| Decidedly British, Barbados is a beautiful | | | | home accommodation program by the Barbados |
| island at the east of the Caribbean | | | | Tourism Authority. |
| surrounded by endless pink and white sandy | | | | |
| beaches and azure water. The coastline of the | | | | BEACH |
| island is a solace for rest and recreation, | | | | |
| and amusing pursuits - a must-be-there | | | | The island's beaches are all open to public. |
| destination for historical attractions, | | | | The most popular district of Barbados is you |
| cultural events, sporting activities, | | | | plan to have fun in the sun are the beaches |
| colorful festivities, round-the-clock | | | | in the west coast (Paynes Bay, Brighton |
| entertainment and dining. | | | | Beach, Brandon's Beach, Paradise Beach and |
| | | | Mullins Beach), south coast (Casuarina Beach, |
| Dubbed as "Little England" in the Caribbean, | | | | Silver Sands Beach, and Sandy Beach) and the |
| Barbados is decidedly British yet true to its | | | | southeast cost (tides coming from the |
| rich Bajan (West Indian) tradition. You will | | | | Atlantic), which is the surfer's turf. |
| find that Bajans have a long history of | | | | |
| welcoming international visitors, which is | | | | DINING and NIGHTLIFE |
| why Barbados' pride of warm hospitality is as | | | | |
| pleasant as their pristine coast. | | | | Dining in the island encompasses everything |
| | | | from authentic Bajan gourmet and exotic |
| Whether you are planning a family holiday, a | | | | delicacies to a mélange of signature |
| romantic getaway, business trip or just an | | | | influences and cuisines. Based on the survey |
| escape, Barbados offers diverse things to do | | | | by ZAGATt, the world's leading provider of |
| and enjoy. | | | | consumer-based information on where to dine |
| | | | and drink has concluded, and which you should |
| GETTING THERE | | | | try to dine-in in any of the following |
| | | | less-than-a-hundred-dining places in |
| You can get to Barbados by plane or by ship. | | | | Barbados: Bubba's Sport Bar and Restaurant, |
| Barbados boasts a large international | | | | Pisces, The Fish Pot, Cafe Sol Mexican Grill |
| airport, and shipping docks to accommodate a | | | | and Margarita Bar, Cocomos Restaurant, |
| growing number of tourists all over the world | | | | Waterfront Café, Café Jungles Tree |
| - with large numbers from UK, Canada and US | | | | House and Patisserie & Bistro Flindt. |
| visitors. If you are traveling by ship, you'd | | | | |
| likely be arriving in style as most ships | | | | If you're on a splurge for fine dining, the |
| that dock in the coast of Barbados are cruise | | | | best places to go to are: The Cliff, Champers |
| ships. | | | | Wine Bar and Restaurant, The Tides, The |
| | | | Restaurant at Southsea, Josef's, Lone Star |
| FACTS FIRST | | | | Restaurant and Hotel, Daphne's, Calabazza, |
| | | | Zen, L'Acajou, Café Luna Restaurant, |
| Climate -- Barbados is a tropical island, | | | | L'Azure Restaurant. |
| which makes the weather almost always sunny | | | | |
| and warm, cooled by the constant northeast | | | | When the sun sets, don't be left out on the |
| winds. The average daytime temperature ranges | | | | hippest and the most enjoying night life |
| between 84-88 degrees Farenheght or 23-31 | | | | places in the coasts: Coach House at Paynes |
| degrees Celsius. A summer temperature rarely | | | | Bay, John Moore Bar, Upstairs ay Olives, |
| exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 32 degrees | | | | Baxters Road (Bridgetown), Enid's, The Rusty |
| Celsius. | | | | Pelican, Harbour Lights, Cafe Sol Mexican |
| | | | Grill and Margarita Bar, Plantation |
| Language -- Although the Bajan dialect can be | | | | Restaurant and Garden Theatre, The Ship Inn, |
| heard all around the island, majority of the | | | | Olives Bar and Bistro, Bert's Bar, Bubba's |
| locale speaks fluent English. And mind you, | | | | Sports Bar and Restaurant and After Dark. |
| they speak with British accent. | | | | |
| | | | * Usually 10%-15% is acceptable when |
| Time -- The Barbados time is an hour ahead of | | | | tipping-many restaurants automatically add a |
| US Eastern Standard Time (EST) in the winter, | | | | 10% service charge to your bill, so you'd be |
| and the same during US Daylight Saving Time. | | | | wise to check before tipping additionally. |
| It is also 4 hours behind GMT in the winter | | | | |
| and 5 hours in the summer. | | | | SHOPPING |
| | | | |
| Electricity -- 115/230 volts 50 cycle - many | | | | Duty-free merchandises in Barbados are lower |
