Driving in Antigua & Barbuda: Everything You Need To Know
Planning to get out of your resort and take a road trip in Antigua and Barbuda? Read on for everything you know about renting a vehicle and driving on the island!
On our recent visit to Antigua, we hired a car for two days to go beyond our resort and get under the skin of the island a little more. Our resort stay was wonderful, but we’ve never been the kind of people to spend too long by the pool when there are colourful villages and sweeping coves begging to be explored.
Deciding to skimp on the Jeep at almost double the price, we ended up going for the cheapest option, a Honda hatchback. Maybe not the most practical choice – the sat nav only spoke to us in Japanese, and we had a few sharp intakes of breath due to some pesky potholes.
Nevertheless, it was great to get out and about and get to know Antigua in a bit more depth. If you’re thinking of doing the same, check out everything you need to know about hiring a car and driving in Antigua…
Renting a car in Antigua
The first thing you’ll realise about driving in Antigua as a tourist is that car rental in Antigua isn’t cheap.
We paid US$45 per day for a two-day rental of the cheapest car we could get at our resort. SUVs are your mid-range option, and for a Jeep, you’re looking at around US$80 per day.
If you’re renting for more than one day, there’s often a slight discount for the day rate.
With a very limited public transport system and expensive taxis, renting a car can still easily work out as the most efficient way to explore the island – and the most fun! Organised tours are a great way to see the island if you’re not a driver, but renting a car gives you the flexibility to check out sights including Nelson’s Dockyard and Shirley Heights at your own pace.
Where to rent your vehicle
Most resorts will have a car rental service guests can take advantage of. If you’re looking to rent a car in Antigua in the middle of your resort stay, this is usually your best option.
Yes, it might cost more this way than if you did it independently and hired a car at the airport. However, the cost of taxis between airport and resort could cost you more than a day’s car hire each way. It also means the car is ready for you to pick up from your hotel, and you can simply park it in the resort car park when you’re done.
However, if you’re planning on hiring a car for the entirety of your trip, comparing car rental prices for airport pickup and booking in advance is likely to be your cheapest option.
(P.S if you’re looking to rent a vehicle in Barbuda, the best way to do this is via your accommodation, or to contact the local car rental company in plenty of advance. Car rentals are very limited here!)
Choosing your vehicle
When you’re deciding on what type of rental car you need, there are a few factors to bear in mind. Although small hatchback cars are usually the cheapest option, you’ll also need to consider the condition of the roads where you’re driving.
One thing to avoid is any vehicle that’s low to the ground. Speed bumps and uneven roads could result in scrapes and knocks to the chassis or front bumper. Most rental companies are aware of this, and quite lenient to the odd scrape. However, if you want to be on the safe side, look for a car that has a further distance between the bodywork and the ground.
We ended up with a Honda Fit for our Antigua road trip. It did the job, but in hindsight, we’d have probably picked something with a bigger gap between the chassis and the ground.
As long as you’re sticking to the main highways between popular areas, you’ll be travelling on tarmac-ed roads (although you still need to watch out for potholes!). if you end up on lesser-travelled roads, some of these will be dirt tracks. Even the entrance roads to Antigua Donkey Sanctuary and Betty’s Hope were a bit dicey in our rental car. We managed to get by with minimal damage to the vehicle by going VERY slowly, but if you’re of an anxious disposition, it could be worth paying the extra for an SUV or 4×4.
By contrast, we found it easier to manoeuvre our smaller car on some of the island’s narrower roads. This was especially true for the chaotic streets and tight turns of St. Johns.
Generally, a confident driver will be fine with any car that’s not too low to the ground; but it’s worth doing some research into the roads you plan to drive before choosing your rental car in Antigua.
Antigua Temporary Driving Permit
The minimum age to drive in Antigua is 18, and you need to be 25 with a full driving license from your home country to rent a car.
You’ll also need to purchase a Temporary Driving Permit, which costs US$20 and is valid for three months. The rental company will sort this out for you as part of the hire process. You should carry this permit and your own driving license whenever you’re using the vehicle.
Insurance
A minimum of third-party insurance is mandatory for all drivers in Antigua, and your rental company should provide a standard insurance cover as part of the rental. Knowing the poor conditions of Antigua’s roads, we also chose to pay the additional $10 per day damage waiver, just in case.
Driving in Antigua: Rules of the road
Generally, the rules for driving in Antigua are straightforward, and very similar to driving in our home country of the UK. Except with more palm trees. And potholes. And goats…
Antigua drives on the left
In Antigua and Barbuda, you drive on the left side of the road. Great for us Brits, although if you’re from somewhere that drives on the right, it might take a bit more concentration until you’re used to it!
As with the UK, roundabouts go clockwise – so you’re giving way to any traffic coming from the right. Major intersections have turning lanes.
Speed limits
Antigua’s speed limits are low, due to the quality of the roads and potential hazards from wildlife and pedestrians. You’ll encounter plenty of speed bumps as you drive around the island.
In towns and built up areas, the speed limit is 20mph (32kmph); outside of this, the national speed limit in Antigua is 40mph (64kmph).
