Planning a Trip

Visitor Information

The Anguilla Tourist Board, Coronation Avenue, The Valley, Anguilla, B.W.I. (tel. 264/497-2759; fax 264/497-2710), is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm.

In the United States, contact Ms. Marie Walker, 246 Central Ave., White Plains, NY 10606 (tel. 914/287-2400; fax 914/287-2404) or log onto www.anguilla-vacation.com.

In the United Kingdom, contact the Anguilla Tourist Board, 7A Crealock St., London SW182BS (tel. 208/871-0012).

A Special Celebration -- Anguilla's most colorful annual festival is Carnival, held jointly under the auspices of the Ministries of Culture and Tourism. Boat races are Anguilla's national sport, and they make up much of the Carnival celebration. The festival begins on Thursday before the first Monday in August and lasts a week. Carnival harks back to Emancipation Day, or "August Monday," in 1834, when all enslaved Africans were freed.

Getting There

By Plane -- More than 50 flights into Anguilla are scheduled each week, not counting various charter flights. There are no nonstop flights from mainland North America, however, so visitors usually transfer through San Juan, Puerto Rico, or nearby St. Maarten. Some visitors also come from St. Kitts, Antigua, or St. Thomas.

Anguilla's most reliable carrier, American Eagle (tel. 800/433-7300 in the U.S. and Canada; www.aa.com), the commuter partner of American Airlines, has two nonstop daily flights to Anguilla from American's hub in San Juan. In the off season, flights are reduced to one each day during the week and two on weekends. Flights leave at different times based on the seasons and carry 44 to 46 passengers. Schedules are subject to change, so check with the airline or your travel agent.

From Dutch St. Maarten, Winair (Windward Islands Airways International; tel. 866/466-0410 in the U.S. and Canada; www.fly-winair.com) has four daily flights to Anguilla. The small airline also has Anguilla links to the islands of Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Barts, St. Kitts, and Nevis.

Liat (tel. 888/844-LIAT in the U.S. and Canada, or 264/497-5002; www.liatairline.com) offers flights Friday through Wednesday to Anguilla from Antigua via St. Kitts. It's not the most punctual airline.

A small airline, Caribbean Star (tel. 866/864-6272 in the U.S. and Canada, or 264/497-8690; www.flycaribbeanstar.com) wings in from St. Kitts and Antigua on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Schedules are likely to change, so it's always best to call and confirm before planning any trip.

By Ferry -- Ferries run between the ports of Marigot Bay, French St. Martin, and Blowing Point, Anguilla, every 30 to 45 minutes. The trip takes 20 to 25 minutes, making it easy for visitors on one island to do a day trip to the other. The first ferry leaves St. Martin at 8am and the last at 7pm; from Blowing Point, the first ferry leaves at 7:30am and the last at 6:15pm. The one-way fare is US$12 to US$15 (£6.25-£7.80) plus a US$3 (£1.55) departure tax. No reservations are necessary; schedules and fares, of course, are always subject to change. Ferries vary in size, and none take passenger vehicles.

Getting Around

By Rental Car -- To explore the island in any depth, it's best to rent a car, though be prepared for badly paved roads. Four-wheel-drive vehicles aren't necessary, however. Several rental agencies on the island can issue the mandatory Anguillian driver's license, which is valid for 3 months. You can also get a license at police headquarters in the island's administrative center, The Valley, and at ports of entry. You'll need to present a valid driver's license from your home country and pay a one-time fee of US$20 (£10). Remember: Drive on the left side of the road!

Most visitors take a taxi from the airport to their hotel and arrange, at no extra charge, for a rental agency to deliver a car there the following day. All rental companies offer small discounts for rentals of 7 days or more.

There's a branch of Avis at The Quarter (tel. 800/331-1212 in the U.S. and Canada, or 264/497-2642; www.avis.com), which offers regular cars and some four-wheel-drive vehicles. Local firms include Connor's Car Rental, c/o Maurice Connor, South Hill (tel. 264/497-6433), Triple K Car Rental, Airport Road (tel. 264/497-5934), and Island Car Rentals, Airport Road (tel. 264/497-2723).

By Taxi -- Typical taxi fares are US$24 (£12) from the airport to Cap Juluca, US$16 (£8.30) to the Fountain Beach Hotel, and US$22 (£11) to the Malliouhana hotel. Most rides take 15 to 20 minutes. For a cab, call Airport Taxi Stand at tel. 264/497-5054.