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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 in the winter, 5 hours in the summer. 1 hour ahead of US Eastern Standard Time in the winter, the same during US Daylight Saving Time.
- Independence gained from the United Kingdom in 1966
- English common law legal system
- Barbados Head of Government, Prime Minister, David Thompson
- Industry - Tourism, Sugar, Rum, light manufacturing, component assembly for export.
- One Airport - Grantley International (Code BGI)
- International Dialing Code - 1 (246)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 hold a valid drivers license to obtain a permit. The cost of a permit which is valid for a year is $10 BDS or $5 USD. 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 airport, Ministry of Transport or the Police Stations based in Hastings, Worthing or Holetown. By law you are required to wear a seat belt at all times.
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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, therefore DSL, fax, international direct dialing are all readily available.
Cell phones from the US and Canada generally work on the Bartel or Digicel network. GSM cell phones from the UK generally do not work. It's always advisable to call your service provider before you leave your county of origin. Cell phones can be rented on a weekly a basis from a number of stores on Barbados.
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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.
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