Customer Reviews

Antigua and Barbuda: Island Guide

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I enjoyed the compilation of interesting tidbits of history and cultural insight that this guide provides. As the author, I was also a Peace Corps volunteer in Antigua and I wish I would've had a guide this complete to show me through the islands and their peculiarities.

Although there are several guides to Antigua and Barbuda (I own 3 different ones), most of them are outdated and are all very similar. If you are going to Antigua and would like to see more than your resort, this is the guide for you. I particularly liked the detailed maps and the directions, since Antigua has no names on the roads, the detailed directions are like traveling with a local in your car. Antigua is not a cheap place, but the author finds hidden guest houses and well-located villas that can accommodate any budget. With the burgeoning of all-inclusive resorts throughout the island, visitors often miss the local establishments and locals in general. This guide points you to the best local restaurants and touristy, expat and local hangouts, cultural activities, as well as bars and nightclubs for all tastes. Definitely one of the best guides available for this island.

This book was great for more personalized endorsements of Antiqua. But as an overall comprehensive guide it's lacking in both organization and execution. You can tell this book was developed by one person, and although there are many maps included in the book they are very amateurish and difficult to understand and follow. The book would have benefited from a good graphic designer/cartographer. The first page I flipped to in the book was about the Antiguan air port, and while I was reading the "sidebar" info, the box ended abrupty in midsentence, not continued anywhere else. A good editor and proof reader would also improve this book.

But as I always do when I travel I bought two different guide books, and this was a nice companion piece to the Rough Guide Directions on Antigua and Barbuda. The author, Beale does succeed in providing a personalized guide of Antigua, and most of the best things we did on our one week vacation were highly recommended by Beale. So, although this book is not the most professional and organized guide, it did have some solid recommends and was a good compliment to the more formal Rough Guide.

The recommends were usually good with one exception, both this book and the Rough Guide book highly recommended a trip to Barbuda, Antigua's sister island. They both raved about the pristine island, and so my husband and I devoted one full precious day to visiting this island. We took the 90 minute boat over to the island, and the waters were very rough and frankly the harbor cruise boat did not seem like the right kind of vessel to be traversing such choppy waters. When we pulled into the "dock" we were assaulted by horrible fumes of petrol, soot, fumes, and smoke. If this is their definition of pristine, then we might as well have visited a coal mine. The actual national park that we were driven to was very nice, but we payed $159 per person for a day tour that was supposed to be filled with snorkeling, hiking and cave exploration and basically we spent most of the time laying on the "pink" beach because the weather was too cold to get into the water. I'm sure Barbuda has a lot to offer, but there were plenty of other things we wanted to see in Antigua that we missed because of this excursion and both my husband and I regretted our trip to Barbuda.

I have purchased many Guides prior to making trips. I often find the information is the same in each book. It's easy finding restaurant names and hotel information along with pictures. But I have found recently that I can get all this information on the internet at no charge anyway.

THIS BOOK is different. It details lots of useful information in a different way. Sure...you will find out about hotels, restaurants, tours, and places of interest...but you will get much more....

I have a great feel for the island itself....including beaches, towns, and places of interest. The detail is thorough. Best of all....there are some great maps in the book to lead you on your journey should you decide to venture from your hotel. The book is also layed out nicely describing different parts of the island distances, etc.

I highly recommend this book should you be taking a trip to Antigua or Barbuda.

I have lived and worked in Antigua for over 20 years. Most of the travel guides out there are outdated or written by folks who are using outdated materials. Christopher Beale lived and worked on island sampling local cuisine, swimming in the many beaches, hiking the trails and immersing himself in the local "scene". His guide offers a local perspective on dining and living. He adds some fascinating facts that I never knew. It's a casual low key guide perfect for all types of travelers. It's concise and thorough without being dull.

My husband and I used this wonderful guide to plan our recent trip with our two young kids. We were initially concerned about not having enough activities to do with them, but this book had some awesome ideas. We especially enjoyed swimming with sting rays at Sting Ray City! Plus my husband and I were able to sneak off for a great lobster dinner while enjoying the sunset over the Caribbean. Highly recommended book, and absolutely wonderful country to visit! Enjoy!

At first I had no idea what to think about Antigua, except that it was like a paradise island. After reading this book and following the tips listed, we had the most amazing time of our lives. We had some amazing experiences like our wild night out at English Harbor and a wonderful sailing trip to Bird Island. We never would have found these places without this guide. Two thumbs way up from a couple who loves to travel.

Was not really what I was looking for...for such a small island , the book was split up into about 5 regions...maybe after my visit in a couple of weeks , it will make more sense.

What a nice change to read a guide to anywhere in the Caribbean written by somebody who's actually lived there. Most are written by people who, if they'be been there at all, have done so on a flying visit organised by a travel agent. Chris has managed to bring in a great, up-to-date guide, with lots of little gems of information, including some which were new to me. Good (and accurate) historical information and maps add even more. Nice to see Barbuda covered as well. With an expanded accommodation and dining section, this would get a five star rating from me.

I have been to Antigua twice and this book really covers all the great places to go. Next time we go back, we are excited to try some new places that the book covers. It gave us a great perspective coming from someone who lived on the island.

It was a really easy read and much more enjoyable than most travel guides. I am looking forward to going back to the island and using this island guide.

Chris Beale has outlined a comprehensive overview for the first time visitor in his "Antigua and Barbuda: Island Guide"

He's outlined more than just the 365 beaches of soft smooth white sand with crystal clear warm water. He covers everything from shopping, boating, canopy tours, horseback riding and many activities that are of interest for those going away for more than just the sun. Antigua is a small siland but has something for everyone and Chris has captured it all in this pocket sized must have book.

Although I have enjoyed many vacations over the years and also lived in Antigua I learned a thing or two from this up to date guide. Antigua doesn't stand still and Chris's book is the most current information and a must to take along even if it isn't your first visit.