Barbados at a Glance:

First-time Visitors’ Tips

Considering the number of vacation destinations in the world, the Caribbean overwhelmingly stood out from the rest. In the Caribbean, particularly it seems that nothing can beat this exotic island Barbados, which has been host to millions of visitors every year.

Barbados is truly a magnificent location for those who want to enjoy paradise-like ambiance, replete with all the amenities that life has to offer and of course with all the warm treatment that Bajans can offer to their guests. Barbados is just an amazing place to wander around because nothing can really compare the abundance of its flora and fauna and other places to visit both natural and manmade.

It is small wonder then, why millions of guests coming from the four corners of the world have been captivated by this alluring island destination. And they keep coming back.

For those who have been wanting to visit this fascinating island that never fails to enchant travelers will have to maker sure these some helpful tips, lest they would not have any difficulty in their first time.

Barbados has different Tourism Offices in many different strategic locations where would-be tourist to the island can have vital information. For those who are taking a cruise to the Caribbean, better yet make sure that the ship will stop over in the island so that they can get at least a day tour in the island.

Climate and Weather

The tropical climate of the island makes it all the more accommodating to the tourists who wishes to enjoy the sun all day long. The country has one of the most tourist-friendly weather, while it is true that the sun shines almost all throughout the year, but it is never gives off a scorching heat. The average temperature during the day is about 75-85°F.

Though it is true that Barbados is almost always sunny, however rain comes in the island unannounced. Nonetheless it can be predicted because for the first two quarters of the year, the rainy season comes.

The rainy season does not mean there is nothing to be enjoyed in the island because the fun never ceases even if it pours. In fact because of the porous nature of the soil in the island, the rain never causes a flood to occur because the rain just flow and easily

The Caribbean is a known destination of hurricanes, but fortunately for Barbados it is spared from the wrath. The last recorded havoc it suffered from a devastating hurricane was in 1955. The island also suffered from the fury of hurricanes that swept off the island in 1898 and in 1831.

In short the climate and weather in Barbados is truly friendly and favorable to both the locals and the travelers. Isn’t that amazing?

Money Matters

Travelers from around the world will never have to worry specially those who re bringing in US dollars to the island. However for those who are not, and don’t want to spend some cash there is a good news for them.

Almost all establishments in the island be it a first class-hotel or just a lodging house is accepting all major credit cards and checks. The accepted credit cards are American Express, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, EnRoute, Eurocard, MasterCard, Barclaycard, and Visa.

In Barbados, the US$1 is almost equivalent to BDS$2 and this is fixed. As to with other currency, the BDS$ fluctuates as with the rest of the other currencies, but not with the US dollar.

Since Barbados is now the offshore financing capital of the Caribbean, finding a bank or ATMs is never a worry. The banks open between 8am to 3pm during Monday to Thursday and extend for two hours on Fridays.

Duty-free and Customs Concerns

For first-time visitors, it would help if they have the knowledge what should and should not be brought along during the trip. For the personal effects, it generally refers to the baggage of the traveler that contains the apparel and other personal effects like cosmetics and other personal accessories.

The travelers are allowed to bring in their favorite wine or liquor, cigarettes, and cigars only up to certain amount. The allowable duty –free wine or liquor is only 1 liter while one carton and 100 pieces for cigarettes and cigars respectively. The travelers can also choose to opt for a mix of cigars and cigarettes but not exceeding the total of 230 grams.

Travelers will be apprehended if they mistakenly or intentionally bring in any of the prohibited item into the island. The prohibited items are illegal drugs and pornographic materials of any sort (e.g. magazines, photos, videos).

For any fruits and vegetables brought into the country, all the travelers are required to declare them at the customs for proper quarantine procedure and inspection. Anyone caught to have been willfully violating will be penalized accordingly.

Special duty-free favors apply to British, Canadian and American citizens who are returning back to their respective country. Each one of them has different allowable duty-free purchases and has different requirements.

What to Wear?

Since Barbados is a tropical country, it would help if the tourists would bring with them clothes that would fit for the tropical climate. Light clothing material like cotton works best in a sunny-filled days in Barbados. Thin formal wear like jacket will always suit up for a very special occasion. Slacks and shorts will do just fine when walking along the beach or just wandering around.

Travelers should bear in mind that the country is mostly inhabited with conservative Bajans, thus it would be appreciated if travelers wear appropriate clothes like for different occasion.

Like in transacting with bank personnel, men are suggested to wear pants and shirts while women for women smart dresses will always to great and will always a command a considerable amount of respect.

