The currency of the country is the East Caribbean dollar, denoted by the symbol: “$” or “EC$” (ISO currency code: XCD), which is also used by seven other island nations in the Caribbean. The EC dollar is subdivided into 100 cents. It is pegged to the United States dollar at an exchange rate of US$1 = EC$2.70.

Coins circulate in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 25 cents and 1 dollar. Banknotes circulate in denominations of 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollars.

Though the East Caribbean dollar is the local currency, most places frequented by tourists price goods and services in U.S. dollars and all locations accept U.S. dollars for payment. On occasion, you may receive small change in a mix of USD and XCD.

Credit cards are taken at hotels and restaurants (not everywhere will accept Amex. MasterCard/Visa preferred).

BY CAR:

For most visitors, a rented car is the best option. Even if you are staying at a full-service resort, you will want to sample the many beaches and restaurants on the island. Pick up a copy of the Skyviews map, usually available at Immigration and elsewhere. Driving is on the left-hand side of the road. Speeds are low, but the island is small. Main roads are paved; most are in good condition. There are also a few roundabouts and stop lights throughout the island. Road names are not always posted, and some roads change names (the road from The Valley to the West End has a half dozen names along the way), but there are destination signs at main intersections and roundabouts. Many secondary roads are sand or dirt, ranging from smooth to very poor.

There are no car rental agencies at the airport, but all will deliver to your hotel. Island Car Rental, +1 264-497-2723, is an easy walk from the airport, tucked into Anguilla Motors. They can arrange for you to pick up the car after hours, and do the paperwork next day. Hertz-Triple K, +1 264-497-2934, is also nearby. Other agencies include Avis, +1 264-497-2642, and Bass Car Rental, +1 264-497-2361.

BY TAXI:

Many visitors find it convenient to take a taxi on arrival, arranging for a rental car later. Taxi service is unmetered, with set rates. If leaving from the airport, a dispatcher will issue a slip showing the fare.Taxi drivers offer island tours lasting several hours. Fares must be paid in cash and or credit card.

BY BICYCLE:

The island does not lend itself to relaxed bicycling. The roads do not have shoulders. Traffic is heavy on many main roads from the Valley to points west. Traffic is light in the Shoal Bay and East End areas, but there are some hills.

EAT:

Pigeon peas and rice is often considered as the signature dish of the island.

Budget:

• Amy’s Bakery, Blowing Point
  
• B & D’s BBQ, Long Bay
  
• Big Jim’s BBQ, Blowing Point
  
• Hall’s Unique Bakery, The Valley
  
• Le Bon Pain, (French bakery) Island Harbour
  
• Mary’s Bakery, The, Quarter
  
• Uncle Ernie’s on Shoal Bay beach; inexpensive local BBQ

Mid-range:

• English Rose Restaurant, The Valley.
  
• Gwen’s Reggae Grill, Shoal Bay.
  
• 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.
  
• Landing Strip Restaurant, Blowing Point
  
• Nico’s Restaurant, The Valley
  
• Oriental Restaurant and Bar, The Valley; Chinese restaurant
  
• Roy’s Bayside Grill, Sandy Ground Rd, Sandy Ground (Above Crocus Bay), +1 264-497-2470. Started by a British expat and his wife. Great bargain lunches on Fridays. Very well known for their fish and chips.
  
• Smitty’s, +1 264-583-3799. In Island Harbor.
  
• Tastys Restaurant, South Hill, +1-264-497-2737. Excellent food. The chef is very personable and enjoys pleasing his customers.
  
• Zara’s, +1 264-497 3229, Shoal Bay at Allamanda Beach Club – Listen to the Chef, Shamash, sing love songs in his kitchen while you watch him prepare your feast.

Up-market:

• Altamer. Delicious lobsters big as orbiting moons, great service.
  
• Blanchard’s. Great decor, which is unfortunately undermined by the bland food.
  
• Caprice, West End.
  
• da’Vida. Right on the beach in Crocus Bay. Great ambiance and great food.
  
• Hibernia. Unique food, gracious hosts and a wonderful time always. Worth the drive!
  
• Kemia, Cap Juluca Hotel, West End.
  
• Koal Keel Restaurant, The Valley.
  
