Antigua Car Rental – 12 Things You Need To Know By A Local

Antigua car rental – we’ll tell you everything you need to know before you hire a car!

Each winter Carl’s job as a yacht captain brings us as a family to Antigua.  Our boys love living here, and we’ve taken to being locals, so much so that our eldest even goes to the local preschool. 

Using our local knowledge, we thought it would be helpful to share some local tips and knowledge on Antigua car rental to help you have a smooth experience.

Antigua is such a beautiful paradise island that is just waiting to be explored.  With 365 beaches to choose from you’d be missing out if you didn’t try to visit at least a few of them.  There are also some incredible activities as well such as zip lining that you can try out too.

The easiest way to get around the island at your own pace is to rent a car.  And especially if you want to visit some of the more off-the-beaten-track beaches such as Rendezvous Bay. It’s important to remember that resort stays aren’t really representative of day-to-day life in Antigua.

Why should you rent a car in Antigua?

Getting around and exploring Antigua by car is lots of fun!  

Whilst Antigua does have a public transport system you would waste a lot of time switching between bus routes to navigate the island.  Plus, it’s easier to load your day bag and gear into the back of a car than carry it between buses.  

Taxis can be an option, however, you’d need to ask the driver to wait if you want to stop off and enjoy attractions or beaches.  This could make it an expensive option.

We love a road trip.  It’s so much easier to stop and pull in when you see something cool when you’re the driver.  Also, if you’re travelling with kids it means you can pull over for toilet stops.  I swear our son waits until we’re in the car before shouting he needs the toilet, haha!

If you have the budget then we’d recommend having a 4×4 as it means that you can drive to some cool places such as Rendezvous Beach!

1. Car Rental In Antigua Can Be Expensive

The first thing that we should make you aware of is that car rental in Antigua is not cheap.

To give you an idea, car rental in Antigua varies between US$55 per day for a small car to US$100 per day for a jeep – with insurance.  However, if there are a few of you sharing the costs then it actually can be a really cost-effective way to explore rather than paying tour prices.

It’s definitely worth renting a car! We actually bought our car a few years ago as it was cheaper to invest in a car than to rent one. If you’re in Antigua for a while then buying might be better than renting.

You’ll need to consider where you want to go before you rent, if you’re happy to stick with the main roads then you can get away with a basic, cheaper car rental.  If you’re thinking of heading a bit more off the beaten track, then you’ll want to take a 4×4 which can be more expensive.  Visiting Rendezvous Bay is definitely worth it, but you’ll need a 4×4.

2. Collect Your Rental Car Direct From The Agency

It’s a lot cheaper if you collect your car rather than have it dropped to your accommodation.  As there will be a fee for drop off and pick up.

There are three main places to go for renting cars in Antigua:

Antigua Airport |  At the airport, there is much more competition amongst different firms which means significantly cheaper rates are on offer.  During peak season there is a lot of demand for car rental so it’s essential that you book in advance.

Redcliffe Quay in St John’s  |  These are handy if you’re arriving by cruise ship for a day and want to head out to explore.

English Harbour  |  Surprisingly there are quite a few local companies based there.  These are easily accessible for anyone arriving in Antigua by yacht.  We’ve rented from Bigs Car Rental before.

If you have the car for your whole stay, rather than just renting for one day, it means that you can explore the island at your own pace.  It’s very easy to be sucked into the resort way of life and never leave. With your own car, you can mix mornings spent in the resort with some island fun in the afternoons.

Renting can also save you a lot on taxi fares.  We had friends who stayed at a luxury resort and were being charged super high fares to travel around.  They found it a lot cheaper to rent a car than to use taxis.

3. Shop Around For Long Term Car Rental In Antigua

If you’re planning on staying in Antigua for a week or more then you can definitely shop around and negotiate cheaper rental.  For car rentals over a week, you can often secure yourself a 50% discount on the price.

We ended up buying a car as it was cheaper in the long run to buy one and store it over the summer. To give you an idea, we bought our Toyota Rav4 for about US$4,000.

4. You’ll Need A Local Driving Licence

Yes, as strange as this seems, you’ll need a local driving licence to be able to rent a car in Antigua.

