Here you will find all the essential advice and information you will need before and during your stay in Anguilla.
The best time to visit Anguilla is from December through April, when the island experiences mild temperatures and settled weather. Anguilla’s average annual temperature is around 80° F (27° C), with the hottest weather during the hurricane season (July through October). The lightest rainfall occurs from February through April, and the heaviest from August to November.
No carriers fly directly from North America into Anguilla, so access is easiest via neighboring St. Martin/Sint Maarten or Puerto Rico. American Airlines offers flights from North Carolina to Puerto Rico. Visitors can then fly to Anguilla with Seaborne Airlines. There are many carriers into St. Martin from where the crossing to Anguilla can be made by ferry or private watertaxi which includes the Link, or by the local airline Winair. Europe is linked to St. Martin from France and Holland. Most UK visitors travel via Antigua, from where Caribbean flights (LIAT and Winair) run up the island chain to Anguilla.
Anguilla is a very safe island. There are hardly any problems concerning personal security and theft is extremely rare. However, it is advisable not to leave any valuables unattended.
Sunburn is the main health hazard. Mosquitoes can be a problem after it rains. No vaccinations are necessary unless visitors are coming from a yellow-fever infected area. There is an accident and emergency department at Princess Alexandra Hospital.
Visitors to Anguilla require a valid passport with at least six months’ validity remaining, as well as a return or onward ticket. Visas are not needed by US citizens, Canadians, or EU travelers, but citizens of some other countries do require them. If in doubt, visitors should check with the British High Commission or embassy for details. A departure tax and an airport security charge need to be paid when leaving the island.
Same-sex sexual activities have been legal in Anguilla, a British overseas territory, since 2001, through an order of the UK’s Privy Council. However, marriage and civil unions of same-sex couples have not been legalized and the culture of the island is not very LGBT+ friendly. There are a number of high-end resorts that are non-judgemental and offer luxurious holidays and privacy to LGBT+ visitors.
The currency of Anguilla is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$), which is shared with current and former British territories as far south as Grenada. The US dollar is also widely accepted. Banks follow regular business hours, Monday to Thursday 8am to 3pm, and to 5pm on Fridays. Credit cards are accepted in almost all establishments except in the smallest shops. There are ATMs attached to several banks, and also free-standing in some malls. They give a choice of Eastern Caribbean and US dollars.
The international dialing code for Anguilla is 1 264, followed by a seven-digit island number. When calling out of Anguilla, dial 011 and the international code. When calling locally, all seven digits need to be dialed. The island has complete cell coverage and visitors can use their personal phones, if on roaming. Handsets and SIM cards with local numbers are available at the Digicel and Cable & Wireless offices on the island. Almost all the hotels and villas have Wi-Fi, which is available to their guests.
Car rental companies are not officially permitted to deliver to the airport or ferry port, and will first take visitors to their office to complete formalities. However, they do drop passengers to hotels and villas. Driving is on the left side of the road, and a temporary Anguilla driver’s license, in addition to a valid driving license, is mandatory. This can be purchased at any of the car-rental agencies such as AVIS, Island Car Rentals, and Andy's Auto Rentals. The airport and ferry terminals have taxi stands and usually the rate is fixed for two passengers and two pieces of luggage. There are no public buses in Anguilla. Hitchhiking works sometimes, but as is the case anywhere, there is no guarantee of a ride. Island tours are also possible by taxi and take just a couple of hours.
The island’s flat terrain is ideal for cycling; however, some unpaved roads can be hazardous. Bikes cost about $25 a day and can be rented from Anchor Miniature Gold and Boo’s Cars & Cycle Rentals.
The Anguilla Tourist Board has its main office in The Valley. International offices of the boardare located in the UK and the US. There is also an information booth at the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport. Visitors can pick up maps, brochures and magazines at the airport. The Official Tourism Website also has a range of useful information.
Anguilla Tourist Board
Official Tourism Website
Need to know Anguilla
Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$)
Need to know Anguilla
Atlantic Standard Time (AST), 4 hours behind GMT and 1 hour ahead of EST.
Need to know Anguilla
English
Need to know Anguilla
The usual electricity supply in Anguilla is 110 volts AC (60 cycles). Most hotels have two-pin sockets in US style
Need to know Anguilla
POLICE, FIRE, AND AMBULANCE
Need to know Anguilla
It is recommended that you only drink bottled water as Anguilla’s water comes primarily from cisterns