Holidays in Anguilla

Understanding Anguilla

Anguilla was colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, and administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated into a single UK dependency along with Saint Kitts and Nevis Several attempts at separation failed In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980 with Anguilla becoming a separate UK dependency

Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants Increased activity in the tourism industry, which has spurred the growth of the construction sector, has contributed to economic growth

Geography

Anguilla is a flat and low-lying island It is 35 sq miles, 16 miles long and 3 miles wide at the widest point The highest point is Crocus Hill, at 65 meters

The island is made of limestone, providing many caves Two of the most impressive being The Big Springs located in Island Harbour and The Fountain located in Shoal Bay

Anguilla also has many attractive coral reefs which provides habitats for a vast array of tropical fish and marine wildlife This motivates individuals to take part in snorkeling

Talking in Anguilla

English is the official language, spoken everywhere

What to see in Anguilla

Nature

Anguilla has many farms of corn, peas, tomatoes and other crops To see, buy or learn about plants and animals in Anguilla one can visit The Department of Agriculture, located in The Valley, Anguilla

Anguilla National Trust is an organization whose task is to preserve Anguilla's natural environment, historic and cultural resources and archaeology They can provide information on Anguilla's environment and conduct tours

Gardens in Anguilla are:

• Hydroponic Farm and Organic Gardens, CuisinArt Resort and Spa, West End
• Endangered Species Garden and Indigenous Local Plants Gardens, Cap Juluca Resort

The Angilla Beautification Club ABC also hosts an Annual Flower and Garden Show

What to do in Anguilla

Hiking, Art Gallery Tours, Horseback Riding at Seaside Stables, El Rancho Del Blues and CLiffside Stables Tennis, Golf at Play-A-Round Mini-Golf Park and Temenos Golf Club, Spa and Wellness, Glass-bottom boat, Swimming, Snorkeling, Fishing, Festivals: Anguilla Summer Festival, Tranquility Jazz Festival, Moonsplash, Festival Del Mar, Annual Anguilla Yacht Regatta and Annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree

There are many places to lounge, listen to music and dance such as:

• Elvis Beach Bar, Sandy Ground
• Ripples, Sandy Ground
• Johnno's Beach Bar and Grill, Sandy Ground
• Pumphouse, Sandy Ground
• Rafe's, Sandy Ground
• Dune Preserve, West End
• Elodias, Shoal Bay, there is a live band on Sunday evenings
• English Rose Restaurant, The Valley, karaoke on Friday nights
• Ko Ko's Beach Bar, Island Harbour
• Scilly Cay, a small island a few minutes away from the main island

Buying stuff in Anguilla

The East Caribbean dollar was fixed in 1976 at an exchange rate of 27 per US dollar US dollars are accepted everywhere but change will be in East Caribbean currency Credit cards are taken at hotels and restaurants not everywhere will accept Amex Mastercard/Visa preferred Stores will have all prices listed in East Caribbean dollars

Costs

Food and eating in Anguilla

Budget

There are many places to dine in Anguilla, with a wide variety of cuisines to chose from The prices also vary depending on the selected restaurant

Moderate

• Uncle Ernie's on Shoal Bay beach; inexpensive local BBQ;
• Smitty's 1 in Island Harbor
• Scilly Cay in Island Harbor; pronounced Silly Key; take a boat or swim out to this tiny island off the island Food is great also the rum punch!! This is a nice place to lounge on a Sunday afternoon
• Roy's 2 above Crocus Bay; started by a British expat and his wife Great bargain lunches on Fridays Very well known for their fish and chips
• The Pumphouse in Sandy Ground next to the old salt flats
• Johnno's is an Anguillan landmark, run by John Johnno on Sandy Ground beach It is an open air bar, restaurant and at night a dance club on the beach, often with live local bands
• Zara's, Shoal Bay - Listen to the Chef, Shamash, sing love songs in his kitchen while you watch him prepare your feast

Reservations: 497 3229

• Sandy Island, Sandy Ground, 476-6534 Simone for reservations A tiny offshore island where you're guaranteed a GREAT time! Be brave and try the rum punch!!
• English Rose Restaurant, The Valley
• Ripples, Sandy Ground
• Elvis Beach Bar, Sandy Ground
• Elodias, Shoal Bay
• Gwen's Reggae Grill, Shoal Bay
• Tasty's at the Dune, West End
• B & D's BBQ, Long Bay
• Big Jim's BBQ, Blowing Point
• Amy's Bakery, Blowing Point
• Mary's Bakery, The, Quarter
• Hall's Unique Bakery, The Valley
• Le Bon Pain, Island Harbour
• Oriental Restaurant and Bar, The Valley; Chinese restaurant
• Landing Strip Restaurant, Blowing Point
• Nico's Restaurant, The Valley

Splurge

• Michel Rostant at the Malliouhana 3 Incredible view, an awesome view and great food Conde Nast traveler rated this restaurant 100 out of 100
• Hibernia 4 Unique food, gracious hosts and a wonderful time always Worth the drive!
• Blanchard's 5 Great decor, which is unfortunately undermined by the bland food
• Mango's 6 Directly on the beach, with wonderful seafood
• Straw Hat 7 Don't miss the crayfish here!
• Altamer 8 Delicious lobsters big as orbiting moons, great service
• Deon's Overlook 9Formerly Cyril's Overlook of Montauk/NY fame but now in the trusty hands of Deon Fabulous seafood and great gazpacho soup!
• Koal Keel Restaurant, The Valley
• Caprice, West End
• Kemia, Cap Juluca Hotel, West End
• Pimms, Cap Juluca Hotel, West End
• La Luna Rosa
• Le Bistro, Malliouhana, West End
• Santorini, CuisinArt, West End
• Veya, Sandy Ground

Drinking in Anguilla

Accommodation in Anguilla

Chose from an array of hotels, villas, guest houses and apartments to rest your head at night

Budget

Moderate

Anguilla Great House

Ku on Shoal Bay

Shoal Bay Villas 10 - Shoal Bay

Arawak Beach Inn - Island Harbour

Frangipani Beach Club - Meads Bay

Rendezvous Bay Hotel and Villas - Rendezvous Bay

Caribbean Seaview - Long Path

Carimar Beach Club - Meads Bay

Lloyd's - The Valley

Masara Resort - Katouche

Ocean Breeze - Long Path

Splurge

• Sheriva Villas - Maundays Bay Road, West End 11
• Cuisinart Resort and Spa 12
• Cap Juluca 13
• Malliouhana Hotel and Spa 14
• Sirena Hotel - Meads Bay 15
• Bird of Paradise - Sandy Hill Bay 16
• Altamer Villas - Shoal Bay West 17
• Coyaba Manor - Lockrum Estate 18
• Spyglass Hill Villa - North Hill 19
• Temenos Villas - Long Bay 20
• Exclusivity - Captain's Bay 21
• Kamique Little Harbour Villas - Little Harbour 22

Cities in Anguilla