Barbados Things to Do takes you to golden sand beaches, blue water snorkeling, and rocking nightlife at Oistin’s Friday Night Fish Fry
Barbados Things to Do:
Go to the beach at Carlisle Bay, or Browne’s, Pebbles, Bottom Bay.
Visit Hunte’s Gardens, Andromeda Botanic Gardens, or the Flower Forest.
Attend the Oistin’s Friday Night Fish Fry. A chance to get some local flavor, and the biggest weekly party on the island.
Get out on the ocean on a catamaran/snorkel excursion.
SCUBA Dive. There’s a broad and colorful range of reefs, ship wrecks, and caves
Our Experience:
Our day in Barbados did not work out the way we expected. Lindso and I planned to catch a cab to the capital city of Bridgetown, rent a car, and spend the day driving a lap around the island. So we got into a van full of cruise passengers heading towards Bridgetown, and were informed that Prime Minister David Thompson had died of cancer the previous week, that today was his funeral, and that the entire country was closed for business to attend. No rental cars available.
Some guys in the back of the van had a plan to go to some swanky resort with a beach. Since that was where the van was headed, and we were already in the van, that’s where we were headed. After an hour ride, “The Crane” resort told our van to get lost. No entry. Chaos ensues. Then our driver mentions his birthday is Monday. My birthday is Monday. The cabbie is exactly twenty years older than me to the day. Strange.
Finally, with our newfound cruise ship friends, we got a ride to “Cutters” restaurant. Someone immediately orders a round of rum shots to celebrate finding any business open on Barbados. And then another round. Then Banks beers. And then rum punch. Did I mention it’s only 10am? We finished lunch, purchased every cold Banks beer the owner had, borrowed his cooler, and then he even drove us to the beach!
And a cooler full of Banks and rum punch didn’t hurt. The rest of our van companions were pleased to have beer delivered.
Things you Need to Know about Barbados
Backpacker Daily Budget:
$80 if travelling alone, $60 if you can share accommodations. Lodging is your main expense. Street food is plentiful and cheap, beers are $3 and the bus is only $1 a ride.
Cheap Beer index:
$3 for a 12oz Banks beer in a bar or restaurant
When to visit Barbados:
Anytime of year is good to visit Barbados, with year-round highs in the 80’s. February and March are the driest months, October and November the rainiest. The only weather issue to consider is hurricane season. Hurricanes are possible June through November. You can find some great deals in September and October if you are willing to take a risk.
What language do the speak in Barbados?
Bajan (an English Creole) and English.
Do you need a Barbados visa?
Visas are not required for nationals of USA, UK, AUS, and CAN for stays of up to six months. A return plane ticket is required if arriving by air.
How to get to Barbados:
- The most common means of arrival and departure is a cruise ship. All the major cruise lines stop in popular Barbados.
- Grantley Adams International Airport (aka Bridgetown BGI) has direct flights to Toronto, Montreal, London (Gatwick and Heathrow), Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Munich, Panama City, Boston, New York-JFK, Ft Lauderdale, Newark, Charlotte, Miami, and all over the Caribbean. Buses and minibuses run from the airport up the coast to Bridgetown, Holetown, and Speightstown for BBD2. A taxi is the fastest way to get to your hotel on arrival. Learn how to get to Barbados for free on my page: Nine Steps to Free Flights Worldwide
- There is no ferry from Barbados to any other islands.
How to Get Around Barbados:
- The bus system is extensive, cheap and fast if you are headed to somewhere on the main route. All fares are $1USD.
- Car rentals are expensive, but the only way to reach off-the-beaten-path beaches. Driving is on the left. Roads are narrow and bumpy.
- Taxis are reasonably priced. They do not use meters, so negotiate the price before you get in.
Local Currency and how to get it:
The Barbadian Dollar (2 BBD=$1USD permanent peg) are available at ATMs. US dollars are widely accepted and you will get your change back in BBD. For more info on your cash-versus-credit card options when travelling, check out my post on How to Access your Money in Foreign Countries.
Stay Connected:
There are two main telecom providers, and both are very expensive:
Digicel Barbados Their SIM card is sold in their stores for BBD 25 or 30 for the micro SIM card, while standard SIMs come much cheaper. Be prepared to show your passport at the point of purchase. Top-ups between BBD 5 to BBD 250 can be made online or in top-up kiosks, supermarkets and gas stations all over the islands. For international roaming you can buy a roaming plan. This service allows Digicel customers travelling to the USA, Canada and all other Digicel Caribbean territories to use service at reduced rates:
- 100 MB for 1 day: BB$ 12
- 700 MB for 7 days: BB$ 60
Flow Their SIM card is sold in their stores for BBD 25 with BBD 10 credit. Be prepared to show your passport at the point of purchase. Top-ups of BDD 5 to BBD 120 can be made online or in top-up kiosks, supermarkets and gas stations all over the island. Any top-up is valid for 90 days irrespective of the amount. For roaming in the US (on AT&T) and all Flow markets in the Caribbean they sell these roaming plans:
- 250 MB data + 60 internatl. mins for 3 days: BB$ 41.99
- 500 MB data + 150 internatl. mins for 7 days: BB$ 78.99
- 500 MB for 7 days: BB$ 30
For more info on your telecom options, check out my post on How to Get Cheap Mobile Phone Service Worldwide.
Where to Stay:
There are no hostels in Barbados. Cynson Villa is the cheapest spot around $45 a night.
What to eat:
Flying fish at a local street shack.
Nightlife:
Harbour Lights, Red Door Lounge
Get a guidebook:
Lonely Planet Caribbean Islands 
will tell you all you need to know about Barbados as well as any other islands you may visit.
What to Pack:
Bring a snorkel and a travel towel. To learn how to pack light and be prepared for anything, check out my post The Worldwide Travel Packing List.
Is it safe?
Barbados is one of the safest Caribbean destinations with a murder rate of 11 per 100,000. Avoid guys on beach selling “Aloe Vera” as that is their intro to sell drugs.
When you are ready to book your trip, be sure to use the best booking sites:
Book Your Flight:
Find your flight using Momondo.com. It is the best airfare search engine, as it finds the cheapest flights, and will find ALL the flights. (Here’s the proof.)
Book Your Accommodation:
Choose your lodging using Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates. (Here’s the proof.)
Get Travel Insurance:
You can’t afford to travel without travel insurance. Car accidents, illnesses, and theft do happen. It could save your life. I never travel without it. I use World Nomads.
Need Some Gear?
Check out my Worldwide Travel Packing List for the best travel gear for your adventures. I’ve already read all the online reviews, and tested it all out, so you can just click and buy the best stuff.
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