While it’s justifiably famed for its fantastic beaches, Barbados is an island that has it all. In addition to fine powdery sand and brilliant turquoise bays, travelers will find smashing nightlife, beautiful countryside dotted with gardens, wild surf on the lonely east coast and historic buildings in a UNESCO World Heritage-listed capital. All this and much more is inhabited by proud and welcoming people, who cannot wait to welcome guests to their beautiful island.
A Little Bit of Geography
Barbados lies 160 kilometers east of the Windward Islands, and is the easternmost Caribbean island. It is located off the hurricane belt, so if you’re looking to go to an island that is hurricane-free, look no further! The island measures around 32 km from northwest to southeast, and around 25 kilometers from east to west, so no places are too far of a drive away! The island has a total of 11 parishes.
Sea borders: the Caribbean Sea lies to the west of the island, and the Atlantic Ocean lies to the east.
PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO BARBADOS
When to Go
High Season (mid-December to mid-April): This is the most popular time to visit, as the weather is warm with low humidity. The top hotels, especially all-inclusive resorts, get booked far in advance, and the prices are the highest.
Value Season (late April to July and November to mid-December): During these months, hotel prices drop around 20-50% from the high season prices. Scattered showers are possible, but it only rains for about 20-30 minutes, and then it dries within 15 minutes. Sun-kissed days and comfortable nights with fewer crowds are the highlight during this season.
Low Season (August to late October): Temperatures during this season can become oppressively hot and the weather muggy, with a risk of tropical storms. Some upscale hotels close during September and October for annual renovations. Those remaining open offer deep discounts, so this is the cheapest time to travel to Barbados.
Getting to Barbados
From Canada: Travelers can fly nonstop from Toronto year-round on Air Canada and WestJet, and seasonally from Montreal on Air Canada. Travelers from other parts of Canada can connect via Toronto.
From the USA: most American airlines fly from major cities along the east coast, such as New York, Boston, Charlotte, Miami among others. Caribbean Airlines also flies from the USA.
From Other Places: Barbados is connected to other Caribbean islands via LIAT airline, and Grenadines Air Alliance. Travelers from Europe can fly from London on British Airways or Virgin Atlantic, and Manchester on AerLingus. Travelers from other parts of Europe can connect via London on British Airways, which flies all over Europe.
Getting Around Barbados
If you purchase an all-inclusive package including flight and hotel, the package will include round-trip airport transfers.
Bus: bus service is efficient and inexpensive. Public buses run every 20 minutes along Highway 1 between Bridgetown and Speightstown, and Highway 7 along the south coast. The fare is BDS 3.50 per journey (about USD 1.75). Small signs on roadside poles say “to city” or “out of city”.
Taxi: taxis operate 24 hours a day, and are fairly inexpensive. They aren’t metered, but rates are fixed by the government. A sample taxi fare from the airport to Bridgetown could be about BDS 30-40 (about USD 15-20).
Car: the roads in Barbados are busy, and traffic can be heavy on the highways, particularly around Bridgetown. If you will be renting a car, remember that they “drive on left” in Barbados. Most car rental agencies require renters to be at least 21 years old, and have a valid driver’s license and a major credit card. The rental usually includes insurance, unlimited mileage and 24-hour emergency service. A local driver’s permit which costs $5 can be obtained through the rental agency.
Where to Stay
Barbados has accommodation options to suit all budgets. From basic city hotels to luxury beachfront resorts, there is never a shortage of options. It is best to book in advance, as accommodation on this island tends to fill up very fast year-round.
The easiest would be to go all-inclusive, just like on any Caribbean island. If you’re looking for a more local experience, you can opt for a resort that is not all-inclusive and add a meal plan. The meal plans would be as follows:
- Breakfast only
- Half board: breakfast and lunch or dinner
- Full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner
The difference is, with half or full board, alcoholic drinks are not included. If you enjoy having endless drinks, best to opt for an all inclusive resort.
