Anguilla travel guide

Background

History

The earliest known Amerindian site on Anguilla is at the northeast tip of the island, where tools and artefacts made from conch shells have been recovered and dated at around 1300 BC. Saladoid Amerindians settled on the island in the fourth century AD and brought their knowledge of agriculture, ceramics and their religious culture based on the god of cassava. By the sixth century large villages had been built at Rendezvous Bay and Sandy Ground, with smaller ones at Shoal Bay and Island Harbour. Post Saladoid Amerindians from the Greater Antilles arrived in the tenth century, building villages and setting up a chiefdom with a religious hierarchy. Several ceremonial items have been found and debris related to the manufacture of the three-pointed zemis, or spirit stones, associated with fertility rites. By the 17th century, Amerindians had disappeared from Anguilla; wiped out by enslavement and European diseases.

Anguilla was mentioned in 1564 when a French expedition passed en route from Dominica to Florida, but it was not until 1650 that it was colonized by the British. Despite several attempted invasions, by Caribs in 1656 and by the French in 1745 and 1796, it remained a British colony. From 1825 it became more closely associated with St Kitts for administrative purposes and was incorporated in the colony. In 1967 St Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla became a State in Association with the UK and gained internal Independence. However, Anguilla opposed this development and almost immediately repudiated government from St Kitts. A breakaway movement was led by Ronald Webster of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). In 1969 British forces invaded the island to install a British Commissioner after negotiations broke down. The episode is remembered locally for the unusual presence of the London Metropolitan Police, who remained on the island until 1972 when the Anguilla Police Force was established.

The post of Chief Minister alternated for two decades between the rival politicians, Ronald Webster and Emile Gumbs, leader of the Anguilla National Alliance (ANA), the latter holding office in 1977-1980 and 1984-1994. Mr Gumbs (now Sir Emile) retired from politics at the general elections held in March 1994. The main political parties are the ANA, the Anguilla United Party (AUP) and the Anguilla Democratic Party (ADP).

The March 1999 general elections were won by the governing coalition: the AUP and the ADP won two seats each while the ANA won three. Hubert Hughes (AUP) was sworn in as Chief Minister. His period of office was short-lived, however. The House of Assembly was paralysed after Mr Hughes lost a legal case against the Speaker and the ruling coalition fell apart when the ADP leader, Victor Banks, resigned from the administration and allied his party with the ANA. New elections were held in March 2000. The ANA again won three seats, the AUP two, ADP one and an independent one. Osbourne Fleming, leader of the ANA, became Chief Minister. The ANA and the ADP later merged to become the Anguilla United Front (AUF), which won the elections in February 2005 and Osbourne Fleming was again sworn in as Chief Minister.

Economy

The main economic activities used to be livestock raising, lobster fishing, salt production and boat building, but tourism is now the major generator of foreign exchange and employment. There are some 1000 rooms available in guesthouses, villas, apartments and hotels. Growth has been led by tourism, construction, communications and financial services. There is offshore banking and the Government aims to establish a reputable offshore financial services industry. The British Government still provides aid for the development programme, along with donors such as the EU and the Caribbean Development Bank. There is no income tax and the Government gets its revenues from customs duties, bank licences, property and stamps.

Getting around

There is no bus service but there are several car hire companies. Hired cars cannot be picked up from the airport because of local regulations, they have to be delivered to your hotel, but they can be dropped off at the airport. Watch out for goats and sheep on the roads. It is also possible to hire bicycles and mopeds. Note Driving is on the left. Speed limit 30 mph.

Ins and outs

Getting there

International access points for Anguilla are Antigua, St Maarten or San Juan, Puerto Rico. From there you get a plane to Wallblake Airport, or a boat from St-Martin to Blowing Point ferry terminal. Hotel transfers are not allowed, so you have to take a taxi on arrival.

