Capital: Bridgetown
Time zone: GMT – 4
Telephone services: Country Code: 1 246
Outgoing Code: 011
Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 112, Ambulance – 115, Fire – 113. All services – 119.
Tourist information: Barbados Tourism Authority, 263 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1P OLA Tel: (020) 7636 9448 Fax: (020) 7637 1496.
Passport information: Passport must be valid for 6 months after date of entry by all except: Nationals of the USA and Canada, who hold a valid return ticket, who have embarked from their home country for stays not exceeding 3 months and who have a naturalisation certificate or original birth certificate accompanied by a driving licence with photograph or employment identification with photograph. Nationals of Commonwealth countries for stays up to 6 months (except nationals of India, Pakistan and South Africa where special conditions apply) for stays of up to 6 months Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact embassy before departure.
Visa information: Visa not required by nationals of EU countries for stays up to 6 months.
Health information: Seek Advice from GP before travel.
Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate if required from passengers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas.
Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food.
Currency: Barbados Dollar (Bds$) = 100 cents.
All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques, preferably in US dollars and Pound sterling, are accepted.
ATM availability: 45 locations.
Cost of living: Generally expensive. Avoid the tourist centres if travelling on a budget, although prices throughout the island are quite expensive.
Languages: English. Local Bajan dialect is also spoken.
Weather: Subtropical climate cooled by sea breezes. Wet season – July till Nov when brief showers occur. Dry season – Dec till June.
Electricity: 110 volts AC 50 Hz American style 2-pin plug are used.
Post: Up to 1 week.
Transport: FLIGHTS: Several operators run flights between neighbouring islands. ROAD: A good network of roads run throughout the island. BUS: Frequent comprehensive coverage of the island. Although cheap buses are crowded during the rush hour. CAR HIRE: Various vehicles can be hired at the airport or large hotels. DOCUMENTATION: A Barbados driving licence is required, a valid national or IDP should be held.
Special information: Attacks and thefts are rare although persistent salesmen are likely to continually approach you. Visitors should exercise common sense precautions such as not exhibiting conspicuous signs of wealth and not to visit deserted beaches at night.