Barbados

A SNAPSHOT

Nowhere else is it possible to experience, in such a small area,

so many different cultures and social conditions,

such diverse vegetation, and such varied landscape – Leonard Adkins

We raised our rum-filled glasses to celebrate Barbados becoming an independent republic on 30 November 2021. So rich in history, Barbados is one of the most influential islands in the West Indies.

It is colloquially known as BIM, BIMshire or affectionately Little England due to its British influences following a 300+ year rule. Owing to its vibrant landscape, the island is also referred to as the “Jewel of the Caribbean”.

Barbados remains one of the most sought-after holiday destinations due to its perpetually warm climate, with its palm-fringed white sandy beaches, clear blue temperate waters that merge with the cerulean blue skies in the distant horizon.

The unforgettable sunsets glowing with pinks and orange, so rife with colour and aliveness – Barbados is sure to leave an indelible impression on you.

The name ‘Barbados’ which literally translates as ‘Bearded ones‘ was derived by the early Portuguese Sailors after arriving on the island in 1536 when they noticed an abundance of long, hanging roots from the native bearded fig trees. Although a lot more scarce, these majestic trees, resplendent with their long roots can still be found across the island particularly in the natural gullies.

The government has recognised the impact that the climate crisis has had on the indigenous creatures, keen to preserve their flora and fauna they have created many sanctuary’s, reserves, caves and lush gardens to visit.

As you navigate the island you will meet a great number of green monkeys, hummingbirds, mongoose, bats, frogs and lizards.

Barbados has one of the healthiest selections of coral reefs in the Caribbean and you do not have to go deep into the oceans to be able to explore them. Brain, coponation, staghorn, forganian, sea fans, barrel sponges are amongst the various types of coral that can be found here.

The marine life is diverse and you can expect to see sea turtles, flying fish, stingray, reef sharks, whales, barracuda, sea cockroaches, parrotfish, blue tang, moray eels, starfish, octopus, sergeant major, sea urchins, trumpet fish and many more species.

Natural beauty aside, it is the warmhearted friendly Bajans’ that really put this destination on the map and keep visitors returning in their flocks. Their love for life and exuberant energy to party is apparent as you witness them “wukking up” to the infectious Soca rhythms!

We love how the porches of the chattel houses are so alive with a strong sense of fraternity and sorority among the neighbourly community. You can observe the men rolling up cigarettes and playing chess whilst sipping on bottles of Deputy beer; the women braiding hair and prepping food – the smell of charcoaled fish lingering in the air.

The Bajan’s enjoy a modest life and prioritise family beyond wealth, status and material possessions. As such the stressed-out western world could benefit from adopting their easy-going approach and contented attitude to life.

Their huge personalities and positive outlook creates such vibrancy, making island life here both appealing and refreshing.

THE SPECIFICS

LANGUAGE:

The official language of Barbados is English. However, you will hear the local dialect referred to as Bajan or Barbadian Creole.

CURRENCY & ATM:

The Barbados Dollar (BBD) is the local currency here. It is tied to the value of the US dollar and there is a simple equation to workout the value: $1 USD = $2BBD.

The US dollar is widely accepted on the island and items and services are often quoted in USD, rather than BBD by the locals to assist tourists. So make sure you double check which currency the seller has quoted you ahead of agreeing the sale.

There are a huge number of ATM’s located throughout Barbados, but they are fairly scarce on the east coast. Alongside visiting one of their major banks, you can also locate cash machines at gas stations and some larger supermarkets. All major credit and debit cards are accepted here. Smaller vendors and market stalls operate as cash only, so be sure to take out some cash for markets.

Read our Everyday Budgeting post for top tips for making your travel money work harder.

INTERNET SPEEDS:

If you are a a digital nomad or simply a social butterfly wanting to stay connected: it is essential that you have fast broadband speeds in order to conduct your day to day business affairs. Barbados boasts the best internet speeds in the Caribbean. There is an average download speed of 56.9 Mbps and super-fast fibre broadband plans can be purchased from Flow – allowing you a 1 Gbps download speed ensuring all conference calls are crystal clear. With speeds this fast, there’s no excuse for not working remotely!

TRAVEL ADAPTOR:

The plug adaptor used in Barbados is the same as in the USA, Canada and Mexico. There are two plug types that can be used A and B. Plug A has two flat parallel pins and Plug B has two flat pins and a grounding pin. The adapter plug allows for connections up to 240V. Barbados currently operates on a 115V supply voltage and 50Hz.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Barbados has removed all COVID-19 related restrictions, such as proof of vaccination and testing for passengers arriving by air and port.

