Your Basic Travel Guide To Barbados

Decidedly British, Barbados is a beautiful island at the east of the Caribbean surrounded by endless pink and white sandy beaches and azure water. The coastline of the island is a solace for rest and recreation, and amusing pursuits — a must-be-there destination for historical attractions, cultural events, sporting activities, colorful festivities, round-the-clock entertainment and dining.

Dubbed as “Little England” in the Caribbean, Barbados is decidedly British yet true to its rich Bajan (West Indian) tradition. You will find that Bajans have a long history of welcoming international visitors, which is why Barbados’ pride of warm hospitality is as pleasant as their pristine coast.

Whether you are planning a family holiday, a romantic getaway, business trip or just an escape, Barbados offers diverse things to do and enjoy.

GETTING THERE

You can get to Barbados by plane or by ship. Barbados boasts a large international airport, and shipping docks to accommodate a growing number of tourists all over the world — with large numbers from UK, Canada and US visitors. If you are traveling by ship, you’d likely be arriving in style as most ships that dock in the coast of Barbados are cruise ships.

FACTS FIRST

Climate -- Barbados is a tropical island, which makes the weather almost always sunny and warm, cooled by the constant northeast winds. The average daytime temperature ranges between 84-88 degrees Farenheght or 23-31 degrees Celsius. A summer temperature rarely exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 32 degrees Celsius.

Language -- Although the Bajan dialect can be heard all around the island, majority of the locale speaks fluent English. And mind you, they speak with British accent.

Time -- The Barbados time is an hour ahead of US Eastern Standard Time (EST) in the winter, and the same during US Daylight Saving Time. It is also 4 hours behind GMT in the winter and 5 hours in the summer.

Electricity -- 115/230 volts 50 cycle — many hotels provide converters and plugs for different types of appliance from different countries.

Dress Code -- Dress appropriately, as always. For a tropical weather just like Barbados’, you can wear anything that is comfortable like a sundresses, shorts, shirts or tops. Islanders and tourists alike prefer slippers or slip-on sandals while traveling around.

Business Hours -- Establishments in Bridgetown (Barbados capital) are open on Mondays to Fridays between 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and closes 1:00 PM on Saturdays; establishments outside Bridgetown, however, operates between 900 AM to 5:00 PM Mondays to Fridays and closes 2:00 PM on Saturdays. Most shops around Barbados are closes on Sundays, although some supermarkets and convenience stores remain open.

Telecommunications -- Barbados has a modern telecommuting infrastructure with the latest in digital and fiber optics technology: Internet connection, facsimile, international calling, etc. The international direct distance dialing code for Barbados is “1-246” followed by the local seven digit number.

Currency -- The Barbados dollar is tied to the US dollar at a fixed rate of US$1.00 = BDS$1.98. The approximate rate of exchange for sterling is £1.00 = BDS$3.70, for Canadian currency, approximately CAD$1.00 = BDS$1.60 and the Euro is approximately EURO 1.00 = BDS$2.40. US currency is readily accepted everywhere on the island, while most hotels, restaurants and large stores accept travelers checks and most major credit cards as well.

ACCOMMODATION

Barbados and other Caribbean islands are internationally known for their world-class accommodation. But even if you’re in a budget, you can still find a place that will suit your taste.

Barbados has so many options when it comes to accommodation: exclusive, lavish and luxurious upscale chains of hotels and resorts; elegant and personal villas, apartments, guesthouses, backpacker hostels and home stays, which is the island’s new home accommodation program by the Barbados Tourism Authority.

BEACH

The island’s beaches are all open to public. The most popular district of Barbados is you plan to have fun in the sun are the beaches in the west coast (Paynes Bay, Brighton Beach, Brandon’s Beach, Paradise Beach and Mullins Beach), south coast (Casuarina Beach, Silver Sands Beach, and Sandy Beach) and the southeast cost (tides coming from the Atlantic), which is the surfer’s turf.

DINING and NIGHTLIFE

Dining in the island encompasses everything from authentic Bajan gourmet and exotic delicacies to a mélange of signature influences and cuisines. Based on the survey by ZAGATt, the world’s leading provider of consumer-based information on where to dine and drink has concluded, and which you should try to dine-in in any of the following less-than-a-hundred-dining places in Barbados: Bubba's Sport Bar and Restaurant, Pisces, The Fish Pot, Cafe Sol Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar, Cocomos Restaurant, Waterfront Café, Café Jungles Tree House and Patisserie & Bistro Flindt.

If you’re on a splurge for fine dining, the best places to go to are: The Cliff, Champers Wine Bar and Restaurant, The Tides, The Restaurant at Southsea, Josef's, Lone Star Restaurant and Hotel, Daphne's, Calabazza, Zen, L'Acajou, Café Luna Restaurant, L'Azure Restaurant.

When the sun sets, don’t be left out on the hippest and the most enjoying night life places in the coasts: Coach House at Paynes Bay, John Moore Bar, Upstairs ay Olives, Baxters Road (Bridgetown), Enid's, The Rusty Pelican, Harbour Lights, Cafe Sol Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar, Plantation Restaurant and Garden Theatre, The Ship Inn, Olives Bar and Bistro, Bert's Bar, Bubba's Sports Bar and Restaurant and After Dark.

* Usually 10%–15% is acceptable when tipping—many restaurants automatically add a 10% service charge to your bill, so you’d be wise to check before tipping additionally.

SHOPPING

Duty-free merchandises in Barbados are lower compared to United States and Canada at prices 20% to 40% discount. Duty-free shops have two prices listed on items: the local retail price and the local retail price less the government-imposed tax. Some of the best buys include cameras, wristwatches, crystal, gold jewelry, cosmetics, perfumes, liquor, tobacco products, apparels, and other imported items. But if you were to purchase an item made in Barbados, you don’t have to pay duty.

Barbados capital, Bridgetown is the Mecca for hawkers. You can find that their shopping district is complete from Antique shops, craft shops, malls, clothing boutiques, flea markets, thrift shops, etc… But as they say, you have to be a smart shopper to spot a bargain.

* 15% VAT (Value Added Tax) is included on all prices in shops, supermarkets and restaurants. In hotels, 7.5% VAT and 10% service charge will be added to your bill.

ACTIVITIES and ATTRACTIONS

You’ll never run out of things to do when you’re in Barbados. If you trip on the island’s attractions and amusements, you should never let your stay in Barbados without visiting these places: Andromeda Botanic Gardens, Barbados Wildlife Reserve, Flower Forest, Francia Plantation, Gun Hill Signal Station, Harrison's Cave, Heritage Park and Rum Factory, Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill, St. Nicholas Abbey, Sunbury Plantation House, Tyrol Cot Heritage Village, Welchman Hall Gully, Carenage, Trafalgar Square, St. Michael's Cathedral, Synagogue, Garrison Savannah, Farley Hill National Park, and Crane Beach Hotel on Crane Bay.

TRANSPORTATION

With so much to see and do in the island, if you prefer to explore the island on your own, you can rent a car. There are no major US car rental companies on the island. However, there are a number of Barbados car rental companies.

* Driving in Barbados is on the left side of the road and the majority of vehicles are “right hand drive.” For tourists, hiring a taxi on a frequent basis may be expensive.