Before you go to Barbados, here are some useful facts and things to know so that when you arrive on the island you know what to expect.
Barbados has one airport: Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI). The airport is in the south of the island and is 16 km from Bridgetown, the capital. There is only one terminal at the airport. The airport does not have airways, so passengers must exit the plane via a stairway and walk to the arrivals hall.
Barbados has a strict rule that prohibits any form of army camouflage clothing, including hats, scarves, shorts, t-shirts, backpacks, etc. The Authorities will ask anyone who wears such items in the country (including children) to remove them.
LANDING PASS
On board the flight you will be given an Immigration/Customs form to complete. The forms must be completed before entering the Arrivals Hall. Visitors must provide the address where they will be staying while in Barbados. On the back of the Disembarkation Card there is a blue Customs Form which must be completed and given to the Customs Officer once he has collected your baggage.
MEET AND GREET AT THE AIRPORT
Take the hassle out of your arrival experience by arranging a personal Meet and Greet service. This service includes being personally escorted through Immigration, immediate assistance with baggage retrieval, and proceeding through Customs to a waiting air-conditioned taxi.
RED CAPS
After you have cleared Immigration, you will see numerous “red caps”. These men and women are available to help you with your bags and will escort you through Customs to the outside. It is customary to tip Red Caps Bds$2 (US$1) per bag, however for extra luggage or exceptional service an extra tip will not be refused.
TAX-FREE ARRIVAL PURCHASES
There is a duty-free wine and spirits store next to baggage claim where prices can be up to 70% lower than retail purchases on the island. Especially good bargains are found on vodka, gin and whiskey. There are no savings on our local rum. Each person is allowed 1 liter, but connoisseurs know they can buy more than the 1 liter limit.
TRANSPORTATION
Unless you have pre-arranged for a private taxi, as you exit the Arrivals Hall there is a counter immediately to the left where a taxi dispatcher will direct you to the next available taxi. There are posted fare signs for all major destinations on the island, but be aware that most if not all drivers will charge an additional fee depending on the number of passengers and amount of luggage. We suggest that you agree on a price before you leave the airport.
CAR RENTAL
There are numerous car rental companies on the island, but only a few meet international standards. Courtesy of Rent-a-Car, one of Barbados’ oldest and best-known car rental companies, and Drive-a-Matic have kiosks immediately to the left after exiting the Arrivals Hall. With an advance reservation, other companies will usually greet you with a hand sign outside the Arrivals Hall.
DRINKING WATER
Barbados water is naturally filtered through limestone and coral and therefore safe to drink. Some say that Barbados water is fit for a queen, as Queen Elizabeth herself declared that Barbados water is delicious.
TAX FREE SHOPPING
If you are shopping at any of the many shops on the island, be sure to bring your passport and immigration card as you will need to present these documents to purchase certain items duty free. Alcohol and tobacco purchases cannot be taken with you, but will be waiting for you at the Chamber of Commerce counter after you clear security in the departure lounge.
MOVE
We drive on the left side of the road, which means the steering wheel is located on the right side of the vehicle. For those of you driving on the “other side of the road”, please be careful and be careful and look both ways before crossing the road. Easy tip: the steering wheel should always be in the middle of the road, never to the side!
Bajans like their car horns. Horns are rarely sounded in anger in Barbados, but rather as a friendly greeting, as a “please go ahead” and as a thank you. A flashing of the lights is an indication “please proceed before me”.
Navigating our extensive highway system can be challenging. You can download a free SatNav map to your Garmin and some car rental companies offer SatNav with your car rental. Bus stop signs are helpful to know which way you are going. They are marked “To Town” or “Out of Town”. This is useful if you want to go in either of those directions, but traversing the country can be a bit trickier.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Our public transportation system is quite good, however, there is no particular schedule. The blue buses are owned by the Government; the yellow minibuses and small white ZR vans are privately owned. Unfortunately, there is sporadic enforcement of the sometimes unsafe driving practices exhibited by public transportation vehicles. Use these vehicles at your own risk. Bus fares are Bds$2/US$1 to anywhere on the island. Simply raise your hand to signal a bus.
LOCAL DRIVING LICENSE
If you rent a car, the car rental company will issue you a driving license valid for 3 months. The cost is Bds$10 / US$5. Alternatively, if you borrow a vehicle from a family member or friend, you can obtain your local driving license at any police station. They only accept Barbadian dollars. Remember to bring your own driver’s license.
BABY EQUIPMENT RENTAL
Car seats, strollers, cots, cots, even toys, are easily rented if you want to leave those bulky items at home to facilitate a hassle-free trip to Barbados.
SPENDING MONEY
US dollars are easily accepted throughout the island at a conversion rate of $2.00 Bds equivalent to $1.00 US. Any other currency can be converted to Barbados Dollars at any of the island banks or at the airport Baggage Claim bank. On departure, the National Bank of Barbados kiosk located in the Departures Hall can exchange any remaining Barbadian dollars into your local currency. All major credit cards are accepted in Barbados, although American Express is not widely accepted.
TIPS
It is not customary to tip taxi drivers, although a tip will not be refused. The average tip in a restaurant is 10%, but check that a service charge or tip has not been included in the restaurant bill. In the supermarket it is customary to give a couple of dollars to those who pack your grocery bags and then take them to your car. In private villas, the staff appreciates a tip at the end of your vacation and this amount is discretionary, depending on the level of service you have received. Check with your villa manager or reservation agent for guidelines. Hotels normally automatically add a 10% service charge to your room and food and beverage bill.