Anguilla Honeymoon Planner Ideas for a romantic getaway on this Caribbean island

Getting Around Anguilla

Anguilla is a relatively small island, so plan to have a look at most of the island during your stay. Getting around is easy--just stay on the main road to zip from end to end--and yet at the same time a little difficult because road signs are practically non-existent. Nonetheless, just about every road feeds off the main road so you can't go too far astray.

The center of the island is home to the capital town (city would be an exaggeration) called The Valley. The community is home of the government offices, the tourist board, the national museum, and several good restaurants. Unlike many Caribbean capitals, it is not located on the waterfront but near the island's highest point, Crocus Hill. Just south of The Valley sits Wallblake Airport, arrival point for many visitors.

South of The Valley runs the main road (yes, everyone calls it "the main road"). It heads southwest of town through the village of George Hill and past the turnoff for Sandy Ground Village, the fishing and boating headquarters for the island. You'll find a good pullover on this stretch from which to look down on the town of Sandy Ground, a veritable strip of sand tucked between the bay and Road Salt Pond, from which islanders produced sea salt until a few years ago.

The main road continues southwest, traveling past a few houses sprinkled among the low growing vegetation. To the left at a traffic signal not far past the Sandy Ground turnoff lies the turn for Blowing Point, the ferryport that connect the island to nearby St. Martin.

Continuing west, the road reaches the island's top beaches and luxury resorts, the destination of many Anguilla vacationers. This area is also a stop for another kind of Anguilla vacationer--migrating birds. Salt ponds filled with brackish and salt water attract birds to this region. Rendezvous Bay Salt Pond near Sonesta Resort Anguilla, Cove Pond and Gull Pond near Cap Juluca, and Meads Bay Pond near Frangipani Beach Club draw many feathered winter visitors as well as a year-around population.

The north end of the island is also home to several good birding ponds. This side of the island is home to fewer guest accommodations (but a good destination for the traveler on a budget). Most travelers make the quick trip to this part of the island, however, for a look at its beaches. Follow the main road through The Valley and past Stoney Ground then take a left at the fork to reach Shoal Bay (you'll see signs advertising beach bars and shops). This is one of the top beaches on the island and the most active beach for sunbathing and a little bar hopping. Other travelers take the right at the fork and continue on the main road to the next main fork, turning left to the community of Island Harbour, where many of the island's boats are constructed. This is also the site of Scilly Cay, a popular afternoon excursion both for lunch and for snorkeling and sunbathing.

From Island Harbour, follow the main road back around to The Valley. It's a quiet, winding drive that takes you past The Copse, the most tree-covered portion of the island.

Best Way to Get Around

If you'll be traveling around the island very much, by far the most economical transport is a rental car. Taxis are readily available on call but are not cheap, so a rental car is preferable for most guests. You can ask for a taxi to be dispatched at the airport or the ferry port in Blowing Rock.

Public transportation is not available on Anguilla. Taxi service, both in cars and 12-passenger vans, is available throughout the island. All taxis are on a call basis.

Car Rental Companies

Rental car prices vary with operator and model, but a typical mid-size or a jeep runs about $35 per day. A three-month Anguillan permit is required of all drivers. The fee is US $6; this license can be obtained form the rental car companies.

Speed limits are maximum 30 mph throughout the island (20 mph in some areas). Tall traffic bumps slow down speeders.

Related Pages about Anguilla:

> Honeymoons, Destination Weddings, and Romantic Getaways in Anguilla
> Anguilla chapter of "Romantic Escapes in the Caribbean"