Essential Travel Information for Anguilla

Get all the crucial details for a seamless trip to Anguilla, from visa requirements to transportation options, in our comprehensive guide to essential travel information.

Bargaining

Bargaining is generally not a common practice in Anguilla, especially in established businesses like hotels, restaurants, and retail stores where prices are fixed. The island is known for its luxury resorts and upscale amenities, and in such settings, haggling is generally not accepted.

Communication

Anguilla generally has good connectivity in terms of Wi-Fi and phone service, particularly in and around major towns and tourist areas. Here are some key points:

Wi-Fi:

Hotels and Resorts: Almost all hotels and resorts offer Wi-Fi services to their guests, although the quality of the connection can vary. In many high-end establishments, Wi-Fi is often complimentary and fairly fast.
Cafés and Restaurants: Many eateries also provide free Wi-Fi, particularly in tourist areas. However, the speed might not be as high, and there could be restrictions on usage.
Public Wi-Fi: Some public areas may offer free Wi-Fi, but these are generally less secure and should be used cautiously.

Phone Service:

Local Carriers: Anguilla has local telecom companies like Flow and Digicel that provide fairly comprehensive coverage across the island.
Prepaid SIM Cards: For travelers looking to stay connected without incurring roaming charges, prepaid SIM cards are available and relatively easy to obtain.
Roaming: Check with your home service provider about international roaming packages. Some offer reasonable rates, but others can be quite expensive.
Coverage: While most populated areas have good service, more remote parts of the island may have spotty or no coverage.
Emergency Numbers: The emergency phone number for police, fire, and medical services is 911.

Currency

The official currency of Anguilla is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), which is used in several other countries and territories in the Eastern Caribbean as well. The Eastern Caribbean Dollar is pegged to the United States Dollar (USD) at a fixed exchange rate.

However, United States Dollars are also widely accepted across the island, especially in tourist areas and by businesses that cater to tourists. If you're paying in USD, you may receive change in either USD or XCD, depending on the business and the availability of currency.

Credit and debit cards are generally accepted at hotels, restaurants, and larger stores, although it's advisable to carry some cash for smaller vendors, local markets, or in case of connectivity issues that could affect card transactions.

Electric Plugs

Anguilla generally uses Type A and Type B electrical outlets, which are the same types found in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and some other countries. Here are the specifics:

Type A: This is a flat two-pin plug.
Type B: This is a plug with two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin.

The standard voltage in Anguilla is 110V, and the standard frequency is 60Hz. This is the same as in the United States, so if you are traveling from the U.S., you should be able to use your electrical devices without needing a voltage converter.

Time Zone

Anguilla is in the Atlantic Standard Time (AST) zone. This time zone is 4 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-4). Anguilla does not observe Daylight Saving Time, so the time remains the same year-round.

Tipping Etiquette

Tipping is generally appreciated and considered good etiquette in Anguilla, especially in the service industry. Here are some general guidelines on tipping in various settings:

Restaurants:

Tipping 10-15% of the total bill is common in restaurants. Some establishments may include a service charge in the bill, usually around 10-15%.

Hotels:

It's customary to tip hotel staff for services rendered. For example, you might tip bellmen $1-2 per bag, housekeeping around $2-5 per day, and other service personnel like concierges for their assistance.