Barbados Island

Gem of the Caribbean Sea

Barbados Island is one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations. It is surrounded by stunning beaches of white powdered sands and crystal clear waters.

It is the easternmost isle on the Caribbean Sea, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. It has been under constant British rule until it gained independence in 1966.

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One of Barbados Beaches

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Important Facts of Barbados Island

• Official Name: Barbados • Capital: Bridgetown

• Location: Caribbean, northeast of Venezuela

• Area: 431 Sq Km (167 Sq Miles)• Population: 280,000

• Country Code: 246• Language: English

• Money: Barbados Dollar (BS or BBD)

• Money Exchange: BS 1=USD 0.50=EUR 0.42=GBP 0.29

• Status: Independent Parliamentary Democracy

Crystal Cove is one of the best Barbados Resorts

Barbados Weather

The Climate in Barbados Island is warm and sunny all year round with an average daytime temperature of 75-85 F. The evenings are slightly cooler. The northeast trade winds blow steadily, so the sunny days are not unbearably hot. The tourist high season runs from Mid-December to Mid-April.

From January to June is the dry season while in July is very rainy averaging 18 days of rain in a month. But, as in any tropical island the rain is quickly followed by an impeccably sunny sky.

Barbados is "almost" Hurricane Free

June through November is the Hurricane season like in the rest of the Caribbean. Hurricanes usually bypass Barbados Island, because of being so close to the South American Coast. They arise near Africa and usually take a Northwestern path passing through the Leeward Islands on their way to the bigger islands and eventually to the Us Mainland.

Getting to Barbados Island

Most of the visitors will arrive in Barbados Island through Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI). It is on the island’s southeast about 10 miles (16 KM) from Bridgetown, the capital.

Estimated Flying Time to/from Barbados:

• Brussels 9hr • Caracas 2hr 30min • Frankfurt 9hr • London 8hr • Miami 3hr 40min • Montreal 5hr • New York 4hr 20min • San Juan 1hr 30min • Toronto 5hr

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Barbados Flag Description

Three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past, because the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident.

Airlines flying to/from Barbados

• From USA

• Air Jamaica• American Airlines• Caribbean Airlines • US Airways

• From Canada

• Air Canada• Caribbean Airlines

• From United Kingdom and Europe

• British Airways• BWIA

• From the Caribbean

• Caribbean Airlines• Air Martinique• Air Jamaica• LIAT

Entry requirements for those arriving by air

American and Canadian Citizens need a valid passport, but no visa for a stay of 6 months. All other countries should check with the closest Barbados Embassy or Consulate regarding entry requirements for their nationality.

Cruise ships visitors

We have been to Barbados on one of the Southern Caribbean Cruises that start either in Florida or San Juan.

Nowadays a few Cruise Lines offer cruise itineraries starting and ending in Barbados.

Passports and visas

Visas are not required for passengers on cruise ships with the exception of citizens of the C.I.S., Eastern European countries, People's Republic of China, Taiwan, South Africa and Korea.

Cruise ship passengers who are "in-transit" and stay less than 24 hours are not required to carry a valid passport.

However, if you are beginning and ending your vacation in Barbados or are "in-transit" to take a flight at the Grantley Adams International Airport, you are required to possess a valid passport."

Tamarind Cove Hotel - One of many Barbados Beaches Resorts

Getting around Barbados Island

Getting around Barbados is very easy by public bus. The service is very frequent and inexpensive. Three kinds of buses operate all over the island: Government operated public buses, privately operated mini-buses and route taxis. They all charge B$ 1.50.

Car Rentals

You won’t find here the big Car Rental companies you are used to, but there are scores of privately owned car rental companies.Once at the airport you can call one of the companies offering pick up service and take you to your car.

Driving

As in all former British colonies, in Barbados you drive on the left. Temporary driving permits are required and cost B$10.00 and can be obtained through your car rental company

Barbados Island Sports

Barbados is one of the Meccas of the Caribbean Sports, and the ideal spot for an active vacation, or to relax and enjoy a favorite activity either as a participant or spectator!

Barbados Sports

• Cricket• Cycling• Golf• Hiking/Walking• Horse Racing• Horse Riding• Marathon• Paragliding• Polo• Road Tennis• Tennis (resorts)

Barbados Water Sports

• Fishing• Kayaking• Kite surfing• Parasailing• Scuba Diving• Snorkeling• Sailing• Surfing• Swim with the Turtles! • Wave runners (Jet skis)• Windsurfing

Grandpa and granddaughter enjoying their family beach vacations

Barbados Museums

Barbados has a rich and interesting history dating back to the original inhabitants of the island through colonization by the British and emergence as an independent nation.

Local Museums

• Sunbury Plantation House

Over 300 years old, featuring mahogany antiques, old prints and a unique collection of horse-drawn carriages. Take a tour or enjoy a special candlelight Plantation Dinner!

• The Barbados Museum

It contains many artifacts, collections and furnishings, as well as an interesting collection of rare historical maps.

• George Washington House

It provides insights into life as it was in the Barbados of 250 years ago. George Washington stayed here in 1751. Barbados was the only country he ever visited outside colonial America!

• Concorde Experience

Explore this supersonic aircraft and even fly the Concorde yourself in a simulation.

• Hutson Sugar Museum

A record of how sugar was produced in Barbados in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

• Tyrol Cot Heritage Village

It is comprised of a historic Palladian-style home, and a modern "Heritage Village" with local crafts and a restaurant.

Dining

One of the highlights of our visits to Barbados with or without the children always was the quality of the food. At the hotels or at the best Bridgetown’s restaurants, everything is tip-top.

Some are very fancy, some are budget oriented but one thing is common to all of them, an unsurpassed quality.

There are many fine restaurants on the island that offer local and Caribbean Cuisine, seafood and continental cuisine. The wide range of dining options available in Barbados ensures that there is something to suit every taste and budget. You will find all the information necessary at your hotel or resort.

By day informal attire is acceptable in most Barbados restaurants, but at night a more formal dress code is enforced. It is also recommended that dinner reservations be made in advance, especially during the winter.

Dress code

While Barbados is a fun holiday island, there are dress codes, and because of 300 years of conservative British heritage, formal attire is still seen at times other than weddings and funerals. Business men wear a shirt and tie and sometimes a jacket. Women wear smart dresses.

A few more interesting facts:

• Literacy is 97%

• Education is free

• Barbados has the third oldest Parliament in the world

• It is the only coral Island in the region with all white sand beaches.

• Water is pure and safe to drink

• Telecommunications are excellent

• Utilities are available island-wide

I hope I provided enough information on Barbados Island to get started and plan your vacation. Please go to the other pages on Barbados and the neighboring Islands and enjoy your visit to my site.

Barbados Map

Barbados Island is the easternmost isle of the Caribbean Sea bordering the Atlantic Ocean, near St Lucia and Grenada.

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Caribbean Islands guide from the Caribbean Amphibian.

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