- Travel Time – Direct flights from the UK in approximately 8-9 hours
- Direct Flights From – London Heathrow
- Currency – Barbadian Dollar (BBD)
- Population – Approximatelyimately 280,000
- Airports – The only public airport in Barbados is the Grantley Adams International Airport, situated on the south coast of the small Caribbean island.
Located in the eastern Caribbean, away from the main hurricane belt, Barbados blends stunning beaches, excellent food, and lively nightlife, making it as relaxing or as energetic as you want it to be. From the calm seas and luxury resorts of the West Coast to the rugged, Atlantic-facing landscapes of the East Coast, the island offers a diverse slice of Caribbean life.
Visitors can soak up the Barbados’s rich culture at spots like the famous Oistins Fish Fry, with a soundtrack of reggae or calypso music. Water-based activities are plentiful, such as scuba diving, swimming with turtles, or sunset catamaran cruises along the coast. On the island itself, you can take a tour of the historic Mount Gay Rum Distillery or visit Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dive into our guides below to discover more about Barbados, including recommended activities, the best places to stay, and practical travel tips to help you plan your perfect trip.
Getting Around Barbados
Getting around in Barbados is easy with car and motorbike hire options, plenty of taxis, and a number of tour companies with fixed itineraries or the option to create your own trip. There are also public buses where the drivers are so friendly that they will usually stop for you even if you’re not at an official bus stop.
Things to Do in Barbados
Known for its beaches with crystal clear waters, Barbados offers so much more than just relaxing in the sun. Top sights include touring through Harrison’s Cave, Oistin’s Fish Fry on Friday nights in Christ Church, rum distillery tours at Mount Gay, swimming with sea turtles in Carlisle Bay, and exploring the Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison.
Useful Info
The sections above go into detail about various aspects of visiting Barbados, but here’s a quick run-through of the essentials you need to know.
Safety
Widely regarded as one of the safer Caribbean islands, most travellers to Barbados experience no problems and generally face a welcoming and visitor-friendly atmosphere across the country. As with any popular holiday destination, there are isolated incidents of crime, such as theft from vehicles or apartments, and sensible precautions should be taken, especially at night or away from populated areas.
Most crime tends to be opportunistic, so don’t leave valuables lying around on beaches or in bars, and ensure you make use of hotel safety deposit boxes where available. We’ll go into more detail in our section on Getting Around, but it’s wise to use licensed taxis only, especially if travelling alone or at night.
It is essential to purchase travel insurance in advance of your visit in case you need any medical treatment in Barbados, and in case any of your possessions are lost, stolen or damaged during your time there.
Visas
People holding a full “British Citizen” passport issued in the UK do not need a visa to visit Barbados, a member of the Commonwealth. Officially, the maximum duration someone can stay is determined by immigration officials upon arrival, but often stays of up to 180 days are granted.
Note that your passport must be valid for at least the length of your proposed stay, though it is wise to have at least six months of validity beyond your planned departure date. You must also have a return ticket. All travellers must complete an Online Immigration and Customs form before arrival, and a departure tax is payable upon leaving the country. This is often included in flight tickets, but check with your airline to be sure.
Holders of non-British passports should check with their national government regarding entry requirements to Barbados. Holders of United States, Canadian or EU passports are usually permitted to stay for up to six months without visas. Note that immigration information changes from time to time, so check well in advance of your planned trip.
Money
The official currency of Barbados is the Barbadian dollar (BBD or BD$), known colloquially as the Bajan dollar. It is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of two Bajan dollars to one US dollar. Although the only official currency is the Barbadian dollar, US currency is widely accepted, especially for taxis, restaurants and in shops. At the time of writing, the exchange rate from British pounds to Barbadian dollars is £1.00 to BD$2.71, but will fluctuate constantly (based on the exchange rate between the pound and the US dollar).
All major debit and credit cards are accepted in hotels, most restaurants and by reputable tour operators. Note that some credit and debit cards are better than others when it comes to spending abroad in terms of both exchange rates used and any fees that are charged, whether for transactions or withdrawing cash from an ATM. There’s also the option to purchase prepaid travel cards that lock in an exchange rate prior to travel. Note that these can be less widely accepted than standard credit or debit cards, however.