Barbuda

Barbuda - A tiny island in the Caribbean, surrounded by miles of beautiful deserted beaches. Personally, the value of Barbuda lies in its pristine nature and leisurely rhythm of life. A very leisurely rhythm of life. This island is definitely not for those tourists who need nightlife and a large number of attractions. This place, where they run from the stone jungle, is quiet and ascetic.

Smartphones are turned off here, laptops are not taken out of the bag, they are not looking for contacts with the outside world. Holidays in Barbuda are a kind of retreat: the rejection of such benefits of civilization as hot water at any time of the day or night, good roads, store shelves, bursting with an abundance of goods, Wi-fi. For me personally, a day in Barbuda became a test of strength - it was hard to stay out of habit for almost no day talking to anyone, never seeing, relaxing on the beach as if I were on a desert island.

Interesting to know

Barbuda is part of Antigua and Barbuda, annexed to Antigua when the islands gained independence. However, Barbuda and Antigua have little in common. The island is governed by an elected Council of Barbuda. Only 1,800 people live in Barbuda and there are very few tourist sites there, despite its beautiful miles-long beaches. Almost all the small shops, restaurants and guest houses are owned by the locals - everything you spend here will stay here. The economy is heavily dependent on tourists and sand mining. Sand is exported to Antigua for construction. The Barbuda Council began to garden in the local old plantation, providing Barbuda with work and fresh produce. The official currency is the East Caribbean dollar, but US dollars are used to rent housing, pay for excursions, and rent a car.

How to get there

First you have to fly from Russia to the main island of the state - Antigua. There are two ways to get to Barbuda from Antigua: by catamaran and by plane. Take a catamaran for 90 minutes, take a plane - 15.

By plane

How to get to Antigua

There are no direct flights from Russia to this country. In the best case, the Russians expect a flight with one change:

For the cheapest ticket to Antigua and Barbuda and back to Moscow, you will have to pay at least 620 USD (37 000 RUB). First, you will need to fly from Sheremetyevo to New York, USA, by the Russian airline Aeroflot. Travel time is 11 hours. Transfer at the airport can last up to 20 hours. Then the traveler is waiting for 4.5 hours in the sky to the capital of Antigua, the city of St. John's. The flight is operated by the American airline jetBlue. Travel time by such a route can reach up to 2 days. Another aggravating circumstance is the need to make an American transit visa. I advise you to follow the discounts, sometimes there are great offers.
The second option is more expensive, but takes less time. A ticket through the UK can be grabbed for 1000-1200 USD (56 000-70 000 RUB). You will have to get to the island at least 21 hours. The first part of the route Moscow, Domodedovo - London, Heathrow. Then you need to go out into the city and change the airport. Departure to St. John's is from London Gatwick Airport. Both flights are operated by British Airways. In this case, you will have to make a British visa, since on December 1, 2014, the government of this country canceled the visa concession. A visa does not need to be done if you have an American, Canadian, Irish, Australian visa or a residence permit in one of the countries of the Schengen Commonwealth.
There are also options to fly through France and Norway with at least two transfers. But they are even more expensive and last two days.

Price options can be found here.

How to get from Antigua to Barbuda

Every day on the route Barbuda - Antigua - Montserrat - Barbuda, SVG Air planes fly. The cost of a plane ticket for the knee of Barbuda - Antigua or Antigua - Barbuda is 65 USD. For each additional kilogram of baggage, in addition to the established maximum of 20 kilograms, you will have to pay an additional 1.85 USD (5 XCD). If there is no free space on the plane, baggage will be sent on the next flight. Your extra baggage will be accepted only if there is free space. Also, the passenger has the right to take one hand baggage on the plane. This carrier has small seven-seater aircraft that look more like toys. Of the personnel on board there will be only a pilot.

I do not recommend traveling to Barbuda by plane for two reasons:

Carrier Insecurity - Flights are often canceled without warning.
Flying to the island will ultimately be more expensive and longer, taking into account expectations at the airport, than a 90-minute catamaran ride.

By ferry

This is a real adventure and an exciting way to get to the island. You will always have time to fly, but when will you still have the chance to rush along the waves in the place where the gentle Caribbean Sea meets the lush Atlantic Ocean?

Be prepared for the fact that the catamaran on the waves will bounce slightly, because it rushes at a frantic speed. Keep in mind that during the walk it will be wet - every now and then you will be doused with salt spray. A Barbuda Express catamaran goes to Barbuda. Flights every day at 9 a.m. The catamaran leaves the harbor of Antigua St. John's, which is located on High Street.

