Anguilla Holidays Guide
The Caribbean
Tiny Anguilla is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. A flat, low-lying island comprised of coral and limestone,it lies east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and due north of Saint Martin /St. Martaan and is just 91 km2 in size. The island's name is derived from the word 'eel' in number of languages – probably named for the long, skinny shape of the island.It consists of the main island of Anguilla itself, as well as a number ofuninhabited smaller islands and cays. Anguilla is noted for its ecologically important and spectacularly vivid coral reefs, and its 33 public beaches – many of which are considered some of the best in the Caribbean if not the world by travelers and travel publications alike. Anguilla was once one of the least known and least visited of all the Caribbean islands, but the attention of Hollywood's shy mavens has brought it to the public's attention. But don't worry, it's still a fabulously pristine hideaway; just remember to book your rooms early.
Map of Anguilla
Anguilla Highlights
Anguilla Holidays Planner
Land-based activities include riding, birding (there are 136 species), hiking, celebrity-spotting, and sampling the wares at the Pyrat Rum Distillery.There are 16 art galleries featuring Anguillan and Caribbean woodcarving, fine art, hand-blown glass and crafts.Do take the time to visit the ancient Arawak "spirit eyes" in the caverns at Big Springs Heritage Site.The Arawak people whose deep religious beliefs were based on "The sun, moon and two sacred caverns, from where all mankind originated." The caves, Big Springs at Island Harbour, and The Fountain at Shoal Bay, are still intact and featurepetroglyphs, offering bowls, and a large stalagmite carved into the likeness of Jocahu, the Supreme Deity of the Arawak people.
Anguilla-Beach
Places to Visit
Anguilla Accommodation Guide
A trip to Anguilla comes at a cost, a high one actually. This is mainly because of recent popularity of the island due to media coverage of celebrity visits. As an example, prices at Cuisin Art Resort and Spa are quite high, but all you diehard foodies will be over the moon whenyou see the resort's hydroponic farm and then enroll in incredible cooking classes at their stadium kitchen. For the rest of us, the Arawak Beach Inn on Island Harbour Beach has about a dozen cozy, pastel-coloured beach bungalows for the budget-conscious traveler; rooms come with kitchens to help with cost-cutting costs.In between the two extremes you'll find everything from private villas, where the island's wealthiest visitors unwind, to lovely small hotels, inns, and guesthouses.
Travel Facts
Anguilla-Beach Bar
No matter where you stay, you'll have Anguillan cuisine in abundance. Influenced by native, Caribbean, African, Spanish, French and English cuisines, seafood is abundant, and includes red snapper, mahi-mahi, shrimp, prawns, spiny lobster, crab, conch, marlin, and grouper.Beef is imported, but goat is the meat most commonly eaten, as the island is populated by numerous herds of goats.
If you love music, you will love Anguilla! One of the most famous musicians from Anguilla, and an acclaimed Caribbean recording artist, is Bankie Banx. Banx has more than 10 albums and has jammed with the likes of Jimmy Cliff, Bob Dylan, and Jimmy Buffett. He opened Dune Preserve, a popular music bar he built to help save the Rendezvous Bay dune; the Dune Preserve is home to the Moonsplash Annual Music Festival.
Anguilla-View to St Martins
Anguilla Holiday Tips