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Country Guide > Caribbean > Antigua and Barbuda | |
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Social Profile Food & Drink Casual wear is accepted in all bars and restaurants. There are no licensing restrictions, but excessive consumption of alcohol is frowned upon and further service will be refused. Antigua’s gastronomic speciality is lobster, with red snapper and occasionally other fish running a close second when available. Larger hotels offer a wide selection of imported meats, vegetables, fruits and cheeses. Local specialities include barbecued free-range chicken, roast suckling pig, pilaffs, curries, mushrooms and saltfish. Imported wines and spirits are available as well as imported sodas and local fruit drinks. Local drinks include ice-cold fruit juice, coconut milk, Antiguan-produced dark and light rums (Cavalier), rum punches, and beer from Antigua (Wadadli), Barbados (Banks) and Jamaica (Red Stripe). There is an 8.5 per cent government tax on most restaurant bills. Nightlife There is a wide choice of restaurants and bars around main tourist areas. Steel bands, combos and limbo dancers travel around hotels, performing nightly during the high season (November to April). There are five casinos on the island and two nightclubs/discos. Some hotels have their own discos. Shopping Uniquely Antiguan purchases include straw goods, pottery, batik and silk-screen printed fabrics, and jewellery incorporating semi-precious Antiguan stones. English bone china and crystal and French perfumes, watches and table linens are all available at very attractive prices. Heritage Quay Complex is a shopping and entertainment complex with 40 duty free shops, a theatre, restaurants and a casino and supper club. It forms part of the newest development in central St John’s. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1300-1700, although some shops and chemists do not close for lunch; some shops close at noon on Thursday. Special Events For a full list of special events, contact the Antigua Department of Tourism or the Antigua and Barbuda Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events occurring in Antigua and Barbuda in 2005: Jan 22-23 Round the Island Race, organised by the Antiguan Yacht Club. Feb Horse & Dog Show, Spring Hill Riding Club. Apr 14-19 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. Apr 24-30 38th International Sailing Week (sailing regatta including yacht-racing, the sunfish regatta and gala beach parties). May 27 Annual Tennis Week, Curtain Bluff Hotel/International Anglican Food Fair. Jun Wadadli Day Cultural Extravaganza/Olympic Day Run/Mr & Mrs Antigua Bodybuilding Championship. Jul Caribbean Comedy Festival. Jul 23-Aug 2 48th Antigua Carnival Celebrations. Oct Heritage Day/National Warri Festival (Antigua’s national board game). Nov Antigua Open Golf Tournament. Nov 1 Independence Day. Social Conventions Dress is informal unless formal dress is specifically requested. It is not acceptable to wear scanty clothing or beachwear in towns or villages. It is an offence for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing. Relatives and good friends generally embrace. Friends tend to drop by unannounced, but an invitation is necessary for acquaintances or business associates. Although gifts will generally be well received, they are normally only given on celebratory occasions. Flowers are appropriate for dinner parties; bring a bottle only when specifically requested. Smoking is accepted in most public places. Certain homosexual acts are illegal. Tipping: 10 to 15 per cent is included on hotel bills for staff gratuities, plus an 8.5 per cent government tax. Taxi drivers expect 10 per cent of the fare, and dockside and airport porters expect US$0.50-1.00 per bag. |