Local traditions and culture in Anguilla

 
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Most Viewed Local Customs in Anguilla

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Local currency: East Caribbean Dollar
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pumarega 17 reviews

The local currency in Anguilla is the East Caribbean Dollar (currency code XCD). It's exchange rate has been pegged to the US dollar at USD 1 = XCD 2.7000 since 1976. The locals refer to their currency as "EC". In the smaller shops, most of the prices are listed in EC instead of USD. Most shop keepers will convert this for you if you ask for the price in "US".

The major graphic items on this 1 dollar note are Queen Elizabeth II, a windsurfer, and a coastline.

Updated Jul 26, 2006

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Honking your car horn is not a...
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Mulattomama 33 reviews

Honking your car horn is not a reprimand in Anguilla. It's say 'hi'.
Everyone waves at everyone here so don't be shy about doing it. Wave at those on
their porches and those by the roadside. You'll get a wave or a smile in return.
Everyone is extremely friendly.

Updated Aug 26, 2002

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Most Anguillians are extremely...
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ianrmillard 83 reviews

Most Anguillians are extremely polite, quite friendly and very honest on an everyday level (eg I lost my wallet in a supermarket and it was handed in, intact...with over a hundred dollars in it).
Fairplay Supermarket - Anguilla

Don't be surprised if you give a local person walking by the side of the road a ride in your car and then that person gets out without thanking you, even if you have detoured to take them to their destination...don't know why, as most islanders are usually friendly and polite...they just seem to take it as their due!Anguilla is a small island of about 8,000 people, largely dependent on British aid and assistance (with defence, offshore regulation etc)pretending to be a country...This leads to a few unfortunate repurcussions, such as seemingly interminable waits at customs and immigration, especially at the airport: 30 mins may not be long, objectively speaking, but in non-airconditioned heat, it SEEMS long when a planeload of about 20 people takes a half hour or more to be approved for entry, when virtually all are American tourists (often complaining about the wait--despite the absurdities of the US immigration system and practice). The officials DO seem to dourly enjoy their rubber stamp function and taking their time, rather as they do in places like the former Soviet Union.The same is true of things like any contact with the traffic department, although that should not worry tourists, as the car hire places can issue a short-term (to three months) tourist licence on cardboard for about USD$5, on presentation of a home country licence. Anything to do with work permits or residence will involve waiting, and waiting, and waiting, usually...be warned! In the end, it is just a matter of some lady stamping a few bits of paper, but--oh!--do they make a meal of it!Anguilla even has, not only a radio station, but a black-and-white TV station, broadcasting a couple of hours per day. Pretty dull and really just a relating of small events on the island or the visit of the Chief Minister to some other island.The point is, don't make fun of their aspirations...there's no mileage in it, it is impolite (even if almost irresistible!) and the locals might well be annoyed. for a tiny group of people, they are quite 'nationalistic'.
Don't be surprised if fruit and vegetables are very expensive and the choice very restricted: almost all such are now imported from Florida and other places. You might pay USD5 or $6 for a mango which, in somewhere like Jamaica, might be less than $1.

Updated Aug 25, 2002

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if you want to hang out with...
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stopatnothin 192 reviews

if you want to hang out with the locals and meet some other travelers then you should definately go to Grand Case ( beach area ) . this is where you will find local bars and places to eat as well as mingle .

Written Aug 25, 2002

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Local Festivals
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TheHingas 3 reviews

Besure and drop by any local gatherings you see. We saw a "field day", made friends, had great chicken and the girl that was with us found a penpal and friend for the rest of the trip.

Written Nov 2, 2005

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 Besure and drop by any local gatherings you see. We saw a "field day", made friends, had great chicken and the girl that was with us found a penpal and friend... 

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  Hi all! My wife and I will be traveling to Anguilla/S. Bart's at the end of the month. We'll be staying on Anguilla for 4 days... 

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A: Wow! What a vacation! St. Barths and Anguilla are 2 of my favorite Caribbean islands. We drove around St. Barths a bit (tricky driving), but spent most of our time at... 

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