If you like to experiment with different foods then you will love this place, there are so many dishes, and you couldn’t try them all in one day! Some of the menus in the restaurants have dishes which consist of fresh fruits and chicken.
If shopping’s you thing then you wont struggle to find something to take back home, with their handcrafted souvenirs which you can purchase from shops and stalls
Barbados appeals to all age groups as there is something for everyone!
If you’re looking for somewhere to go were its warm all year round, then Barbados is the place to be, as the temperature is just less than 30C.
Imagine sleeping under the stars.... lulled into dreams by the melody of chirping crickets in a tropical night, the wind in the trees, blowing through the open shutters.
Dining in the sunset terrace or under a silver moon, lulled into romance with calypso, jazz and reggae, saxophone and drum. Music beating with your heart.
This is the island romance experience that awaits you in Barbados...
Barbados Beaches
Barbados is a relatively flat island with an abundant supply of large gradually sloping beaches fringing the land.
In some areas, notably the North, coral and sandstone cliffs rise straight out of the sea reaching several hundred feet in height. In the South West, cliffs of 50 to 100 feet rise and fall along the coast, separated by small sandy beaches and bays.
On the flatter South West and West coasts, you may walk for miles along unbroken white sand beaches, sometimes stopping at a cluster of coral rocks jutting out to sea. All along the shore large and small beaches are broken by coral formations, the soft coral rocks weathered by the ocean surf, forming abstract sculptures to an artist's eye.
Other Coastal Features
Of course, not all of Barbados' coast is sand; there are mangrove swamps, cliffs, tide pools and areas where beds of low lying coral rock, sandstone, clay or shale reach out to the sea.
Barbados' swamps are to be found in Chancery Lane, Inch Marlow and Graham Hall in the South and South West of the Island. They are the major wetlands of Barbados providing an assemblage of plants and animals forming an important link in the food chain of offshore fish and birds.
Low lying rock formations are particularly prevalent along the North East and South Easter points; periwinkles, sea anemones, crabs and snails make their home along these rocks.
Tidal flats and wave ridges occur mostly off the East coast within eroded limestone plateaus and other low lying rock formations.
On the South and South West Coasts you will find many tide pools, an important ecological resource, acting as nurseries for juvenile fish and other permanent residents like the ghost crab and sea roaches as well as marine plants like sea moss which is made into a health drink.
Cliffs of coral and sandstone overlook calm bays and rugged coastlines and sometimes small, cozy soft sand beaches nestle between heads of coral sculptured by the sea. Most of the larger cliffs are in the North, in the parish of St. Lucy.
Hints & Tips
Weather
It is warm and sunny all year round with an average daytime high of 75 - 85oF. The nights are usually slightly cooler.
The prevailing northeast tradewinds blow steadily so that although it is bright and sunny, it is not unbearably hot.
The rain usually comes in quick showers. The dry season lasts from January to June.
We are in the tropics, and believe it or not, some people actually put on a sweater in the cool night winter time breezes. Barbadians complain that the sea is cold when its 78oF !!!
Barbados Currency
The Barbados Dollar is converted at the rate of $1.98 BDS to $1.00 U.S.
Our Dollar is fixed to the U.S Dollar and does not fluctuate. Its rate to other currencies fluctuate daily based on their fluctuations relative to the U.S. Dollar.
US dollars are accepted island-wide, and most stores and restaurants accept major credit cards and travellers cheques.
Barbados Dress
Bring clothes for the tropics.
Light cotton dresses and light jackets for formal wear.
Casual slacks and lightweight sports for the times when you are not in a bathing suit.
Beachwear should also include sunglasses, sunblock and beach footwear.
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.
It's a good idea to wear pants and shirt when visiting the bank, it looks more respectful and gives you a pocket for your wallet.
KEY FACTS
The United Nations Development Index (1996) ranked Barbados third in terms of quality of life among 160 developing countries worldwide (Hong Kong and Cyprus ranked first and second respectively). Barbados ranked ahead of countries such as Spain, Italy and Ireland.
Our research and surveys show that visitors highlight the friendliness of Barbadians as its greatest and most pleasing asset. This is reflected in the highest repeat visitor factor in the region of 39%
The people of Barbados have a history of long ingrained Christian principles, a sound and free educational system with a literacy rate of 97%
Barbados has the third oldest parliament in the world with 358 years of an uninterrupted parliamentary system of government.
Barbados was the only vacation destination in this Hemisphere with a scheduled Concorde service. One of the retired British Airways concordes now resides at our international airport.
On this "mustard seed" of an island (21 miles) long and a smile (14 miles) wide!
- We are the only coral island in the region with all white sand beaches.
- Barbados has pure drinking water and was the first Caribbean island to have piped water.
- Excellent telecommunications.
- Utilities available 100% island-wide.
- Accessible to everywhere.
- Consistent cooling North-East tradewinds.
- Maximum daily temperature 75-85 F year round.
FAST FACTS AND FIGURES
CAPITAL: Bridgetown
POPULATION: Approximately 254,000
CLIMATE: Eight to nine hours of sunshine most days. Temperature between 75 F and 90 F year round.
GEOGRAPHY: A 21 mile x 14 mile Caribbean island. West and South Coast have calm Caribbean sea and endless beaches. Rugged cliffs and Atlantic Ocean on East Coast.
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: English with a broad dialect. See a Street Vendor Talks
CURRENCY: Barbados Dollar - US $1 = BDS $2 approx.
DRIVING: A temporary yearly Barbados licence costs BDS$10 and is obtainable from car rental agencies and Police Stations. Full licence must be shown. Drive on left. Go to Barbados Tourism Encyclopedia "Documents"
TIME: GMT-4 hrs. There is no daylight saving time in Barbados
ACCOMMODATION: Caters for all tastes and budgets from luxury hotels and all-inclusive resorts to rooms in small hotels and self-catering apartments.
SPORTS: Snorkeling, diving, fishing, sailing, waterskiing, tennis, squash. Three 18-hole and three nine-hole golf courses. See Barbados Golf
GETTING THERE: (Flying Times and Airlines)
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: See Travel Documents
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: See Health in Barbados
WEDDINGS: It is now possible for ceremonies to take place on day of arrival, providing documents are in order.
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