It’s a permit that allows you to drive in Antigua and will be arranged for you by the car rental company.  It costs US$20 and is valid for three months.  You should make sure to keep this and your own driving licence with you at all times just in case you are stopped by the police.

If you do make it to Antigua to visit then please look us up. We have a very funny story about getting our first local driving licence which involved us having to swap clothes,.

Other things that you’ll need to rent a car in Antigua include your passport and credit card.

5. They Drive On The Left In Antigua

In Antigua they drive on the left-hand side of the road.  Easy for those of us who are Brits but might take a little getting used to if you’re used to driving on the right-hand side.

Don’t be surprised if you see drivers driving on the “wrong” side of the road.  It’s likely that they are doing that to avoid a pothole or two in the road.  Some low-slung car drivers also take the speed bumps at an angle to avoid grounding out.

6. The Roads Are Bumpy

There are a lot of potholes on the roads in Antigua.  You probably won’t drive far without spotting one.  In fact, we’d challenge you to drive more than 5 minutes without meeting one.

You can usually spot one coming when the driver in front slows down to slowly cross it.  If it’s a particularly deep one then they may swerve to the other side of the road to avoid it completely. We recently had to change our shock absorbers as they’d taken quite the battering and needed replacing!

There are also a LOT of speed bumps. It feels like there are about 3-4 every mile. So keep an eye out for these too.

If you follow your sat nav or Google Maps then it might be that on occasion it directs you down what looks to be a gravel track.  These are in fact public roads, so you can use them.  If you’re worried about the car grounding out then it might be better to continue driving and to wait for your SatNav to redirect you.

7. Stick To The Speed Limit

We often laugh about this as we drive along, because, yes there is a speed limit, but you’re very unlikely to ever exceed it. Between dodging potholes and going over speed bumps, you really don’t get a chance to get any speed.

So that you are aware of it, the speed limit is 40 mph in the countryside and 20 mph in St John’s.  Our son often asks us “Go faster mummy”, but we never get to go anywhere very fast.  If you manage to reach 40 mph then you should celebrate with a loud “whoop whoop” like we do.

There are no speed cameras on the roads that we know of.  However, we have been told that there are roadside police patrols using handheld speed cameras.  If you do get stopped then the police are really friendly, so we hear from our friend who was pulled over recently.

Other legal things to be aware of when driving a rental car in Antigua:

The legal driving age is 18, however, you’ll need to be at least 21 to rent a car

It’s legal to drink with blood alcohol level up to 80mg (similar to the UK).  However, if you’re driving at night you should be aware there are lots of hazards on the not-so-great roads.

It’s illegal to use a phone while driving

You must wear your seatbelt at all times

8. Keep An Eye Out For Wandering Donkeys (And People!)

Yes, that’s right – there are donkeys everywhere in Antigua.  As you drive along you’ll spot them all over the place – tied up on the roadside, or sometimes loose wandering around.  You’ll even see people riding them.

They have a tendency to wander about, so please be aware of them when you drive.  You’ll also possibly catch a glimpse of a mongoose or two scurrying across the road. Plus there are lots of local dogs crisscrossing the road too.

When you walk about you’ll notice that most roadsides lack kerbs or pavements.  This means that most people end up walking on the roads.  So, along with wandering donkeys, the odd scurrying mongoose and crisscrossing dogs, you’ll also need to keep an eye out for people on the roads too.

Driving at night can be risky as there’s very little street lighting, and the mixture of the above plus the speed bumps and potholes can be a bit much.  Ideally, try not to drive too far at night.

If you’d like to see a donkey then we highly recommend visiting the Antigua Donkey Sanctuary.

9. Parking in Antigua

Parking your rental car in Antigua is pretty straightforward at most beaches.  The parking is free and you can literally pull up and park at the edge of the beach.  There don’t tend to be any specific parking bays. The best thing is to join the other cars in figuring out where’s best to park and take their lead.

If you’re visiting St John’s, which we highly recommend you do for a few hours during your stay, then you’re best to park in a designated car park.  There is some roadside parking available. However, we tend to avoid it and head to this car park here which is close to the cruise ship terminal and easy walking distance to everywhere.

