Location and climate:
Antigua and Barbuda are located in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, roughly 17 degrees north of the equator and has a population of 68,000. To the south are the islands of Montserrat and Guadaloupe, and to the north and west are Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Barts, and St. Martin. The sister island of Barbuda lies 27 miles northeast of Antigua with a land area of 62 square miles. The largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, Antigua is about 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, encompassing 108 square miles. Barbuda, a flat coral island lies approximately 30 miles due north. Sunny and warm all year with soothing trade winds, the average temperature ranges from the mid-seventies in the winter to the mid-eighties in the summer. Annual rainfall averages only 45 inches, making it the sunniest of the Eastern Caribbean Islands, and the northeast trade winds are nearly constant, flagging only in September. Low humidity all year and the Antiguan's are really friendly.
Beaches, shopping and places of interest:
Antigua has 365 beaches one for each day of the year! Coco Palm Villa is ideally located close to some of the best beaches on the island. You can either enjoy the activities and water sports that Jolly Beach has to offer or find your own tranquil spot away from the crowds on Coco Beach, Ffyes Beach or (the locals favourite) Dark wood Beach. To explore the island either hire a car (available at Jolly Harbour) or hire a taxi for the day (around US$100). They'll take you wherever you want and wait for you while you enjoy such things as Nelson's Dockyard, Calypso at Shirley's Heights (over looking English Harbour) on a Sunday afternoon or shopping in St John's. The Jolly Beach Shopping Plaza fronts the marina with a decked walkway and is conveniently only a 5 minutes walk from the villa. The Grand Princess Casino is next to the shopping plaza which has boutiques, jewellery store, bank, large supermarket, off licence, pharmacy, Caribbean art gallery, music store, beauty salon and car hire.
Golf:
Jolly Harbour features an established 18 hole, par 71 (5,587 yards) championship course designed by leading golf course architect, Karl Litton of Florida. The golf course is set in tropical parkland. Easterly breezes cool you on the fairways that have been sculpted into a green hilly landscape with seven lakes making the course more of a challenge. The club benefits from a clubhouse with pro shop, snack/drinks bar, restaurant, locker room and showers. Open to visitors on a daily fee basis 9 holes costs US$25 and 18 holes US$40. There are also special weekly, monthly or yearly rates available. Club and power cart rental is also available (US$15 and US$25 respectively for 18 holes). Booking tee times in advance is easy either by telephone or email.
Other Activities:
Casino, boat charter and excursions, helicopter trips, snorkeling,