Barbados Travel Information & Barbados Facts & Figures

Barbados Basics

Island Facts

Barbados Population approximately 265 000
Measuring 14 x 21 Miles
Citizens - Barbadians, often called "Bajans"
English Language Spoken
Time Difference - 4 hours behind GMT, no changes made for daylight saving, therefore 1 hour ahead of US Eastern Standard Time in the winter.
Independence gained from the United Kingdom in 1966
English common law legal system
Barbados Head of Government, Prime Minister, Freundel Stuart
Industry - Tourism, Sugar, Rum, light manufacturing, component assembly for export.
One Airport - Grantley Adams International Airport (Code BGI)
International Dialing Code - 1 (246)

The Water

Barbados boasts the purest water supply you will find anywhere. Rainwater is filtered naturally through natures own coral filter system, and eventually collected underground. You can drink water from the tap anywhere on the island.

Barbados water can be drank straight from the tap

Electricity

115/230 Volts 50 Cycles. (Two prongs flat plug the same as most North American devices). Many hotels provide converters for European or Asian appliances.

Medical Services

All visitors to Barbados should arrange their own travel insurance before entry on to Barbados. 24 hour emergency services are available to visitors and residents from 2 major modern hospitals, The Queen Elizabeth and Bay View Hospital. There are also several private medical facilities available. A decompression station for scuba divers is also available 24/7.

Vaccinations

There are no specific Vaccinations required for visitors to Barbados. All travelers should be up to date on Routine Immunizations. Check with your personal physician 4 to 8 weeks before travel. Hepatitis A is usually recommended for all travelers and Hepatitis B for travelers who may have intimate contact with local residents, especially if visiting for more than 6 months.

There is no present risk of malaria in Barbados, therefore no preventative measures are required.

Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers, coming from infected areas.

Driving in Barbados

Barbados has a good network of roads including a highway which links north to south. Vehicles are driven on left side of the road, therefore the majority of vehicles are right hand drive. A permit must be obtained to drive in Barbados. All visitors must be over 21 and under 70 years of age, and hold a valid drivers license to obtain a permit. If you are over 70 years of age you must obtain from a local doctor a letter stating you are fit and able to drive. The cost of a permit is $10 BDS or $5 USD (Valid for 2 months). If you are intending on hiring a car most Barbados car hire companies will issue the permit for you. Or alternatively you can obtain a permit from the Ministry of Transport Licensing Offices at The Pine or Oistins. By law you are required to wear a seat belt at all times.

Barbados Car Hire, all visitors must be aged 25 or over.

Telecommunications

Cable and Wireless currently cover the majority of the telecommunications infrastructure in Barbados. The latest digital technology and fiber optics systems are in place. High speed and wireless internet is readily available in the majority of hotels and apartments. Free Wifi is available in the Bridgetown area.
Cell phone services are supported by Cable & Wireless and the Caribbean provider Digicel. Cell phones can also be rented on a weekly a basis from a number of stores on Barbados or even your hotel.

Bartel and Digicel are the main networks for cell phones in Barbados

Getting Married

Arranging a wedding in Barbados is relatively simple. Most of the tour operator's or venues will organize everything for you, or alternatively you can use the services of one of the professional wedding planners . The documentation needed is as follows: Valid passports, or original or certified copies of the applicants' birth certificates. If either party is widowed, a certified copy of the marriage certificate and death certificate in respect of the deceased spouse will be required. If either party is divorced, an original Decree Absolute, (not the Decree Nisi) is required. If the Decree Absolute is in a language other than English, it must be accompanied by a certified translation. Finally, a letter, or written indication from the marriage officer and church to which he belongs, who has agreed to perform the marriage ceremony. To get married in a Roman Catholic Church requires additional documentation to be sent from the Bishop of your Diocese to the Bishop of Bridgetown. Please contact the Barbados Tourism Authority at 1 888 BARBADOS or (416) 214 9880 for further information.

Application for a marriage license must be made by the bride and groom, in person at the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs, 5th Floor, general Post Office Building, Cheapside, Bridgetown Barbados. If neither the bride nor groom is a citizen or resident of Barbados, the license fee is $150 Barbados Dollars cash and a $25 stamp. Return Airline tickets must also be presented.