Getting Around
- Driving is on the left side of the road.
- Holders of foreign driver’s licenses can get a temporary driving permit that enables them to drive a car or motorbike on the island for up to 90 days. The associated cost is $27 (USD). However, please check with the car agency or local authorities for fee updates.
- Regarding healthcare, the 911 system is in use in Anguilla. You will also find the Princess Alexandra Hospital in The Quarter area.
Driving Requirements - It is much more cost-effective to rent a car to get around the island than take a taxi everywhere. To be allowed to do so, you must get an Anguillan driver’s license, which can be issued at either the Inland Revenue Department (located in The Valley – the capital of Anguilla) or most car rental agencies. You will need to show a valid driver’s license and pay a one-time fee of EC$67 for a 90-day temporary permit or EC$40 for a temporary permit with a 3-day validity. Be prepared when driving in Anguilla, though, as the street names are hard to find (if existent at all), and the roads are riddled with potholes.
Road Conditions & Safety - Generally, you should be careful when driving in Anguilla. This also applies when crossing a road on foot or riding a vehicle because of poor road conditions. Major roads are no exception either. Don’t be surprised if you see a vehicle stop in the middle of a road and the driver exits it with no warning. This is quite typical for Anguilla drivers. So, always practice common driving sense and watch for signs of sudden braking. To prevent accidents, kindly ensure you maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. Also, beware that some cars may lack functional signalling devices.
Public Transportation - You can use taxis and minibusses to get around the island, with the first being the best option. Exploring the island on foot will be insanely challenging as Anguilla is far too spread out. You can find taxi fares posted at Clayton J. Lloyd Airport, although the taxis are not metered in Anguilla. Taxis are also recommended because taxi drivers make great tour guides. On the flip side, a typical one-way rate is around $20, which is quite expensive.
Finally, a ferry ride to St. Maarten or St. Martin for a day is a superb option to explore the nearby locations. These destinations are served by several boats leaving Anguilla’s Blowing Point. Expect a $30 fare for a one-way ride, plus departure tax ($28 per person – it applies to first-time visitors only). The fees and fares are significantly lower for children under 12.
Car & Taxi Rentals - Most Anguilla visitors prefer to rent a car for most of their stay (if not all of it). Weekly rental rates vary between $250 (USD) for a regular vehicle and $400 (USD) for a large van. Daily car rentals range between $45 (USD) and $85 (USD) for a regular car and a large van, respectively. However, you may find more cost-effective or expensive rates, so do your research. Most car rental agencies and taxis are located at the Clayton J. Loyd International Airport (AXA).
Electricity
The electricity in Anguilla is 110 volts AC
Code of Conduct
- Topless and nude sunbathing is not permitted in Anguilla in public places, and you will be fined for doing so.
- The local dress code is relaxed and informal overall. However, wearing a swimsuit in public areas is frowned upon.
Travelling with Your Pet – Documentation & Requirements
If you want to visit Anguilla with your pet, you need to email the Anguilla Agricultural Department (agriculture@gov.ai) or call them at (264) 497-2615 to get your hands on the required pet information form. Or you can visit the website of the Anguilla Agricultural Ministry (http://www.gov.ai/pets.php) for details concerning what information is needed by the Ministry.
First, you must complete a One Time Credit Card Payment Authorization Form (you can find it here: One Time Credit Card Payment Authorization Form) to pay the relevant fee (EC35 or $15 for payment via card). Then, fill out the:
- Pet Import Permit Application (you can find it here: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES) if you are bringing in a pet or the
- Livestock Import Permit Application (you can find it here: http://www.gov.ai/documents/agriculture/Import%20Permit-%20Livestock.pdf) if you want to travel to Anguilla with livestock.
Important note: Please consider that the visa requirements differ entirely from the Anguilla health requirements. Both must be met, so you are allowed to enter the country. Kindly check the Anguilla Entry Requirements currently applicable here: Entry requirements - Anguilla (British Overseas Territory) travel advice - GOV.UK.
Is the Anguilla Water Drinkable?
This is a major issue in Anguilla as it is the most expensive commodity, especially for farmers, due to the limited access to fresh water. And although the island follows an eco-friendly approach, banning single-use plastics, water bottles are the only exception since it is the only option for most locals and travellers.
Regarding whether the water here is drinkable, yes, you can drink the water in Anguilla. However, you may not want to – most locals don’t drink water straight from the tap. Remember that Anguilla’s drinking water comes from collected rain, desalination, and wells connected to underground aquifers. Nevertheless, most of the local population gathers water from cisterns, while some use bottled water.
The truth is that access to improved sanitation facilities is constantly increasing. At the same time, though, the capacity of the island’s underground aquifer has been struggling lately. Plus, extracting more and more water and maxing out the pumping rates at the wells risk seawater intrusion, which can destroy the aquifer.
For all these reasons, resorts and hotels in Anguilla have various water sources while also using high-end water-makers to purify and clean the water. However, most luxury hotel restaurants provide guests with bottled water. That says it all.
Anguilla’s History & Culture
The petroglyphs are proof of the Arawaks settling on the island, who inhabited Anguilla way before the French and the British started fighting over it for almost two centuries. However, the British established a plantation economy on the island. Anguilla became a separated British territory in 1967 when a forced marriage with Nevis and St. Kitts sparked the Anguilla Revolution. Nowadays, cricket matches and boat races are the only outlets for the most heated passions!
