A first visit to Barbados can be considered the beginning of a very long relationship, one that will uncover as many facets as can be found within your soul. As each new layer is unveiled, another sensation is revealed; a new awakening from within. Far beyond our sun-splashed beaches, Barbados delivers an exquisite experience of warm hospitality and sensual pleasures. 

First timers and loyal returning guests agree: Barbados is a refreshing mix of natural wonder and heavenly delight, combining a renewed sense of romance, relaxation and adventure. Barbados is both a solace for relaxation, and a virtual mecca for active lifestyles and cultural pursuits. While sun-worship remains seductive amidst endless beaches and a delightful year-round climate, our splendid cultural events, sporting activities and historic attractions make Barbados a treasure to behold. 

Whether you’re planning a family holiday or sportsman’s escape; romantic getaway or visit for a convention, meeting or incentive travel group, Barbados appeals to a diverse cross section of travellers. An exotic world awaits you. Our calming Caribbean West Coast is home to celebrated beach resorts and secluded coves, lush rolling gardens, a colourful harbour and state-of-the-art cruise ship terminal. The sophisticated West Coast also offers a selection of luxury hotels and villas amidst the calm waters of the Caribbean Sea. Our Atlantic East Coast is a wind-swept wonder, sporting rugged formations awash with waves of champions, casual beach houses and few hotels, while our South Coast offers a vibrant centre for dining and entertainment, along with a broad selection of inns and hotels.  

Sail our seas aboard a catamaran or a festive pirate ship, or tour our splendid natural wonders from coast to coast. Meet island artisans, visit Bridgetown’s beguiling boutiques, enjoy fresh seafood on our picturesque harbour, or just watch the yachts ease by. Perhaps you’re ‘game’ for an evening of pulsating nightlife. Or simply savour the evening sunset as the golden sky turns to dusky darkness. A walk along our shores is just the beginning, as you’ll soon discover a world within. 

Explore our museums, visitor centres and Barbados National Trust properties, all speaking volumes about our heritage and wealth of natural wonders. Many walks and tours showcase our island treasures, each revealing where time has taken us. Discover charming chattel houses, movable wooden homes that remain colourful fixtures across our landscape. Visit majestic great houses, once homes to sugar barons. And tour hidden caves for a prehistoric view beneath our surface. As you relax in the wonderful warmth of the sun and feel at home with our lifestyle, your curiosity will be piqued by the unique environment around you. The secrets of our island invite exploration, so come and discover an adventure that only Barbados can provide. 


Sightseeing

Begin with Bridgetown, our capital and a hub of activity with such points of interest as the Careenage, home to colourful fishing boats and splendid yachts alike. Visit Heroes Square with its statue of Lord Nelson, predating London’s famed column by 36 years. Fine boutiques and department stores line Broad Street, preferred among well-travelled shoppers. A stroll around the capital’s public buildings reveals the “Little England” of the Caribbean, and an island steeped in tradition. 

Head up our coastlines for beaches that beckon with soft sands, waves and winds. Shaded with palms and blossoming foliage, each of our diverse coasts offers a distinct environment, ranging in hue from petal pink to purest white. A tribute to the lost arts of relaxation and recreation, our 70 square miles of beaches reflect our many moods, with exhilarating Atlantic waves to the east and placid turquoise Caribbean waters to the west. 

— West Coast —
Home to a collection of exclusive resorts, our popular Caribbean beaches boast soft white sand and crystal-clear waters ideal for swimming and water sports. Beaches include: Batt's Rock, Paynes Bay and Folkestone Park in St. James; Gibbs Beach and Mullins Bay in St. Peter; and Carlisle Bay, just south of Bridge town. 

— South Coast —
A special hybrid between the Caribbean and Atlantic shores is found on either side of our southernmost point, Silver Sands Beach, a favourite among windsurfers. Winding upward toward Bridgetown are Dover, Rockley and Needhams Point. 

— East Coast —
Dramatically different, our Atlantic coastline, with rugged waves and fine beaches, is nestled amid spectacular rock formations. Most popular among surfers and sunbathers, this coast also welcomes swimmers at Crane Beach, and at sandy stretches surrounding Sam Lord’s Castle and Culpepper Island, off St. Philip. Explore a surfer’s paradise at world-famous Bathsheba, with the mammoth waves of the “Soup Bowl.” 

— A Harbour of Dreams —
Arrive via cruise ship, and you’ll enjoy the Bridgetown Cruise Terminal, a state-of-the-art port facility with fine shopping, as well as tour desks to arrange your island-wide exploration. 

