Planning a trip to Barbados

Getting Around

By Rental Car

If you don't mind driving on the left, you may find a rental car ideal on Barbados. You'll need a temporary permit if you don't have an international driver's license. The rental agencies listed below all can issue this visitor's permit, or you can go to the police desk upon your arrival at the airport. You must have a license from home and pay a registration fee of $5. Within a city or town, the speed limit is 20kmph (12 mph), going up to 60kmph (37 mph) on secondary roads, and rising to 80kmph (50 mph) on major highways. Because of frequent delays at airport counters, we suggest taking a taxi from the airport to your hotel and then calling to have your rental car delivered. A 15% tax is levied upon all car rentals in Barbados.

None of the major U.S.-based car rental agencies operate on Barbados, but a host of local companies rent vehicles. Except in the peak midwinter season, cars are usually readily available without prior reservations. Be forewarned that many local companies continue to draw serious complaints from readers, both for overcharging and for the poor conditions of their vehicles. Proceed very carefully with rentals on this island. Check the insurance and liability issues carefully when you rent.

The island's most frequently recommended agency is Drive-A-Matic, Lower Carlton, St. James (tel. 800/581-8773 or 246/422-3000; www.carhire.tv), which has a wide selection of Japanese cars. The agency is located 15km (9 1/4 miles) north of Bridgetown, near the main highway (Hwy. 1); it delivers cars to almost any location on the island, and the driver who delivers it will carry the necessary forms for the Bajan driver's license, priced at $5 per registered driver and valid for 2 months.

Another comparable company is Sunny Isle Motors, Dayton, Worthing Main Road, Christ Church (tel. 246/435-7979).

By Taxi

Taxis aren't metered, but rates are fixed by the government; one cab can carry up to four passengers for the same fare. Taxis are plentiful and easily identifiable by the letter Z on their license plates. Drivers will produce a list of standard rates ($25-$35 per hr.). To call a taxi, contact one of the following services: Paramount Taxi Service (tel. 246/429-3718), Independence Taxi Service (tel. 246/426-0090), Royal Pavilion Taxi Service (tel. 246/422-1260), or Lyndhurst Taxi Service (tel. 246/436-2639). A typical taxi ride from the airport to Bridgetown costs $18; to Holetown, along the western Gold Coast, $23; and to St. Lawrence Gap, site of many of the less expensive hotels, $13.

By Bus

Take a bus only as a last resort, as the service is unreliable, in spite of the fact that many Bajans depend on this service to get to and from work. The nationally owned buses of Barbados are blue with yellow stripes. They're not numbered, but their destinations are marked on the front. On most major routes, buses run every 30 minutes or so. Wherever you go, the fare is BD$1.50, exact Barbados change required. Departures are from Bridgetown, leaving from Fairchild Street for the south and east, and from Lower Green and the Princess Alice Highway for the north going along the west coast. Call the Barbados Transport Board (tel. 246/436-6820) for schedules and information.

Privately operated minibuses, usually painted yellow, run shorter distances and travel more frequently. They are bright yellow with blue stripes, with their destinations displayed on the bottom-left corner of the windshield. Minibuses in Bridgetown are boarded at River Road, Temple Yard, and Probyn Street. The fare is BD$1.50, and unlike the larger, blue-sided government-operated buses, exact change is appreciated but not required.

When to Go

Special Events

In mid-February, the Holetown Festival (www.holetownfestivalbarbados.com) at St. James is a weeklong event commemorating the landing of the first European settlers at Holetown in 1627. Highlights include street fairs, police band concerts, a music festival in the parish church, and a road race.

During the first week of April, the Oistins Fish Festival commemorates the signing of the charter of Barbados with fishing, boat racing, fish-boning competitions, a Coast Guard exhibition, food stalls, arts and crafts, dancing, singing, and road races.

