With its calm turquoise waters, soft sandy beaches, and a welcoming Caribbean vibe, Antigua is perfect for parents and kids alike.
In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about traveling to Antigua with young kids, from family-friendly activities and accommodations to tips for making the most of your stay. Whether you’re building sandcastles, exploring historical forts, or enjoying fresh island treats, Antigua has plenty to keep the whole family smiling.
Pack your sunscreen, grab your toddler’s favorite beach toys, and get ready to discover Antigua!
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Useful Information
With its 365 beaches, Antigua offers something for everyone. The more popular, tourist-oriented beaches are typically located on the west side of the island—but rest assured, their vast size means they never feel overcrowded. In contrast, the east side tends to be quieter and less frequented by tourists, providing a more tranquil experience.
Language
The official language in Antigua is English, making it convenient to communicate with locals and navigate the island with ease.
Currency and Payment Options
The official currency of Antigua is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), but US Dollars (USD) are widely accepted across the island. Current exchange rate is fixed @ 1 USD = 2.70 XCD (as of January 2025)
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ATMs and Banks: Carrying sufficient cash is essential as smaller local vendors may not accept cards. Most banks are in St John’s and some ATMs have a low withdrawal limit. The daily withdrawal limit for our card was between 500 XCD and 1,000 XCD i.e. ~ 185 USD/390 USD depending on the bank.
Climate and Best Time to Visit
Antigua enjoys a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round, making it a fantastic destination for family travel no matter the season.
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Temperature: Average temperatures range from 77°F (25°C) to 86°F (30°C).
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Dry Season: The best time to visit Antigua is during the dry season, from December to April. This period offers pleasant weather and is perfect for beach outings and outdoor activities. We went there in December 2024 and the weather was perfect – hot enough to wear bikinis all day long but not too hot for our 18-month-old.
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Rainy Season: From June to November, the island experiences its rainy season, which coincides with the Atlantic hurricane season. Some hotels and restaurants (including larger ones like Nobu) are closed during this period.
Plugs
In Antigua & Barbuda, power plugs and sockets of Type A & Type B are used (similar to USA/Canada plugs). The standard voltage is 230V at a frequency of 60Hz. You will need a universal adapter (ideally with a surge protection) if your plugs are different
Safety
Antigua is generally considered as a safe destination for families, but you may still want to take precautions, especially in St John’s after dark. For more updated information, consult the US Travel Advisory Website
Road Conditions
Certain areas of Antigua remain relatively undeveloped, and some roads—particularly in the center of the island or leading to more remote beaches—can be in poor condition. That said, the main roads are generally in excellent shape. If you plan to rent a car (which we highly recommend), be sure to opt for an SUV—you’ll be glad you did!
Olivia’s tips
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Grocery Stores in Antigua For groceries, we recommend to go to Epicurean Fine Foods & Pharmacy.They have two convenient locations—one in Jolly Harbour on the west side and another in St. John’s. We were pleasantly surprised to find some European products there that we can’t even get in Texas!
- Google Map in Antigua Google Maps isn’t entirely reliable in Antigua, especially when navigating through the center of the island. It may direct you onto poorly maintained roads instead of slightly longer, but better, routes along the main roads. Additionally, opening hours listed on Google Maps may not always be accurate, so it’s wise to double-check and have a backup plan just in case.
Getting to Antigua
There are several airlines offering direct flight to Antigua, primarily from the United States, Canada, the UK, and other Caribbean islands.
Be sure to allow extra time at the airport for customs, both upon arrival and departure. When we landed in Antigua, it took nearly two hours to clear customs, while departing it took about 30 minutes.
Getting around Antigua
We highly recommend renting a car in Antigua to explore its 365 beaches—ideally an SUV, as some roads can be in poor condition. It’s a good idea to book your rental car well in advance, especially during the holiday season, as demand can be high and availability may be limited.
What to do in Antigua
Family Travel Packing Tips
Travelling with young kids can easily feel overwhelming. To ensure a stress-free trip, here are my kid travel essentials:
- Plenty of sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses to protect against the tropical sun.
- Kid friendly insect repellent – some beaches have sand flies that can be quite active before sunset
- A pop up beach shade and a large beach blanket
- A baby carrier
- If you rent a car, you may consider bringing your own car seat as car seats are difficult to find
- And of course, all the beach essentials: swimsuits, and toys for little ones.
- Do NOT take your stroller – we went to Antigua with our 20 month old without our stroller and never felt like we needed it.
For more family vacations travel essentials, you can read my article here: The 10 Family Travel Essentials.
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