Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Headquarters
The official starting line for every Antigua adventure
Why Go
Skip the guesswork and go straight to the source — this is where the people who actually run tourism on the twin islands hand you maps, honest suggestions, and answers to the questions Google can't quite nail.
The Experience
Tucked into the 1st floor of the Sir John E. St. Luce Finance and Conference Centre just off Factory Road in St. John's, the ABTA headquarters feels less like a stuffy government office and more like a friendly briefing room for the island. Air-conditioned, quiet, and staffed by locals who genuinely light up when you ask about their favorite beach, it's an easy 5-minute detour from the cruise pier or downtown market. Expect to walk out with a stack of glossy brochures, a proper paper map, and at least one 'you have to try this' recommendation you wouldn't have found on TripAdvisor.
What to Try
Ask for the current events calendar — Antigua's cultural season (Carnival in late July/early August, Sailing Week in April, and the Mango Festival) is often under-promoted online. Grab the official beach map showing all 365 beaches with access notes, request the Barbuda day-trip logistics sheet if you're island-hopping, and pick up a copy of the Historic Sites brochure that covers Nelson's Dockyard, Betty's Hope, and Shirley Heights beyond the usual highlights.
Insider Tip
Come with a specific question, not a general one. Staff will happily go deep on a niche interest — birding on Great Bird Island, a specific dive site, kosher-friendly restaurants, wheelchair-accessible catamaran operators — but you have to prompt them. Also worth knowing: they can call ahead to smaller attractions (Betty's Hope, Fig Tree Studio Art Gallery) to confirm they're actually open, saving you a wasted drive. Ring +1-268-562-7600 or email info@visitaandb.com before you arrive if you have complex plans.
The Practical Stuff
Located on the 1st Floor, Sir John E. St. Luce Finance and Conference Centre, Factory Road, St. John's. Standard government business hours (Mon–Fri, roughly 8:00 AM–4:30 PM); closed weekends and public holidays. Phone: +1-268-562-7600. Email: info@visitaandb.com. Free to visit, no appointment needed for walk-ins, but call ahead for group visits or in-depth planning sessions. Parking is available on-site; taxis from the cruise pier run about 10 minutes.
Pair It With
- St. John's Public Market — A 10-minute walk away — pair your info-gathering stop with a wander through the produce stalls for a proper feel of local life before heading out to the beaches.
- Museum of Antigua and Barbuda — Once you've got your bearings from the tourism office, this small colonial-era museum on Long Street gives you the historical backbone for everywhere you're about to visit.
- Heritage Quay — After picking up your maps, walk down to the waterfront shopping and dining district to plan your first meal and browse duty-free while you're still in town.
- Redcliffe Quay — Just around the corner from Heritage Quay, this restored 18th-century warehouse district is the prettiest lunch stop in St. John's and a natural next move after your tourism-office visit.
