First time · St John's

First time in St John'sSt John's

St John's is a half-day town from your beach: the museum, the market and the quays in a morning before the heat, on a day when no cruise ship is in, and a taxi back by 14:00.

Everything here is a short version of the St John's guide. Prices and hours are estimates: check before you rely on them.

The honest verdict

Antigua's capital is small, flat and hot, and most visitors sleep at the beaches. The trips that go wrong take the same day as three cruise ships, go on a Sunday when the market and many shops are shut, or try to walk back to the beach. Four small clusters cover the town; keep your beach bed and treat St John's as a taxi-and-walk morning.

From the airport

V. C. Bird International Airport (ANU)

Fastest and cheapest: Licensed taxi to the door · about 20 min · about XCD 45

Typical ride times and fares, 2026 desk estimates (check). Last services and night options are on the gateway page.

Airport-to-bed timings →

How long to stay

1 day: Museum, quays and market on one morning, taxi back to the beach
2 days: Museum and quays one morning, market and cathedral another
3 days: Town 2 mornings + English Harbour or Barbuda as a day trip

Itineraries by length →

Three mistakes to avoid

Never wear camouflage-pattern clothing: it is illegal for civilians.(Survive · red lines)
Traffic drives on the left; pavements are narrow and often missing: watch for cars.(Survive · safety)
Cover up in town, shops and churches; beachwear is for the beach.(Survive · red lines)

Scams and safety →

Money and SIM

Budget day: EC$80–150 excl. bed
Cash: Keep EC$100 in small notes for the market and taxis; US dollars are widely taken, but change may come back in EC dollars.

Money, SIMs and apps →