Here are my top hotel recommendations in Barbados, based on experience:
Luxury Beachfront All Inclusive
Midscale Beachfront All Inclusive
Non-All-Inclusive Properties
Teo’s travel tip: If you do not add a dinner plan, keep in mind that food can be very expensive at the hotels. One meal can range from USD 30-45 at the hotel restaurant without a dining plan.
Cuisine
Like any country, Barbados has its unique food. Even if you stay at an all-inclusive property, it’s definitely worth stepping off the resort to experience a local restaurant at least once.
Here are some local dishes worth trying:
| Food | Drinks |
| Conkies: a mixture of cornmeal, coconut, pumpkin, sweet potato, raisins and spices, steamed in a plantain leaf. | Banks: the island’s crisp lager |
| Cou-cou: a creamy cornmeal-and-okra mash | Deputy: another local beer |
| Cutters: meat or fish sandwiches in a salt-bread roll | Barbadian rum: some of the finest in the Caribbean, with Mount Gay being the best-known label |
| Fish cakes: myriad Bajan recipes, made from salt cod and deep fried | Crisma: the island’s version of Bailey’s, but creamy and sweeter. |
Useful Information
Currency: The local currency is the Barbadian Dollar (BDS), while US Dollars are widely accepted. However, most stores will give you change back in BDS. Credit cards such as VISA, AmEx and MasterCard are widely accepted, except at local markets where most of them take only cash. Click here to check the current exchange rate. ATMs are available across the island. Your hotel will most likely also have an ATM or be able to provide change.
Language: English
Entry Requirements: All travelers require a passport valid for the duration of their trip, as well as a return ticket to their country of residence. Residents of USA, Canada, the European Union or Australia can travel without a visa for up to 90 days. Click here to check the entry requirements which apply to your country of residence.
Electricity Socket: Barbados runs on 110V and the standard frequency is 50Hz. The power plug is the same as that of USA and Canada. If you’re visiting from outside the Americas, you will need a 110V voltage adaptor. To avoid buying new adapters for every destination in the world, I recommend having a Universal Travel Adapter which can be brought on any vacation.
Staying Connected: WiFi can be found in most hotels, cafes and restaurants around the island, and most of them offer it complimentary.
Staying Connected: WiFi can be found in most hotels, cafes and restaurants around the island, and most of them offer it complimentary.
Safety: Barbados is a perfectly safe country to visit. Crime is not a major problem in Barbados, but it is always recommended to take normal precautions. Lock your valuables and travel documents in your hotel safe. For personal safety, avoid walking on the beach or on unlighted streets at night. Using or trafficking in illegal drugs is prohibited in Barbados.
Medical Assistance: In case you need to consult a doctor, please contact the front desk at your hotel. Doctors are available 24 hours a day, and most of them do speak English. Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover expenses if you are sick or injured while abroad. The best idea would be to invest in travel insurance, as it is never a good idea to leave without insurance in your luggage. Keep all your receipts, as you will need them for any insurance claims upon your return home. Pharmacies can also be found in the cities and most towns.
Shopping: Barbados offers travelers a glorious diversity of shopping experiences. Choose bustling downtown locations such as Broad Street or Swan Street in Bridgetown, and suburban shopping centers such as Sky Mall or Sheraton Mall. Early birds can experience farm-to-fork and organic produce, along with unique arts and crafts at Brighton Farmers Market, about 20 minutes outside Bridgetown.
Tipping: a service charge between 10-15% is usually added to your bill at hotels and restaurants. Any additional tipping is at your discretion, base on the quality of service you received.
Beaches: The beaches in Barbados are public, and locals do come to enjoy the beach. Do not leave personal belongings unattended, nor towels from the hotel.
Always be cautious when swimming in unfamiliar waters, and don’t swim too far out. Never leave children unattended. Before you swim, please look for the coloured flag that indicates water conditions:
- Green – safe to swim
- Orange or yellow – proceed with caution
- Red – dangerous. No swimming.
When outside, remember to wear appropriate sunscreen and a hat. Drink plenty of water and avoid too much exposure between noon and 15:00, which are the hottest hours of the day.
Have I attracted you to visit Barbados? Contact me and let’s start planning your trip!