Beginning in mid-July and lasting until the first week of August, the Crop Over Festival is the island's major national festival, celebrating the completion of the sugar-cane harvest and recognizing the hardworking men and women in the sugar industry. Communities all over the island participate in fairs, concerts, calypso competitions, car parades, and other cultural events. The climax of the festival occurs at Kadooment Day, a national holiday on the first Monday in August, which becomes the biggest party of the year in Barbados.

Visit www.visitbarbados.org for additional festivals.

Fast Facts

American Express -- There is no officially designated exclusive Amex representative on Barbados, but a reputable travel agency that can fulfill most travel-related services is St. James Travel, West Plaza, Sunset Crest, St. James (tel. 246/432-6725; www.stjamestravel.com).

Banks -- Most banks are open Monday to Thursday 8am to 3pm, and Friday 8am to 5pm. The major banks of Barbados, all with ATMs, are found along Broad Street in Bridgetown, including branches of First Caribbean Bank, the Barbados National Bank, Scotiabank, and the Butterfield Bank. These banks also have branch offices in Holetown, Speightstown, and along the St. Lawrence Gap south of Bridgetown. There are ATMs at the airport as well, plus at bank branches throughout the island.

Consulates & High Commissions -- The Embassy of the United States is in the Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael (tel. 246/227-4000; http://barbados.usembassy.gov); the Canadian High Commission at Bishop's Court Hill, St. Michael (tel. 246/429-3550; www.barbados.gc.ca); and the British High Commission at Lower Collymore Rock, St. Michael (tel. 246/430-7800; http://ukinbarbados.fco.gov.uk).

Currency -- The Barbados dollar (BD$) is the official currency, available in $5, $10, $20, and $100 notes, as well as 10¢, 25¢, and $1 silver coins, plus 1¢ and 5¢ copper coins. The Barbados dollar is permanently fixed because of an international agreement, at the rate of approximately 50¢ in U.S. currency. In contrast, the value of the British pound is not permanently fixed, and as such, it floats freely, going up or down in relation to a wide range of political and economic factors that change from day to day. At press time for this edition, £1 equaled a little more than BD$3. Most stores take traveler's checks or U.S. dollars. However, it may be best to convert your money at banks and pay in Barbados dollars, since you could save over U.S. dollars. Prices in this guide are quoted in U.S. dollars.

Customs -- Most items for personal use (within reason, of course) are allowed into Barbados, except agricultural products and firearms. You can bring in perfume for your use if it's not for sale. You're also allowed a carton of cigarettes and a liter of liquor.

Documents -- Citizens of all countries need a passport to enter Barbados, including those from the United States and Canada. Cruise-ship passengers need only the ship's magnetic identification card. However, if a cruise begins and ends in Barbados, a passport is required.

Electricity -- Most electrical outlets are wired with 110-volt AC (50 cycles) current, same as within the U.S., so you can use your U.S.-made appliances. The very few electrical outlets that follow the British and European systems (220-volt AC) are rare, and when they do appear, they're clearly marked and designated with a plug configuration that makes it virtually impossible to plug a U.S.-made appliance into it without a special adapter and/or converter.

Emergencies -- In an emergency, dial the police at tel. 211, the fire department at tel. 311, and an ambulance at tel. 511.

Hospitals -- The Queen Elizabeth Hospital is located on Martinsdale Road in St. Michael (tel. 246/436-6450; www.qehconnect.com). Of the several private clinics, one of the most expensive and best recommended is the Bayview Hospital, St. Paul's Avenue, Bayville, St. Michael (tel. 246/436-5446; www.bayviewhospital.com.bb).

Language -- The Bajans speak English, but with their own island lilt.

Liquor Laws -- Liquor, beer, and wine are sold throughout the island at every outlet, from grocery stores to convenience stores, on any day the stores are open. Open containers are illegal on the beach.

Safety -- Crimes against visitors used to be rare, but today there are reports of pickpocketing, armed robbery, and even sexual assault. Avoid leaving cash or valuables in your hotel room, beware of purse snatchers when walking, exercise caution on the beach or at attractions, and be wary of driving in isolated areas.

