Purchasing travel health insurance with emergency repatriation is recommended as the cost of medical care is high and medical care in the country is poor. An individual first-aid kit should be taken with you and protected according to the temperatures on the way. Check indexdotcom for more information.
Notes vaccinations
[1]: A vaccination certificate against yellow fever is required for all travelers who want to enter within 6 days of staying in an infection area designated by the WHO and who are over one year old. Excluded are travelers who have not left the transit area in the infected areas.[2]: Typhoid fever can occur, poliomyelitis not. A typhoid vaccination is recommended for long-term stays and backpackers.[3]: Tap water is usually heavily chlorinated and not suitable for drinking. It’s best to drink bottled water, which is widely available. When buying packaged water, you should make sure that the original packaging has not been opened. milk is pasteurized and local dairy products are safe. Special hygiene should be observed when eating meat, vegetables and fruit. Caution should be exercised before consuming reef fish and seafood that is offered as a deli in dining restaurants because of possible algae poisoning.
Other risks
Schistosomiasis pathogens can be found in some ponds and rivers, so swimming and wading in inland waterways should be avoided. Well maintained swimming pools with chlorinated water are safe. Dengue fever, transmitted by mosquitoes, is uncommon. An effective insect repellent is recommended. Hepatitis A and hepatitis B occur. A hepatitis A vaccination is generally recommended. Vaccination against hepatitis B should be given during longer stays and close contact with the local population, as well as for children and young people in general. HIV/AIDS is widespread and a great danger for everyone who takes risks of infection: unprotected sexual contacts,
Money
Currency
1 East Caribbean Dollar = 100 cents. Currency code: EC$, XCD (ISO code). Banknotes come in denominations of EC$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5; Coins in circulation: 1 EC$ and 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cent. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere. The East Caribbean Dollar is pegged to the US Dollar.
Credit cards
Common credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club and American Express are accepted almost everywhere. Credit cards can be used to withdraw money in local currency from ATMs. Details from the issuer of the relevant credit card.
ATMs
Bank cards The Girocard (formerly EC card) with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol is accepted worldwide. It can be used at ATMs with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol. In St. John’s, money can usually be withdrawn from large banks using a bank card (Maestro or Cirrus sign). Attention: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money should find out from their bank about the possibility of using their card before starting their journey.
Travelers cheques
Traveller’s checks are no longer available in Germany and Switzerland and are hardly available in Austria. Travelers checks can be cashed at major hotels and larger shops in Antigua and Barbuda. Travelers checks should be made out in US dollars.
Bank opening hours
General Mon-Thu 09.00-15.00 and Fri 09.00-16.00. The Bank of Antigua is also open Sat 9am-1pm.
Foreign exchange regulations
No restrictions on the import and export of local and foreign currencies; Mandatory declaration from an equivalent value of US$ 10,000. The export of national and foreign currency is only permitted in the amount of the declared import.
Currency Exchange
International banks have branches in St. John’s. Foreign currencies can be exchanged there, as well as in hotels and some shops. US Dollars and Euros can easily be exchanged.
