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The Barbados Island is 166sq miles, 21 miles long and 14 miles wide and predominantly a limestone island; hence our beautiful white sand beaches. We are the easternmost island in the Caribbean, and are considered part of the Lesser Antilles even though the island is located outside of the Eastern Caribbean island chain in the Atlantic ocean at the co-ordinates 13 10 N, 59 32 W. The Barbados Island is relatively flat, however, the east coast fondly called the Scotland District does have a very dramatic rugged landscape of clay peaks and foothills. The highest point on the island is Mount Hillaby in St. Thomas, which is 1,089 feet.
Somewhat like Boroughs or counties in the UK or North America, the island is divided into 11 parishes.
To the South is Christ Church and St. Michael, home to our capital Bridgetown. On the West Coast is St. James and St. Peter are both blessed the lapping waters of the Caribbean Sea. St. Lucy, the lone female in the group of eleven sits to the North. In the centre of the island are two land locked parishes – St. George and St. Thomas; and on the East Coast to the Atlantic side of the island are St. Andrew, St. Joseph, St. John and St. Philip.
The Barbados Island is 4 hrs behind GMT and so during the winter it is four hrs behind the UK (five behind the rest of Europe) and an hour ahead of the Eastern US and Canada. Barbados has no daylight saving time in the summer so the island is then five hours behind the UK (six hrs behind the rest of Europe) and on the same time as EST in the US and Canada.
Parts of the island are very lively and bursting with character with lots of things to do and see. For an example of things to do and see in Barbados scroll down
Barbados enjoys an average year-round temperature of approximately 29ºC or 84ºF and there is very little variance throughout the year with the low somewhere around 23ºC or 74ºF in the evenings between the months of December and February. Our wet season is from June to November and this is also the Atlantic Hurricane season. Rainfall is heaviest at this time of the year, however the sun will make its way out most days – Life in the tropics!
There is little fluctuation to the daylight hours and length of the day here in Barbados as we are situated so close to the equator. The Sunrises around 5:30am and generally sets after 6:00pm; with the obvious seasonal variances. We do not change our clocks for day-light-saving-time.
The Barbados dollar is tied to the United States dollar at $1.00US: $1.98BDS. This means that the rate never fluctuates and many establishments will give customers an exchange of 2:1 when paying in US cash. The local banks post the exchange rates of other main currencies daily – Pounds Sterling, Euro, Canadian and Eastern Caribbean. To conduct a transaction in foreign currency at a local bank you will need to present your passport and travel documents. Across the island in restaurants, shops and attractions all major credit cards are accepted. Visa and MasterCard can be used widely and to a lesser extent Discover Card, Diners Club and American Express. For further information on currency please contact our Barbados travel guide experts.
Barbados has a collection of Canadian and indigenous banks located conveniently across the island, with operating hours being Monday to Thursday 8am – 3pm / Friday 8am – 5pm; unless stately differently below:
SOUTH COAST of the Island
Barbados National Bank - Worthing
Butterfield – Somerley, Worthing (Also open on Saturday 10am – 3pm for Lending Services
Butterfield - Big B Supermarket, Rendezvous (Mon – Thurs. 10am – 7pm; Fri. 10am – 8pm; Sat. 10am – 3pm)
First Caribbean International Bank - Rendezvous and Oistins
RBTT Bank – The Lanterns Mall, Hastings
RBC Royal Bank – Hastings and St. Lawrence Gap at “The Ship Inn”
ScotiaBank - Hastings
BRIDGETOWN
Barbados National Bank – Broad St. and Independence Square
Butterfield – Broad Street and Collymore Rock
First Caribbean International Bank – Broad Street and Fontebelle
RBTT Bank – Broad Street
RBC Royal Bank – Broad Street and Collymore Rock
ScotiaBank – Broad Street Independence Square
CENTRAL & EAST
Barbados National Bank – Wildey and Six Roads
Butterfield – JB’s Supermarket, Sargeants Village (Mon – Thurs. 10am – 7pm; Fri. 10am – 8pm; Sat. 10am – 3pm)
First Caribbean International Bank – Wildey and Sheraton Mall
RBTT Bank – Six Roads
ScotiaBank – Wildey and Haggatt Hall
WARRENS
Barbados National Bank – Warrens Tower
First Caribbean International Bank – SuperCentre Complex
ScotiaBank – ITC Building
WEST COAST
Barbados National Bank – Limegrove and Speightstown
First Caribbean International Bank – Holetown & Speightstown
RBTT Bank – Sunset Crest
RBC Royal Bank – Black Rock, Sunset Crest and Speightstown
ScotiaBank – Black Rock and Sunset Crest
Barbados merchants must apply a 17.5% VAT to all items; except accommodations which are charged at 7.5%.
