Barbados Travel Guide

Practical Info

Barbados is one of the smallest islands in the Caribbean Sea. Its tropical climate means you're guaranteed some serious heat most of the year, which you can soak up while relaxing on one of the many white sand beaches the island is famous for.

Barbados was mostly covered in dense rainforest and wild pigs before it was settled by the British in 1625. It remained a British colony until 1966, and still holds a lot of British influences including the language, education system and legal system, and until as recently as November 2021 Queen Elizabeth II was still the island's head of state.

Weather

There are two main seasons in Barbados - wet and dry. The hottest months tend to be May, June and August, with temperatures rarely dropping below 30C. Most people tend to prefer escaping the grey miserable months in the UK by visiting here from December to April. The temperature is a little cooler then, in the mid 20s, and there's less humidity than in the summer months.

Rainy season is from June to October, but that doesn't mean travelling during these months is a wipeout. Unlike the UK the rainfall is short and sharp, and is often a refreshing break from an otherwise hot and sunny day. Rainy season coincides with hurricane season in the Caribbean, but hurricanes usually tend to miss Barbados.

Money

Barbadians use the Barbados dollar (BBD). Its rate doesn't fluctuate as it's fixed to the US dollar (USD) at $2 BBD to $1 USD. Bear in mind though that the rate does fluctuate on a daily basis between the USD and the pound!

Tipping is discretionary, but if you feel the service has been good, a tip of 10-15% is appreciated. Some restaurants include this in the bill though, so be sure to double check.

Language

The island is inhabited by almost 300,000 people, with English being the official main language. The local dialect is Bajan, which is a combination of English and West African languages.

Bear in mind...

• The tap water is perfectly safe to drink.
• Only the armed forces are allowed to wear camouflage - if you break this rule you may have your items confiscated or face a fine.
• You may spot trees with tape stopping you from standing near them - these are manchineel trees. They may look harmless but it's the most dangerous tree in the world, causing skin blisters if you stand below it when it's raining. Be sure not to eat its apple-looking fruits either!
• The island is friendly, but as with anywhere crime does occur. Be vigilant and keep your valuables safe.
• Homosexuality is illegal in the country, but the law is rarely enforced. The country's prime minister recently publicly welcomed same-sex couples on the island in an attempt to move to a more modern-day, accepting environment.

How easy is travelling to Barbados?

You can take a direct flight to Barbados from the UK and the flight time is around 8.5 hours. The island is split into 11 parishes and overall is pretty small - its circumference is around 100km so you can drive round the whole island in around 3 hours. So you won't ever have too far to go from the airport to your location.

Getting around Barbados

Bus

You can get anywhere you need to on the island by bus, and they run frequently. There are three different types:

• Government-operated public buses - these are usually big and blue, with a yellow stripe. These travel all over the island, and you'll need the exact money when you get on board, as they don't provide change.
• Privately-operated minibuses - these are usually medium sized yellow buses, with a blue stripe. Often you hear these buses coming before you see them, as reggae music is blaring from the speakers - it can be quite the experience!
• Individually-owned minivans - these will have 'ZR' on the license plates and are white. These can be a little more "care-free" and the driving styles may not suit everyone, but they are great for driving around the narrower streets.

Taxi

Taxis are readily available throughout the island and licensed ones will have 'Z' on the license plate. The fares don't work on a meter, so try to negotiate a good price before you get in.

Car

If you do decide to hire a car, we've done the hard work for you and compared all the best choices. Head to our car hire page to take a look.

The majority of hire cars on the island have a steering wheel on the right, but Barbadians drive on the left like us Brits. Most of the roads are easy to navigate, but if you're heading to Bridgetown be aware of the tricky one-way system. And take extra care in the evening, as often cars can be driving without lights.

There are plenty of petrol stations around the city, but they are a bit more sparse the further out you go. If you do need to fill up there's no need to get out of the car - one of the team at the station will fill up for you!

As is the case in the UK, the use of mobile phones while driving is banned. And while there isn't an alcohol limit you can exceed while driving, driving carelessly is illegal - it's best not to take that risk anyway.

Walk

Of course, we think the best way of getting around is to explore on foot. There are plenty of walking trails, hills and hikes you can explore. Make sure you're sensible though - be mindful of the midday sun and ensure you are hydrated and smothered in sun block.

Barbados Airport Transfers

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Barbados Car Hire

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