Introduction
The beautiful island of Antigua attracts hundreds of tourists each year as well as individuals looking to make the island their second home. Sandy beaches in excess, incredible natural and historical attractions like Shirley’s Heights all make the nation an ideal destination for business or leisure. But you may be wondering: How safe is Antigua and Barbuda? In this article, we will tell you all about safety, and provide you with plausible statistics and advice on how to keep yourself and your family and friends safe while visiting Antigua.
Antigua Safety
Antigua has the lowest violent crime rate in the Caribbean. The latest statistics from 2018 show that the crime rate for Antigua was considerably lower than that of countries like St. Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, and Jamaica however there are certain advisories that you should take into consideration.
Although large and dramatic crimes are rare, you should be aware and try your best to prevent being a victim of petty crimes and thefts. Compared to the United States, whose crime rate in 2018 was a whopping 1, 203, 808, Antigua scores incredibly low.
Antigua Crime hotspots
There are no dedicated crime hotspots in Antigua, but it is advised to stay away from non-tourist areas especially at night.
Antigua Crime rate and Statistics
According to crime statistics for the past 5 years, Antigua and Barbuda have had the lowest violent crimes, making it ultimately safer than most Caribbean islands. In 2018, statistics from the Overseas Security Advisory Council showed that the Antigua crime rate was the lowest in the West Indies.
One year later in 2019, there was a 755 decrease in violent crimes with just only 4 recorded murders.
General Travel Safety Tips
Be Prepared
The first tip to staying safe when traveling is to prepare. Do your research about the country beforehand and make a list of people that you can contact in case of an emergency. You should also consider getting travel insurance. Relocate Antigua provides personal security services, get in touch with us today.
Travel in Numbers
Traveling in numbers has numerous benefits, but safety is one of the most important. Tour groups are less likely to be targeted compared to lone travelers. You and your friends or the members of your group can look out for each other.
Plan before going out at night
Exploring at night can also be very exciting but be sure to have a plan in place for getting home safely after. If you plan to go drinking, ensure you have a designated driver. Be sure to let your emergency contact or your parents know where you are going and with who
Natural Dangers and how to avoid them
General climate information
The twin-island state of Antigua and Barbuda lies in the eastern arc of the Caribbean which separates the Caribbean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean. Antigua and Barbuda have a tropical marine climate which means that the country is predominantly hot throughout the year.
The country’s climate is influenced by its tropical location, the trade winds, and its proximity to the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The best time to visit Antigua is in the dry season which is from January to April. Late January and early February have been recorded to have the best conditions with rainless days and temperatures ranging from 18.3°C (64.9°F) to 32.2°C (90°F).
Antigua Hurricanes and storms
One of your main questions may be: Does Antigua get hit by hurricanes? Well, In this part of the world, hurricanes aren’t uncommon. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November with many tropical storms forming in the Atlantic Ocean and passing through and affecting the region. The peak of the season is in the summer, more specifically between September and October.
The last major hurricane to impact the islands was Hurricane Irma which devastated Barbuda in 2017. Antigua is also at risk for flash floods whenever there is heavy rainfall. We advise you to travel before the hurricane season in January and April to avoid being affected by storms or Antigua hurricanes.
If you are planning to own a home in Antigua, we will assist you in finding a climate-resistant home and also provide you with property management services, ensuring that your residence is secured from Antigua hurricane risks whether you are on or off-island.
To learn more about this, give us a call today.
Earthquakes
The last major earthquake to affect Antigua was in 1974. Since then, there have been no serious earthquakes although harmless tremors occur now and again.
Temperature
Antigua has proved to be one of the hottest islands in the entire Caribbean. It is located at 17°N of the equator, causing it to have very bright sunshine and an equal duration of days and nights. The average daily temperature goes from 5°C (77°F) in January to a high of 28.1°C (82.6°F) in August. The average relative humidity ranges from 68 to 78% and reaches its peak by August.
In the summer it is very humid, so be wear loose clothing that won’t have you feeling uncomfortable especially if you plan to go touring or hiking in Antigua. In the summer it can get as warm as31.1°C (88°F)- perfect weather for the beach, but ensure that you remain properly hydrated and wear eye and head protection to prevent overheating or sunstrokes.
Other natural risks
Antigua poisonous animals
Antigua and Barbuda do not have many harmful pests or animals but there are a few pesky creatures that you should be aware of such as scorpions, Antiguan racer snakes which are harmless and only found in Barbuda, centipedes, and horse spiders. These critters can cause very painful bites but are not dangerous. Sea creatures that you should be aware of include stingray, jellyfish, and sea urchins.
With 365 beaches, you may be concerned about sharks but not to worry, there has never been a recorded shark attack in Antigua and Barbuda.
Diseases
Mosquito-borne diseases such as The Zika Virus and Dengue Fever have been known to be present in Antigua but the last detected case of the Zika virus was in November of 2016. However, Dengue fever persists to be a problem with at least two cases recorded in 2020. Dengue fever is a viral infection caused by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus female mosquitoes. Symptoms include high fever, muscle, joint, bone, and eye pain, severe headache, and skin rash. To prevent yourself from contracting Dengue you should:
- Use an insect repellent
- Wear breathable, long-sleeved, neutral-colored clothing
- Get rid of containers in your surroundings that could be possible breeding environments for mosquitos.
Conclusion
As eager as you are to pack up and come to the beautiful sunny Antigua and Barbuda, take into consideration all the Antigua safety risks and the advice for each to prevent any regretful situations. Our agents at Relocate Antigua will provide you with any additional information that you require in regard to tours and car and chauffeur services to further ensure your safety and security on the islands.
Do you need a personal assistant to help you get around and get things done? We can help you with that too!
Contact us for your free initial quote and to get started on preparing for your next trip to Antigua.
