Let's Explore Barbados
Barbados Travel Guide, Transportation, Accommodations, Food, Dishes, Hidden Attractions, and much more...
Barbados at a glance
Each place in Barbados has a story, every meal is a celebration, and each day promises new experiences, discoveries, and memories to last a lifetime. Many expect Barbados to be a once-in-a-lifetime type of trip, but quickly discover that it is the kind of place you want to return to, time and time again.
Barbados Do's
- Go snorkeling! Barbados has one of the largest turtle populations in the world. Moreover, it is one of the cleanest islands in the world to not miss the opportunity of going for snorkeling in these islands.
- Barbados is definitely a foodie’s paradise. When you are in Barbados, never miss to try out those lip-smacking seafood which are prepared using the everyday catch. Since the island is not heavily polluted, even some of the basic food items taste delicious. It is recommended to try out the local cuisines at Barbados.
- Go on a catamaran ride. This is one of the best options for those who would like to be on the water but not under the water. The catamaran rides would provide you with the spectacular view of the crimson sunset falling on the blue waters.
Barbados Dont's
- You probably weren’t planning on it anyway, but it’s really important that you don’t wear camouflage clothing in Barbados because it’s actually illegal!
- Some of the island’s most famous residents are the beautiful turtles in the surrounding ocean and swimming with them can be an unforgettable experience. There are actually fines if you do disturb a nesting turtle as these animals are endangered.
The east coast of the island is home to some spectacular beaches and cliffs, with some of the best views in the country, so we definitely spending some time at the beaches here, such as Bathsheba and Cattlewash. This being said, the sea here is particularly rough, with dangerous currents and riptides, which are great for surfers, but we’d advise against going for a swim here.
- Haggling over prices is not common in Barbados. The only place it is really acceptable is at souvenir stands and markets
Barbados Quick Facts
Language
Although English is the official language, residents of the island speak Bajan, or Barbadian Creole, an English-based creole language with African and British influences.
Currency
The official currency is the Barbadian dollar (B$). We quote rates as they are given.
Getting A Visa
U.S. citizens do not require a Tourist Visa to enter Barbados. However, a valid U.S. passport is required.
SIM Card/Internet
There is nothing preventing travelers from buying a SIM card in Barbados. You do have to comply with the SIM card registration regulations. Moreover, your phone has to support the frequencies used in Barbados. Furthermore, your phone needs to be unlocked (SIM-lock free) to use a Barbadian SIM card. Barbados has plans to cover the entire island with Wi-Fi internet access. Most of the Wi-Fi coverage is on the west and south coasts of the island. That's because the majority of the country's population lives and works in these areas.
Tipping Etiquette
A tip of 10% to 15% is standard in restaurants (often added to the bill), and 10% in hotels (usually added to the bill). A 10% tip is the norm in taxis.
ATM
U.S. dollars are accepted in most businesses. Credit cards and travelers checks are also widely accepted. All commercial banks have ATMs across the island. ATMs can also be found at some hotels. The major banks of Barbados, all with ATMs, are found along Broad Street in Bridgetown, including branches of First Caribbean Bank, the Barbados National Bank, Scotiabank, and the Butterfield Bank.
Socket Types
On Barbados the power plugs and sockets are of type A and B. Check out the following pictures. When living in the United States of America you don't need a power plug adapter on Barbados. Your power plugs fit. We recommend you to pack a 3 to 2 prong adapter in case type B sockets are not available. Be extra careful with certain appliances because of the difference in frequency. On Barbados the power plugs and sockets are of type A and B. The standard voltage is 115 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Best Time To Travel
The best time to visit Barbados is between July and November. Though these months fall within the Caribbean's hurricane season, hurricanes rarely hit the island, and you could attend one of the lively Crop Over Festival activities if you vacation during this time of year.
Transportation in Barbados
The best way to get around Barbados is in a car – preferably one you’ve rented and not a taxi. Just keep to the left and keep your wits about you for the twists and turns.
By Taxi
Taxis have a ‘Z’ on the license plate and usually a ‘taxi’ sign on the roof. They’re easy to find and often wait at the side of the road in popular tourist areas. Although fares are fixed by the government, taxis are not metered and you will have to haggle for a fair price. The rate per kilometer is around B$3, but short trips cost more. Sample fares from Bridgetown include Bathsheba (B$76), Oistins (B$40) and Speightstown (B$60).
By Train
There are no trains in Barbados.
By Maxi-Taxi
Barbados offers good riding for the adventurous. It’s hilly, but roads are not usually steep (excepting parts of the east). However, most roads are quite narrow, so traffic is a constant bother in the west and south. Most shops require a credit card or B$100 deposit for rentals. Your hotel can hook you up with a rental.