The price of a round-trip ticket for adults is 85 USD, one way - 45 USD. For children, the ticket price is lower:

For a child under the age of 2, you will need to pay only 15 USD for a round trip.
For a child aged 3 to 6 years 45 USD for tickets to the island and back.
For a child aged 7 to 12 years, the ticket will cost $ 75 for return tickets.

hint: Barbuda - time is now09: 00 October 13Difference in hours: Moscow & plus; 7 Kazan & plus; 7 Samara & plus; 8 Yekaterinburg & plus; 9 Novosibirsk & plus; 11 Vladivostok & plus; fourteen

When is the season. When is the best time to go?

Low season in Barbuda

Barbuda is always good regardless of the time of year. I visited here in August, when the Caribbean has a conditionally low season, and I can say with confidence that off-season is not a hindrance to rest. If you somewhere in RuNet saw information that endless hurricanes raged in the Caribbean during the calendar winter, rain poured, and instead of turquoise heavy lead in the sky, then these are all lies. Such a text can only be written by a person who has never been to Antigua and Barbuda.

There is seasonality in Barbuda, but you would not have noticed it, even if you really wanted to. The off-season in the Caribbean is not when it rains and clouds, but when the temperature rises from +25 degrees to +33 degrees in the sun.

The calendar summer in Barbuda sometimes passes short rains. This is not the monsoon Indian rains that go on for hours, but a three-minute snoring - after 15 minutes the roads are dry again and wild donkeys jump on them. After such a rain, a suddenly appearing cloud immediately disappears, and the sky again becomes aquamarine. The downside of such weather incidents is becoming stuffy. Otherwise, I did not find any minuses of the season. In addition, I can stand the heat very well, so uncomfortable by Caribbean standards +33 degrees did not become a problem for me.

Who better to go to Barbuda in the off-season

Barbuda is not a typical island full of entertainment. Therefore, if you read these lines, then you want solitude, silence and peace. In the high season - calendar winter - crowds of tourists come to Antigua and Barbuda. Many of them dream with their own eyes to see the legendary, like the gardens of Babylon, Barbuda pink beaches. They come to the island, stomp the virgin sand on the beaches of the island with their boots, violate the idyll. If you want to sunbathe on the beach as if it belongs only to you, then it is better to go to Barbuda in the summer months. In addition, at this time it is much easier to find housing, since demand for it is less. You can find inexpensive housing with a kitchen during this period 2-3 months before the proposed vacation.

High season in Barbuda

Booking at this time, budget by local standards, housing is almost impossible. Therefore, if you want to Barbuda in the winter, book your accommodation for 5-6 months.

What are the prices for vacation

One night in a home-style double hotel in Barbuda will cost about $ 100 (270 XCD). You can compare the prices of apartments by the link, and see the cost of hotel rooms here. There are several options that can be booked through bookings.

A hearty lunch or dinner in a cafe or restaurant with drinks will cost at least 50 USD (135 XCD). Breakfast at 30 USD (80 XCD). If you want to significantly save on food in Barbuda, then it is better to buy food in shops. It costs a little more than Antigua, but in any case it will be much cheaper. A small bottle of water will cost 1.5 USD (4.5 XCD), bread 2 USD (5 XCD), and a kilogram of chicken 8 USD (22 XCD).

The main attractions. What to watch

The sophisticated tourist of Barbuda will seem boring and fresh, even despite the salinity of the Caribbean Sea. The only attractions that the island offers are: pink sand beaches, caves, the habitat of a large colony of rare frigate birds. The list of "attractions" of the island ends here. But, if you are going to the Caribbean, you should be ready to be amazed at the pristine nature and the lack of parties in the style of Ibiza and shopping centers in the spirit of Bangkok.

Beaches. Which are better

On the eastern side, Barbudo is washed by the rebellious Atlantic Ocean - the local Barbuda beaches are wild, they are full of snags and piles of algae. Barbuda, on the other hand, is washed by the waves of the Caribbean. Western beaches are ideal for snorkelling - here you can really see turtles, stingrays, sharks, barakkud and many varieties of tropical fish plowing the crystal clear turquoise water.

Any beach in the west of the island is suitable for sunbathing and swimming - from this side the entry into the water is comfortable, there are almost no waves, clear water, there are no large shells and snags on the beach. Here are some of the famous beaches of Barbuda:

11-mile beach - as many as 11 miles of soft, fine and pure sand like flour. It is likely that while relaxing on the beach you will not meet a single person. The water here is so quiet and clear that the fish in it can be seen without using a mask and tube. There are no trees on the beach, only small shrubs, so take care of sun protection. They don’t sell water and snacks here, so be sure to take food and bottled water to the beach.

