Barbados is an island country in the Caribbean and its name means “bearded ones”. The island has been an independent country since 30 November 1966, after its long association as a British colony.
In the 1980’s, tourism became one of the leading industries in Barbados. Barbados has numerous internationally known hotels and a festive night-life in some main tourist areas such as Saint Lawrence Gap.
Capital
Bridgetown
Largest city
Bridgetown
National language
English
Currency
Barbadian Dollar (BBD)
Timezone
UTC-4
Daylight Savings Time
UTC-4
Electricity
Unknown
Drives on the
Left
Major attractions in Barbados
- Harrison’s Cave
- Swimming with Sea Turtles
- The Atlantis Submarine
- The Barbados Museum
- The Barbados Wildlife Reserve
- Welchman Hall Gully
Events & Festivals
Agrofest
A 2-day festival to celebrate agriculture.
Barbados Jazz Festival
A week of internationally renowned musicians performing at various venues.
Barbados Windfest
A three day wind- and kite surfing competition.
Cropover
One of the biggest festivals with many major related events.
Holder’s Season
An assemblage of music, comedy and theatre from around the world.
Holetown Festival
A weeklong celebrations with street fairs, performances, arts and crafts and a beauty pageant.
Top Activities
Attractions to the island include wildlife, scuba diving, helicopter rides, golf, festivals, sightseeing, cave exploration, jewelry stores, fine clothes shopping and exotic drinks.
Money and Cash
The local currency is the Bajan dollar, but US dollars are widely accepted at restaurants and shops.
Preparing to visit
Visas:
Citizens from South Africa will not need a Visa to enter Barbados.
Practical Tips:
Barbados is only 13 degrees off of the equator and you can easily get sun burnt, so beware of the sun, drink plenty of water and bring an umbrella to shade yourself. It is advisable to put on bug spray at night as mosquitoes might become a nuisance.
When to go
Weather
Barbados lies within the tropics and has a pleasant maritime climate with average daytime temperatures between 24°C and 28°C all year round. Nights are slightly cooler. Rain usually comes in quick showers with its dry season from January to June. Humidity levels are between 71 percent and 76 percent year round.
Related Tips and Articles from our blog
The Top 6 Island Wedding Destinations
Have you ever dreamed of how amazingly romantic it would be to have your wedding on a warm sandy beach in a lush paradise, but never thought it possible due to the high cost? Well, it turns out that exchanging vows on a secluded island can be more affordable than...Read More »