By Bus
It’s possible to get to virtually any place on the island by public bus. All types of bus charge the same fare: B$2 to any place on the island. You should have exact change when you board the government bus, but minibuses and route taxis will make change. Most buses transit through Bridgetown, although a few north–south buses bypass the city. Buses to the southeast part of the island generally transit through Oistins.
By Rental Car
On average a rental car in Barbados costs $49 per day
By Ferry
With its good networks of roads, water taxis are not common in Barbados (unlike some other parts of the Caribbean), although on the west coast there are a couple of operators running between local businesses.
By Plane
Barbados has no scheduled domestic flights.
Best Dishes in Barbados
Barbados traditions are drawn from the West African and British cultures that shaped the island. The majority of the population is of African descent however the island was a colony of the British Empire for over 300 years so the English influence is very strong.
- Flying Fish & Cou Cou – The Bajan equivalent of the Sunday roast, flying fish and cou cou is the national dish of Barbados and something you have to experience during your visit. The flying fish, which is caught locally in the warm Caribbean waters, is seasoned using traditional Bajan herbs and spices and either fried or steamed in a rich gravy. It is served together with cou cou, which is made from cornmeal and okra.
- Pudding & Souse – Despite its name, pudding and souse is a savory soul-food dish, not a dessert. Traditionally eaten on Saturdays, this dish is a must for lovers of all things pork. The souse is usually made from the cheaper cuts of meat, like the tongue, snout, and ears, which are cooked and pickled with onions, cucumber, sweet pepper, and parsley. The pudding is made from mashed sweet potatoes seasoned with Bajan spices and, like a British sausage, stuffed into pig intestines before being steamed.
- Cutters – Perfect for when you’re after a light meal or an afternoon snack, a cutter is a Barbadian sandwich. What makes it different from a normal sandwich, however, is that it is made using fresh salt breads, which are a staple on the island. Like any sandwich, they can be filled with ingredients such as ham, cheese, or egg and garnished with salad. What gives them their distinctive flavor, though, is the heavenly dollop of Bajan pepper sauce.
Best Accommodations in Barbados
When you visit Barbados, your comfort is the priority and dozens of hotels and resorts on the island cater to just that objective. The facilities are modern, spacious, and technologically up-to-date, so whether your business is truly business or you’re simply in the business of romance, relaxation, or pleasure, a stay at any one of the island’s fine hotel or resort properties guarantees that you will find what you’re looking for. Whether your taste is for tennis, golf, swimming, fine dining, or all of the above, be prepared for the royal treatment. Many of these accommodations are all-inclusive and known for their well-appointed living quarters and carefully crafted packages of entertainment and activities. These services are provided by staff and their associates who are equally dedicated to making your stay in paradise as magical and stress-free as it should be.
Barbados Top Tourist Attractions
Harrison’s Cave is a tourist attraction in the country of Barbados, first mentioned in 1795. Tourists can access the subterranean environment on a tramway.
Hunte’s Gardens is a botanical garden and significant tourist attraction in the St Joseph Area of central Barbados. It was created in the 1950s by horticulturist Anthony Hunte in an unusual sink-hole-like gully. It contains a notable recreation of Caribbean forest and includes a plant collection of international importance.
The Barbados Wildlife Reserve is located in the parish of Saint Peter, Barbados. It occupies four acres of mahogany forest near the top of Farley Hill, next to Grenade Hall Signal Station and Forest. It was established by Canadian primatologist Jean Baulu and his wife, Suzanne. In addition to the green monkeys, which roam freely in and out of the fenced enclosure, the wildlife reserve also keeps a variety of other animals, many of which roam the reserve freely without separation from visitors. These include red brockets, red-footed tortoises, Patagonian maras, Cuban rock iguanas, and numerous caged tropical birds. The buildings in the wildlife reserve are all constructed from coral rock, excavated from nearby sugarcane fields. All of the bricks that form its paths were recycled from sugar factories.
Barbados Hidden Gems
Oistins is a historic fishing and market town in the parish of Christ Church on the south coast of Barbados. The town of Oistins is popular with both locals and tourists alike for its thriving fishing community and infamous Friday night Fish Fry. There’s a quaint village vibe in Oistins.
The Sunbury Plantation is a great alternative to the more popular St. Nicholas Abbey and is equally as interesting. It’s an old sugar plantation and is actually the only great house on the island where all of the rooms are open to visitors. Within the house, you’ll find an array of treasures and artefacts which give an insight into life on the plantations, and it’s only a 25-minute drive east of Bridgetown.