The entry requirements for Barbados vary depending on the traveller’s country of origin and purpose of travel. Here are the general requirements:

VACCINATIONS:

All visitors should ensure that they are up-to-date with routine vaccinations such as Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Shingles, Flu, Chicken Pox, Measles, Mumps, Rubella and COVID 19.

Mosquito-borne infections such as Dengue, Zika and African Tick-Bite Fever pose a risk to all visitors in Barbados, especially pregnant women. You would be very unlucky to become infected but there is still a risk with such diseases active here. Mosquitoes are most prevalent at dusk and dawn. Please ensure you are protected by using mosquito repellents such as Deet and netting if required. We also ensure apartment doors and windows are kept closed to avoid the pests entering our home.

Most travellers are advised to have a course or booster of Hepatitis A and Typhoid as there is a risk of such diseases across most parts of the world.

Some visitors may be advised to consider additional vaccinations such as Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis and Hepatitis B based on their individual risk assessment.

Please note that the most up-to-date information states that there is NO RISK of Malaria and Yellow Fever in Barbados. Please refer to the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) before travelling, or visit your GP who will be able to advise and book you in for any relevant vaccinations.

SAFETY

We have found Barbados to be a very safe island to both live and travel around. Like many places around the globe, crime and drugs are prevalent however, they are seldom reported on here presumably so not to affect their booming tourism industry.

As with daily life wherever you may be in the world, you just need to take care and keep your wits about you, remaining diligent with valuables and personal safety at all times. Here is our insiders guide to staying safe:

WHERE SHOULD I STAY?

When you have made what will be one of your greatest decisions: to fly to the very picturesque Barbados, one of the first questions will be – where on the island should I stay?

You will no doubt have a vision about how you would like to spend your days, so here is our insiders guide to determine which part for the island would necessitate such dreams.

Below is a quick synopsis of the different coastlines and what they have to offer.

Revellers and Surfers Head South.

The south, despite being the most densely populated part of the island, is very laidback with a more bohemian vibe.

We stayed on Maxwell Beach during our first trip to the island and loved the gorgeous beach and community feel. We would stroll down to Epic for our morning açai bowl and coffee, the Surf Cafe was perfect for a lunchtime bite and replenishing smoothies; and we had the infamous Oistins market for a fresh fish supper with all the trimmings.

And then onto Surfers Bay for their Sunday live music sessions and late evening cocktails by the camp-fire. The Square at Worthing is an international food court hosting many talented musicians and bands and The Gap is BIM’s answer to Ibiza’s San Antonio with a huge designated area with lively, bustling bars and restaurants geared towards the younger folk.

There are countless quirky affordable restaurants and cafes positioned all along the south coast.

If surfing is more a lifestyle rather than a sport for you, then you need to be located in the south.

The most consistent breaks can be found at South Point, Drill Hall, Accra and Freights Bay. You’ll be sure to meet many large ancient sea turtles at the latter, just watch out for hard shell landings whilst surfing, Ric still bears the bruising!

The waves on the south coast are larger than the ones you would come across on the west, but it was relatively still most days to allow for some good snorkelling and interaction with sea turtles and perfectly safe for children with supervision.

Our four year old learnt to swim on this coast and it has made him a more confident swimmer as a result. The main downside for us was the sargassum that would gather from the east coast to cover the south coast beaches. We had intermittent weeks of wading through strips of seaweed, getting nips from the sea lice and the stench of dead sargassum outside our door which jaded our view of this otherwise picture perfect coastline.

From speaking to locals, they have cited over-fishing as one of the possible reasons for the increased seaweed, as there is less sea life to consume this.

With global warming being another cause we only hope they find a resolution for this soon, as it leaves both locals and holidaymakers disgruntled to have their magnificent local beaches piled high with sargassum. There are companies that have started to recycle the seaweed by converting this into fertiliser, so hopefully there will be more investment with processes such as this.

Without this minor inconvenience, the southernly beaches shimmer with golden grains of sand and aqua waters; and with accommodation at its most affordable, this part of the island is worth a consideration as you weigh up all the delights conveniently positioned on your doorstep – we certainly miss the buzz of the south.

East is Peace.

The east coast with its breathtaking views is the more tranquil secluded part of the island and consequently there are fewer accommodation options available here. It is a very rugged coastline, with boundless stretches of beach, colossal waves crashing belligerently onto rock face creating a spectacular panorama.

Having spent many years adventuring the Scottish coastal regions, Bathsheba was reminiscent to these tempestuous seafronts so it is of no surprise the area is known as the Scottish District and you can find bars named accordingly nearby.

It should be noted that swimming is not permitted due to the obvious reasons of safety, but it is encouraged to use the mineral rich rock pools to rejuvenate skin.

We often enjoy a stroll across this wondrous abounding beach up to a large rock with swings affixed where we take in the magnificent views.

