Barbados

Graciously endowed with more than 70 miles of sun-saturated, palm-adorned beaches, translucent azure waters and a year-round climate considered nothing less than perfect.

The island's shores are as varied and unique as Barbados itself. The west coast offers calm waters and dusty white beaches on which you can unwind with a rum punch in hand. Along the eastern shoreline, impressive coral sculptures carved by incessant Atlantic trade winds and thunderous waves decorate an area long heralded as one of the best surfing spots in the world. To the south, flawless sands and reef-protected waters set the perfect scene for a day of snorkelling or swimming. Meanwhile the southeast coast entices those who seek adventure in its windsurfing playgrounds, and seduces couples with an alluring backdrop of sheer cliffs and fine pink sand.

Beach Facts: 

• Barbados boasts over 60 beaches across 70 square miles and offers more than 3000 hours of annual sunshine under which you can enjoy them all.
• Crane Beach in the parish of St. Philip has consistently been recognized as one of the Top 10 Beaches in the world.
• All  beaches in Barbados are open to the public and access to them is considered a right of every Barbadian.

With an average daily temperature of 78F/26C, an average daily rainfall of less than 1/4 inch and 3000 hours of annual sunshine, Barbados has more than perfect weather. On average each year, the daily high temperature is 30^oC / 86^oF with some 3, 000 hours of sunshine, and it gets cooler (but never really cold) at night. The Barbados climate includes pleasant and revitalising north-east tradewinds almost every day, and Barbados ocean temperatures are deliciously warm (26-29^oC / 79-84^oF) all year round. 

So this means that the best time to visit Barbados is any time of year. There are two main seasons - the dry season (during the northern hemisphere winter and spring) when the temperatures are a bit cooler and we experience less rain, and the wet season (during the northern hemisphere summer and autumn) when days are likely to be warmer and we expect higher rainfall.

Barbados weather can change several times in a day. Average rainfall is less than 6 mm (1/4 inch) per day, and the occasional shower of rain can be very welcome - it's likely to freshen up your day without spoiling your plans.

115/230 volts 50 cycles. Standard plug types in Barbados are two flat blades or flat blades with round grounding pin -most hotels provide converters for European or Asian appliances. North American appliances will not need converters.

Here's a sure thing: by the time you reach your hotel you're guaranteed to come across a bus - Barbados' least expensive way to travel anywhere on the island.

The large buses which are owned by the Government of Barbados are hard to miss - painted blue with striped yellow sides, they are seen along every major route in rural and urban Barbados.

Privately-owned mini-buses (yellow-painted with blue stripes) and ZR vans (white with maroon stripes) are readily availabe and ply almost every route possible.

Bus driving on any island is an experience to remember, and here is no exception. Another sure thing? It'll certainly give 'adventurous vacationing' new meaning! Seriously, you haven't lived until you've caught one of our buses! Have your BDS$3.50 fare at hand.

The official Barbados language is English, however you will hear the local dialect - referred to as Bajan dialect spoken by the locals aswell.

The Barbados dollar is pegged to the USA dollar at an exchange rate of US$1 = BDS$1.98. US dollars are accepted island-wide and most stores and restaurants accept major credit cards and traveller's cheques.

Be sure to check for the required travel documents before planning your trip to Barbados.

All visitors to Barbados must have a passport and valid return ticket to be allowed entry here. The passport must be valid for the duration of your stay here.

Most countries do not require a visa to visit Barbados, so please check here to see if one is required of your country.
 

^{THINGS TO KNOW}

·         Passport valid for duration of your trip.

·         Return ticket to country of residence.

·         Intended Address.

·         Evidence of personal support.

A child under the age of eighteen (18) travelling without a parent/guardian must have a letter of authorization from parent/guardian

The Barbados Water Authority, a Government statutory corporation, is the sole provider of water services. The water service in Barbados is reliable and the water supply is safe and refreshing to drink.

Local time in Barbados is GMT -5