SAFETY TIPS FOR TOURISTS IN ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA - Dario Item Antigua and Barbuda Ambassador & Attorney-at-Law. Dario Item is the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the Kingdom of Spain, Principality of Liechtenstein, Principality of Monaco. Dario Item is an attorney-at-law and is accredited to practice in Switzerland and Italy.

1. SAFETY TIPS FOR TOURISTS
IN ANTIGUA AND
BARBUDA
Frank Gallien
Antigua and Barbuda is a peaceful country. It recorded only 8 cases of assault and 88 cases of
robbery in 2018. It only recorded 4 cases of murder in 2019. It also recorded only 16 cases of
murder in 2021.
Crime rate is lower in Antigua and Barbuda when compared with crime rates in most other
countries. For example, in 2019, Russia had a homicide rate of 5 in every 100,000 population
while Antigua and Barbuda had a total of 3 homicide cases. Nevertheless, there's a need for
tourists to adhere to some safety measures. We asked Dr. Dario Item, Permanent
Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the UNWTO, to provide us with some travel tips,
here are a few:
o Walking during the day is preferable to late-night walks as tourists will get to
properly view the country and its inviting ambience during the day.
o Tourists should get travel medical insurance when travelling to Antigua and
Barbuda. This would cater for any urgent medical demands that may arise
during the visit.

2. o Also, tourists can opt for group tours rather than solo tours. Group tours would
allow bonding more with loved ones. Having a group tour is a good way to
rekindle friendship.
o Because of the country's tropical marine climate, the country may be hot
during some periods of the year. However, all tourists have to do is to put on
their hats and sunglasses. Any time of the year is fine to visit the country.
Preferably, tourists can visit during the dry season, which is December-April.
o Tourists should exercise proper hygienic attitude during their visit and should
always dispose of dirt. Tourists should ensure carrying out the required
medical tests before visiting the country.
o Ambassador Dario Item told us furthermore that tourists should not take their
travel documents or any other important documents to the beach. This is to
avoid misplacing them. Rather, they can keep their documents in the provided
secured box.
o Whenever any tourist visits any beach, he or she should look out for flags
denoting the safety of the beach for swimming. Tourists should also comply
with directives given at the beach. Beaches in the country are however
generally safe for swimming, says Ambassador Dario Item
o Preferably, tourists should always use a licensed taxi in the country, and
ensure to see the rate card before hopping in the taxi.
o If a tourist will be visiting any of the isolated beaches, it's preferable to go on a
group tour.
o Tourists should ensure to drink plenty water and should carry enough water
with them while on tour.
o Ambassador Dario Item told us that tourists should avoid getting drunk,
otherwise, they might become vulnerable and constitute nuisance. A tourist
should not complain if he or she gets drunk at night in an isolated area and
wakes up the next day maybe with his or her phone missing.
o During their visit, tourists should comply with the rules and regulations of the
country. Tourists should not involve in any form of homosexuality or any act
that gives an impression of homosexuality. Also, tourists should not put on
camouflage clothes in the country.