They also have the infamous ‘Soup bowl’ where you can watch top class surfing athletes ride the perilous waves.

The east provides the ultimate sanctuary experience, complete with ECO lodges and secluded island hideaways such as Santosha with its 10 unique self-contained suites.

A car is essential if staying or visiting this side of the island as public transport is scarce and many of the roads are mere dirt tracks. Peg Farm is a lovely place to walk as it is situated at an elevated part of the east coast so you have beautiful views of Bathsheba. The restaurant with its huge glass windows is a beautiful spot to indulge in the finest locally sourced food; the high standards of animal welfare and environmental care produce the very best dining experience here.

You are close to many botanical gardens and forests so can fully immerse yourself in nature – the perfect escapism.

Platinum Beach Bums & Aquanauts, Go West.

The platinum coast needs very little introduction and certainly lives up to its name. All along the west coast are the most incredible treelined sandy beaches with coral reefs; you can see multiple iridescent fishes glistening beneath the waters surface and encounter a huge variation of marine life whilst snorkelling and scuba diving.

Despite our passion for the surf, our love of beaches and a daily snorkel took our accommodation search to the platinum coast. Now each day, as we set forth into the cerulean waters we discover new marine life, leaving us warm and fussy from connecting with the underwater world.

It is considered to be the origin of life on earth and the natural habitat of the majority of living organisms, so is of resounding importance, thus a wondrous spiritual escape.

The bustling capital of Bridgetown is located in the south west and considered the beating heart of the island. It is mostly inhabited by locals going about their day-to-day business; with a small number of tourists visiting the busy port boarding and disembarking from on of the magnificent sailing vessels that stand proud.

There is an array of charming colonial dilapidated buildings with great historic significance, gaining it UNESCO status in 2012. A city so rich in heritage boasts impressive architecture such as the grand neo-Gothic-style parliament buildings, George Washington House, Chamberlain Bridge, Barbados Museum (originally the British Military Prison), St Michael’s Cathedral and Nidhe Israel – the oldest synagogues in the Western Hemisphere.

Furthermore, the city benefits from its proximity to the magnificent Carlisle Bay, one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline along its perimeter.

If bling is your thing, Holetown is calling. You will find the Limegrove Lifestyle Centre featuring the finest in couture and the islands top rated restaurant Tides, offering three courses of delectable culinary delights.

Further down the road in Fitts Village head to popular restaurants such as Il Tempio, La Cabane and Cala Roca with the finest cuisine the island has to offer.

Speightstown is located on the north-west coast of Barbados and situated twenty minutes north of Holetown. It is a busy, vibrant town considered to be the up-and-coming artisan area with historical buildings dating back to the early settlement so it still retains its colonial charm.

I love that despite the numerous luxury villas that are being erected, the town remains very much local. Haywards beach is its best kept secret, one of the most tranquil stretches of coastline we have encountered.

We loved the mouthwatering fresh food selections at The Orange Street Grocer for brunch and Friday evenings at Little Bristol Bar washing down a flying fish cutter with a rum punch and shaking our booty with the other inebriated folk to the cheesy classics from the live band.

The west coast experience does comes with a larger price tag so you should expect to pay more in accommodation, restaurants and retail here compared to the other parts of the island. With the beach being a novelty for us British Midlanders we felt this was money well spent, as it granted you quick access to all the top rated beaches.

It was also our dream to awake to the hypnotic sound of the susurration of the waves crashing onto the shoreline and step outside onto a breathtaking beach every single day. #LifeGoals

TRANSPORT

Barbados is a small island occupying an area of 432 km² (167 sq mi). It takes approximately an hour to get from the north of the island to the south and 30 minutes to travel east to west during off-peak hours making this a very accessible island. Note, peak time travel takes considerably longer as the main coastal roads become very congested!

The roads in Barbados are very narrow and in poor condition with portholes galore. The pavements have been neglected and as a result you have pedestrians walking on the road side, so please drive with care. You may often see cars parked up whilst the driver chats to friends in the street, they are seemingly oblivious to the tailback this has caused.

The motorways however, are well maintained but watch out for the pedestrian crossings perilously located off the roundabout exits!

Some other distinctions about the driving in BIM, is that the locals do not use their indicators to signal the direction they will be taking. The Bajans are huge enthusiasts of the car horn and use this to alert you to the fact they will be overtaking you, if they are allowing you to pass, or simply to thank you, so do not be startled by all the courteous beeping taking place.

CAR HIRE

The most convenient way to travel around BIM is by car, however, this comes with a hefty price tag.

The taxes to have cars imported to the island are exorbitant, with a standard import tax, value added tax and environmental levy that hits the car hire companies and is ultimately passed onto the customer. So you can expect to spend approximately $400USD per week for a basic vehicle from the main car hire providers such as Drive-A-Matic and Stoutes on the island and they are unlikely to be new vehicles.

