Are you dreaming of a Caribbean holiday? Then Barbados is the place to visit! This article will tell you everything you need to know about traveling to Barbados. Don’t forget to read the travel advice at the end!
Barbados is a lovely island and an excellent vacation destination. It is one of the best Caribbean islands.
Note: Prices, restaurants, and things to do quoted in this article may have changed since publication!
Money
Barbados’ currency is the Barbados dollar, also known as the Bajan. However, many establishments accept USD, Euros, and credit cards.
Price of Goods
Barbados’ goods and services are not cheap. They are roughly equivalent to items or services in the United States.
A nice dinner for two with wine can cost between USD $100 and $200. Souvenirs range from $20 to $35 for t-shirts and $10-14 for towels, mugs, and other items.
Domestic goods are much cheaper than imported items, as they are almost everywhere you go.
Traveling to, from, and within Barbados
When you arrive in Barbados and claim your luggage, you will walk out of the terminal to buses, taxis, and shuttles. It is best to arrange for a shuttle to and from your hotel ahead of time.
The taxi ride from the airport will cost between $20 and $60, depending on the distance to your hotel and the size of the taxi required. Surfboard bags and other large oversized items will be charged for by the shuttle.
Renting a car will cost you between $50 and $100 daily. Don’t let anyone charge you anything more. If you are from the United States and plan to rent a car while in Barbados, keep in mind that driving the vehicle will be a little different than you are accustomed to.
The steering wheel is on the opposite side of the car, and cars drive on the other side of the road. This will take some time to get used to, but it’s also quite an adventure!
Dress
Barbados is a British colonized island, so its clothing reflects British conservatism. During the day, the attire is casual, tropical travel beach attire.
Men wear pants and collared shirts at night and for dinner, while women wear dresses and skirts. Because of the weather, lightweight materials are preferable.
Most Barbadians, or Bajans as they are more commonly known on the island, dress business casual. Locals in the city wear business attire, with many men wearing ties and jackets.
Beach attire is not appropriate for going shopping. Bathing suits and swimwear are only permitted on beaches and at beach bars.
Dining
Barbados has some excellent restaurants. The Cliff restaurant is one of the finest on the island. The view, as you might expect from the name, is breathtaking. The restaurant is built on the side of a cliff with a view of the ocean.
Bellini’s is a fantastic restaurant in St. Lawrence Gap. It is located inside a cove with small boats and is spectacular at sunset. My favorite dish is the salmon.
Most hotels will have a directory of restaurants on the island in their lobby or at the concierge desk. It will include a picture of the restaurant and a menu with prices. This is a great way to decide where you want to eat during your stay.
Hotels
There are numerous hotels to choose from. It all comes down to how much money you want to spend.
Budget
Try the Sandy Bay Beach Club if you’re looking for a good deal. The hotel itself is adequate (three stars). On the other hand, the staff is amicable and helpful. The beach in front of the hotel is possibly the best on the island. Because it is all-inclusive, it includes all meals, alcohol, gratuities, and non-motorized sports activities. This makes it a fantastic deal.
Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, with an in-between snack bar. Dinner is a buffet-style dinner or a 5-course dinner in the dining room, with reservations required.
When you inquire about the dining room, they will tell you that it is fully booked, but you can always get in. Inquire about when you can come in and see if there has been a cancellation or if you can come at the last seating, which is at 8:30 pm.
Everything is included, including scuba diving, kayaking, and paddle boarding. A one-hour massage at the spa costs only $65. You can have a large umbrella staked in the sand near your lounge chairs for $5. The activities center offers a Turtle and Shipwreck snorkeling trip for $50. It’s a fantastic boat ride at a very reasonable price.
Moderate
The Hilton is a beautiful hotel located on a peninsula, so every window has a view of crystal blue water.
This hotel has everything you could want: valet, room service, scuba excursions, restaurants, bars, spa, pool, children’s programs, and so on.
The rates for the rooms range from $450 to $1500 per night.
It is a lovely hotel, and if you have some money to spend on a nice vacation, this is the place to go. You don’t even need to leave the hotel very often. You have the views, pool, and beaches while having all of the hotel’s amenities steps away.
Expensive
If money is not an issue, Sandy Lane Hotel is the place to stay. It is the breathtaking location of Tiger Woods’ wedding.
This hotel is breathtaking. It is, without a doubt, the most luxurious hotel on the island. You give it a name, and it’s done. Spa, golf, horseback riding, 5-star dining, concierge service, and a luxury sedan from the airport are all available. They will either have it or locate it for you.
The Tree House Club is a summer camp-style center for the kids. It’s a kid’s paradise with arts and crafts, movies, and pool time. It also gives parents some alone time while on vacation. They also have a Den where teenagers can relax away from their parents and children.
Room rates range between $850 and $10,000 per night.
Attractions
Snorkeling with Turtles and a Shipwreck
Catamaran and boat snorkeling trips are available throughout the island. The Snorkel Turtle excursion was enjoyable, but you might not see turtles in the water. Keep an eye out, as you might see some from the boat.
The shipwreck snorkeling is stunning. There are numerous colored fish and clear water. There is an old shipwreck and a newer artificial shipwreck where a party boat was sunk, which is not as authentic but attracts some exotic sea life.
Reserve for Wild Life
If you only visit one place in Barbados, make it the Wild Life Reserve. It is located on the island’s north end and can be reached by 4×4 Adventure Tour, taxi, or rental car. It costs USD $13 to enter and is worth three times that amount.
There are giant turtles all over the place when you walk in. There are no cages in the central area of the reserve. Only the snakes, pythons, and iguanas are kept in a separate enclosure. Monkeys, rabbits, and other wild animals are free to roam.
The reserve is densely forested, with rainforest-like trees and vines that hang and provide monkey swinging tools. On brick paths, you walk through the reserve. There’s even a crocodile in a pond with high rock walls to keep it in.
It is a one-of-a-kind experience that should not be missed.
Excursion on the Atlantis Submarine
Atlantis Submarines provides one-of-a-kind, exciting, family-friendly, natural underwater (and over-water) Caribbean adventures.
Submarine Day Dive – Take part in an Atlantis Submarine expedition, one of Barbados’ most popular family activities.
Submarine Night Dive – Only Barbados offers nighttime submarine tours! Experience a different side of Barbados’ nightlife aboard the Atlantis Submarine. The submarine’s high-powered spotlights provide a different view of the coral reef.
Down & Under Cave Combo – Experience two of Barbados’ must-see, must-do attractions in a single day. Take a one-of-a-kind underwater journey aboard the battery-powered Atlantis Submarine. As the informative Co-pilot narrates and answers your questions, you are professionally piloted past curious fish and exotic coral formations.
Other activities on the island include a rum tasting tour, cave exploration, golf, and horseback riding.
IMPORTANT TRAVEL ADVICE:
– Check the weather forecast before leaving to know what to pack.
– You can search for and claim unclaimed funds to have extra spending money for your trip!
– Make use of traveler’s checks and credit cards. If they are lost or stolen, most banks, service establishments, and merchants can usually replace them within 24 hours from anywhere in the world.
– Do not leave valuables in your hotel room, even if you activate and use the safe in the closet.
– Do not make phone calls from your hotel room. There are shops where you can dial from their computer, talk on a handset, and call home for $0.50 per minute. The hotel will charge you $5.00-35.00 to connect to the internet, followed by $2.90-7.90 per minute! If you use your cell phone, you may be charged $2-$5 per minute.
We hope this helps you with ideas for your Barbados holiday experience!
Originally posted 2019-10-19 12:25:18.
