Know Before You Go
Accessibility
Barbados offers friendly people, awesome beaches and many accessible places for you to enjoy. It's no wonder so many are choosing Barbados as their accessible vacation home, this is where you belong. The most recent addition are 33 new electric public buses that have foldable seats, wheelchair ramps and are capable for ease of getting on and off the bus. Visit Fully Accessible Barbados (FAB) to explore accessible Barbados and plan your trip.
Cellular Service
Staying connected while in Barbados is easier that ever. You can choose between activating a roaming plan with your mobile carrier or activating a prepaid service with one of the local carriers on island - Flow Barbados or Digicel. Free wifi is also available in many places across the island - including on the public electric buses.
CLIMATE & WEATHER
Let's keep it simple. The best time to visit Barbados weather-wise is any time of the year! Temperatures average between 26C-29C/79F-84F year round. There are two seasons, wet and dry. It gets a little cooler in the night during dry season (winter and spring) and there are a few more tropical bursts of rain during the summer months. Just enough to keep you cool without spoiling your plans.
Currency
The Barbados Dollar is the currency of Barbados and it is pegged to the USA dollar at an exchange rate of USD$1 = BDD$1.98. (Please note that USD$1:BBD$2 is generally accepted). US$ dollars and major credit cards are widely accepted. Exchange money only at banks and approved change offices. ATMs are located throughout the country. Remember not to flash your cash.
Currency converter
Currency Converter USD/BBD: Fri, 19 Apr.
Delivery Services
The convenience of delivery services is available islandwide. From grocery shopping to meals to errands, there's an option to suit your needs. Most business provide online ordering and full details on delivery fees and service areas.
Drinking Water
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.
Electricity
115/230 volts 50 cycles. Standard plug types in Barbados are two flat blades or flat blades with round grounding pin – converters are required for European or Asian devices. North American devices will not need converters.
GETTING MARRIED
It is very easy to get married in Barbados as there is no required waiting period or minimum length of stay. Application for a marriage licence must be made by both parties in person at the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Get More Information.
Medical Services
We know it's now what you want to think about, but just in case, we want you to be prepared. Should you need medical assistance, there are many private doctors and pharmacies readily available across the island. Sandy Crest Medical Centre, Coverley Medical Centre and Bayview Hospital are premier private facilities equipped to provide urgent care and emergency care. Urgent Care Barbados offers house calls to homes and hotel rooms 24/7.
Pets
Barbados allows pets to enter the island from all countries. Once an import permit form the Veterinary Services Department is completed and approved, it is valid for six months from the date of issue. Submit your application with the Ministry of Agriculture
Time zone
Barbados falls in the Atlantic time zone. Geographical Location: 13° 6′ N, 59° 37′ W Atlantic Standard Time is Greenwich Mean Time minus four hours (GMT -4) There is no daylight saving time in Barbados.
Emergency Numbers
Police
211
Ambulance
511
Fire
311
Directory Assistance
411
Operator
0
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BEAUTIFUL BARBADOS
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IMPORTANT TRAVELLER INFORMATION
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Climate & Weather
Timezone
Accessibility
Currency Exchange
Emergency Services
Currency Converter
Electricity
Getting Married
Drinking Water
Cellular Service
Delivery Services
Pets
BARBADOS WEATHER
EXPERIENCE THE PERFECT WEATHER IN BARBADOS
Our lovely tropical island enjoys perfect weather. On average each year, the daily high temperature is 30oC / 86oF 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 (26-29oC / 79-84oF) all year round.
So this means that the best time to visit Barbados is any time of year. We have 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.
Barbados falls in the Atlantic time zone. Geographical Location: 13° 6′ N, 59° 37′ W
Barbados Standard Time is Greenwich Mean Time minus four hours (GMT -4)
There is no daylight saving time in Barbados
The Barbados Dollar is the currency of Barbados
The Barbados dollar is pegged to the USA dollar at an exchange rate of US$1 = BDS$1.98. US$ dollars and major credit cards are widely accepted.
Exchange money only at banks and approved change offices.
ATMs are located throughout the country. Remember not to flash your cash.
Sales tax or Value Added Tax (VAT) is 17.5%. It is included in the final price of every service or product purchase.
The Barbados dollar is pegged to the USA dollar at an exchange rate of US$1 = BDS$1.98. US$ dollars and major credit cards are widely accepted.
Exchange money only at banks and approved change offices.
ATMs are located throughout the country. Remember not to flash your cash.
Sales tax or Value Added Tax (VAT) is 17.5%. It is included in the final price of every service or product purchase.
Currency Converter EUR/BBD: Fri, 19 Apr.
When planning a vacation you don’t want your thoughts to even linger on the term medical emergency, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry and be aware of what to do, where to go, should the need arise.
We are home to the highest standard of health care in the Eastern Caribbean and boast quite a number of government and privately-run medical facilities throughout the island, which are supported by highly qualified professionals.
Doctors’ offices and pharmacies are littered throughout most communities and the main hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital is a mere taxi drive away.
Acquaint yourself with Barbados’ emergency services numbers listed below:
POLICE – 211
AMBULANCE – 511
FIRE – 311
DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE – 411
OPERATOR – 0
With Barbados’ Fully Accessible Barbados (FAB) program, the island nation is working hard towards creating a fully inclusive experience for disabled visitors and Barbadians alike.
We’re motivating our island’s people to create accessible environments that enable inclusion for all persons.
Barbados offers friendly people, awesome beaches and many accessible places for you to enjoy.
Its no wonder so many are choosing Barbados as their accessible vacation home, this is where you belong.
115/230 volts 50 cycles. Standard plug types in Barbados are two flat blades or flat blades with round grounding pin – converters are required for European or Asian devices. North American devices will not need converters.
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.
It is very easy to get married in Barbados as there is no required waiting period or minimum length of stay. Application for a marriage licence must be made by both parties in person at the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Applications for marriage licences must be made between the hours of 8.30 a.m and 3.30 p.m Monday to Friday. You will require:
Applications for marriage licences must be made between the hours of 8.30 a.m and 3.30 p.m Monday to Friday. You will require:
- Valid passports and birth certificates.
- Return tickets.
- If either party was divorced, an original Decree Absolute or a certified copy of the Final Judgment. The Decree Nisi is not accepted.
- If either party was previously married and widowed, a certified copy of the Marriage Certificate and Death Certificate in respect of the deceased spouse.
- For a Roman Catholic ceremony, the relevant documents must be sent by your bishop to the bishop of Bridgetown.
- Where necessary, all documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
- Arrangements should be made with a Magistrate or Marriage Officer to perform the wedding ceremony, prior to applying for the marriage licence. A letter from either the Magistrate or Marriage Officer must be presented at the time of making the application.
Visitors who bring their cell phones with them on holiday must remember to ensure the roaming feature is activated prior to arriving in the island. Please note that receiving and making international calls on your mobile phone can be quite costly and you may wish to explore the alternative of renting a cell phone locally – contact Cable & Wireless at 1-800-804-2994 or visit them online at www.bmobile.com.bb or contact Digicel online at digicelbarbados.com