Long term hire was a little more affordable with smaller companies such Southern Car Rentals, who come highly recommended. They were competitively priced and provided great customer service.

Read our Everyday Budgeting post for more information on long term car hire and top tips for making your travel money work harder.

TAXIS

There are a huge number of taxis travelling up and down the coastal roads so they are easy to flag down. Taxis however, are not a hugely affordable option on the island, but you are guaranteed a private, more comfortable air conditioned journey.

As they are not metered make sure you negotiate a cost before you agree to take a ride. For more competitive taxi fares you can download the App: Pick UP Barbados which is the equivalent of an Uber service out here. Other Taxi recommendations are:

Dales Taxis: +1 (246) 230 6077

Prestige Taxi Service: +1 (246) 260-2143

ZR Cars

ZR cars are essentially white people carriers that circumnavigate the main coastal roads from south to west, but are predominately found in the south as it is a busier part of the island.

They are a great cost-effective way to access the beaches and the many restaurants along the coastal area and the preferred mode of transport for both locals and tourists alike. You cannot miss them tooting away on their melodic horns touting for your business. There are a huge number of ZR cars so you only need wait for a few minutes before the next one appears.

Ideally, it is safer to wait at a bus stop to flag them down, but they will collect you from anywhere along their main road. They will have a little handwritten plaque in the window with the final destination shown. Be prepared to travel at high speed with soca music blaring out the stereo.

They will pack in as many passengers as possible, which is how they keep the costs as low as $3.50bds per ride as a standard fare whatever your distance and it is free for kids.

It is a great way to experience the Bajan culture and strike up conversations with the locals. Please note, ZR cars scarcely cover the north and east of the island or anywhere inland. Although found on the west coast they are less frequent.

BUSES

Buses provide a comfortable air conditioned journey when getting around Barbados with a great number of new vehicles that are now running on electricity. Like the ZR cars, some drivers can be reckless driving at high speeds dangerously, so observe the driving before accepting a ride.

The cost for the service is a standard $3.50bds per person per journey and with routes all over the island, it makes it an affordable mode of transport for seeing Barbados. Only BDS currency is accepted on board. Be prepared to wait around as the buses scarcely run to a timetable.

Personally we find bus timetables baffling, but Moovit can help with your travel plans. If its just the perimeter of the island you are circumnavigating you can simply wait at a bus stop in the direction you would like to travel, as most buses travel the coastal roads. The drivers are friendly, so ask for a shout out for your destination if you are unfamiliar with the island.

WEATHER

We are frequently asked: “When is the best time to travel to Barbados?” From our experience there’s not a bad time to visit.

Barbados is located outside of the Caribbean’s hurricane belt, as a result the island experiences trade winds throughout the year, providing a steady breeze which you’ll appreciate on those sweltering hot days. Consequently, the weather is relatively consistent and varies marginally from day to day with lows of around 26 degrees celsius reaching up to 32 degrees celsius.

There are, however, some variables with some months drier and more humid than others and other times there may be more mosquitoes or higher visitor numbers to the island – I’m not sure which you consider to be the biggest deterrent?!:)

You can sit back with a rum punch and get into the slower pace of island life!

We would say that March is a great time to visit, not just because you’ll have the opportunity to buy me a birthday drink (lol), but you will have lovely warm (but not scorching) weather at around 30 degrees (perfect for a Brit) and there are fewer mosquitoes to irritate you. March is considered low season so you can take advantage of reduced rates and with visitor numbers low, beaches are quiet and there is no need to plan ahead with reservations.

Most guides will tell you hurricane season is July to November and October is the wettest month, but we have not experienced drastic weather conditions in our time here – with exception to some freakily wet February months.

Check out our month by month guide when planning your vacation, it includes everything from weather, events and when those pesky mosquitoes are rife!

PACK LIKE A PRO

For more pro packing tips and if travelling with children, checkout out our post filled with all the essentials.

Remember, it is HOT so you will not require long sleeves, trousers or enclosed shoes – so save yourself the luggage space!

You can of course buy all of this on the island but you will be limited for choice and pay a premium, so bring as much as you can squeeze in. Also, rather than hire, you may want to transport your own surf board, canoe or paddle board etc but you are likely to have to pay approx £70 each way dependent on the airline. It is worth considering for long termers as second hand surf boards etc are very difficult to find.

Everyone travels to Barbados for the beautiful golden sands and clear waters, so make sure you come beach ready with essentials such as swimwear, cover ups, flip flops, snorkels, suncream, mosquito repellant, inflatables, go pro, beach shade, bucket and spade!

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