Antigua and Barbuda Country Report

Antigua and Barbuda is a Commonwealth archipelagic nation located roughly in the middle of the greater Caribbean chain of island nations. By far the country’s biggest source of revenue is tourism, with offshore banking also a sizeable sector. Due to the poor quality of much of its soil, agriculture is primarily for domestic purposes. The country as a whole has traditionally been dominated by the island of Antigua, although sister island Barbuda has also gained prominence in recent years. However, Barbuda was devastated in September 2017 by Hurricane Irma; the island's recovery has been a long-term project.

The biggest threat for those visiting Antigua is that of opportunistic crime followed by tropical systems during hurricane season, as demonstrated by Irma. Those who stay on Barbuda or visit any of the other minor islands also run a higher risk of having to contend with a lack of goods, services and general infrastructure that will all be far more readily available on Antigua.

There is no notable conflict threat to Antigua and Barbuda, nor is one expected to develop. Crime is considered to be low by regional standards but higher than most Western European and North American averages. There is no significant risk of any type of terrorism. Unrest, particularly in the form of labor strikes, occurs on occasion and can prove disruptive, though is not usually physically dangerous.

Air travel is safe and in compliance with international safety standards.

Major roads are in average to poor condition. Buses and vans are frequently crowded and may travel at excessive speeds.

Port Saint John is efficient.

Basic services such as water, electricity, and fuel availability are all highly reliable.

The country is not known to be a sponsor of cyberattacks, nor is it known to particularly suffer from them.

Antigua and Barbuda has a tropical, semi-arid climate year round; temperatures are often high but not excessively so. There are generally no manmade hazards in Antigua and Barbuda, although beach runoff can be an issue after storms. The islands lie within a somewhat active seismic zone and have the potential to experience mild-to-moderate earthquakes. Due to the country's location within the Caribbean hurricane belt, it also regularly sees tropical activity each year. The hurricane season is from June to November, with the highest risk months being mid-August to mid-October.

Antigua and Barbuda has no significant disease outbreaks apart from some mosquito-borne viruses. Vaccines before travel are also required, for example, for yellow fever. Health facilities on the main islands are adequate for the majority of medical needs. However, services and treatment may be sparse or otherwise non-existent on other islands. Tap water is not considered safe for drinking unless otherwise directed.

Corruption in Antigua and Barbuda is considered to be low-to-moderate in terms of regional standards and somewhat higher than Western standards. Rule of law in is considered strong. Antigua and Barbuda’s political system has been traditionally stable and is expected to remain so. Sanctions are not an issue.