Charissa's Antigua Guidebook

Charissa
Charissa's Antigua Guidebook

Food scene

Great for comforting and authentic Indian cuisine nearby
Bodog Curry House
Great for comforting and authentic Indian cuisine nearby
A wonderful island inspired teahouse nestled in Antigua's rainforest, Fig Tree drive. Great spot for light lunch, cocktails, and of course, tea.
Antigua Vintage Tea House
Fig Tree Drive
A wonderful island inspired teahouse nestled in Antigua's rainforest, Fig Tree drive. Great spot for light lunch, cocktails, and of course, tea.
If you have time before an evening flight, visit Cecilia's for a delicious farewell meal.
9 locals recommend
Cecilia's
Texaco Dock Road
9 locals recommend
If you have time before an evening flight, visit Cecilia's for a delicious farewell meal.
Another great local destination, close to the airport, for your pre flight meal.
10 locals recommend
Garden Grill
10 locals recommend
Another great local destination, close to the airport, for your pre flight meal.
Pop up Beach Bar
French bistro in English Harbour
Ti Lolo
Dockyard Drive
French bistro in English Harbour
Local Antiguan cuisine in the heart of Jolly Harbour!
Petal's Cafe
Local Antiguan cuisine in the heart of Jolly Harbour!
French and Caribbean cuisine in the most charming beachside setting
7 locals recommend
Casa Roots - Beach - Food & Drinks
7 locals recommend
French and Caribbean cuisine in the most charming beachside setting
Great spot for lunch, happy hour or dinner and a short drive away from Jolly Harbour
Wild Tamarind Beach Club
Great spot for lunch, happy hour or dinner and a short drive away from Jolly Harbour
Local food that's near to Jolly Harbour!
Aunty Cavell's Restaurant
Local food that's near to Jolly Harbour!
Italian restaurant in Jolly Harbour
10 locals recommend
Basilico Italian Restautant | Antigua
10 locals recommend
Italian restaurant in Jolly Harbour
Local cuisine at beautifully appointed beach-side café
19 locals recommend
OJ's Beach Bar and Restaurant
19 locals recommend
Local cuisine at beautifully appointed beach-side café
Local beach bar and restaurant near to Jolly Harbour
16 locals recommend
Ffryes Beach Bar/ Dennis Restaurant
16 locals recommend
Local beach bar and restaurant near to Jolly Harbour
Great local food and island vibe in St. John's
23 locals recommend
Papa Zouk
Dickenson Bay Street
23 locals recommend
Great local food and island vibe in St. John's
Caribbean cuisine near Jolly Harbour
The Fox House Bar & Restaurant
Caribbean cuisine near Jolly Harbour
Great local lunch spot if shopping and touring around St. John's
11 locals recommend
Cutie's
11 locals recommend
Great local lunch spot if shopping and touring around St. John's
Great local food near Jolly Harbour
Gina's Cook Shop
Great local food near Jolly Harbour

Beaches and activities

One of our favorite beaches
18 locals recommend
Turner's Beach
Saint John's Street
18 locals recommend
One of our favorite beaches
Exciting zipline adventure in Antigua's rainforest
26 locals recommend
Antigua Rain Forest Canopy Tour
Fig Tree Drive
26 locals recommend
Exciting zipline adventure in Antigua's rainforest
This gallery provides a fabulous opportunity to purchase original artwork directly from a variety of Caribbean artists
Fig Tree Studio Art Gallery
Fig Tree Drive
This gallery provides a fabulous opportunity to purchase original artwork directly from a variety of Caribbean artists
A wonderful getaway where you're transported to a small off-shore island by boat or kayak. There's a full service beach bar with food and reservations can be made for tables or cabanas. The bar is run by Hodges Bay Club and you don't have to be a guest there to book a day trip. Bookings can be made on their website: www (dot)hodgesbay(dot)com/pricklypear/
Prickly Pear Island, Antigua and Barbuda
A wonderful getaway where you're transported to a small off-shore island by boat or kayak. There's a full service beach bar with food and reservations can be made for tables or cabanas. The bar is run by Hodges Bay Club and you don't have to be a guest there to book a day trip. Bookings can be made on their website: www (dot)hodgesbay(dot)com/pricklypear/
Private island tour home to the indigenous Aldabra Tortoises, macaws, Lesser Antillean Iguana and more.
Laviscount Island
Private island tour home to the indigenous Aldabra Tortoises, macaws, Lesser Antillean Iguana and more.
Swim with stingrays!
56 locals recommend
Stingray City Antigua
56 locals recommend
Swim with stingrays!