Anguilla

Air

Wallblake Airport is just outside The Valley, T4972514. In 2004 the runway was extended and the terminal renovated, a/c, with internet café. American Eagle, T4973500, has a daily air link with Puerto Rico which connects with their other US flights. They also fly from St Thomas. LIAT/Caribbean Star, T4978690, have daily flights from Antigua and St Kitts with connections from other islands. Winair, T4972748, runs several daily flights from St Maarten (7 mins) and St Thomas. In St Maarten, you can get bookings for Anguilla on the spot. Transanguilla, T4978690, www.transanguilla .com and Island Charters, T4974064, are air taxi services, offering the flight for US$40 single, or US$360 for a 9-seater plane. Carib Aviation, T268-4623147, charter flights will meet any incoming flight in Antigua and fly to Anguilla without having to clear Antiguan customs.

Boat

The principal port is Sandy Ground, T4976403. The service for the 20-min ferry between Blowing Point and Marigot starts at 0730 from Anguilla and 0800 from Marigot, and continues every 30-40 mins until 1900. 1-way fare US$12, children under 12 US$6, US$15 on the last ferries from Anguilla at 1815 and from St-Martin at 1900 (check times), pay on board. Put your name and passport number on the manifest before boarding (at booth at head of pier in Marigot or in the terminal at Blowing Point) and pay departure tax of US$3 leaving Anguilla, US$2.75/e2 leaving Marigot. You must take your passport as you are entering a French territory. Link Ferries, T4972231 www.link/ai, also do charters.

Car and bike

A local driving permit is issued on presentation of a valid driver’s licence from your home country and can be bought at car rental offices; US$20 per month.

There are several car hire companies, including: Apex (Avis), The Quarter, T4972642, F4975032; Thrifty, The Valley, T4972656; Island Car Rentals, T4972723, islandcar@ anguillanet.com; Summer Set Car Rental, T4975278, summerset@anguillanet.com; Highway Rent-a-Car, George Hill, by the traffic lights, T4972183, http://www.rentalcars.ai; Rodco, T4972773, http://www.mrat.com/rodco. Rates are from US$25 per day off season, US$40 per day high season, plus insurance, jeeps from US$45. You can bargain for a good rate if you rent for more than 3 days, 7th day is usually free, some offer discounts on internet bookings.

Anguilla is flat so cycling is popular.

Taxi

Taxis are expensive and the driver usually quotes in US dollars, not EC dollars; rates are set by the government. The island is divided up into 10 zones running west to east, see http://www.anguillaguide.com. Between 1800-2400 you pay US$2 extra, from 2400-0600 you pay US$5 extra. To hire a taxi for a 2-hr tour of the island is US$50 for 2 people, US$10 for additional passengers. Dispatchers are at the airport (T4975054) and ferry (T4976089); there is no central office.

Directory

Anguilla

Banks

In The Valley, FirstCaribbean International Bank, T4972301, F4972980, Box 140; National Bank of Anguilla, T4972101, http://www.nba.ai; Scotiabank, Fairplay Commercial Centre, The Valley, T4973333, F4973344, ATM linked to Plus, Visa and Mastercard, maximum withdrawal US$600. ATMs are dotted around the island, at National Bank of Anguilla (NBA), Scotia Bank, Caribbean Commercial Bank, Wallblake Airport, Island Gases Co Ltd, Ashley & Sons Grocery, Sydan’s, Romcan Grocery and Palma Plaza.

Embassies and consulates

As a British dependent territory, all are in the UK. Internet Most hotels offer internet access to their guests and there is an internet café at the airport. Internet Café Voyage, Caribbean Commercial Centre, The Valley, T4985551, benjc@hotmail.com, Mon-Sat 0900-1800, Sun 1400-1800, US$2 for 15 mins, US$7 for 1 hr, printing US$1 per page. Bits & Bites, Sandy Ground, next to Johnno’s, is a breakfast and internet café, also rooms to rent.

Medical services

The Princess Alexandra Hospital, T4972551/2. Emergency: T911/999. Pharmacy: T4972366/4973836. Most people drink bottled water, but there is also rainwater or desalinated water for household use.

Telephone

Cable and Wireless, T4973100, Mon-Fri 0800-1700, Sat, Sun, holidays 0900-1300. Caribbean phone cards are available throughout the islands. There are 2 AT&T USA direct telephones by Cable and Wireless office in The Valley and by the airport. For credit card calls overseas T1800-8778000.