At one point in its lifetime, the Caribbean island of Anguilla was something only a few people knew about. Its seclusion allowed visitors and residents the privacy of the West Indies and the convenient nearness to the attractions in St. Maarten such as gambling, shopping, and a nightlife stretching out until the wee hours of the morning. In the 1990s however, several hotels began to emerge which grabbed the attention of well to do vacationers. Today Anguilla is considered one of the Caribbean’s most sought after destinations, boasting fine restaurants and numerous resorts. Throughout its development, Anguilla has still managed to retain the allure that attracted people there in the first place: a tranquil atmosphere and beachfront location.
CARIBBEAN ISLAND OF ANGUILLA
Anguilla is actually quite small at just sixteen miles in length when compared to some of the other islands in the Caribbean, which only adds more to its coziness and seclusion. Its land area spans 35 square miles, brimming with resorts, villas and over 12,500 inhabitants who are generally of African descent. There is very little rainfall in Anguilla and soil support is relatively low which contributes to its appearance as an open island with little foliage and scarce vegetation. If they are not working within the fishing and lobster arenas, residents of the island are, more often than not, employees of the tourism industry, serving clients from around the globe. As a tradeoff for its minimal vegetation, Anguilla is distinguished for having some of the most ecologically vital and impressive coral reefs which can be seen by visitors who go snorkeling.
The Anguilla of today is an autonomous island which at one point was part of the federation which included St. Kitts and Nevis and has remained so since its independence back in the 1980s. These days Anguilla (rhyming with the world ‘vanilla’), which was given its name due to its eel-like shape, is a British possession and destination which despite its global recognition is still not known by many. Residents of the island still hold to the beliefs and liberal laws of the British rule and have chosen to refrain from turning Anguilla into its own self governing nation. The Anguilla economy has also been growing at a rapid pace since 2006 largely due to the continued tourism as well as the fishing and offshore banking industries.
Explore Anguilla and see why this once uninhabited island is often spoken of by its visitors (and its residents) as the equivalent of a waterfront tropical paradise.
ANGUILLA REAL ESTATE
Anguilla real estate contains a larger array of villas at varying price ranges in contrast to neighboring islands in the Caribbean. There is tons of oceanfront and bayfront property such as the Turtles Nest and Sandy Hill Club condos as well as vacation rentals available in resorts like Altamer Villa, Cove Castles Villa, and Temenos Sky Villa, each of them residences overlooking the beach. As has become custom, prices come in multiple ranges but still hold true to the ideals of space and relaxation found in residences and resorts throughout the Caribbean. Foreigners are however, restricted in terms of where they can buy Anguilla property or the amount of land they can purchase for building.
Real estate and rental developments throughout Anguilla are designed to reinforce the island’s well deserved reputation of privacy and leisure while complementing all residences from rentals and condos to villas and cottages with plenty of nature that enhances the beachfront atmosphere while using the minimum amount of resources possible. Therefore, future Anguilla residents not only receive homes with two or three bedrooms located by the beach, but also island mansions with multiple bedrooms, pools and the added comfort of an island completely detached from society and surrounded by miles and miles of oceanfront.
Three years ago the Anguilla government approved more real estate property and rental property expansions contributing greatly to the island’s thriving economy and further driving the demand for investment property and vacation escapes along the island’s beachfront coastline. Anguilla continues to focus on island home developments.
ANGUILLA HOTELS & RESORTS
Anguilla Great House Beach
Amenities
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Outdoor pool
- Fishing
- Kayaks
- snorkeling
- Sunfish sailboats
- Windsurfing
- Room service
- Laundry service
- Nonsmoking rooms
Arawak Beach Inn
Amenities
- Restaurant
- Beach bar
- Outdoor pool
- Canoeing
- Windsurfing
- Bike rental
- Car rental
- Room service
- Babysitting
- Laundry service
Blue Waters Beach Apartments
Amenities
- Bar
Cap Juluca
Amenities
- Three restaurants
- Two bars
- Outdoor pool
- Driving range
- Three tennis courts
- Fitness center
- Spa
- Kayaks
- Scuba diving
- Snorkeling
- Water-skiing
- Windsurfing
- Children’s programs (in summer only)
- Rental cars
- Business center
- Room service (7:30am-10pm)
- Massage
- Babysitting
- Laundry service
- Dry cleaning
Covecastles Villa Resort
Amenities
- Restaurant
- Tennis court
- Aerobics
- Deep-sea fishing
- Glass-bottom boat excursions
- Kayaks
- Scuba diving
- Snorkeling
- Sunfish sailboats
- Windsurfing
- Bicycles
- Car rental
- Secretarial service
- Room service (8am-9pm)
- Massage
- Babysitting
- Laundry service
ANGUILLA RESTAURANTS
- Cedar Grove Café – Caribbean cuisine
- Ferryboat Inn – Caribbean cuisine
- Hibernia – French cuisine
- Koal Keel – International cuisine
- Malliouhana Restaurant – French cuisine
- Mango’s – American cuisine
- Overlook – Caribbean cuisine
- Ripples – Caribbean cuisine
- Straw Hat – Asian/Pac Rim cuisine
- Trattoria Tramonto – Italian cuisine
- Zara’s Restaurant – Italian cuisine
- Blanchards – International cuisine
ANGUILLA TRAVEL GUIDES
Currency:
The official currency of Anguilla is the East Caribbean dollar (EC$) which is at the exchange rate of US$1= EC$2.70.
Telecommunications:
Anguilla’s telephone, cable and telex services are provided by Cable & Wiring Ltd.
Calling Code: 1 (164)
Top Level Domain: (.ai)
Cable & Wiring Ltd. call (264) 497-3100 (open 5 A.M. to 8 P.M. Monday through Friday).
Government:
Anguilla is territory of the United Kingdom but is self-governed by an executive, legislative and judicial branch that make up their autonomous democratic government.
Passport requirements:
Passports: Required
Valid Travel Documents: Required Exit/Entry
Government Issued Photo ID: Required
Climate:
The average temperature in Anguilla is 80°F (27°C) and the coolest months are December to February and the warmest months are July to October.
Religion: Christianity
Language: Standard English
Tips when you get there:
First arrivals often embark on taxi tours to get a comprehensive first look at the island. Boat trips to Sombrero Island are extremely popular along with visits to the Heritage Museum Collection.
What to do:
Anguilla has an assortment of bar and grills with live music that spices up the nightlife. Restaurants like Blanchards and Malliouhana have given Anguilla a reputation for fine dining in the Caribbean.
Anguillan beaches are well known for their white sands and blue waters graced by perfect temperature and exotic marine life. Scuba diving and snorkeling is popular on the island, as guests from all around the world venture into the sea to view the marine life.
Exercise mind, body and spirit on Anguilla’s golf courses and tennis courts. Golf courses in Anguilla combine the ambiance of the Caribbean with the standards of a professional golf course to create an unforgettable golfing experience.
