Safety Tips in Antigua and Barbuda

The capital of Antigua, St John's is awful for parking - the centre is actually great to visit but I advise either taking the bus (not sure what number) or getting a taxi (its worth it - be advised though - don't go on the days when the cruise ships are in). If you do go into town in a car the people are so friendly and will always give you directions.

Well I live on Antigua and can confirm the level of violence and corruption has escalated beyond belief in the last 2 years.
Most forums remove any negative comment regarding the island, one site in particular that ensure no negative comment is tolerated is the "antiguaforums.

There is a blog that collates news paper reports and other facts regarding the island that will probably give you a better perspective of what Antigua is really like.

http://antigua-pirates-of-the-caribbean.blogspot.com/

While in many european countries, camouflage pattern has become something usual to be seen on normal people, it is not so in some countries of the East Caribbean. Some nations even don't permit such clothes to be worn by any civilian, including children. While Antigua is not among them, you may be regarded as something unusual by wearing something with military pattern. The best is just to put on something else, especially if you plan a daytrip to another Caribbean nation (for example Barbados), where it is strictly prohibited.

DO NOT....DO NOT I can't stress enough
DO NOT play the Rainbow Game!!!!! Unless you want to loose a lot of money!

Besides NOT Playing the Rainbow game, this is the strangest Casino I've even been in...Its pretty much empty and a lot of the slot machines do not work in one way or another and the staff really didn't care.

The bar wasn't bad- Good band the one night and we got to watch the Pens Sweep the first round for the Stanley Cup!

Long-haired males are not only likely to get special treatment at the shoe-control lane in Stansted, but are also seen as potential costumers to buy drugs. That's probably the reason, why I was asked so many times, if I want to buy some Ganja or whatever you may call it. I don't know about the legal status of cannabis products in Antigua, but I am surely not interested in them. Fortunately, a friendly "no, thanks" works quite well.

In addition to that, avoid to be close to a cruise ship when its passengers are disembarking. Locals will aproach you trying to get you into a taxi for a day tour. Some others are trying to give you a special offer on braiding your hair (Back home, I wouldn't have the slightes idea how to explain that to my boss...). And of course, also the drug dealers are looking for potential costumers. So, if you do not want to feel like a wounded gazelle in the Serengeti, look for your taxi or go shopping at any other time.

And is ridiculously expensive in my opinion ($2/braid...look at them, they're tiny -- I thought they would be long braids). I told her I didn't want more than 20, and she proceeded to do 33 without telling me until they were done. Also, she seemed to get increasingly frustrated as she braided my hair, growling about how thick my hair was (though I'd warned her) and talking in broken English to her friend, right in front of me, about me, as if I couldn't understand!

All I can say is -- and I am no wimp by any means -- I had to take these things out after 3 days due to constant headaches, inability to sleep, nausea, and just general pain. I'd gotten my entire head braided a few years ago in Jamaica (for $25 U.S.) and it didn't feel like this. This is disgusting, but almost two weeks later I have scabs on my head!

So it may have looked kind of cool, but not worth the money or listening to the complaining angry beach lady, and especially not worth the pain!

I was filming a delightfully mis-spelt sign at a petrol station while my husband was filling the car. A group of youths approached from the road and demanded money for photographing them - which I most certainly was not. Seemingly under the influence of substances they were very threatening and we had to pay and leave in a hurry. The only downside of otherwise friendly and hospitable people.

When taking a rental car check the tires and look if there are any tools in the car. Our car had a flat tire after crossing the second bumper and there was no tool in the car which could enable us the help ourselves.
Also the complete absence of traffic signs on the whole island makes it difficult to find your way.