Barbados Travel Guide
Our Barbados travel guide answers some of the most frequent questions about visiting Barbados. Additionally, see our other travel related articles at the bottom for more inspiration to plan your next trips!
Last Updated: December 30, 2022
Topics we cover:
- Where is Barbados?
- What are the Barbados travel restrictions?
- Do I need a visa to visit Barbados?
- When is the best time to visit Barbados?
- What are the best things to do in Barbados?
- Where to stay in Barbados?
- What currency does Barbados use?
- Is Barbados expensive?
- Is Barbados safe to travel alone?
Where is Barbados?
Barbados is an island nation in the southeast side of the Caribbean Sea. It’s a relatively short flight from the southeast side of the United States, making it a great vacation destination.
What are the Barbados travel restrictions?
The Visit Barbados tourism site includes the current travel restrictions and protocols for entry into Barbados. We recommend checking the site before you start planning a trip. Remember to check the site frequently leading up to your vacation to make sure you are familiar with any changes to the Barbados travel restrictions.
Do I need a visa to visit Barbados?
Currently, US citizens do not need a visa to enter Barbados. As long as you have a valid passport, you are permitted to stay for up to 6 months.
Visitors from other countries might need a visa, so it’s best to double check the requirements for your country on the Barbados Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade website here. It’s best to always check a countries official website to make sure you’re getting the most up to date information.
When is the best time to visit Barbados?
December to April is the best time to visit if you want to avoid the rainy season and hurricane season. Visiting in the summer months is usually still ok if you want to miss the crowds. This is because Barbados’ location makes it rare for hurricanes to hit the island. Additionally, rain is almost always followed by the sun, which means it isn’t very disruptive.
What are the best things to do in Barbados?
1. Relax on the beach
If you’re visiting a Caribbean island I’m guessing you’re at least mildly interested in checking out the beaches. Barbados beaches are definitely worthwhile and it has quite a few choices.
Some of the popular beaches worth visiting are Bathsheba Beach, Dover Beach, and Miami Beach. Bathsheba Beach has good surfing and offers beautiful views to enjoy. Plus, the rock formations are great for photographers looking to capture stunning images of their vacation.
2. Mount Gay Visitor Center (Rum distillery)
The Mount Gay rum distillery provides tours to see behind the scenes of what it takes to make their spirits in Bridgetown. Rum enthusiasts can learn about the history and techniques used by this historic distillery. Plus, they offer packages that include a traditional Bajan lunch and sessions to craft your own cocktail.
Additional information can be found on the Mount Gay website here.
3. St. Lawrence Gap Nightlife
Enjoy some drinks and dancing at St. Lawrence Gap. The Gap is a mile long stretch that includes bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. Barbados recently renovated and upgraded the area to enhance the experience, as it is one of the primary nightlife entertainments areas in Barbados.
4. Visit historic Speightstown
Speightstown is one of the larger cities in Barbados. It’s a great place to stop for a meal and walk around town to enjoy the architecture. The town has maintained a lot of the historic charm, and is full of colorful buildings and shops.
There are also museums and nearby beaches if you want to make a full day of your visit.
5. Harrison’s Cave
Adventure seekers can explore the stream cave system and admire the columns in this wonder. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of the cave and are treated to a nature walk. Just note that this excursion is a little more costly than some of the other things on the island.
6. Walk the Barbados Boardwalk
The Barbados Boardwalk offers beaches, views, and bars. It’s about one mile long, and makes for a nice morning jog if you’re feeling motivated. While there are a lot of fun things to do in Barbados, this is a decent option for all ages and it’s free.
Where to stay in Barbados?
Barbados offers a variety of places to stay depending on your budget. Visitors that are looking for an all inclusive resort that don’t mind spending a little more have a few good options. The Sandals or Turtle Beach resorts both have good reviews.
Budget conscious travelers can try to search for deals at hotels. In general, many of the hotels are a little more expensive than some of the other Caribbean islands. Also, Airbnb is an option and a local host can be beneficial if you’re looking for insider knowledge on the island.
What currency does Barbados use?
The official currency in Barbados is the Barbados Dollar (BBD). However, many places around the island will accept the US Dollar.
Is Barbados expensive?
Generally speaking, Barbados can be on the expensive side compared to other vacation destinations. It’s a popular destination and because they import many items it raises the cost.
If you make your own meals with food from local grocery stores and travel in the off-season from May-early December, it’s possible to reduce the cost by a lot.
Is Barbados safe to travel alone?
Yes, Barbados is a relatively safe place to travel alone. The locals are very friendly and the island has low crime rates. As always make sure you are smart as even generally safe locations have some level of crime.
Be careful of theft by keeping expensive items locked away and not carrying too much money. Avoid isolated, unfamiliar areas if you’re not in a group. Also, make sure you only use licensed taxis.
Additional Caribbean Travel Articles
Check out our other articles below for more Caribbean travel guides and tips that we’ve learned on our journey.
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