Shark Hole Cove is one of the smallest and quietest beaches on the island and is the ultimate choice if you really want to get away from it all and feel like you’re all alone for a couple of hours. The cove is found in between Bottom Bay and Beachy Head Bay, on the south-east of the island. The calm waters make Shark Hole ideal for snorkeling, or you can just chill out and listen to the waves against the shore.
Barbados Daily Costs
Budget: Less than $121
Accommodation
Hotel or Hostel: $75
Double Occupancy: $149
Food
Meals for One Day: $31
Transportation
Taxi, local bus, etc.: $10
Minibus ride: $0.74
Taxi from airport: $18-38
Travel between cities: $14
Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.: $34
1/2 day windsurfer equipment rental: $60
1/2 hour helicopter tour: $174
Turtle & shipwreck tour: $40
Alcohol
Drinks for one day: $8.43
Mid-range: $301
Accommodation
Boutique hotel or guesthouse : $188
Double occupancy: $376
Food
Meals for One Day: $76
Transportation
Taxi, local bus, etc.: $24
Minibus ride: $0.74
Taxi from airport: $18-38
Travel between cities: $32
Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.: $85
1/2 day windsurfer equipment rental: $60
1/2 hour helicopter tour: $174
Turtle & shipwreck tour: $40
Alcohol
Drinks for one day: $21
High-end (Luxury): More than $738
Accommodation
Upscale hotel room: $469
Double occupancy: $938
Food
Meals for One Day: $182
Transportation
Taxi, local bus, etc.: $55
Minibus ride: $0.74
Taxi from airport: $18-38
Travel between cities: $63
Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.: $211
1/2 day windsurfer equipment rental: $60
1/2 hour helicopter tour: $174
Turtle & shipwreck tour: $40
Alcohol
Drinks for one day: $48
Barbados Money-Saving Tips
- Choose the right time of year – You’ll generally get better deals by traveling over the summer or fall — if you’re willing to live with a little risk. (Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.) Hotel rates are almost always lower during this wetter time of year. If you’re worried about hurricanes, consider staying on one of the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao), which are outside the main hurricane belt.
- Haggle when you can – In many parts of the Caribbean, bargaining for a better deal is an essential part of everyday life. While you may not be able to negotiate much in a big duty-free store or a supermarket, where prices are generally fixed, there are plenty of open-air markets.
- Don’t overtip – In some restaurants, a service charge will automatically be added to your bill; if so, you don’t need to leave an additional tip (unless you wish to further reward an exemplary waiter or waitress). Some resorts and hotels also add a service charge onto your bill to cover tips for various members of the staff.
- Use public transportation – Many Caribbean islands have local public bus systems — usually small, colorful vans that serve the major routes and towns across the island. Fares on these vans tend to be extremely inexpensive.
- Eat where the locals do – You’ll almost always find cheaper, more genuine local meals away from the hotels and touristy restaurants. Look for fish fry-ups on the beach or little roadside snackettes.
Useful Websites & Apps
- Hotel booking – Booking.com via InteleTravel
- Tours & activities – Viator or Shore Excursions Group
- Bus Schedule – Public Transport
10 Cool Facts About Barbados
- It is the birthplace of Rihanna, who moved from Barbados to the United States at the age of sixteen to pursue her music career.
- The name ‘Barbados’ is derived from the Bearded Fig Trees once found in abundance on the island.
- It is completely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean.
- Barbados not only produces the world’s oldest rum, but it also produces one of the best. Mount Gay Rum dates back to 1703 and today is sold in over 110 countries worldwide. The distillery is definitely worth a visit if you are on the island.
- The last time a hurricane made landfall in Barbados was over 40 years ago making it one of the best islands in the Caribbean to visit in the off-season.
- Cricket is the country’s national sport, and local Bajans are obsessed. In fact, for such a tiny Island, Barbados has produced some of the world’s greatest cricketing legends. Barbados’s most famous cricket grounds are called the Kensington Oval.
- Bussa’s Rebellion (14–16 April 1816) was the largest slave revolt in Barbadian history. The rebellion takes its name from the African-born slave, Bussa, who led the rebellion.
- There were 491 active sugar plantations and 506 windmills in Barbados in 1846.
- The national flower of the country is called the “Pride of Barbados.” The leaves of this flower dipped in breast milk, are given to crying babies to stop them from crying.
- The capital city of Barbados, Bridgetown, and its Garrison is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a well-preserved old town built in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.
Travel Insurance
When planning for your trip to Trinidad and Tobago, don’t forget about travel insurance! You never know what might happen and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
What to pack for Barbados | Must-have items
