steve ch Posted January 7, 2011 #26 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Just wondering about the details....US dollars? And is exact change required? Also, is there a specific schedule for catching the return bus back to the pier area? We'll be there on a Monday and will have to be back on board by 4:30. Thanks for your input. That would be US$. If you get change, it will be in EC$. The buses don't run to a specific schedule. They tend to wait until they're full then drive as fast as they can, to make the most money. They are frequent though. I doubt you'll have to wait long, but allow yourself at least half an hour spare. Don't forget it takes 10 minutes or so to walk back to the quayside from the bus station. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandyshore Posted January 7, 2011 #27 Share Posted January 7, 2011 That would be US$. If you get change, it will be in EC$. The buses don't run to a specific schedule. They tend to wait until they're full then drive as fast as they can, to make the most money. They are frequent though. I doubt you'll have to wait long, but allow yourself at least half an hour spare. Don't forget it takes 10 minutes or so to walk back to the quayside from the bus station. Thank you Steve -- that's just the info I needed. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfie27 Posted January 9, 2011 #28 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Hello everyone, We are also going to Antigua on the Summit, Feb. 1st. Does the restaurant on Valley Church take VISA or just $USA and what are the drink prices like. Are bathrooms available when you are on the beach or only attached to the restaurant. Do we need beach sohes (coral or rocks) or not. Thanks for the help. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elcruzer Posted January 15, 2011 #29 Share Posted January 15, 2011 All beaches on Antigua are public, so you don't have to pay to be on them, but some are hard to get to without going through a hotel unless you have a boat. Fortunately Valley Church and Jolly both have road access, but in the case of Jolly Beach, the access road is often flooded by the laggon behind it. To get on to the beach, ask for directions to Castaways Beach Bar. Incidentally, it's no longer possible to get to Valley Church from Jolly without going back to the road. There used to be a short cut through Cocos car park, but that's been blocked off. Just jump on the #22 bus from the entrance to Jolly Harbour. It only takes a minute or two. Is the Pineapple Beach Resort anywhere near Valley Church? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve ch Posted January 15, 2011 #30 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Is the Pineapple Beach Resort anywhere near Valley Church? No. Sorry, it's a good half an hour by car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Kewlguy Posted January 17, 2011 #31 Share Posted January 17, 2011 I would also love to know the drink pricing at Valley Church? My boyfriend and I will in port in a few weeks and are still trying to decide between Valley Church and Jolly Beach. (We don't mind the crowded aspect..We like people!) I asked about the bucket of beers and it was $15.00 US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Kewlguy Posted January 17, 2011 #32 Share Posted January 17, 2011 We were at Valley Church Beach in November 2009. One of our favorite beaches in the Caribbean after 7 cruises.We asked a cab driver at the pier for a ride and he told us $32 return and suggested we find 2 more people so the price per person would be lower. I found another couple who were reluctant at first but on the way back they thanked us profusely for convincing them to go. We agreed on a return time with the driver and he was waiting for us at the beach. We also didn't pay him until after the return trip. Enjoy the beach but don't tell too many people as it is still a peaceful place with all of the amenities to enjoy a great day. We were just there last week and it's already becoming too crowded. Although we did have two ships in port that day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandyshore Posted January 23, 2011 #33 Share Posted January 23, 2011 Hello everyone, We are also going to Antigua on the Summit, Feb. 1st. Does the restaurant on Valley Church take VISA or just $USA and what are the drink prices like. Are bathrooms available when you are on the beach or only attached to the restaurant. Do we need beach sohes (coral or rocks) or not. Thanks for the help. :) We were there last week, and the restaurant did accept VISA. Can't answer your question about drink prices, but the food was reasonable ($6 for a hot dog & fries, $16 for coconut shrimp & fries, $6 for pizza). The bathrooms are in a separate building from the restaurant, just a short walk away. We didn't need water shoes to go in the ocean; it was nice soft sand. But flip flops were helpful when we walked back from the sand and closer to the trees (which were GREAT for natural shade). Beautiful beach. Chairs were $5 each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob&joanne Posted January 24, 2011 #34 Share Posted January 24, 2011 How easy or how hard is it to get a taxi at Valley Church beach to go back to the cruise port ? I know we could arrange with the driver that takes us there to return at a particular time to pick us up, but we're not sure how long we might want to stay there....We would rather have the flexibility of returning when we want to. Any suggestions on where to get a cab back ? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandyshore Posted January 24, 2011 #35 Share Posted January 24, 2011 How easy or how hard is it to get a taxi at Valley Church beach to go back to the cruise port ? I know we could arrange with the driver that takes us there to return at a particular time to pick us up, but we're not sure how long we might want to stay there....We would rather have the flexibility of returning when we want to. Any suggestions on where to get a cab back ? Thanks. We saw cabs at the beach just waiting to take people back to the pier. We took the bus, and while we waited for it, we also saw many cabs pass by on the main road, so either way, I don't think you'll have a problem getting a cab when you're ready for one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Kewlguy Posted January 24, 2011 #36 Share Posted January 24, 2011 As we walked back to the bus stop at the end of the day we were approached by several cabs asking to take us back to the ship. We politely refused. There is no shortage of cabs at Valley Church Beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcarthia Posted January 24, 2011 #37 Share Posted January 24, 2011 We just got back from Antigua this week. We went to Valley Church. Great beach. Did not eat at the restaurant but beers were $15 / bucket (5 beer.) Would recommend this stop to anyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slstauber Posted January 25, 2011 #38 Share Posted January 25, 2011 We were at Valley Church Beach two weeks ago and it was by far the most beautiful beach I have ever been too. It's like the commercial where the couple are sitting in beach chairs and all you can see is the beach and their backs. As for getting to and from, we took a cab with two other couples and the cost was 16 per person RT. Kwame was our driver and when we got there he introduced us to Claudia who gave a real short intro to the beach. She also said that if one of us would decide to leave early or stay later than our agreed to time, she would call Kwame and make the arrangements. I have been to many beaches in the Carrib after 18 cruises and this is the one I will make sure to return too. You can't go wrong with Valley Church Beach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puffinater Posted January 28, 2011 #39 Share Posted January 28, 2011 Thanks for all the great info. Looks like we will be heading to Valley Church Beach in March. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandyshore Posted January 28, 2011 #40 Share Posted January 28, 2011 I will be going to Antiqua for the first time and I would like to visit Valley Church Beach - could you please tell me if it is easy to find the bus station from the port. Also I will be solo, do you think I'll be ok. Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated, thank you Now that I've been there, I can answer this for you. From the dock, you walk straight -- and you'll have to go past a multitude of cab drivers all offering tours and/or rides to the beach. Just keep saying "NO THANKS" and keep going straight to Market Street and turn right. Then it's a short walk and you'll come to a fork in the road where you bear right (there's an enormous sculpture at that fork, you can't miss it). Once past the fork you'll come to the bus station on the right. We found #22 easily and climbed on board. It was air conditioned and comfortable. The only downside is we waited a good 30 minutes before the bus left, but once it did, the ride to Valley Church was only about 15. The driver will tell you when you're at the stop and you just walk down the access road to the beach. Reverse to get back to the ship later. If you type in Market St, Antigua on Google maps, you'll see the pier, the streets, and the bus terminal. Hope this helps. :) Here's a picture of that sculpture Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcprncss Posted February 15, 2011 #41 Share Posted February 15, 2011 Anybody been to Jolly Beach lately? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Kewlguy Posted February 15, 2011 #42 Share Posted February 15, 2011 I was there in early November. But just at the beach and not the resort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcprncss Posted February 21, 2011 #43 Share Posted February 21, 2011 I was there in early November. But just at the beach and not the resort. Did you get a day pass? I am looking for anyone who has got a day pass recently? thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Kewlguy Posted February 22, 2011 #44 Share Posted February 22, 2011 If you don't use the hotels pool/facilities then you don't need a pass to use the beach. All beaches are public in Antigua. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv2cruise67 Posted February 28, 2011 #45 Share Posted February 28, 2011 Did you get a day pass? I am looking for anyone who has got a day pass recently? thanks. We are also wanting to spend the day at the resort{just to get the all inclusive food and drinks}.......who's been there???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patsfan3 Posted March 3, 2011 #46 Share Posted March 3, 2011 How long is the walk to the bus station? Is it a safe area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S&SCruisers Posted March 7, 2011 #47 Share Posted March 7, 2011 We are also wanting to spend the day at the resort{just to get the all inclusive food and drinks}.......who's been there???? New to cruising and the Caribbean...wondering what this is...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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