Information
Landmark: Fig Tree DriveCity: Southwest Antigua
Country: Antigua and Barbuda
Continent: North America
Fig Tree Drive, Southwest Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda, North America
Overview
Fig Tree Drive winds through Antigua’s lush southern hills, treating you to a gorgeous mix of green canopies and bursts of bright flowers along one of the island’s most beautiful routes.Despite the name, you won’t see a row of fig trees here; in this area, “fig” means banana trees, their wide green leaves spilling over the roadside.This winding road stretches about five miles, linking Old Road to Liberta as it winds past bright hibiscus, sleepy villages, and weathered stone ruins.The best moments along Fig Tree Drive include shady bends where the air smells faintly of ripe fruit.Thick groves of banana plants, mango trees, and swaying coconut palms line the road, a living display of Antigua’s rich farmland.The view shifts from gentle hills to shaded forests, then opens suddenly to a flash of deep blue sea.Along the way, you’ll pass colorful villages where daily life hums quietly in the shade of painted verandas.Along the roadside, locals sell ripe mangoes, colorful handmade crafts, and small keepsakes, giving you a chance to chat with them, learn about Antiguan traditions, and support their work.Fig Tree Drive curves past weathered sugar mills and grand old estates, relics of the island’s colonial past, and you might catch sight of crumbling windmill towers that once ground the sugarcane fueling Antigua’s trade.Pull over for fresh fruit-roadside stalls brim with just-picked bananas, ripe mangos, cool coconuts, and other sun-sweet tropical treats.If you’re visiting, don’t miss these-they’re worth it.You’ll find vendors pouring cold, sweet coconut water and selling homemade treats.Along the way, stop at Wallings Nature Reserve, where shaded trails wind through the forest and bright birds flit between the trees.If you love hiking and exploring Antigua’s wild side, this spot is perfect-at Caribbean Rainforest Canopy Tours, you can zip-line through the trees and catch a bird’s-eye view of emerald-green leaves glistening in the sun, and along Fig Tree Drive, the scenery alone will have photographers reaching for their cameras.Catch the lively mix of bright green leaves, fruit stands piled high with oranges and mangoes, and the occasional flash of blue from the coast.Accessibility and travel tips 1.The road twists narrowly through the hills, with sharp bends that sneak up on you and the occasional pothole that rattles the tires.Take it slow on Fig Tree Drive, easing around the bends as sunlight filters through thick banana leaves.Most visitors explore in a rental car or join a guided tour.Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the light turns golden and the air feels cooler.From June to November, rain deepens the green of the hills, though parts of the road can get slick.Many tour operators pair the drive with stops at Turner’s Beach, Cades Reef, or Mount Obama.More than a scenic route, Fig Tree Drive offers a glimpse into Antigua’s farming heritage and rural way of life.Banana plantations sway in the breeze beside roadside stalls, a clear sign of the island’s dependence on farming, while the turquoise waters and lush hills show how fiercely Antigua protects its natural treasures.Nearby, you can stroll Turner’s Beach, where soft white sand meets turquoise water at the end of Fig Tree Drive; take in sweeping island views from the historic Shirley Heights Lookout just a short drive away; or explore Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbour, a UNESCO site steeped in Antigua’s maritime past.In short, Fig Tree Drive is a must for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in the island’s lush heart and rich heritage.You might snack on ripe mangoes, wander through charming local sights, or just breathe in the sea-salted air while the island’s most iconic route offers a peaceful, rewarding break from its crowded tourist spots.