Alcohol and driving
The legal blood alcohol limit in Antigua is 80mg. To be safe, I wouldn’t recommend drinking at all if you’re driving (anywhere, ever).
Mobile phone usage
Usage of mobile phones at the wheel is illegal in Antigua.
Seatbelts
Seatbelts must be worn by everyone in a moving vehicle in Antigua. There are no specific laws for children in cars, however your rental company will be able to assist with providing suitable car seats for children if needed.
Penalties and fines
Hopefully you won’t have to worry about this section! Antigua’s police are relatively relaxed when it comes to minor traffic violations. If you’re polite and respectful, you may be able to get away with just a warning. If you do receive a fine, you’ll get a penalty notice with details of how to pay.
Road conditions in Antigua
I’ll level with you here. Not all of Antigua’s roads are the most… level.
Generally, we didn’t have too many issues driving on the major roads, just a bit of anxiety that comes from a vehicle that isn’t your own.
Most of the major routes are tarmac, but even on these, you do still need to stay alert. Potholes are common, and some roads have crumbling, uneven edges. If you need a reminder to keep your wits about you, the abandoned car wreckages you’ll spot alongside the roads should do it.
Thankfully, most drivers in Antigua seem pretty forgiving towards rental cars. Although you’ll have some locals overtaking you in their dinged up 4x4s, the laid-back attitude of Antiguans seems to also apply to driving. Unlike the ever-present droning horns of British drivers, Antiguans tend to use their horns to beep a quick thank you, rather than to push motorists in rental cars to up their speed game.
Other than potholes and pedestrians, the only other obstacles to keep an eye out for are four-legged ones. Antigua has a population of wild donkeys that like to occasionally wander into the road in search of some crops to terrorise. We also encountered a lively herd of goats being shepherded between fields – check out the video here.
If you want to make friends with some of Antigua’s less-wild donkeys, a visit to Antigua Donkey Sanctuary is a great road trip stop!
Gas stations in Antigua
Before renting a car in Antigua, we were told that most gas stations in Antigua are cash only. We only visited two – one of which did usually accept card, but the card machine wasn’t working. So I’d recommend having cash on hand for refuelling.
At the time of writing, the average fuel price in Antigua is EC$13.99 (approx. US$5.18) per gallon for gasoline, and EC$14.25 (approx. US$5.27) per gallon for diesel.
We spent around ECD$75 (approx. US$27) on gas for the two days we drove. Both Eastern Caribbean Dollars and US Dollars are accepted in gas stations.
Driving in Antigua at night
Honestly, driving at night in Antigua isn’t something I’d recommend unless you’re a very confident driver and keeping to major roads. Even Ashley, who’s driven all over Europe, was slightly on edge driving us back from English Harbour at points.
Although most main roads are somewhat lit by streetlamps, the dark cover of night makes it much harder to spot potholes, uneven road edges, pedestrians, or animals. You’re also doing all of this while making sure you don’t veer into that large vehicle coming in the other direction when they forget to turn their high beam off…
On unlit roads especially, take it slow, use your high beam when you can, and keep an eye out for obstacles. It’s also easier if you’ve taken the route in the daytime previously, so you’re more aware of the road conditions and directions.
Parking in Antigua
Generally, parking in Antigua is relatively easy. Most beaches and points of interest will have free car parks. In towns, on-street parking is free, as long as it’s not on yellow lines.
In some areas, including the capital city of St. Johns and the popular English Harbour, you’ll find paid parking lots. St. Johns is a little trickier for on-street parking as it’s only allowed in certain spots for certain times, and navigating the city is chaotic enough as it is. I’d recommend using an official car park there.
We paid EC$5 for two hours parking at Ruthlyns Car Park, near the ferry terminal. It was a little awkward to navigate to through the busiest parts of the capital, so you could also try St. John’s Car Park, on the other side of the city centre.
Where should I visit on an Antigua road trip?
Okay, NOW we’re getting to the juicy part! Get that vehicle out onto the road, and visit some of Antigua’s top attractions:
Nelson’s Dockyard: The world’s oldest continuously working Georgian era dockyard.
Shirley Heights: A former military lookout, now the home of Antigua’s best weekly party.
Devil’s Bridge: Natural rock arch carved by the sea, with a haunting history.
Betty’s Hope: The country’s most prolific sugar plantation, now a museum dedicated to the history of slavery in Antigua.
Antigua Zip Lining: Fly through the treetops on this 13-zipline rainforest course.
And, of course, make the most of your wheels by taking them to some of Antigua’s beautiful beaches!
Summary: Is it worth renting a car in Antigua and Barbuda?
If you’re a confident driver, absolutely. There’s so much more to this charming island than the inside of a resort, with loads of history to uncover and vibrant Caribbean culture to drink in. And lots of wonderful Antiguans to meet.
Yes, there are a few pitfalls – mainly, prices and potholes. But the benefits of hiring a car in Antigua far outweigh these. So, yes, we wholeheartedly recommend getting out and about on an island road trip!