I will especially note the beach Pink sand beach - This is a few miles of pink sand. The sand seems so because of shells living on reefs. After the death of the mollusk, they turn into tiny fragments, and then into sand grains. Then the waves bring them ashore - it turns pink sand. There is a bar on the beach where divine cocktails interfere. Imagine the picture: you are sitting in a bar on a pink sand beach, admiring aquamarine water and sipping ice beer or Margarita. This is probably what paradise looks like.

What other beaches of Barbuda are speechless: Coco Point, Princess Diana Beach, Low Bay.

Parks

Barbuda Caves

In addition to snorkelling, beach relaxation and bird watching, the island offers diving, fishing and caves. In this case, you definitely can not do without the services of a guide. There are two reasons for this: you will not have special equipment for safe movement through the caves, and you do not know which places are open for free access and which are not.

Two foot bay

There are several caves located in coastal cliffs. For millennia, powerful waves have sharpened the rock and washed the premises in it. This is a really interesting place. The guide will show you different representatives of the fauna: bats, huge iguanas, crabs. Creepy creatures such as amphipods, blind shrimp live in the local depths, and thousands of bats hang under the cave arch. One of these caves is called Indian. Once on the island lived Arawak. They left their drawings on the walls of the cave. All Arawakians were exterminated when the British took the island and began to populate it with slaves from Africa.

Darby cave

This is a must see place! Northeast, a 45-minute walk from Codrington Village, is Derby Cave Cave. Imagine that you are walking along a path and suddenly there is a huge crater in front of you. This is the cave. At its bottom palm trees, creepers, ferns grow. When you sit on the edge of this huge rock so that the tops of the palms at your feet, it feels like you have found the Lost World. Imagine that just below the palm trees will appear a family of tyrannosaurs or a couple of apatosaurs. In order to look at the beauty of this cave, taking a guide is not necessary.

Dark cave

This cave is only accessible with a guide - inside it can be dangerous without special equipment. A narrow entrance leads to Dark Cave, followed by a large interior. There is a natural pool with water. Perhaps, in the cave lived the native Arawak Indians many hundreds of years ago, because they found objects of their everyday life and tools.

Nearby islands

Montserrat

Travelers do not always arrive in Barbuda from Antigua. Sometimes they fly to the island from the neighboring island of Montserrat. As I already said, SVG Air operates regular flights on the route Barbuda - Antigua - Montserrat - Barbuda.

Montserrat is such a tropical Ireland. The island is mountainous, rocky, without fabulous beaches from the Bounty advertisement. Tourists come to the island to watch birds, walk along forests and mountain trails along with goats. Solitude is the best word for Montserrat. There is nothing here: no clubs, no restaurants, no five-star hotels. However, like four-star and three-star. The main thing - there are no crowds of annoying tourists. As such, there is no capital on the island. The interim administrative center is the village of Brades in northern Monceratt. In 1995, a volcano that slept for 400 years destroyed half of the island. If you want to wander through the dead cities and abandoned expensive real estate, the granite floor of which has already been pierced by a fern, then it is worth flying to Montserrat. One way ticket will cost about 100 USD.

Antigua

It is impossible not to say about the main island of the state of Antigua and Barbuda - Antigua. 99% of travelers are in Barbuda from Antigua. In contrast to the wild and harsh Barbuda on Antigua, in addition to the beaches, there are all the benefits of civilization: Wi-Fi in establishments and hotels, shops with groceries and essentials, gas stations and even some entertainment.

Great Bird

There is an island near Antigua Great Birdbut it can only be reached through Antigua. This is a very small uninhabited oasis in the Caribbean Sea, the area of which is only 80 square meters - about the same area of the yard in a typical residential area in a typical Russian city. The island is located 3 kilometers north of Antigua. The name of the island is translated as "big bird" and not just like that - thousands of birds of various species live on the island. Also, rare Griswold amyves live here - these are large lizards resembling monitor lizards. Among the local inhabitants are American brown pelicans, Cuban whistling ducks, and red-billed phaetons. Only here lives the anti-Guan racer - a unique kind of snake. To get to the island, hire a person with a boat to Antigua in any village or buy a tour at the tour desk.

