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Please be advised that the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Travel Advice is now available at Ireland.ie/travel. Travel Advice on this webpage is no longer being updated. To ensure you receive the latest Travel Advice for Antigua & Barbuda, please see Ireland.ie.

Antigua & Barbuda

If you’re travelling to Antigua & Barbuda, our travel advice and updates give you practical tips and useful information. 

Security Status

  • Normal precautions
  • High degree of caution
  • Avoid non-essential travel
  • Do not travel
  • Overview
  • Safety and Security
  • Local Laws and Customs
  • Health
  • Additional Information
  • Embassy Contact

Overview

Overview

Security Status

Normal Precautions

Latest Travel Alert

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda have issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Tropical Storm Philippe. Tropical Storm Philippe is likely to cause heavy rainfall, flash flooding and power outages. Citizens should monitor conditions from the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Office and follow the advice of local authorities.

General Travel Advice

Irish citizens do not require a visa to enter Antigua and Barbuda.

A valid passport is required for travel to Antigua and Barbuda. Irish passports should have a minimum validity of 6 months. Passport cards cannot be used.

Visitors to Antigua and Barbuda are advised to follow the guidance of national and local authorities and stay fully informed of local developments  by monitoring local news and social media.

Citizens can also follow the Irish Embassy in Canada on Twitter @IrlEmbCanada to ensure access to relevant updates and alerts.

Emergency Assistance

The best help is often close at hand so if you have problems, try talking to your local contacts, tour operator representative or hotel management.

You can contact the emergency services in Antigua and Barbuda by dialling 911 Specific emergency numbers are:

  • Police: 911
  • Fire brigade: 911
  • Ambulance: 911

Our tips for Safe Travels:

  • Get comprehensive travel insurance that covers all your planned activities.
  • Register your details with us so that we can contact you quickly if there’s an unforeseen crisis like a natural disaster or a family emergency.
  • Follow us on twitter @dfatravelwise for the latest travel updates.
  • Read our ‘Know Before You Go’ guide.

As there is no Irish Embassy in Antigua and Barbuda, we are limited in the help we can offer you in an emergency. However, if you need assistance, you can contact the Irish Embassy in Ottawa.

Safety and Security

Safety and Security

Terrorism

While the threat from terrorism is minimal, it is important not to rule out the risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by tourists and expatriates. 

Crime

Crime remains relatively low but you should take sensible precautions: 

  • Don’t carry your passport unless absolutely necessary and leave a copy of your passport (and travel and insurance documents) with family or friends at home.
  • Avoid showing large sums of money in public and don’t use ATMs after dark.
  • Avoid dark and unlit streets and stairways, and arrange to be picked up or dropped off as close to your hotel or apartment entrance as possible.
  • Lock doors and windows at night.

Reporting crime

If you’re a victim of a crime, report it to the local police immediately.

Driving

A temporary local driver's license is required to drive a vehicle, which can be obtained from the traffic department, any police station or car rental companies. Traffic in Antigua and Barbuda moves on the left. Major roads are in average to poor condition, and drivers may encounter wandering animals and slow-moving heavy equipment. 

If taking a taxi, agree the fare with the local taxi driver before departing. 

If you’re planning to drive be careful and take these simple precautions:

  • Bring your full Irish and international driving license and make sure you have adequate and appropriate insurance.
  • Keep your vehicle doors locked and your bags kept out of sight to prevent opportunistic bag-snatching if you’re stopped at traffic lights.
  • Vehicles may stop without warning so always maintain a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front.

Hiring a vehicle

If you’re hiring a vehicle, do not to hand over your passport as a form of security. If you’re allowing your passport to be photocopied, keep it in your sight at all times.

Swimming

Take great care at all times when swimming as currents can be strong and not all beaches have lifeguards.

Extreme Weather in the Caribbean Region

The Atlantic hurricane season generally runs from June to November each year and can also affect the eastern and southern USA with heavy rain, flooding and extremely high winds. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the Antigua & Barbuda Met Office and the US National Hurricane Centre.

Citizens with plans to be in the affected region during this period should consider the need to travel based on information relating to extreme weather projections.

Local Laws and Customs

Local laws and customs

Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or even illegal.

Health

Health

Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or even illegal.

Zika Virus 

There have been outbreaks of Zika Virus (a dengue-like mosquito-borne disease) in Central and South America and the Caribbean. Irish Citizens especially those with a weakened immune system or women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant are advised to follow guidance available on the website of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

Additional Information

Additional Information

Entry requirements (visa/passport)

Irish citizens do not require a visa to enter Antigua and Barbuda.

A valid passport is required for travel to Antigua and Barbuda. Irish passports should have a minimum validity of 6 months.

Further information on entry requirements is available here.

Embassy contact

Embassy Contact

Embassy of Ireland
Suite 1105 (11th Floor)
130 Albert Street
Ottawa
Ontario K1P 5G4
Canada

Tel: +1 613 233 6281

Monday to Friday 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm.
If you need urgent assistance outside of working hours Monday to Friday, you can contact the Department of Foreign Affairs on +353 1 408 2000.

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