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Exploring Barbados

Travel Essentials

Currency:  When planning your Barbados vacation remember that the Barbados Dollar is converted at the rate of $1.98 BDS to $1.00 U.S.  The Barbados Dollar is fixed to the U.S Dollar and does not fluctuate. Its rate to other currencies fluctuates daily based on their fluctuations relative to the U.S. Dollar.

On your travels around Barbados you will find that US currency is accepted across the island, and most stores and restaurants accept major credit cards and travellers cheques. Of course most Barbados hotels and other lodgings also accept these various forms of payment.

Vaccinations: There are no major requirements for Vaccinations etc from most countries, when coming to Barbados. Please contact you local BTA Office for the latest Information.

Visas & Passports: Every person entering Barbados, including all North American citizens (Americans and Canadians), should be in possession of a valid passport and a valid return ticket.  No visas required for UK and USA nationals.

Telephone & Post
Country code: 001 246  international code

Electricity: Electricity in Barbados is: 110 volts/50 cycles.   There is a reliable electricity supply, with only the occasional outage.  Standard plug types in Barbados are: (1) Flat blade (2 flat blades) and (2) Flat blades with round grounding pin.

Tipping: In Barbados, many restaurants will add a percentage of gratuity to the bill, especially for larger groups. You’ll need to check for this to make sure you’re not tipping twice. If the tip is not already included, 10 to 15 percent is customary, although more is certainly allowed at your discretion if you feel that your service was particularly good, or that more of a tip is warranted for other reasons.  For bartenders, the customary tip is $1(USD) per round of drinks unless the order was particularly large or time consuming, in which case more may be deserved.

Crime & Nuisances:  Barbados is a relatively safe place to visit. Crime most often is characterised by petty theft and street crime. Incidents of violent crime, including rape, do occur occasionally, so visitors should be especially cautious on the beaches at night.  Barbados is still much safer than most large cities in the United States and Europe, but staying alert and taking proper precautions are always the best way to ensure a safe and secure holiday.

Holetown
Holetown is the oldest town in Barbados, but you'd hardly know it from its modern appearance. Holetown has so much to offer from duty free shopping, restaurants to cater for all tastes and budgets and a lively nightlife found in the first and second avenue, all just footsteps away from the beach
Speightstown
Speightstown - Was the first major port and commercial centre of Barbados. Falling into disrepair and neglected over the years it has now been revived and is the home of a brand new luxury marina development - Port St. Charles - and a number of exciting initiatives. There are excellent hotels and restaurants in the area as well as an art gallery, and some fine examples of original Barbados architecture.
Sandy Lane – Famous for its golf course and jet set millionaires; for a large luxury villa on the west coast of Barbados then this is the perfect location.
Oistins
Oistins - In the parish of Christ Church, is a major fishing community in Barbados with a modern fishing market and every Friday is known as Fish Friday, this is the best place to walk around the stalls and get the best freshly cooked fish in Barbados.
St Lawrence Gap
St. Lawrence Gap - A 1.3 km stretch of road in the parish of Christ Church, is famous for its fine restaurants, diverse accommodation, lively nightlife and good shopping. 'The Gap', as it is commonly known, is a place where various cultures meet and merge ... it is an experience that should not be missed!
Bathsheba
Bathsheba – The Soup Bowl at Bathsheba derives its name from the foamy surf found here and is the site of many local and international surfing championships. This is a great place to surf, with steady big rollers coasting in across the Atlantic Ocean.
The Crane
The Crane – The Crane Hotel boasts three restaurants all overlooking the wonderful Crane beach, there is also a chattel style shopping village just recently opened.
The Barbados Golf Club
The Barbados Golf Club originally built in 1974, this is the oldest 18 hole golf course on the island. It was completely redesigned (by Ron Kirby of Palm Beach) and rebuilt in 1999 to bring it up to full Championship standard. 6805 yards off the back, Par 72 and a Slope rating of 124 - makes it a great course with plenty of water hazards, beautiful mature trees and a few touches of "links". Plus, there's a magnificent finish to a stadium double green.
Harrison's Cave
Harrison's Caves
One of the great natural wonders of the Caribbean is Harrison's Cave open daily; first tour 8:30am, last tour 4pm; It's a massive limestone cavern with stalagmites, stalactites, rivers, waterfalls and lakes that you can see from an electric tram that weaves its way through the caves. The existence of a cave network was known in 1796 and is believed to have served as a hiding place for runaway slaves.

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