Food. What to try

There is no room for delights in Barbuda. Here you can not find expensive restaurants in which the tables are cleaned with white tablecloths and there are napkin rings. The establishments here are rustic and tasty. Every day there is a new menu in the menu of Barbuda cafes: the owner or mistress writes by hand on a sheet what dishes will be prepared today. The list is limited to 5-6 items. Unpretentious food: rice, beans, potatoes in different designs, vegetable salads with different dressings, meat, chicken and, of course, freshly caught fish and seafood. If luck is on your side, then there will be lobster on the menu.

Where to buy food

Buying food in Barbuda is a quest worse than treasure hunting in Jack Sparrow movies. But I will tell you a few places:

Beazers Bakery and Bread is the island’s only bakery located in Codrington. Fresh bread is sold every day except Sunday.
Sweet D's Ice Cream Parlor is a small patisserie whose hostess is named Daphne. It sells homemade ice cream of different tastes: strawberry, vanilla, chocolate, but the most magical is with rum and raisins. Cakes and desserts are also ordered here for special occasions - I write in case you plan to celebrate a holiday on the island. The store is open until 5 pm, does not work on Sundays.
Bus Stop Shop is located near the airport. It sells cold drinks and food such as canned food, bread, cereals, butter and the like.
Follow the Flag is located next to the Codrington Police Station. Locals buy here not only food and drinks, but also clothes, shoes, sunglasses, watches, caps - all of Chinese clothing.
The Lil Lincs Plus store has all the necessary products so as not to starve to death. Cold soft drinks, fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, meat, canned food, dairy products, frozen meat and semi-finished products. Also, some items needed in everyday life are sold here: plates, forks, cups - I write in case you come to have a picnic on the beach. If you’re in this store, try the coconut cake that the hostess prepares - it is incomparable. This is the only store on the island that accepts Visa and Mastercard cards.

Mentality features

Most Barbudans are descendants of slaves belonging to the Codrington family. It was he who was once the only owner in Barbuda - he grew sugar cane here. When slavery was abolished, land was given to the inhabitants of Barbuda and continues to be shared. No one owns land, but residents can ask for land for the construction of houses. And resorts rent land.

Locals speak the Barbuda Patois - a mixture of English, French, Portuguese and African. Sometimes their "English" speech is simply impossible to understand, but conversations with Barbudians do not become less emotional. People on the island are poor, but always hospitable and welcoming. Their wide white-toothed smiles are their only weapon that disarms.

Security. What to watch out for

Barbuda is a quiet, peaceful settlement where everyone knows each other and no one will offend a white tourist. Feel free to walk around the island at a later time - believe me, your person will not cause an attack of aggression from anyone. Probably even the island’s old-timers will not remember the last time a theft took place here, let alone more serious crimes. But I cannot but mention the recommendations that are relevant for absolutely all, even the most prosperous, countries:

Do not leave things unattended.
Do not shine in large sums of money on people.

Just in case.

Things to do

Take an excursion to the colony of frigates. Watch hundreds of these weird red-breasted birds.

Required visit the Art Cafe and meet his kind mistress Claire. This amazing woman not only cooks the best fish in batter, but also is engaged in creativity. She draws various tropical motifs on silk, for the most part fragments, makes drawings on paper, some decorations. The Art Cafe is not very cheap due to the low competition on the island, but it is worth it for lack of the best. Claire is the queen of entertainment throughout Barbuda, despite the fact that her institution does not have a single star.
One of the main attractions on the island is horse ride along the low bay beach. A horse ride lasts about an hour. I liked that the horses look healthy and well-groomed, not exhausted. It is best to ride at sunset when the sun no longer melts the metal. And the animal is easier - and you enjoy it. The good news is that no one will hold the horse during the walk on the reins, they will show you how to stay in the saddle, how to control the animal, and then it's up to you which way to ride the beach.

Take care snorkeling - snorkelling and watching fish and crabs. If you take care of fish giblets in advance, then you have every chance to watch turtles, stingrays and barracudas. Feed in one place, do not sail away from it for about 15-20 minutes. After a while, they are likely to sail, seduced by the scent of fish giblets.
A lot of cargo ships sank off the coast of Barbuda, so diving enthusiasts are engaged here diving. There is no diving school on the island, so if you are seriously interested in this, you will need to bring the necessary equipment from Antigua.
The high waves on the east side of the island are ideal for surf. Again - there are no specialized schools on the island, so the board will have to be transported from the mainland.
Extreme sportsmen come to Barbuda specially to do kitesurfing, or kiting. Kiting is a sport based on gliding on water. At the same time, the athlete does not drive a boat or a jet ski, but a kite (kite) controlled by him.

