Capital · Antigua and Barbuda
Saint John'sSt. John's
Spend 1–2 days in Saint John's to see the cathedral, museum and market; add a half‑day for a cruise‑ship stop.
Saint John's is Antigua's capital and main port for cruise visitors. Its historic sites and market fit into a short stay, while nearby beaches are better reached from north‑west resorts.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- XCD
- Best months
- Dec–May
- avoid Sep–Nov (hurricane risk)
- Airport
- ANU
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 5Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bah…
- Caribbean ↗Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bahamas and Jamaica) jail visitors for a single stray bullet or cartridge in their luggage; empty every bag and pocket before you pack.
- Caribbean ↗From August to October keep a free last day before your flight home and check the national hurricane centre daily; airports close when a named storm approaches.
- Caribbean ↗Wearing camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians in several islands, including Barbados, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica; leave it at home, children's clothes included.
- Antigua and Barbuda ↗Check entry rules for your passport on official Antigua and Barbuda government sources before you fly.
- Antigua and Barbuda ↗Camouflage-pattern clothing is illegal for civilians, including children: leave it at home.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Saint John's911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Saint John's, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD), pegged to the US dollar; US dollars are widely accepted.Antigua and Barbuda-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckDigicel and Flow (APUA's Inet also) sell prepaid SIMs and eSIMs — check.Antigua and Barbuda-wide
- Tap waterDesalinated tap water in hotels; many drink bottled.Antigua and Barbuda-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% service is often added; extra is optional.Antigua and Barbuda-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/G. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Antigua and Barbuda-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; watch for petty theft in crowded markets and stay aware of hurricane season (Sep–Nov).
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsHotels, restaurants, the cruise port.Antigua and Barbuda-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police / ambulance · 999 fire
- Sundays & holidaysSundays quiet; many hotels close in September–October.Antigua and Barbuda-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportANU V.
- Getting aroundTaxis and local minibuses serve the town; car rentals are available at the airport.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))Approximate, varies by time of dayEC$15–20
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus rideCheck exact fare on boardEC$2.50
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entryEC$8 (≈US$3)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget EC$50–70 · Mid EC$80–120 · High EC$150+
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ANU V. C. Bird International Airport (Main international gateway, about 5 km (3.1 mi) north of town)ANU V. C. Bird International Airport (Main international gateway, about 3.1 mi (5 km) north of town)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Dec–May. Avoid: Sep–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest May (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Sep (12 rain days), driest Jan (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Saint John's: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
4 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
4 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
6 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
7 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
9 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis and local minibuses serve the town; car rentals are available at the airport. Walkable centre, about 10 min from harbour to cathedral.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
English Harbour
goDoor to door: ≈30 min round trip
Taxi or bus north‑west along the coast, about 15 km (9.3 mi), 20 minTaxi or bus north‑west along the coast, about 9.3 mi (15 km), 20 min
Visit the Dockyard and Shirley Heights for sunset.
Barbuda (via ferry)
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h each way
Ferry from Antigua’s Codrington Harbour, 90 min
Check ferry schedule; may be limited in low season.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown guesthouses
Budget rooms and apartments within walking distance of market and harbour
Mid‑range hotels near the waterfront
Convenient for cruise‑ship arrivals and taxi drops
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- EC$50–70 excl. bed
- Mid
- EC$80–120 excl. bed
- High
- EC$150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Museum entry | EC$8 (≈US$3) |
| Taxi (5 km)Approximate, varies by time of day | EC$15–20 |
| Local bus rideCheck exact fare on board | EC$2.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Hurricane season peaks Sep–Nov; check forecasts before travel.
- Cruise‑ship schedules can cause crowds at Heritage Quay; plan visits early in the day.
Emergency numbers
- Police / ambulance
- 911
- Fire
- 999
Pocket card
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Saint John'sSt. John's
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / ambulance911
- Fire999
Embassy
US consulate in St. John's (check address); other consulates in Antigua and Barbuda listed on government site.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → Saint John's taxi: about EC$20–25, 5 min
- Harbour → downtown walk: ≈10 min, free
Say or show
- Excuse me / Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the bathroom? — Where is the bathroom?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Saint John's. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–May · avoid Sep–Nov (hurricane risk) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Saint John's
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