Wearing of bathing suits is only suggested to be worn when in the place calls for it like in the pool, beach and beach bars. Likewise wearing of military camouflage clothing is not allowed in the island.

Immigration Requirements

Perhaps the most important documents that tourists should own are the passport and visa aside from the tickets. However, for both the Canadian and American citizens what is only required from them is just the valid passport. Of course they should also present their valid return tickets to make sure that they don’t have any plans of overstaying.

Travelers from Europe are also exempt of the visa requirement except for those coming from Yugoslavia, Slovakia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Travelers from other part of the globe like those from Japan, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand can also visit Barbados without a visa. All the other countries are required to secure a visa before they be allowed to enter the country.

Asia- Cambodia, China, Thailand, Philippines, Macau, Mongolia, People’s Republic of Laos, Myanmar, India, Indonesia, Kampuchea, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Nepal

Middle East- Bahrain, Afghanistan, Egypt, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Syria, United Arab Emirates, People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen, and Yemen Arab Republic

Latin America and the Caribbean - Bolivia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Ecuador, and Paraguay

Africa- Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Bhutan, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, and Zaire

Europe- Andorra, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Vatican City, San Marino, Monaco, and Slovakia,

Other Island Nation - Cape Verde

The visa can be secured from any of Barbados Tourism offices located overseas. Each applicant should submit the application form in duplicate with 2 passport ID photos. The cost for single-entry visa is BDS$50 while the multiple-entry is BDS$60.

Getting to Barbados

One can go to Barbados either through a cruise ship or by plane be it chartered or regularly scheduled. Since flying is much faster and here are some of the scheduled flights to Barbados along with some of the chartered ones. These are however only from the four major departure points such as the USA, Canada, Europe and UK, and The Caribbean.

USA- for scheduled flights travelers can choose from Air Jamaica, American Airlines, BWIA, and US Airways while for the chartered flight the Key Airlines Inc. is the only one servicing the route.

Canada- there are only two airlines available for travelers coming from Canada and these are Air Canada and BWIA. Canada Airlines International has a chartered flight. 

United Kingdom and Europe- British Airways and BWIA are the only airlines flying to Barbados, however there are more options for the chartered flights. Chartered flights can be arranged from any of the following: Air 2000/ Air Tours PLC, Britannia Airways, and Caledonian Airways.

The Caribbean- though there is no chartered flight available, the regular scheduled flights are aplenty. The airlines to choose from are Air Jamaica, Air Martinique, BWIA, Caribbean Star, and LIAT.

For Cruise Ship Travelers

Passengers in a cruise ship traveling from Eastern Europe, China, Taiwan, Korea, and South Africa are required to present their visas otherwise all are exempted.

Passengers who will be visiting Barbados and those in-transit fro less than 24 hours are not required to show their valid passport. However, those who are commencing and culminating their trip in Barbados via the Grantley Airport are required to present their valid passport.

Duration of Stay

Travelers to Barbados are required to present aside from the pertinent documents, proofs of their capacity to sustain their stay in the island for the whole intended duration. This is done upon their entry at the immigration. Likewise valid return tickets are required.

For those who want to extend their stay can get in touch with The Chief Immigration Officer, Immigration Department, Careenage House, The Wharf, Bridgetown, Barbados.

Driving in Barbados

For travelers who are planning to rent a car in Barbados the cost of the local license is BDS$10. There are a good number of car rental companies that are authorized to arrange the procurement of the license. Licensing authorities are located in Oistins, Christ Church, Pine, St. Michael, and Folkestone.

Estimated Travel Time for Selected Cities

Travelers from Germany specifically from Frankfurt and those from the nearby Brussels can expect their flight to take at least 9 hours. Those coming from London can have their flight for at least 8 hours.

Canadian travelers and those departing from Canada specifically from Toronto and Montreal can enjoy their relatively short trip of at least 5 hours. The Americans and other travelers departing from New York and Miami can fly for only 4 hours and 20 minutes and 3 hours and 40 minutes respectively.

The travelers from the nearby cities of Caracas, Venezuela and San Juan, Puerto Rico can reach Barbados after 2 and a half hour flight and 1 hour and 30 minute flight respectively.

Find a Travel Agent

Flying to Barbados would be a lot easier if a travel agent is contracted to arrange everything for the travelers. For a good start the Real Holidays can provide all the services necessary in traveling to Barbados. Nevertheless, travelers’ personally known travel agent in their area can perhaps provide the same.

Time to go

With all the information laid before the travelers, it would be sufficiently enough to help all the first-time traveler to Barbados. So what are waiting for, don’t you think that it is about time to pack and be ready to go? Barbados is now waiting all its visitors with all the warm reception it can offer.