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