Known as the “Greatest Summer Festival“, Antigua’s Carnival is an experience to be had. Not only are there 365 beaches for your exploration but there are delicious foods, gorgeous hotels and carnival.
Antigua has TWO DAYS of carnival, there is also a T-shirt Carnival experience the week prior. So if you come for 8 days, you could get 3 days on the road, and then jouvert. Who doesn’t want that?
The parades will take place on August 7-8, 2023
GETTING THERE
To get into Antigua, you would fly into V.C. Bird International [Airport code is ANU]. Antigua is often referred to as the heart of the Caribbean because of its location. Flights from Miami are abundant.
If you are flying from within the CARICOM region, LIAT’s (a Caribbean airline) hub is based in Antigua, so there may be direct flights. Additionally, you can charter a ferry service to and from St. Kitts or Barbuda.
WHERE TO STAY & GETTING AROUND
Antigua has some of the best hotels in the Caribbean. It is advised visitors stay around St.John’s City. Siboney Beach Club and Oceanpoint Resort are ideal. The Jolly Harbour area is also a great option for visitors, there are larger villas in that area, making it ideal for groups. Jolly Harbour is roughly a 20-25 minute drive outside of St. John’s.
If you feel overwhelmed and would like to use a service, The Carnival Boutique can be a life-saver. You will have 100% transparency with them since you will be the one coordinating and finalizing the purchasing of your travel needs; what they do is the research and contacting/collaborating with vendors on your behalf, for a service fee of course.
It’s like having someone do all the logistical work and you pay directly to the vendor at the end. They have coordinated birthday events, group dinners, spa days and beach parties, whatever you want. They are currently conducting complimentary consultations so check them out before they get overbooked.
I utilized Carnival Boutique’s services for transportation, they scheduled all our drivers; You could also source and hire your own taxi.
WHERE TO GET COSTUMES
I love that Antigua’s Carnival bands still provide themed Monday Wear to their masqueraders. The uniformity makes the experience even more fun. Additionally, costumes are relatively affordable, you can get a frontline costume between the range of $600-$1100usd. These are your band options:
- Insane Carnival will launch their “Riddims” theme on TBA
- Fuze will launch their “Legends of Ankara” theme on TBA
- Myst Carnival will launch their “Sweet 16” theme on TBA
- Barefoot has not announced yet
- Xclusive
- DumzTree
- Sechuns the Band
- Flex
- Epic
- Misfitz
WHERE TO PARTY
Like most carnival celebrations, the season is long so there are several events you can participate in. My favorite events thus far have been an all-inclusive event Lemonade, Ripple, a 3-catamaran cruise turned beach party and Insane Carnival’s Dutty Mas. Utilize hashtags on Instagram (#AntiguaCarnival) to find more party info.
For some cocktails or a lounge experience checkout Sips N Tips (St. John’s), Salt Plage (St. John’s) , Casaroots (St.John’s), Loose Cannon (English Harbor) or Cloggies (English Harbor).
TOURISTY THINGS TO DO
As the ‘Land of 365 Beaches, one for everyday of the year‘, there are several beach options. I’ve compiled a brief list of things to check out during your visit to Antigua. Also, a popular attraction in Antigua is swimming with stingrays.
- There are 365 beaches in Antigua, visit one of them. (Recommended: Fryes Beach, Dickenson Bay, Valley Church, Darkwood Beach)
- Sting Ray City
- Triflex Excursion Adventure Eco Tours
- Kon Tiki Bar (floating bar)
- Catamaran/Boat Cruises
- ZipLine Tours
- Shirley Heights
Yours in Mas,