On the island you can to fishbut with limitations:

You must have a permit for fishing in the coastal waters of Barbuda (within 5.5 kilometers of the coast);
it is forbidden to catch sea parrots and sea urchins;
you can not catch sharks for sale - only for consumption (will you eat a whole shark?);
no fish should be caught at all during spawning;
nets cannot be used within 20 meters of reefs.

Shopping & Stores

In Barbuda there are no shopping centers, boutiques and shops operating on the duty free system. Yes, here a full refueling appeared only a couple of years ago. Nevertheless, the island has one store where tourists buy souvenirs, and one pharmacy.

Artcafe - This is not only a restaurant, but also a small shop selling products with Barbuda symbols: from baseball caps and fabric bags for beach items to handmade jewelry. Prices are not low. There is an Art Cafe near the beach Two Foot Bay.

At the only pharmacy in Barbuda Island pharmacy the sweetest uncle John Hartford sells not only essential medicines and insect repellents, but also toiletries, personal care products, and batteries. If it seems to you that I am listing minor things, believe me, what we buy daily without hesitation is a shortage in Barbuda.

How to get around the region

Along the perimeter of the island there is one road, the state of which leaves much to be desired. Every day on the island there are more and more entrepreneurs who rent cars, kayaks, bicycles. But it is not necessary to rent a car if you plan to spend no more than a day in Barbuda.

It’s easier to just buy an excursion - they will carry you in an organized way from point to point, show, tell. In this case, there will be no need to monitor how not to get into the next hole on the road. In any case, to travel around the island you will have to hire a taxi driver, a guide with a car, take a bike or rent a car, because there are impressive distances between the beaches and interesting places on the island.

There is no public transport on the island at all.

Taxi. What features exist

Taxis on the island need to be agreed in advance - there are no companies with their taxi fleet on the island, private owners are working. On the island you can’t just vote on the road and catch a taxi - you risk standing for several hours and not a single car will pass you by.

For payment, taxi drivers only accept cash. There are no meters in the cars either - pay as much as you agree with the driver before the trip. You need to agree on the price just before the trip, so that the price will not shock you later. It is better to book a car for the whole day, so it will be more profitable both in terms of money and time. A taxi for the day will cost about 100 USD (270 XCD). Here are a few contacts:

D & D TAXI. (268) 724-2829 or (268) 771-9444.
John Taxi Service. (268) 788-5378 or 779-4652.
Loose Taxi Service. (268) 722-7450 or [email protected].
Nedd Taxi Service. (268) 724-4444.

Taxi drivers in Barbuda not only deliver from point A to point B, but also act as guides. They can easily arrange fishing, boating, barbecue on the beach. You only need to agree on the program ahead of time.

Vehicle rental

Always comfortable take a car and explore the area yourself. But I urge in this case to abandon such an undertaking for several reasons. Bad roads in Barbuda directly shout that this is a FORMER colony of Great Britain. Only local people know in what puddle an insidious pothole hides. Sometimes there is no gas at the gas station. In order to drive on the island, you must purchase a local license. It costs $ 50 and is sold at the Ginnery office Monday through Friday.

Output: it’s much easier to take a taxi driver for the whole day.

But if you still decide to rent a car, then here are a couple of phones with prices:

Andrea Rental. Price: 45 USD (135 XCD) per day. Phones: (268) 785-4712 or (268) 775-0168.
C and J Rent a Car. Price: 45 USD (135 XCD) per day. Phones: (268) 725-4970 or (268) 734-2509.

See car price options here.

Also on the island there is bike and kayak rental. Again, do not forget about the bad roads and strong currents. Here are the contacts:

Barbuda Bike and Kayak Rental, mail: [email protected]
Phones: (268) 773-9599 or (268) 784-5717.

Tips for motorists

The island’s only gas station opened recently - the G & B Service Station is located on River Road. In addition to fuel, they sell drinks, snacks, various belongings. The gas station is open from 7am to 5pm Monday through Friday and 7am to 1am on Saturday. Refueling does not work on Sunday. Sometimes there is no gas left at the gas station, therefore make sure you have a few days fuel supplyif you rent a car in Barbuda.

Barbuda - holidays with children

Bourbuda is really not the best place to relax with young children. And when I say this, I take into account not only the lack of entertainment for the kids, but a normal hospital, a pharmacy with a wide range of medicines and the ability to leave the island at any time in the event of an emergency. Baby food on the island is in short supply.

Do not forget that there are absolutely no entertainments for children on the island: neither water parks, nor playgrounds, nor nurseries with animals.