All rental cars have an “R” as the prefix on their registration plates, so it makes them easy to spot.  This in turn sadly makes them the perfect target for break-ins.  To avoid your rental car being broken into our advice is that you should make sure that you remove all of your valuables before leaving it.

It’s also very hot during the day, so where possible, we’d advise grabbing a parking spot in the shade.  Otherwise, the interior can get pretty toasty by the time you return.

10. Purchase The Insurance On Your Car Rental In Antigua

Onto the topic of insurance.  We’ve discussed a couple of things to be aware of when driving a rental car in Antigua.  Some of these such as potential damage from potholes, the risk of break-ins or even hitting other cars could be costly.  In order to not worry about this and enjoy your holiday we’d 100% advise you to get the full insurance package.

For peace of mind, we always do this and recommend you do too.

Also, as ever, make sure to do a thorough inspection of the vehicle before you take it out on the road for the first time. Always ensure that any pre-existing damage is noted by the rental firm. 

11. Nothing Is More Than 45 Minutes Drive Away

We love this fun fact – and it’s so true!  We’re very much into day-tripping about the island and it’s nice to know that you and spend a day out without too much driving.

Antigua is pretty small, however, all of the beaches and activities can be pretty spread out which is why we recommend renting a car.  

We’d always suggest keeping your car topped up with fuel/gas as there aren’t many gas stations in the east or south of Antigua.  We’ve never heard of anyone running out yet, but there’s always a first time!

12. The Most Scenic Road On The Island – Fig Tree Drive!

If you decide to rent a car then driving along Fig Tree Drive is a MUST!  It’s the most beautiful road on the island and takes you through the tropical rainforest.  We often take this road even if it adds a few minutes to our trip.

There are many activity stops that you can make along Fig Tree Drive, they include:

Swimming at Carlisle Bay

Flying through the air on the zip lines

Hiking through the rainforest up to Signal Hill

Admire local art at Fig Tree Studio

It is easy to find, it starts outside Carlisle Bay Resort here and finishes here.  If you type Fig Tree Drive into Google it’ll highlight the road for you.

FAQ’s

Can tourists drive in Antigua?

Yes, tourists can drive in Antigua. They are allowed to drive in Antigua but will need an Antiguan driving license. The temporary license is valid for 3 months and can be bought from your rental car company upon renting a car.

What side of the road do they drive on in Antigua?

They drive on the left side of the road in Antigua. There are usually handing stickers in the windscreen of rental cars in Antigua reminding you which side to drive on. If in doubt, follow the car ahead!

How long does it take to drive around Antigua?

To drive around Antigua non-stop it takes 3 hours, starting and ending in St.John’s. You’ll want to stop along the way so you might want to break your road trip down into several days.

What’s the best way to get around Antigua?

The best way to get around Antigua is with a rental car. You can explore at your own pace, swim at less touristy beaches, find hidden gems, and have the best adventures. Be aware of potholes and drive during the day for the best Antiguan driving experience.

Can you explore Antigua without a car?

Yes, you can get around Antigua without a car, but it won’t be easy or quick. The public bus system is pretty reliable for short trips around St.John’s, but they don’t cover the whole island. Using taxis to travel around can become expensive.

When is the best time to visit Antigua?

Peak season is December to April because it’s when the weather is at its best as it’s drier and less hot. You’ll also be visiting outside of hurricane season making it a lot safer to visit.

Is Antigua safe to visit?

Yes, it is very safe. We’ve lived on the island for 3 winters and we’ve never had any issues with safety.

Is Antigua expensive?

The expense of visiting Antigua depends on your travel preferences and spending priorities. With a smaller budget, it’s entirely achievable, but you’ll need to be mindful of your expenses, choose where to allocate your funds wisely and explore more affordable alternatives.

Final Thoughts On Car Rental In Antigua

Having a rental car in Antigua is a must.  It really gives you the freedom to explore everything that this island has to offer.

It’s super simple to navigate the island. As long as you follow the advice in our post you should have an easy safe time driving around.