Travelers who enjoy Caribbean vacations may imagine blue waters and white sandy beaches when dreaming of their perfect destination, but the islands of Antigua and Barbuda bring plenty additional colors into the mix, from black pineapples to the bright red seen on local birds to the rainbow of hues seen at Carnival celebrations.
As you might expect, beaches are on point here, with Princess Diana Beach on Barbuda surprising travelers with its lovely rose-colored sand. Across the water on Antigua, there are the famed 365 beaches such as those around Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay, one for every day of the year. Beyond the beach itself, you can still get nautical with celebrations like Antigua Sailing Week (annually in late April or early May) an international regatta that includes not only races but parties and social events.
The color white also comes into play, as it’s the official uniform color of the country’s national sport, cricket. Take in a game at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, built for the 2007 Cricket World Cup, to get a flavor for the passion rooted in this popular sport.
Carnival is Antigua and Barbuda’s biggest cultural event, and it is held each year in late July and early August. The reason for the party here is important—it commemorates emancipation from slavery—as opposed to many other Caribbean Carnivals, which are pre-Lenten parties. On the evening of July 31, Watch Night, you’ll experience everything from drumming to dance to cultural performances, as the country celebrates the long journey to freedom.
J’ouvert is another fascinating part of Carnival, but one that’s an early-morning gathering. Here, the participants are covered in colorful paint, as well as mud, powder, and oil. They follow music trucks that drive through the streets dancing in celebration. And Monday and Tuesday parades during Carnival are yet another opportunity to party, filling the capital city with music, culture, costumes, and pride.
Gastronomy isn’t forgotten here, and local fruits like the aforementioned black pineapple are prized on Antigua and Barbuda. Locals and tourists alike also enjoy conch fritters, jerk chicken, and ducana, a sweet potato dumpling that’s cooked in banana leaves.
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