— Guided Tours —
Leave the driving to an expert, and enjoy the sights at your leisure. To experience a side of Barbados that is light-years away from luxury lodging, choose a unique adventure tour like those offered by Highland Adventure Centre. Take a horseback trek in the countryside; a scenic safari hike through the Scotland District. Tours are offered via horseback or mountain bike, all beginning at Canefield. A selection of other tours is available through a wide range of services. 

— Seafaring Sojourns —
The famed Jolly Roger pirate cruises offering snorkelling trips and spirited party and dinner cruises, with transfers available from hotels. Or enjoy your party cruise aboard the Harbour Master, with live entertainment, dinner, theatre and dancing. This custom-built vessel accommodates 750 on four decks; ideal for small or large groups. Explore the underwater world without getting wet aboard Atlantis Submarine, diving some 50 metres below sea level. Tours include views of tropical sea life and a shipwreck. (Shallow Draught, Bridge town). 

— Stargazing —
Take to the heavens at the Harry Bayley Observatory. Stargaze through a reflector telescope at the home of the Barbados Astronomical Society (Highway 6, Clap ham, St. Michael, open Fridays 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.). 

— Island Faith — Take in a spirited mass or service of your choice in almost any village, as Barbados is host to nearly 100 religious denominations. While the population is pre dominantly Anglican (about 70 percent), a host of other religions find a welcome home here: Judaism, Methodism, and Roman Catholicism, among others. 

— Nature / Heritage Tours — 
Explore Barbados National Trust properties, reflecting our island’s colourful heritage and ecology. 

— Andromeda Botanic Gardens —
Eight magical acres of gardens set on a seaside cliff overlooking the Atlantic. An excellent collection of indigenous and exotic tropical flowers and plants includes orchids, hibiscus and palms cooled by a babbling brook (Bathsheba, St. Joseph). 

— Gun Hill Signal Station —
This 1818 signal station was used by the British Army; the views from atop the highland are worth the trip (Highway 4, St. George). 

— Morgan Lewis Windmill —
Near Farley Hill Park, this 250-year-old cane-crushing mill is the largest remaining windmill in Barbados. Recently renovated, the mill commands a splendid panorama (Highway 2, St. Andrew). 

— Sir Frank Hutson Sugar Museum —
Inside a modern sugar factory, the museum features a collection of restored machinery gathered from island sugar cane plantations. Also witness today’s process of grinding cane at the adjoining Portvale Sugar Factory (St. James).

— Welchman Hall Gully—
Once a mile-long limestone cave, the gully is now flanked by cliffs and awesome formations, boasting some 200 species of tropical plants. Home to exotic flora including nutmeg , banana and flowering plants, this oasis recalls a wilderness as it appeared to the island’s first settlers (Highway 2, St. Thomas).


The following properties also reflect the cultural heritage and natural beauty of Barbados:

— Barbados Museum —
Based in a former military prison, this distinctive museum traces the island’s evolution from 16th century times to the present, featuring fine natural history exhibits, historic maps and art installations (St. Ann’s Garrison, St. Michael).

 
— Barbados Wildlife Reserve —
The reserve is a mahogany forest where animals live in freedom. Visitors can catch a glimpse of the Barbados green monkey, plus otters, mongooses, porcupines and deer, among other creatures (Farley Hill, St. Peter).

— Bridgetown Synagogue —
The island’s historic Jewish temple, located just yards from Broad Street in Bridgetown, originated around 1627, shortly after the first British settlement with the exodus of Jews from Recife, Brazil. Grounds include a cemetery with graves of Jewish settlers dating back to the 1630s. This temple is believed to be the oldest in the Western Hemisphere (Synagogue Lane, Bridge town).

— Farley Hill —
Rugged hills and picturesque grounds are the setting of this classic former plantation, a stately ruin with some 99 windows overlooking a national park with sweeping views of the Scotland District and the Atlantic coastline (St. Peter).

— Flower Forest —
Located amidst the hills of St. Joseph, the Flower Forest is a natural treasure with some 50 acres of flora growing at the site of a former sugar plantation amid views of Mt. Hillaby (Highway 2, St. Joseph). 

— Grenade Hall Signal Station —
In the early 1800s, six signal stations were erected across Barbados to relay messages quickly around the island. Recently restored by the Barbados Wildlife Reserve, the tower features exhibits and a panoramic view, with telescopes providing views to the other towers. The surrounding forest can be traversed on a coral stone walkway (Farley Hill, St. Peter).

