson's Point) where beach bars offer affordable local food compared to tourist-heavy Dickenson Bay
The Barbuda ferry ($100 return) is far more affordable than a charter flight — book the Barbuda Express well in advance as it sells out
Self-cater breakfasts and some lunches with groceries from Epicurean Supermarket — excellent tropical fruits and local produce are very affordable
Buy local Wadadli Beer ($2-4) rather than imported spirits or cocktails to cut your bar bill significantly
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Beach Hopping
Over 365 beaches surround Antigua and almost all are free to access. Dickenson Bay, Fort James Beach, Half Moon Bay, Valley Church Beach, and Darkwood Beach cost nothing to visit — just bring your own supplies for the more remote ones.
Fort James Exploration
The 17th-century Fort James on St. John's northwest coast is freely accessible with original cannons and fortification walls to explore. The adjacent Fort James Beach is also free and great for swimming.
Devil's Bridge & Indian Town National Park
The dramatic natural limestone arch at Devil's Bridge on Antigua's eastern tip is free to visit. The surrounding Indian Town National Park coastal walk through limestone formations and blowholes costs nothing.
St. John's Cathedral Visit
The impressive twin-towered Baroque cathedral in St. John's is free to enter (donations welcome). One of the most striking colonial buildings in the Caribbean and an architectural landmark worth visiting.
Fig Tree Drive Scenic Drive
This scenic 20km route through Antigua's lush rainforest interior is free to drive, passing banana plantations, tropical villages, and roadside fruit stands where black pineapple and coconuts are sold for a few dollars.
Shirley Heights Sunset View (Weekday)
The famous Shirley Heights Lookout charges $8 for entry on most days, but the view from the road just below the official lookout is also spectacular and free. Sunset watching here is one of the Caribbean's best free experiences.
Harmony Hall Art Gallery
The restored plantation greathouse at Brown's Bay houses a free-entry art gallery showcasing Caribbean artists. The beautiful gardens overlook Nonsuch Bay and are free to stroll. The restaurant makes an optional paid lunch stop.
St. John's Public Market Exploration
Browse the colorful Public Market on Market Street any morning (Monday-Saturday) for free — it's a vibrant window into daily Antiguan life with tropical produce, spices, and local characters, even if you don't buy anything.
Jolly Harbour Marina Waterfront Walk
Walk the Jolly Harbour marina waterfront at no cost, admiring the yachts and boats from around the world. The marina village has several free-to-browse shops and the waterfront itself is pleasant for a morning stroll.
Fort Barrington Hike
The 20-minute hike up to Fort Barrington ruins on Goat Hill near Deep Bay is completely free, offering spectacular views of Deep Bay (where a shipwreck is visible below) and St. John's Harbour. The adjacent Deep Bay beach is also free.