• Le Bistro, Malliouhana, West End.
  
• Mango’s Seaside Grill, Barnes Bay, +1 264-497-6479, mangos@anguillanet.com. Directly on the beach, with wonderful seafood.
  
• Michel Rostang at Malliouhana (Malliouhana restaurant), Meads Bay Road (oceanfront overlooking Meads Bay), +1-264-497-6111. 7:30 – 10PM. Incredible view, an awesome view and great food. Conde Nast traveler rated this restaurant 100 out of 100. 10.00 – 50.00.
  
• Pimms, Cap Juluca Hotel, West End.
  
• Straw Hat. Don’t miss the crayfish here!
  
• Santorini, CuisinArt, West End.
  
• Veya, Sandy Ground.

DRINK:

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

• Elodias, Shoal Bay, there is a live band on Sunday evenings
  
• Elvis Beach Bar, Sandy Ground
  
• English Rose Restaurant, The Valley, karaoke on Friday nights
  
• Dune Preserve, West End
  
• Johnno’s Beach Bar and Grill, Sandy Ground
  
• Ko Ko’s Beach Bar, Island Harbour
  
• The Pumphouse in Sandy Ground next to the old salt flats
  
• Rafe’s, Sandy Ground
  
• Ripples, Sandy Ground
  
• 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!!)
• 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.

Choose from an array of hotels, villas, guest houses and apartments to rest your head at night. Rates are in US dollars for high season, typically January to April, and do not include taxes (20% plus $1) unless noted.

BUDGET:

• Allamanda Beach Club Between Shoal Bay Village and Island Harbor; watch for signs to Gwen’s Reggae Bar. Tel 1-264-497-5217 or 305-396-4472; Fax 1-264-497-5216; reserve@allamanda.ai Not a fancy resort, Allamanda offers a variety of suites with kitchen at reasonable rates. Zara’s Restaurant is on-site. The beach is a short walk away, with beach chairs under palm trees next to Gwen’s. $175 (no kitchen) to $240, including tax.
  
• La Vue, Back Street, South Hills Village (off the main road, after the Sandy Ground Roundabout), +1-264-497-6623, info@lavueanguilla.com. This little B&B sits in a little neighborhood on a bluff, overlooking Sandy Ground. You’ll need a car to get to the beach. One-bedroom suite $200, Two-bedroom $322, with breakfast, including taxes.
  
• Lloyd’s Bed and Breakfast, Old Courthouse Rd., The Valley, +1-264-497-2351, fax: +1-264-497-3028, lloyds@anguillanet.com. In a residential neighborhood on Crocus Hill in The Valley; it’s a very steep quarter mile to the beach. Lloyd’s is a bit of Anguilla history. The first guest accommodation on the island, it was the scene of gunfire during the revolution. Rooms, in a variety of decor, now have AC, TV and baths, but the exterior preserves the traditional look. $145 year around, with breakfast, including taxes
  

MID-RANGE:

• Anacaona Boutique Hotel Meads Bay, on main road to West End. Tel +1-264-497 6827 or 877-647-4736; Fax 1-264-497 6829; info@anacaonahotel.com Formerly La Sirena. The rooms have been renovated, and the grounds are as beautiful as ever. The beach is a few minutes away, through the grounds and along a short path. In addition to the double rooms, there are a few junior, two- and three-bedroom suites. Rooms $265 and $325; suites to $530.
• Anguilla Great House, Willow Lane, Rendezvous Bay, +1-264-497-6061, toll-free: +1-800-583-9247, info@anguillagreathouse.com. Cottage-style accommodations open on grounds right on the beach. Has the feel of an old family-style resort. $310 to $340; meal plans extra.
  
• Arawak Beach Inn, +1-877-427-2925, +1-264-497-4888, fax: +1-264-497-4889, relax@arawakbeach.com. Island Harbor.Rooms in Caribbean-style cottages, with have ocean view. The beach is steps away from the property. Rooms with and without kitchens. Older rooms have AC by request only, at a fee. $245 – $375. 
• Fountain Anguilla, Shoal Bay East, +1 615-216-5600, reservations@refinedretreats.com. Offers suites, one- and two-bedroom condominiums with much more space than a typical hotel. Newly constructed with modern amenities. $165 daily and up.
• Shoal Bay Villas, Shoal Bay, +1-264-497-2051, fax: +1-264-497-3631, sbvillas@anguillanet.com. Studios, one- and two-bedroom suites, all with kitchens, on the beach. Several restaurants are nearby. One-bedroom Suite $360 to $480. 2-bedroom $580.
  