| hotels provide converters and plugs for | | | | compared to United States and Canada at |
| different types of appliance from different | | | | prices 20% to 40% discount. Duty-free shops |
| countries. | | | | have two prices listed on items: the local |
| | | | retail price and the local retail price less |
| Dress Code -- Dress appropriately, as always. | | | | the government-imposed tax. Some of the best |
| For a tropical weather just like Barbados', | | | | buys include cameras, wristwatches, crystal, |
| you can wear anything that is comfortable | | | | gold jewelry, cosmetics, perfumes, liquor, |
| like a sundresses, shorts, shirts or tops. | | | | tobacco products, apparels, and other |
| Islanders and tourists alike prefer slippers | | | | imported items. But if you were to purchase |
| or slip-on sandals while traveling around. | | | | an item made in Barbados, you don't have to |
| | | | pay duty. |
| Business Hours -- Establishments in | | | | |
| Bridgetown (Barbados capital) are open on | | | | Barbados capital, Bridgetown is the Mecca for |
| Mondays to Fridays between 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM | | | | hawkers. You can find that their shopping |
| and closes 1:00 PM on Saturdays; | | | | district is complete from Antique shops, |
| establishments outside Bridgetown, however, | | | | craft shops, malls, clothing boutiques, flea |
| operates between 900 AM to 5:00 PM Mondays to | | | | markets, thrift shops, etc... But as they |
| Fridays and closes 2:00 PM on Saturdays. Most | | | | say, you have to be a smart shopper to spot a |
| shops around Barbados are closes on Sundays, | | | | bargain. |
| although some supermarkets and convenience | | | | |
| stores remain open. | | | | * 15% VAT (Value Added Tax) is included on |
| | | | all prices in shops, supermarkets and |
| Telecommunications -- Barbados has a modern | | | | restaurants. In hotels, 7.5% VAT and 10% |
| telecommuting infrastructure with the latest | | | | service charge will be added to your bill. |
| in digital and fiber optics technology: | | | | |
| Internet connection, facsimile, international | | | | ACTIVITIES and ATTRACTIONS |
| calling, etc. The international direct | | | | |
| distance dialing code for Barbados is "1-246" | | | | You'll never run out of things to do when |
| followed by the local seven digit number. | | | | you're in Barbados. If you trip on the |
| | | | island's attractions and amusements, you |
| Currency -- The Barbados dollar is tied to | | | | should never let your stay in Barbados |
| the US dollar at a fixed rate of US$1.00 = | | | | without visiting these places: Andromeda |
| BDS$1.98. The approximate rate of exchange | | | | Botanic Gardens, Barbados Wildlife Reserve, |
| for sterling is £1.00 = BDS$3.70, for | | | | Flower Forest, Francia Plantation, Gun Hill |
| Canadian currency, approximately CAD$1.00 = | | | | Signal Station, Harrison's Cave, Heritage |
| BDS$1.60 and the Euro is approximately EURO | | | | Park and Rum Factory, Morgan Lewis Sugar |
| 1.00 = BDS$2.40. US currency is readily | | | | Mill, St. Nicholas Abbey, Sunbury Plantation |
| accepted everywhere on the island, while most | | | | House, Tyrol Cot Heritage Village, Welchman |
| hotels, restaurants and large stores accept | | | | Hall Gully, Carenage, Trafalgar Square, St. |
| travelers checks and most major credit cards | | | | Michael's Cathedral, Synagogue, Garrison |
| as well. | | | | Savannah, Farley Hill National Park, and |
| | | | Crane Beach Hotel on Crane Bay. |
| ACCOMMODATION | | | | |
| | | | TRANSPORTATION |
| Barbados and other Caribbean islands are | | | | |
| internationally known for their world-class | | | | With so much to see and do in the island, if |
| accommodation. But even if you're in a | | | | you prefer to explore the island on your own, |
| budget, you can still find a place that will | | | | you can rent a car. There are no major US car |
| suit your taste. | | | | rental companies on the island. However, |
| | | | there are a number of Barbados car rental |
| Barbados has so many options when it comes to | | | | companies. |
| accommodation: exclusive, lavish and | | | | |
| luxurious upscale chains of hotels and | | | | * Driving in Barbados is on the left side of |
| resorts; elegant and personal villas, | | | | the road and the majority of vehicles are |
| apartments, guesthouses, backpacker hostels | | | | "right hand drive." For tourists, hiring a |
| and home stays, which is the island's new | | | | taxi on a frequent basis may be expensive. |