Travel Tips

1. DON'T FORGET YOUR PASSPORTS!

2. Cash and Credit Cards - Anguilla's currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, which is pegged to USD at EC$2.70 per dollar, but everyone typically uses US dollars down there.

Before you leave, you will want to hit an ATM or pick up some travelers checks though. There are a number of ATMs around Anguilla, including a few you'll see along the side of the road as you are driving around, but they tend to run out of cash on weekends. The ATMs in town (The Valley, center of the island and east of where we're all staying) at the main bank offices seem to be the most reliable, and we've used an ATM in Sandy Ground along with a few at banks alongside the main road. In terms of having cash on you, every hotel room has a safe.

Believe me, though, this isn't something to stress about. Most of the restaurants, bars, and shops take credit cards, though typically Visa/MC.  The hotels take AmEx but not the restaurants and bars. Mainly, you'll need cash for taxis.

One more thing you will need cash for… When you leave Anguilla from Blowing Point ferry terminal, you'll need US$25 cash per person for departure tax and small bills to tip the porters that move your bags on and off the boat.

3. Getting Around - Generally there isn't a need to rent a car in Anguilla. We've done it for a day here and there, just to drive around and explore a bit. Cabs are plentiful but can get expensive, though having more people in the cab defrays the cost per person. If you do want to rent a car or Jeep, let us know and we can connect you with Sid. He can arrange to have the car waiting for you at the ferry terminal or your hotel. Car rental per day is around $60. And don’t forget to drive on the left side of the road!

4. Tips - When you go to a restaurant, they will typically include an 18% service charge on the check, so just be sure to check before you add an additional tip. Otherwise, it's the customary amount (10-15% if you're cheap, more if you have a conscience).

5. Wifi and Cell Phone Service - This is one major area of upgrade on the island since our wedding, now most places offer free wifi. The best thing to do is to turn off your cell service when you get on the island and log in to the available wifi wherever you might be. Texting on wifi is likely the best way to communicate while on island. If you need to reach us call our local cell number 264-582-0165. If you have AT&T your cell will work on international roaming but Verizon tends not to work.

6. Grocery Store – There’s a brand new, large grocery store on the main road right by Meads Bay called Best Buy. They really have everything you could possibly need, certainly moreso than regular NYC grocery stores. Unless the entire island happens to be out of hot dog buns or Diet Coke (both actually happened to us). It’s walking distance from Anacaona and you can check out a bike at Malliouhana for a short ride. They have beer and booze as well, though I don’t think the beer is cold. There are a bunch of other roadside bodega-type stores as well. Foods 95 is west of the hotels and Mingz and Romcan are east. Oddly, Mingz is one of a number of Chinese groceries on the island. There’s an ATM at Romcan.