Getting Around
- Driving is on the left side of the road.
- Holders of foreign driver’s licenses can get a temporary driving permit that enables them to drive a car or motorbike on the island for up to 90 days. The associated cost is $27 (USD). However, please check with the car agency or local authorities for fee updates.
- Regarding healthcare, the 911 system is in use in Anguilla. You will also find the Princess Alexandra Hospital in The Quarter area.
Driving Requirements - It is much more cost-effective to rent a car to get around the island than take a taxi everywhere. To be allowed to do so, you must get an Anguillan driver’s license, which can be issued at either the Inland Revenue Department (located in The Valley – the capital of Anguilla) or most car rental agencies. You will need to show a valid driver’s license and pay a one-time fee of EC$67 for a 90-day temporary permit or EC$40 for a temporary permit with a 3-day validity. Be prepared when driving in Anguilla, though, as the street names are hard to find (if existent at all), and the roads are riddled with potholes.
Road Conditions & Safety - Generally, you should be careful when driving in Anguilla. This also applies when crossing a road on foot or riding a vehicle because of poor road conditions. Major roads are no exception either. Don’t be surprised if you see a vehicle stop in the middle of a road and the driver exits it with no warning. This is quite typical for Anguilla drivers. So, always practice common driving sense and watch for signs of sudden braking. To prevent accidents, kindly ensure you maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. Also, beware that some cars may lack functional signalling devices.
Public Transportation - You can use taxis and minibusses to get around the island, with the first being the best option. Exploring the island on foot will be insanely challenging as Anguilla is far too spread out. You can find taxi fares posted at Clayton J. Lloyd Airport, although the taxis are not metered in Anguilla. Taxis are also recommended because taxi drivers make great tour guides. On the flip side, a typical one-way rate is around $20, which is quite expensive.
Finally, a ferry ride to St. Maarten or St. Martin for a day is a superb option to explore the nearby locations. These destinations are served by several boats leaving Anguilla’s Blowing Point. Expect a $30 fare for a one-way ride, plus departure tax ($28 per person – it applies to first-time visitors only). The fees and fares are significantly lower for children under 12.
Car & Taxi Rentals - Most Anguilla visitors prefer to rent a car for most of their stay (if not all of it). Weekly rental rates vary between $250 (USD) for a regular vehicle and $400 (USD) for a large van. Daily car rentals range between $45 (USD) and $85 (USD) for a regular car and a large van, respectively. However, you may find more cost-effective or expensive rates, so do your research. Most car rental agencies and taxis are located at the Clayton J. Loyd International Airport (AXA).
Electricity
The electricity in Anguilla is 110 volts AC
Code of Conduct
- Topless and nude sunbathing is not permitted in Anguilla in public places, and you will be fined for doing so.
- The local dress code is relaxed and informal overall. However, wearing a swimsuit in public areas is frowned upon.
Travelling with Your Pet – Documentation & Requirements
If you want to visit Anguilla with your pet, you need to email the Anguilla Agricultural Department (agriculture@gov.ai) or call them at (264) 497-2615 to get your hands on the required pet information form. Or you can visit the website of the Anguilla Agricultural Ministry (http://www.gov.ai/pets.php) for details concerning what information is needed by the Ministry.
First, you must complete a One Time Credit Card Payment Authorization Form (you can find it here: One Time Credit Card Payment Authorization Form) to pay the relevant fee (EC35 or $15 for payment via card). Then, fill out the:
- Pet Import Permit Application (you can find it here: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES) if you are bringing in a pet or the
- Livestock Import Permit Application (you can find it here: http://www.gov.ai/documents/agriculture/Import%20Permit-%20Livestock.pdf) if you want to travel to Anguilla with livestock.
Important note: Please consider that the visa requirements differ entirely from the Anguilla health requirements. Both must be met, so you are allowed to enter the country. Kindly check the Anguilla Entry Requirements currently applicable here: Entry requirements - Anguilla (British Overseas Territory) travel advice - GOV.UK.
Is the Anguilla Water Drinkable?
This is a major issue in Anguilla as it is the most expensive commodity, especially for farmers, due to the limited access to fresh water. And although the island follows an eco-friendly approach, banning single-use plastics, water bottles are the only exception since it is the only option for most locals and travellers.
Regarding whether the water here is drinkable, yes, you can drink the water in Anguilla. However, you may not want to – most locals don’t drink water straight from the tap. Remember that Anguilla’s drinking water comes from collected rain, desalination, and wells connected to underground aquifers. Nevertheless, most of the local population gathers water from cisterns, while some use bottled water.
The truth is that access to improved sanitation facilities is constantly increasing. At the same time, though, the capacity of the island’s underground aquifer has been struggling lately. Plus, extracting more and more water and maxing out the pumping rates at the wells risk seawater intrusion, which can destroy the aquifer.
For all these reasons, resorts and hotels in Anguilla have various water sources while also using high-end water-makers to purify and clean the water. However, most luxury hotel restaurants provide guests with bottled water. That says it all.
Anguilla’s History & Culture
The petroglyphs are proof of the Arawaks settling on the island, who inhabited Anguilla way before the French and the British started fighting over it for almost two centuries. However, the British established a plantation economy on the island. Anguilla became a separated British territory in 1967 when a forced marriage with Nevis and St. Kitts sparked the Anguilla Revolution. Nowadays, cricket matches and boat races are the only outlets for the most heated passions!