Money:
The East Caribbean dollar (XCD) is the official currency of
Anguilla, although US dollars are widely accepted, with prices on
menus etc. generally quoted in American dollars. The East Caribbean
dollar is fixed to the US dollar at US$1 = EC$2.68. There are
several ATMs throughout the island and one at the airport. Credit
cards and travellers cheques are accepted at most
establishments.
Time:
Local time in Anguilla is GMT -4.
Electricity:
Electrical current in Anguilla is 110 volts, 60Hz with
flat blade attachment plugs and flat blades with round grounding
pin plugs in use.
Language:
English is the official language in Anguilla.
Health:
Travellers over a year old arriving from infected areas require
a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Hepatitis A vaccinations
are recommended for all travellers as well as polio and tetanus
vaccinations. It is advisable to get a hepatitis B vaccination if
travellers will have intimate contact with the locals, especially
if staying for over 6 months. Mains water on Anguilla is
chlorinated, but bottled water is available and recommended for
visitors. All food on the island is safe to eat. There are three
private medical clinics and a small hospital, which can deal with
minor emergencies, but serious cases are transferred to
neighbouring islands or the USA mainland. Adequate medical
insurance is therefore strongly advised.
Tipping:
A service charge of 10% is generally added to restaurant and
hotel bills in Anguilla, and any tipping over and above this is
discretionary.
Safety:
Visits to Anguilla are trouble-free. The crime rate is low, but
it is wise to take sensible precautions with valuables. Hurricanes
usually affect the island between June and November.
Customs:
In Anguilla skimpy dress in public is frowned upon and nudity on
beaches is not permitted.
Business:
Business in Anguilla is centred on tourism and the financial
services, as it is a zero-tax environment and an offshore
jurisdiction. Due to the balmy climate, lightweight suits or a
buttoned up shirt are sufficient for business meetings. Business
hours are Monday to Friday from 8am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm.
Duty Free:
Goods that may be brought into Anguilla without paying duty are
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225g of tobacco and 1.1 litres of
wine or spirits.
Communications:
The international dialling code for Anguilla is +1 264. The
island is well covered by a GSM mobile network. The outgoing code
is 011 (eg. 01127 to South Africa). The Internet code for Anguilla
is 'ai'. An Internet service provider is operating on the island
with easy access in the resorts and large cities.