Language
English
The official language in Barbados is English, but the pronunciation may be high, fast and hard to follow.
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Americas · CaribbeanUsable guideIsland nation in the Atlantic Ocean
Photo: Patdoy at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Barbados is an island in the Caribbean region, but which lies out in the Atlantic many miles east of the Caribbean Sea. Its nearest neighbours 100 miles (160 km) west are Saint Vincent and Saint Lucia, part of the arc of the Lesser Antilles that separate Atlantic and Caribbean. Those islands are a partly-submerged chain of mountains. By contrast Barbados has formed from deposits of coral and has a gentler landscape. It's fertile, and is sometimes called "Bimshire" or the "Little Britain" of the Caribbean because of its long and uniquely unbroken history of British colonisation and settlement. It became independent in 1966 and tourism is nowadays its main industry. In 2019 the population was 287,025.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Barbados.
English
The official language in Barbados is English, but the pronunciation may be high, fast and hard to follow.
You can buy a local SIM card at the airport, cruise ship terminal, or any tourist strip.
Drink plenty of water (the tap water is safe), though on humid days your sweat cannot evaporate fast enough to keep your body cool.
Your biggest risks are road safety, safety in the sea, and alcohol especially when combined with those.
Bajans are fun-loving yet tend to dress conservatively when not on the beach. A bikini will not be appreciated in town and certainly not in church.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
Places in Barbados on the World Heritage List.
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The capital of Barbados and its suburbs are in Saint Michael Parish. The top attractions are the historic areas around the Careenage (old harbour) in city centre, and Garrison Savannah to the south which has the George Washington House. The city also hosts Mount Gay Rum Distilleries, Kensington Oval cricket ground, and the bases for scuba-diving and other boat-based activities. There's little accommodation here.
North of the city are the parishes of Saint James, Saint Peter and Saint Lucy. This is the west-facing, most sheltered coast, so it's the best for family beach holidays. Holetown and Speightstown are the two main townships, with many tourist hotels and small guesthouses along this strip.
The parish of Christ Church is a tourist strip of hotels, bars and restaurants, one long traffic jam honking its way through Rockley, Saint Lawrence (the main party zone), Oistins and Silver Sands. This south-facing coast is good both for water-based activities and family bathing. East of the airport is Saint Philip parish: this has fewer hotels, the coast trends north-east and becomes rugged and the seas are stronger.
The parishes of Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph and Saint Thomas are the least developed and most scenic part of the island. There are lush botanic gardens such as Andromeda, plantation houses such as Sunbury, and Harrison's Cave in the underlying limestone. The hilly east coast is exposed to the full fury of the Atlantic, with big surf, and is too hazardous for casual beach and water sports.
Public transport and paid services in Barbados.
Drive on the left. The bus system is extensive, cheap and fast if you are headed somewhere on the main route, but a car or mini-moke is the only way to reach the out-of-the-way sights.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Barbados.
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Bridgetown · International · BGI
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Bridgetown
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 27° | 27° | 27° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 28° | 28° |
| Avg. low | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 27° | 27° | 27° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 27° | 27° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 34 | 19 | 19 | 28 | 51 | 72 | 74 | 95 | 98 | 132 | 107 | 49 |
| Humidity | 76% | 75% | 75% | 76% | 77% | 79% | 79% | 80% | 79% | 80% | 80% | 77% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$120
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$320
Per person, per day
Luxury
$830
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $55 | $175 | $475 |
| Food and drink | $35 | $80 | $185 |
| Local transport | $15 | $30 | $75 |
| Activities | $15 | $35 | $95 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2021). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 1 of 4Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautionin Barbados. Barbados is generally a safe destination for travelers. Petty crime is common, especially in popular tourist locations. Stay aware of your surroundings. Most crimes against foreigners are crimes of opportunity, like purse snatching and pickpocketing. Review our travel guidance for Barbados to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Barbados.
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