Barbados is the birthplace of rum and a Caribbean gem with a distinctly British colonial heritage. Beyond the stunning beaches of the west coast, you'll find UNESCO World Heritage Bridgetown, world-class surf at Bathsheba, and a vibrant culture where cricket is religion. Positioned outside the main hurricane belt, Barbados offers year-round paradise.
Quick Facts
Recommended Stay7 days
Budget$80/day
Mid-range$180/day
Luxury$450/day
Known For
barbadoscaribbeanbeachesrummount_gaybridgetowncolonialunescosurfingbathshebacricketrihannabajancoral_reefsdivingsnorkelingcarlisle_baycrane_beachbritish_heritageisland_paradise
🇧🇧 Country Information: Barbados
CapitalBridgetown
CurrencyBarbadian dollar (Bds$)
LanguageEnglish , Bajan Creole
Phone Code+1
Electricity115V (Type A, B)
Tap WaterNot recommended
Tipping
- Tipping is customary in restaurants (10
- 15%), for taxi drivers (10
- 15%), and for hotel staff (BDS$2
- 5 per day)
Money & Payments
- ATMs are widely available, especially in tourist areas
- Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops
- It is recommended to have some cash for smaller vendors and taxis
- There is no black market for cash
Cultural Norms
- Dress modestly when visiting religious sites
- Public displays of affection are generally frowned upon
- It's polite to greet people with a "Good morning/afternoon/evening"
LGBTQ+ Information
Generally LGBTQ+ friendly. Barbados has made progress in LGBTQ+ rights, including decriminalizing same-sex acts in 2022. However, there are no laws recognizing same-sex marriage or civil partnerships.
Alcohol & Drug Laws
- Legal drinking age is 16
- Drug laws are strict, with severe penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs, including marijuana
Special Laws
- Camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians to wear
- Littering is strictly enforced with fines
Common Phrases
HelloHello (Standard English)
Thank youThank you (Standard English)
Climate
Tropical maritime climate with warm temperatures year-round (75-86°F/24-30°C). Trade winds provide natural cooling. Dry season December-May, wet season June-November with brief showers. Located below the main hurricane belt, offering protection from major storms.
Best Time to Visit
- High Season: December
- April (dry, peak prices)
- Crop Over: July
- August (major festival season)
- Wet Season: June
- November (brief showers, good deals)
- Below hurricane belt: Less storm risk than other Caribbean islands
Getting There
- Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) serves as the main gateway
- Direct flights from Miami (3
- 5 hours), New York (4
- 5 hours), Toronto, London (8 hours), and many Caribbean islands
- Major carriers include American, Delta, JetBlue, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Caribbean Airlines
- Immigration lines can be long during peak afternoon arrivals
Getting Around
- No Uber or Lyft available
- Government
- regulated taxis use fixed fares ($6
- 50
- $42 USD from airport to various destinations)
- Rental cars available
- drive on the left
- Public buses (blue or yellow) are cheap but infrequent to some areas
- ZRs (private minibuses) are colorful and popular with locals
- Island is compact enough to explore easily
Health & Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid recommended for some travelers
- Routine vaccinations up to date (MMR, Tetanus)
- Zika virus has been present
- pregnant women consult doctor
- Dengue possible
- use mosquito repellent
- Excellent medical facilities on island
- No malaria
Staying Connected
- Digicel and Flow are main providers
- 4G/LTE coverage island
- wide
- eSIM works well (Airalo, etc
- )
- Good WiFi at hotels and restaurants
- Mobile data affordable
Local Cuisine
Flying Fish & Cou-Cou
must_try
The national dish of Barbados. Flying fish (steamed or fried) served with cou-cou - a cornmeal and okra polenta-like side. Comfort food representing B
Rum Punch
must_try
Birthplace of rum means serious rum punch. Every bar has their own recipe following the traditional rhyme: one of sour, two of sweet, three of strong,
Fish Cakes
must_try
Crispy fried salt fish cakes, often served with pepper sauce. Perfect snack found at every rum shop and beach vendor. The ultimate Bajan street food.
Pudding and Souse
local_favorite
Saturday tradition - steamed sweet potato pudding with pickled pork (souse). An acquired taste but beloved by Bajans. Usually sold by neighborhood ven
Macaroni Pie
must_try
Bajan version of mac and cheese, baked until golden with a slight crust. Appears on almost every local menu as a side. Comfort food perfection.
Book in Advance
Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:
🔴 Must Book in Advance
Book 2-6 months in advance for peak season
High-end west coast properties book up months ahead for December-April.
🟡 Recommended to Book Ahead
Book 3-14 days in advance
Popular cruises with limited capacity. Turtle swimming very popular.
Book 2-7 days in advance
Premium experiences (cocktail masterclass) have limited spots.
Fun Facts
- 1. Barbados is the birthplace of rum - Mount Gay has been distilling since 1703, making it the world's oldest rum brand.
- 2. The island has never been hit by a hurricane since 1955 due to its position outside the main hurricane belt.
- 3. Rihanna was born in Barbados and has a street named after her in Bridgetown.
- 4. Barbados was once known as "Little England" due to its British colonial influence - they drive on the left and cricket is the national obsession.