• Turtles Nest Beach Resort, Meads Bay, +1-264-497-7979, info@turtlesnestanguilla.com. Studios, one-, two and three-bedroom suites, all with kitchens, on Meads Bay beach. Several restaurants are nearby. Prices start at $215.

UP-MARKET:

• Cap Juluca Samuel Flemings Rd, Maundays Bay, near West End. Tel +1-264-497-6666; Fax +1-264-497-6617. Reservations: 1-888-858-5822. Luxury at a price to match. A range of rooms and suites in villas along the beach. Or rent a whole villa with private pool! How do you pronounce Juluca? The J has an English, not Spanish pronunciation, but even hotel representatives vary what syllable to accent. Rooms from $995; suites and villas to $5,985.
• Carimar Beach Club Meads Bay, on John Hodges Rd. Tel +1-264-497-6881; Reservations Only: 866-270-3764; Fax: +1-264-497-6071; carimar@carimar.com A classic of Mediterranean style architecture. On the beach at the east end of Meads Bay. One-bedroom Suite $230-425. Two-bedroom suites $380-675.
• CuisinArt Resort and Spa Rendezvous Bay, via Botanic Rd. Tel +1-264-498-2000; Fax: 264. 498. 2010; Concierge: concierge@cuisinart.ai. Reservations: (US, PR and Canada): +1-8001943-3210; +1-264-497-4900; reservations@cuisinart.ai Yes, the food-processor folks. Seriously good food here, with their own hydroponic garden. Luxurious rooms and suites (as many as five bedrooms) range from large to huge. On the beach at Rendezvous Bay. Rooms $659, Suites $1050 to $4600.
  
• Frangipani Beach Club Meads Bay, on John Hodges Rd. (John Hodges is a loop road, stay on the main road until the second time you see it). Ph 1-877-593-8988, 1-264-497-6442;Fax:1-264-497-6440; info@frangipaniresort.com Right on Meads Bay beach. Nineteen beautiful rooms and suites. Room rates include continental breakfast and beach equipment. Rooms $395 and $560; suites to $1550.
• Viceroy Anguilla Near West End; entrance is on main road. Tel +1-264 497-7000; Fax: +1-264 497 7100. Reservations, US: +1-800-578-0283 Newest of the luxury resorts, on the point between Meads and Barnes Bays, with spectacular views from its bar. Has a range of rooms, suites and villas. Rooms from $800; 4-bedroom villa around $3,500.

VILLAS:

• Altamer Villas – Shoal Bay West
• Bird of Paradise – Sandy Hill Bay
  
• Kamique Little Harbour Villas – Little Harbour
• Coyaba Manor – Lockrum Estate
• Sheriva Villas – Maundays Bay Road, West End
• Spyglass Hill Villa – North Hill
  
• Temenos Villas – Long Bay
• Ceblue Anguilla Villas and Beach Resort – Crocus Island

Several art galleries offer the works of Anguillan and other Caribbean artists, with prices from a few dollars to thousands.

• Alak Art Gallery, +1-264-497-7270. On road to Shoal Bay Village, and in South Hills Village, on road to West End, past Sandy Ground roundabout. Now that local artist Louise Brooks has retired from teaching, she offers her work and that of other artists at two locations. A nice selection of craft and fine-art items. Most prices from a few dollars to a few hundred.
  
• Savannah Gallery, +1-264-497-2263, savannah@anguillanet.com. On Coronation Ave., The Valley, on the way to Crocus Bay. This gallery displays fine Caribbean art in a traditional building in this historic neighborhood. The owner is a great source of information about the island, and welcomes casual visitors. Most prices from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
  
• Stone Cellar Art Gallery, +1-264-498-0123. In The Valley, near Walleblake House. Tucked under Sotheby’s Realty in the historic Old Factory, the gallery is an intriguing backdrop for fine art. Reproductions of old maps from a few dollars, original art in the thousands.