The sticker price in all establishments must always include the VAT so the price you see is the price you pay, subject to any discounts.
Being a tropical island it’s advised that you dress to suit the warm climate and at times humid conditions. Wearing clothing made of cotton, light linens, and other natural materials are recommended. This said, Barbadians are quite conservative and generally dress in a proud, personal manner. Take a stroll through Bridgetown or visit a local event and you will be able to attest to our tasteful sense of style.
Please note the below:
Stores, banks and other public places frown upon wearing swimwear, bare backs or no shoes into their establishments. So remember always cover-up swimwear and put on a pair of shoes/slippers when you are out and about.
Camouflage clothes – although quite fashionable in many parts of the world it is actually illegal to wear this print of clothing in Barbados. This is reserved for ONLY the Barbados Drug and Defence Force personnel. See the law section below in this travel guide.
Most fine dining restaurants enforce a dress code – no shorts after dark is a good rule to go by; but if you are unsure contact the restaurant before you leave home or ask on making the reservation.
The water from indoor taps in Barbados is very safe to drink. We boast some of the cleanest water in the western hemisphere, filtered by our natural coral stone topography. It is advised however that you do not drink the water from garden pipes and outdoor taps as quite often in an attempt to conserve water usage these external facilities have been hooked up to rainwater tanks for irrigation purposes.
SMOKING:
A new law prohibiting smoking in public places was put into effect in Barbados on October 1, 2010. This will be quite normal for many visitors from overseas as they already comply with similar regulations in their own countries. Infringement of this law will result in a fine of $500 or a term of imprisonment for 12 months or both for individuals, and a fine of $5000 or 12 months or both for the occupier.
To outline the anti-smoking legislation:
“No person shall smoke or be permitted to smoke in a public place and no occupier of a public place shall permit a person to smoke in a public place that is under the control or management of that occupier (owner, manager or person in charge).”
The law does not prohibit an individual from smoking in their homes, on the beach or other wide-open spaces unless they fall under designated categories.
SUNBATHING:
It is against the law to sunbath nude or topless on a public beach or at a public pool. Barbados is a conservative society and this practice is considered offensive.
CAMAFLOUGE:
There is a law in Barbados that clearly states that only members of The Royal Barbados Defense Force are permitted to wear camouflage. Please respect this as fines can be issued.
EARPHONES:
As in many other countries in the world earphones and headphones are not permitted while driving a vehicle.
NOISE POLLUTION:
There should be no playing of loud music (audible noise) outside of a private residence after 11pm. If you are planning an outdoor event with speakers, a band or DJ it is advisable to inform your neighbours and even seek special permission from the authorities so as to avoid possible problems.
MARIJUANA:
Marijuana is an illegal substance in Barbados. It is against the law to posses it, purchase it, or consume it.
Electricity in Barbados is 115 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. You will need to have a converter if you have a device that does not accept 115 Volts at 50 Cycles. Outlets in Barbados generally accept a FLAT BLADE type of plug.
We hope this Barbados travel guide was informative, however if you require more information on things to do in Barbados please consult one of the Barbados Island guides - Ins & Outs of Barbados, Holiday Guide, Barbados in a Nutshell.