Anguilla

Anguilla is a self-governing British overseas territory occupying the island of the same name and several smaller islands. It is situated in the eastern part of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. The capital city is Valley. 

The climate on the island is tropical with trade winds. During a year, the temperature varies from +20°C to +38°C in summer. If you are planning a travel to Anguilla, be aware that since July to October, tropical storms and hurricanes are typical here. 

The official language is English but people can also speak Creole. Over 80% of the population are the Protestants.

Anguilla is a true paradise for people who like to relax on secluded beaches. In Anguilla, there are a lot of lagoons with sandy beaches and small uninhabited islands. The diverse underwater world and sunken ships attract a lot of divers. 

Valley is the largest resort in Anguilla where there are all the facilities for playing golf and man spa-centers.

Such celebrities as Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Sara Jessica Parker, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie spent their holidays on the remote beaches of the Maundeys Bay resort.

A fish village Island Harbour attracts the tourists with its cultural identity and atmosphere. Fans of fishing can easily join the local fishing boat and learn how the locals do it. After a trip head to one of the restaurants where they serve dishes from the very fresh seafood.  

The Scrub Island is not far from Anguilla coast is the main destination for divers. There are remote beaches and this is the place where one can see the migration of the whales.

Get in

By Plane

The airport of Anguilla in the city of Valley receives only domestic and private flights. You can get to the island with a stop in the nearest airports. There are regular flights to Valley from the international airport VC Bird in Antigua and Barbuda which receives the flights from London, Frankfurt and Paris. This is the most convenient route for the Europeans.

There are also regular flights from Paris through Saint Martin.  

By Sea

A ferry arrives from Saint Martin at Valley. The tourists can also get to the island with one of the cruise ships or sailing yachts. You can also reach one of the Anguilla islands by your own or rented yacht. 

Visa

The citizens of the European Union do not need a visa to travel to Anguilla provided that they stay on the island not more than 90 days. The tourists from CIS countries must obtain a visa to come to Anguilla unless they have a valid British visa. One can submit the documents for a visa at the UK Embassy, visa centers or a travel agency.

Normally, the time for processing the documents is 10-22 days.

The visa is valid for half a year and a year. 

The tourists do not need a transit visa if they leave the country on the day of arrival and have an airline, ship or yacht ticket. 

Customs

The tourists planning their travel to Anguilla should know that import and export of national and foreign currency is allowed  but the sum of 10.000 US dollars and over must be declared. Besides, gold is also declared.

The tourists can import in Anguilla duty-free the following goods:

• a small amount of alcohol and tobacco;
• personal belongings.

The tourists can import art objects and archaeological values provided that they have a permit.

The travelers can export souvenirs for personal use.

It is prohibited to export items having a historical, artistic or archaeological value.  

Cuisine

The Anguillian cuisine is a unique mix of African, Creole and European cooking traditions. The local dishes are so unique and diverse that they will surprise even the pickiest eaters. The staple food in Anguilla is seafood.

The locals prefer grilled meat and they often cook a traditional British beefsteak.

The local chefs are very proud of the crab meat soup. One more traditional soup on the island is Caribbean bean soup. 

The tourists should try grilled chicken marinated in a hot sauce with citrus and served with rice, mango, coconuts. We also recommend the Creole-style chicken with rice and shrimps.

Anguilla is a true paradise for foodies who prefer seafood. Seafood is used in everything from ragout, soups, grilled dishes to casseroles. A traditional dish is a trout steak. The locals offer to try lobsters, mussels and the fish Mahi-Mahi.

Desserts include spring rolls with banana and chocolate, a fruit pie Key Lime Pie and Cracked coconut (a coconut ice-cream in hard shell chocolate reminding a cracked nut).

As for the drinks, the locals prefer tea and cold juices.

In Anguilla, you have a chance to try the best wines in the world. Rum is also very popular and they cook various punches and cocktails with it.  

Money

The official currency is East Caribbean dollar (XCD) which is equal to 100 cents. The bank notes from 5 to 100 dollars and the coins from 1 to 50 cents and 1 dollar are in circulation. US dollars and Euros are accepted all over the country.

East Caribbean dollar is a non-convertible currency and it can be exchanged only in some Caribbean countries where it is a national currency. When your travel comes to an end, spend all the national money in Anguilla.

You can exchange currency at banks, in exchange offices, large stores and hotels. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere so you do not really need to have cash. You can cash traveler’s checks at banks,  in large stores and hotels.

ATMs are almost everywhere in Anguilla. 

Details of interest

Sightseeing in Anguilla

Anguilla is a place for calm and fuss-free holidays. You will not find here any large hotels, night clubs and noisy entertainments for the tourists. In addition to relaxing time on the beach, you can also go sightseeing.

• Island Harbor is a fish village to the east of the Shoel Bay East gulf. The people here seem to be occupied with their everyday routine and do not notice the tourists.
• Big Springs cave is a half-ruined cave on the territory of the Island Harbor village. In the cave, you will see petroglyphs of the Arawak Indians and the submarine spring. The fishers will find this place interesting.
• A tiny private coral reef Scilly is the place for diving, sunbathing on the secluded beach and eating good food in a small seafood restaurant.
• The Scrub island rises from the water and it is located 4 km from the village Island Harbor. One can get there only by boat. But when you make this trip, you can imagine yourself to be a discoverer because the island is virtually uninhabited. Only a deserted hotel and airstrip will remind you of the presence of people here. The Scrub island is a popular center of nudism in the Caribbean with its numerous nude beaches.
• Rendezvous Bay is the place with the best beaches. There you will find many nice sea shells.
• The Sandy Hill area is the only place on the island where you can see the remnants of the Colonial period in Anguilla. The historical and architectural monuments here include the remnants of the Dutch fort built in the 18th century and a well-preserved grave of Governor Richardson.
• Meads Bay or a honey bay in the southwestern part of the island. Here, you will completely relax away from the noise on the secluded beaches.
• Wallblack House is the oldest house on the island. It was built in 1787 and it preserved its original state almost untouched. Today, this is a museum.

Anguillian Souvenirs

To remember their travel to Anguilla, the tourists can buy local souvenirs:

• exclusive local rum;
• pictures depicting the landscapes of the island by the popular artist Louise Brooks;
• sweets;
• jewelry;
• cigars.