Taxes -- A 7.5% government sales tax is tacked onto hotel bills. A 15% VAT (value-added tax) is levied on all meals. (For example, if your hotel costs $200 per night and you are charged $50 per person for a MAP, you'll have to pay a 7.5% government tax plus the 10% additional service charge for the $200 room rate, and then an additional 15% VAT on the MAP rate.) Some visitors view these additional charges as "larcenous." They certainly won't make you happy when you go to pay your final bill. There's a departure tax of BD$27.50 or US$14, payable in either currency.

Telephone -- To call Barbados from the United States, dial 1, then 246 (the area code for Barbados) and the local number. Once on Barbados, to call another number on the island, only the seven-digit local number is necessary.

Time -- Barbados is on Atlantic Standard Time year-round, so it's 1 hour ahead of New York except during daylight saving time, when Barbados's time is the same as the eastern United States.

Tipping -- Most hotels and restaurants add at least a 10% service charge to your bill. If service is extremely good, you may want to supplement that. If it has not been included, you may want to tip your waiter 10% to 15%. Taxi drivers expect a 10% tip.

Water -- Barbados has a pure water supply. It's pumped from underground sources in the coral rock that covers most of the island, and it's safe to drink.

Weather -- Daytime temperatures are in the 75°F to 85°F (24°C-29°C) range throughout the year.

Getting There

More than 20 flights arrive on Barbados from all over the world every day. Grantley Adams International Airport (tel. 246/418-4242) is on Hwy. 7, on the southern tip of the island at Long Bay, between Oistins and a village called the Crane. From North America, the four major gateways to Barbados are New York; Miami; Toronto; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Flying time to Barbados is 4 1/2 hours from New York, 3 1/2 hours from Miami, 5 hours from Toronto, and 1 1/2 hours from San Juan.

Virgin Atlantic Airways (tel. 800/821-5438 in the U.S. and Canada; www.virgin-atlantic.com) flies daily from London's Gatwick Airport to Barbados.

American Airlines (tel. 800/433-7300 in the U.S. and Canada; www.aa.com) has dozens of connections passing through San Juan, plus daily nonstop flights to Barbados from Miami. US Airways (tel. 800/622-1015 in the U.S. and Canada; www.usairways.com) flies daily from New York's LaGuardia to Philadelphia, Washington, or Baltimore, then on to Barbados. There are no nonstop flights on US Airways from New York to Barbados.

All flights are nonstop from Toronto to Barbados. Air Canada (tel. 888/247-2262 in the U.S. and Canada; www.aircanada.com) flies daily from Toronto in winter. From Montréal, connections are made through Toronto.

Barbados is a major hub of the Caribbean-based airline LIAT (tel. 888/844-LIAT [5428] from most destinations within the Caribbean, 268/480-5601 for reservations, or 246/428-8888 at the Barbados airport; www.liatairline.com), which flies to most points within the Caribbean but provides generally poor service to Barbados from a handful of neighboring islands, including St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Antigua, and Dominica.

Air Jamaica (tel. 800/523-5585 in North America and the Caribbean; www.airjamaica.com) offers daily flights that link Barbados to Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, and Miami through the airline's Montego Bay hub. Air Jamaica also flies between Los Angeles and Barbados on Monday and Wednesday (but it requires an overnight stay in Montego Bay). Nonstop flights from New York to Barbados are available at least 4 days a week (Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sun).

Cayman Airways and Air Jamaica have joined forces to provide an air link from Grand Cayman to Barbados and Trinidad, via Kingston in Jamaica. Flights wing out of Grand Cayman Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Friday, linking up in Kingston with continuing flights to Barbados and Port-of-Spain, with daily return flights. For reservations and information, call Air Jamaica at tel. 800/523-5585.

British Airways (tel. 800/247-9297 in the U.S. and Canada; www.britishairways.com) flies nonstop daily to Barbados from London's Gatwick Airport.