Your Basic Travel Guide To Barbados

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