There’s a New Way to Arrive on This Caribbean Island, Famous For Its Beaches, Honeymoons and History
It’s already one of our favorite airports in the Caribbean: the sparkling VC Bird International Airport, the primary hub for the increasingly-popular hotspot of Antigua and Barbuda, a Caribbean island famous for its beaches (365 of them, to be exact), its place as a honeymoon destination and its UNESCO World Heritage site.
And now it’s getting even easier to arrive.
Antigua and Barbuda has revealed a new digital arrival and departure system that will streamline the process for visitors to the country.
It’s called Arrive Antigua, and this is how it works: you visit an online form (you can find it here), upload a photo (you can take it with your phone), fill in your personal details and answer a few brief questions about your upcoming trip — along with any goods you might be bringing with you.
That’s it: once you complete the form, you get a QR code (you can take a screenshot), add it to your phone wallet and bring it with you.
When you get to the island, you just show your QR code and find a dramatically “swift” entry and exit experience, officials promise. One thing to note, the Arrive Antigua form is only available on mobile, not desktop.
What about where to stay on the Caribbean island?
Here are some options we’ve stayed at enjoy.
Galley Bay Resort & Spa This five-star, adults-only, all-inclusive resort is set on the sunset side of Antigua. There are 98 accommodations, including Premium Beachfront Suites and Gauguin Suites, with many rooms boasting either direct beach access (we call them toes-in-the-sand) or ocean views. You can dine beachfront at Sea Grape or Gauguin, and enjoy activities like sailing, paddleboarding, and yoga. There’s a big wellness focus, and it’s not just the tropical birdsong: you get the Indulge Spa and a fitness center.
Blue Waters Resort & Spa This charming, family-owned resort is set on a private bay on Antigua’s northwestern coast, with 17 acres of tropical gardens and a mix of 85 rooms, suites, and villas. There is an all-inclusive plan, but you don’t have to choose it if you prefer a la carte. You can swim in freshwater pools, find quiet in secluded beach coves, or book a private boat charter. $499 per night
The Verandah Antigua The newest adults-only, all-inclusive resort on the island is a full-fledged escape, with 30 beachfront acres and lovely cottage-style rooms. You get four pools, two white-sand beaches, and stay active with pickleball, kayaking, snorkeling, and Hobie Cat sailing. The pickleball is one of the best of its kind at any resort, well, anywhere. We also loved the sports bar, one we called the best new hotel bar in the Caribbean last year.
Carlisle Bay You wake up to ocean views in a suite with a private balcony or terrace at this classic luxury resort on Antigua’s southern coast. The all-inclusive experience includes meals, drinks, and activities like snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. There are four restaurants, a spa, a yoga deck and a kids’ club. But the best part of the day is a sundowner at the Jetty Bar, preferably by the fire pit. $543
So now that you know about the arrival process, what about flying there? According to data from Google Flights, you can find roundtrips from Miami for about $634 nonstop in June, and just $379 on JetBlue out of New York.
