Holidays, Honeymoons and Weddings in Barbados

Barbados Restaurants & Food
There are plenty of fine restaurants on the island that offer local cuisine, seafood and continental cuisine. There are a great many restaurants offering both international and traditional Bajan cuisine at a variety of prices. Local specialities include flying fish, lobster, and crane chubb. The sea urchin (oursin or sea egg) is a particular speciality. An exchange 'Dine Around' system is operated between some hotels of the same class and guests can eat at other hotels for no extra cost. In restaurants or nightclubs, tips are usually 10-15 per cent.

Accommodation in Barbados
Accommodation includes many luxurious, first-class hotels. Hotel prices range to suit all budgets. In general the luxury hotels are in the west, while the medium-priced ones can be found along the southwest coast. The east coast, because of its exposure to the trade winds and wild Atlantic Ocean, has only a small number of hotels and guest-houses. However, it is this area that is chosen by the Bajans for their own holidays. There is a hotel inspection and grading system, as well as standard services, the main ones being European Plan (EP), which is room only, and Modified American Plan (MAP), where breakfast and dinner are included with the price of the room. In addition, the Tourist Authority information gives full details on facilities.

Guest Houses: There are small guest-houses throughout Barbados, particularly in Christchurch. Some offer self-catering facilities.

Self Catering: There are a large number of Apartments, Cottages and Villas available for rent, and a number of modern complexes are being built on the northwest coast. Older buildings, with a more local character, are available on the less popular east coast. There are also smaller, family-run Apartment Hotels and many apartment-style hotels which leave the visitor with a choice of self-catering or restaurant eating.

Weather in Barbados
It is warm and sunny all year round with an average daytime high of 75 - 85oF. The nights are usually slightly cooler. The prevailing northeast tradewinds blow steadily so that although it is bright and sunny, it is not unbearably hot. The rain usually comes in quick showers. The dry season lasts from January to June.

What to do in BarbadosZip lining - Spring Plantation at Jack in the Box gully in St Thomas has a Zip-Line course with eight platforms built amongst the tree line. The highest platform is over 100 feet and the longest stretch runs near to 300 feet. A great day out for all the family swinging in the trees.
Jeep tour - take a jeep tour of the island visiting the small villages on the East coast and a visit to the St Nicholas Abbey which is over 350 years old and is home to a rum distillery where you can get bottles of rum personally engraved.

Banks and Currency in Barbados
The Barbados Dollar is converted at the rate of $1.98 BDS to $1.00 U.S. The BDS Dollar is fixed to the U.S Dollar and does not fluctuate. Its rate to other currencies fluctuate daily based on their fluctuations relative to the U.S. Dollar. Most establishments will accept travellers cheques, U.S. and Canadian currency. There are many commercial banks that will change most currencies.

Most of the hotels, restaurants and commercial establishments will accept credit cards. Travellers cheques in U.S., U.K. and Canadian funds are also cacheable at many outlets. There are many Banks in Barbados (mostly British and Canadian). Most have ABM that will accept credit cards

Visa Requirements Barbados
Visas are required for citizens from the People's Republic of China, Taiwan, Pakistan, non-Commonwealth African countries and all South American countries except Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela. Citizens of Britain, Ireland, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can enter Barbados without a visa and stay for up to three months. Everyone except North Americans needs a passport valid for at least six months after the date of departure; North Americans can use a birth certificate and some form of photo ID. All visitors are officially required to be in possession of a return ticket or proof of onward travel.

Weddings in Barbados

Honeymoons in Barbados

Driving in Barbados & Barbados Car hire

Calling Home from Barbados
Hotels have telephones available to both residents and non-residents. There are cardphones at the airport, the seaport, the university campus, in Bridgetown and at the offices of Barbados External Telecommunications (BET) in Wildey and Bridgetown. Payphones exist throughout the island, although it may be better to use cardphones for overseas calls. Local calls are free when calling from a residence. Collect overseas calls can be made from cardphones and payphones.

Outgoing international code: 011

In case of an Emergency

Emergency Numbers:

Police - 211

Fire - 311

Ambulance> - 511

Events in Barbados
The island's top event is the Crop-Over Festival, which originated in colonial times as a celebration of the sugar cane harvest. Festivities stretch over a three-week period beginning in mid-July. There are spirited calypso competitions and fairs around the island. The festival culminates with a Carnival-like costume parade on Kadooment Day (the first Monday in August).

In February, the Holetown Festival celebrates the 1627 arrival of the first English settlers on Barbados. Holetown's week-long festivities include street fairs, a music festival at the historic parish church and a road race. The Oistins Fish Festival, held over Easter weekend, commemorates the signing of the Charter of Barbados. It's a seaside event focusing on boat races, fish-boning competitions, local foods, crafts and dancing. The National Independence Festival of Creative Arts, held throughout November, features talent contests in dance, drama, singing and the like. Performances by the finalists are held on Independence Day (30 November).

There are also a handful of international sporting events, including the Barbados Windsurfing World Cup, held at Silver Sands in January, and the Caribbean Surfing Championship, held in early November at Bathsheba.

Essential facts about Barbados
Capital City - Bridgetown
Language - English
Currency - Barbados Dollar
Electricity - 110v
Flight time 8.5 hours from the UK
Time difference GMT -4

See also Barbados Website link.

Back to the top