Antigua and Barbuda: 6 reasons to choose this destination for a wellness trip

The island of Antigua and Barbuda is known for its beautiful blue beaches and charming, colorful capital city of St. John’s. But it is also an ideal destination for the traveler in search of well-being.

The range of wellness activities throughout the island is generous: spa experiences, yoga and forest bathing, healthy food, outdoor activities, and more.

This year, the destination is also launching Antigua and Barbuda Wellness Month, held in January, which features a range of wellness experiences for tourists.

And the rest of the year is not left out. The twin island offers a series of retreats and experiences focused on relaxation and rejuvenation.

In January 2024, you can book a round-trip to Antigua and Barbuda for as little as 27,200 Aeroplan points and $166 in fees and taxes.

When you sign up for the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card, you can earn a welcome bonus of up to 55,000 points, which you can use to secure two round-trip bookings with points to enjoy Wellness Month next January.

Each week in January, visitors can immerse themselves in nature-based wellness activities: free “Soca-robix” and Zumba classes, meditative yoga in the countryside, various hikes through lush hills and a variety of spa treatments.

“Antigua and Barbuda Wellness Month is about increasing awareness of many of our destination’s wellness offerings,” said Tameka Wharton, Wellness Pillar Manager and Director of Tourism (AG) Canada for the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority.

“Considering wellness in our daily lives is no longer an asset, it’s a must and Antigua and Barbuda has a range of products, services, professionals and natural assets to enhance the wellness journey of our customers.”

Wellness continues to be a priority throughout the year in Antigua and Barbuda, with many activities organized under this theme. These include:

From February 24-27, Carisle Bay Hotel is offering an all-inclusive 3-night wellness retreat featuring daily mindfulness meditation, yoga for all levels, daily activities such as reef snorkeling, a guided rainforest hike and a local cooking demonstration.

On the south coast of Antigua, Curtain Bluff will host two Health and Wellness Weeks in 2023, April 15-22 and April 22-26.

Activities include Vinyasa Flow yoga, pilates, tennis lessons with on-site pros and daily spa treatments. Also on the program: healthy menu, water aerobics, sunset meditation and a fitness walk through Old Road Village.

On May 28, 2023, runners from around the world will join seasoned national athletes and fitness enthusiasts in Antigua for “Run in Paradise“.

The race through the colorful city of St. Louis is a must. St. John’s and the north coast of Antigua offers one of the most scenic drives in the world. The distances of a marathon, a half-marathon, a 10 km run/walk and a 5 km run/walk offer a challenge for all levels.

At Wild Lotus Glamping, guests can practice forest bathing, a form of meditation that uses all your senses to soak up the atmosphere of the Antigua rainforest.

The glamping accommodation also offers a refreshing and invigorating massage with locally made CBD oil. Throughout the massage, clients are guided through a ritual of deep breathing and meditation, allowing for a deep connection with nature.

Beach massages in Babuda

For a leisurely pace, serenity and pink, sandy beaches, head to Barbuda. Nobu Barbuda Hotel has a new traveler’s retreat in the form of a sustainably designed beach club. This beach club offers lounge chairs, private cabanas and beachside massages available upon request.

As you know, nutrition and well-being are inseparable. So you’ll love knowing that the island of Antigua and Barbuda has healthy dining options. For example, Bush Bungalow Creations, Antigua’s newest veggie restaurant, features local and regional cuisine.

Located on a fruit and vegetable farm, the establishment enjoys a rustic outdoor atmosphere. This season’s menu includes breakfast smoothies, gratitude bowls, main dishes such as a plant-based shepherd’s pie or gluten-free sweet potato crust pizza with basil pesto, roasted tomatoes, arugula and cashew mozzarella.

St. St. Johns, Antigua’s pretty capital, is an inspiring town with colorful colonial-style buildings and a warm harbor. There are delicious restaurants and weekly markets with local producers selling a range of fresh fruits and vegetables. You’ll get the best view from the tip of the fishing pier where you can admire the pastel buildings reflecting in the water.

The island offers various outdoor experiences to connect with the lush nature.

This historic military lookout rises to 45 meters. Here you will have the best view of Antigua. At the top, you will have a breathtaking view of English Harbour and the white sails dotting the turquoise water. Plan your visit to catch the sunset and watch the lights of the townships twinkle and the sailboats below. Otherwise, at noon, the sun perfectly illuminates the sea with bright blue tones.

A boat will take you to the small but striking Hell’s Gate Island, with its centerpiece of the same name: a natural stone bridge, formed by years of erosion.

A lagoon in the heart of Codrington, the capital of Barbuda, is home to an avian spectacle like no other. The Frigatebird Sanctuary is a birder’s paradise, with the largest frigatebird colony in the Western Hemisphere. Accessible by a short and scenic boat ride, the sanctuary is home to approximately 100,000 birds.

In the azure waters of Stingray City, you can create a memory that will last a lifetime by swimming with these gentle and friendly creatures. Stingray City is an ocean habitat that stingrays share with other aquatic animals such as starfish and pufferfish.

Wallings Nature Reserve is the first community-managed national park in Antigua and Barbuda. With an array of well-maintained trails winding through nearly 17,000 acres of protected rainforest, it’s also the best place to get in touch with Antigua’s wild side.

There is no shortage of wellness-oriented activity options in Antigua and Barbuda. Not to mention the fact that the island is a dream vacation destination with average winter temperatures of 28°C!