Sightseeing

Former sugar plantation, now a museum
9 locals recommend
Betty's Hope
9 locals recommend
Former sugar plantation, now a museum
Quaint shopping and dining district with local souvenir shops and restaurants. Don't miss Zemi's art gallery and Cutie's for a nice, local lunch
14 locals recommend
Redcliffe Quay
Redcliffe Street
14 locals recommend
Quaint shopping and dining district with local souvenir shops and restaurants. Don't miss Zemi's art gallery and Cutie's for a nice, local lunch

Neighborhoods

Natural harbour in the southern part of the island, English Harbour is a popular destination with locals and visitors alike, including those in the yachting community. There are great restaurants, historical sightseeing opportunities with Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua's national park, and much more. If you have time, make the trek up to Shirley's Heights for some of the most fantastic views and photo opps on the island
30 locals recommend
English Harbour
30 locals recommend
Natural harbour in the southern part of the island, English Harbour is a popular destination with locals and visitors alike, including those in the yachting community. There are great restaurants, historical sightseeing opportunities with Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua's national park, and much more. If you have time, make the trek up to Shirley's Heights for some of the most fantastic views and photo opps on the island

Shopping

Specialty cuvée wines, spirits and gourmet food emporium
The Cork & Basket
Specialty cuvée wines, spirits and gourmet food emporium
Art gallery in St. John's with beautiful, local pieces
Zemi Art Gallery
Redcliffe Street
Art gallery in St. John's with beautiful, local pieces

Services

Antigua Medical Centre - Jolly Harbour
For any urgent care needs
Epicurean is the closest supermarket. Across the street, there are usually two local vendors who sell some of the freshest local produce. We strongly recommend buying produce from them!
Epicurean Fine
Epicurean is the closest supermarket. Across the street, there are usually two local vendors who sell some of the freshest local produce. We strongly recommend buying produce from them!
Some of the best local tours by boat! Owned and operated by Antiguans, Barefoot is a great option for boat tours, island circumnavigation tours, day trips to Barbuda/lunch at Nobu, and fishing and snorkeling trips. Contact Yensa on What's App (message us for her number) for bookings.
Barefoot Antigua
Some of the best local tours by boat! Owned and operated by Antiguans, Barefoot is a great option for boat tours, island circumnavigation tours, day trips to Barbuda/lunch at Nobu, and fishing and snorkeling trips. Contact Yensa on What's App (message us for her number) for bookings.
Fantastic opportunity to learn how to cook Caribbean cuisine from a locally celebrated chef.
Nicole's Table - Caribbean Cooking Classes
Fantastic opportunity to learn how to cook Caribbean cuisine from a locally celebrated chef.

City advice

Getting around

Car or golf cart rentals are recommended.

If you want to get around the island, and would prefer to drive, we recommend Big's car rental bigscarrental(dot)com. Thrifty is also a decent option with a desk at the airport. If you plan to stay within the Jolly Harbour community, you may rent a golf cart to get around from Jolly Cart Rentals located at Jolly Harbour business center.
Don't miss

North Finger Beach

Jolly Harbour's North Finger beach is a secluded spot not too far from the villa. It's a stunning beach that's not very frequented and only accessible if staying at Jolly Harbour. It's a 2 minute drive/10 minute walk: as you leave the villa turn left and at the fork a few feet away keep left. Follow the road for about 900 meters (3000 ft) as it curves first to the left, then to the right and finally to the left again. At the last curve you will see a canal on the right, turn on to the little access road next to the canal and a few feet away you can get to the beach.
Getting around

Taxi Service

We recommend renting a car to get around Antigua as it's more convenient and economical. If you prefer to use a taxi service you can contact Barry Taxi & Tours www(dot)barrytaxi(dot)com
Don't miss

Local Hikes

In Jolly Harbour you are close to some of the best hiking trails that the island has to offer. Footsteps Rainforest Island Tours hikingantigua(dot)com and Happy Heights antiguahiking(dot)com are two of the best local companies for hikes. Opt for a hike to either Mermaid Gardens or Pigeon Beach to Nelson's Dockyard.