Anguilla

Number of islands: Anguilla is comprised of 23 islands and cays. These include the main island of Anguilla and numerous smaller, mostly uninhabited offshore islets and cays like Dog Island, Prickly Pear Cays, and Sombrero.  

Official language: English

Population: 14,728  (2025) 

Capital city: The capital of Anguilla is The Valley. It is the main town on the island and serves as the administrative and commercial hub.  

Local foods: 

Main dishes

• Seafood: Anguilla's cuisine is heavily influenced by its proximity to the sea. You'll find grilled fish like red snapper, mahi-mahi, and jackfish. Salt cod is also a staple, used in many soups and stews.

• Goat and Chicken: Due to limited land for livestock, goat and chicken are common. They are often prepared as stews, such as curried goat.

• Pigeon Peas and Rice: This is considered Anguilla's national dish, often served as a side or a meal in itself. It is cooked with pigeon peas and rice, with variations including different meats.

• Callaloo: This is a hearty soup made from callaloo leaves and can be prepared with or without meat, herbs, garlic, and other vegetables like pumpkin.

• BBQ: Barbecue is popular, featuring grilled meats like ribs, chicken, and fish.

• Fried Fish: Fresh fish, like snapper, is often seasoned and fried outside on a coal pot, a traditional method. 

Side dishes and snacks

• Johnny Cakes: A staple bread, these are often crispy baked or fried cornmeal buns that can accompany most meals.

• Plantains: Fried plantains are a common side dish, served with many meals.

• Conkie Dumplings: These are cornmeal dumplings with spiced coconut and vegetables, cooked in grape leaves.

• Saltfish Cakes: Small cakes made with salt cod, a common item in stews and at festivals.

• Fry Cake Sandwiches: A popular breakfast item. 

Drinks

• Rum Drinks: Local rum cocktails are a staple, especially at beachfront bars.

• Mauby: A soft drink made from the bark of the mauby tree.

• Ting: A popular Jamaican grapefruit soda that is widely available in the Caribbean. 

Local festivals: The main local festival in Anguilla is the Anguilla Summer Festival, a major carnival held in July and August that includes boat races, parades, live music, and beach parties. Other significant local celebrations include Anguilla Day on May 30th, which marks independence with celebrations and a sailboat race, and Festival Del Mar during Easter, a seafood and sea-themed event in Island Harbour.  

How to get there?

From a nearby island

• From St. Maarten (SXM): This is the most common route.

• By ferry: Take a 25-minute ferry or high-speed shuttle from the St. Maarten ferry terminal (near the airport on the Dutch side or from Marigot on the French side) to Anguilla's Blowing Point Ferry Terminal#.

• By plane: Take a short, 7-minute flight from Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) to Anguilla's Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (AXA)#.

• From Antigua (ANU): Fly from Antigua with a regional airline like Trans Anguilla#.

• From San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU): Fly into Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) and then take a regional flight with an airline like Cape Air to AXA#.

Direct flights

• From the United States: American Airlines offers a direct flight from Miami (MIA) to Anguilla (AXA) And from New York#.

#Depending on your city of departure we will get all done for you according to the program.

Other important information

Entry requirements: You must have a valid passport with at least one blank page for the entry stamp. 

Driving: If you plan to rent a car, be aware that driving is on the left. You will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a temporary local license to drive.