— Harrison’s Cave —
The only cave of its kind in the Caribbean, this leading attraction is claimed by experts to be among the wonders of the world. Offering public tours with a special tram, the cave houses limestone caverns carved by the steady forces of nature, yielding a network of underground streams. A vast cavern boasts a 40-foot waterfall plunging into a lagoon. Coloured lighting accents arches and prehistoric formations (Highway 2, St. Thomas).

— Sunbury Plantation House & Museum —
This gracious home, dating back to the 1660s, is crafted of flint and other stones imported from England; the plantation recently completed an impressive refurbishment. Features include jalousies, frame sash windows, a mahogany staircase and an extensive collection of plantation-era relics, restored coaches, tools and antiques (St. Philip).


Island Tips 

— Size & Location —
Barbados is 166 square miles, divided into 11 parishes. 

— Climate —
With over 3000 hours of sunshine yearly, the weather is almost always sunny and warm, cooled by the constant north-east trade winds. The average daytime temperature ranges between 84-88 degrees Fahrenheit, 29-31 degrees Celsius. Summer temperatures rarely exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius)

— Language —
English, although the Bajan dialect can be heard all around the island.

— Business Hours —
Shops in Bridgetown are open Monday to Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm and 8:30am- 1:00pm on Saturdays. Malls and out-of town shops and boutiques usually open from 9:00am-5:00pm (Mon-Fri) and 9:00am-2:00pm on Saturdays. Most shops are closed on Sundays, although some supermarkets and convenience stores remain open. 

— Time Difference —
4 hours behind GMT in the winter and 5 hours in the summer. 1 hour ahead of US Eastern Standard Time (EST) in the winter and the same during US Daylight Saving Time. 

— Health Care —
Barbados is recognised as having the most modern medical facilities in the Eastern Caribbean. Medical services are provided by the two major hospitals: The Queen Elizabeth and Bayview and several well equipped clinics, health centres and nursing homes. In addition, FMH Emergency Medical Clinic is a private accident and emergency medical centre. 
 
— Currency —
The Barbados dollar is tied to the US dollar at a fixed rate of US$1.00 = BDS$1.98. The approximate rate of exchange for sterling is £1.00 = BDS$3.70, for Canadian currency, approximately CAD$1.00 = BDS$1.60 and the Euro is approximately EURO 1.00 = BDS$2.40. US currency is readily accepted everywhere on the island, while most hotels, restaurants and large stores accept travellers cheques and most major credit cards as well.

— Electricity —
115/230 volts 50 cycle. Many hotels provide converters for European or Asian appliances. North American appliances will not need converters.
 
— Water —
The water service in Barbados is reliable and the water supply is safe and refreshing to drink straight from the tap. 
 
— Dress Code —
Outfit yourself for the warm tropical climate: shorts, T-Shirts, wraps and sundresses would be your best bet for daytime wear, and “elegantly casual’ wear for evenings. Bear in mind that swimwear should be kept for the beach and suitable attire should be worn when going shopping or dining out. 

— Departure Tax —
All departing passengers pay a departure tax of BDS$25.00 on checking in, both at the airport and seaport. Children under 12 years and persons who have been on the island for less than 24 hours are exempt. 
 
— Telecommunications — 
Barbados has a modern telecommunications infrastructure with the latest in digital technology and fibre optics systems including international direct dialling, facsimile transfer and satellite telecommunications which allows for the efficient transmission of electronic data. Internet and e-mail services, as well as express mail and courier delivery are also available. The International direct distance dialling code for Barbados is (1-246), followed by a seven digit local number. 

— Getting Around —
Driving in Barbados is on the left side of the road and the majority of vehicles are “right hand drive”. The island has an extensive road system of about 1,475 km of paved roads. A highway links the north and the south of the island. There are a number of ways to get around the island - all are safe, reliable and convenient. 

— Car Hire —
A full range of well maintained vehicles are available through reliable local car hire operators. Visitors must be over 25 years and have a valid driver’s license in order to obtain a permit to drive in Barbados. The cost of a visitor’s permit is BDS$10.00 (US$5.00) and most car hire companies will issue these when the vehicle is delivered to your hotel or the airport. 

— Taxis —
Taxis in Barbados are not metered, fares are set between certain points. It is always advisable to agree on a price with the driver before setting out.

— Taxes/Tipping —
15% VAT (Value Added Tax) is included in all prices in shops, supermarkets and restaurants. In hotels, 7.5% VAT and 10% service charge will be added to your bill. Usually 10% - 15% is acceptable when tipping - many restaurants automatically add a 10% service charge to your bill, so you would be wise to check before tipping additionally. 

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