Affectionately known as “Little Britain” (it was governed by the UK for nearly 340 years), Barbados offers much more than the overcast skies of Blighty. Our tip? Grab a rum cocktail and head for the nearest stretch of beach…
Quick Facts
• Capital City: Bridgetown
• Currency: Barbadian Dollar, BBD
• Language: English
• Time Zone: -4 GMT
• Dialling Code: +246
• Religions Practised: Christianity (Protestant)
• Total Area: 431 square kilometres
• Population Size: 279912
Practical Information
Voltage and Plug Info:
115 V. American-style plug with two flat blades above round grounding pin or Japanese-style plug with two flat blades
Visas:
Visitors from the UK, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand don’t require visas to enter Barbados. Most other nationals must show possession of an onward or return ticket to secure a visa via a consulate in their home country.
Safety:
Barbados is a safe and friendly place to visit but crime is on the rise and visitors should take care to exercise common sense and avoid walking on secluded beaches and in neighbourhoods away from main roads. Drugs and peddlers can be encountered but easily ignored. Take care when swimming as the currents and tides can be dangerous; watch out for the warning flags.
Vaccinations and Health:
The sun is fierce in Barbados (as a result of it being just 13 degrees from the equator), so wear protection and cover up during the hottest part of the day. Drink plenty of water and bring an umbrella to stay cool. During the night you should put on bug spray, especially when eating at restaurants, to avoid mosquitoes.
Barbados Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit?
Nice all-year round, there’s no specific “best time” to go. In January the daily temperatures float around 28°C while in July it easily reaches 30°C. July can be quite wet (getting up to 18 days of rain) while February and May are the driest months. June through to October sees the hurricane season with September and October the high risk months.
Getting There and Away
There are plenty of flights into Barbados (with more expected due to the expansion of its international airport). From North America, Barbados is served by American Airlines, Air Canada, Air Jamaica and Continental Airlines while BWIA has flights from London, Zurich and Frankfurt. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic fly to Barbados from London, connecting most of Europe. Barbados is extremely popular with the cruise crowd (about 500,000 arrive each year) too.
Getting Around
Buses are your best friend in Barbados with three kinds traversing most of the island. Government-operated public buses have the most routes but its possible to travel by private minibus and route taxis. It’s possible to hire a car but you’ll have to purchase a temporary licence. Taxi fares are unmetered so fix a price before you depart.
Best Things to Do in Barbados
Don’t leave Barbados without…
Bronzing on a pink beach
Beaches, beaches, beaches – if you can’t find one to your liking here you probably don’t like them. Crane Beach is a particularly sumptuous example of the pink sandy variety and just a 30-minute drive from Bridgetown.
Riding a tram underground
Harrison’s Cave is renowned for its cathedral-height, water-eroded underground caverns. Hop on an eco-friendly tram and gawp at stalagmites and stalactites.
Chomping on the national icon
Neck as much flying fish as you can when November’s Barbados Food, Wine And Rum Festival turns the island into a culinary hotspot. Cooking demos and street parties are where the affordable food is hiding.
Snorkelling with turtles
The cute leatherback turtles that live off the island’s west coast could melt the stoniest of hearts. They just look so cuddly, despite having a shell.
Drinking rum like an English sailor
Back in the day seamen used to drink Barbadian rum by the barrel load. Prove you’re as hardy as any salty sea dog at Mount Gay Boatyard Regatta in May, where it flows like water.