Barbados is 166 square miles in size and is the most easterly island in the Caribbean island chain. The island combines a breath taking beauty with a unique environment of clean air, pure drinking water and year round brilliant sunshine. Day time temperatures average between 29 – 31 degrees celsius (84 – 88 degrees Fahrenheit).
HOTELS | RESTAURANTS | THINGS TO DO | VIDEOS
Barbados Key Facts
Dining
There are many four and five star restaurants which offer very sophisticated cuisine – from traditional Barbadian dishes such as the national dish Cou-cou and flying fish (shown in the picture above) to gourmet cuisine. Service charge is often added to the bill but, if not, tipping is at your discretion. Dress code is casual although some restaurants may require suits and ties.
Language
The official language is English. However, in less formal settings you are likely to hear the Barbadian dialect spoken which is a combination of British English and various West African languages.
Currency
The currency of Barbados is the Barbados Dollar (BBD). The Barbados dollar is pegged to the US dollar and 1 USD is approx. 2 BBD.
Electricity
110 Volts / 50 Hz. North American electrical devices will work fine but devices from other regions may require converters or adapters.
Driving
As a former British colony, vehicles drive on the left side of the road in Barbados. Most vehicles are equipped for driving from the right front seat. This is the case for most islands in the Caribbean that are not directly tied to North American such as Puerto Rico and the U.S Virgin Islands for example.
Leisure Activities
There is much to discover about the island and always something to do – like these top weekend golf breaks available this summer, island tours, catamaran cruises, dinner theaters and world class golf courses just to name a few.
Flights to and from Barbados
Several international airlines fly in and out of the Grantley Adams International airport (BGI) which is about 30 minutes drive from Bridgetown, the capital city. They originate mainly from the United Kingdom, United States and Canada. There are also carriers handling flights to and from the Caribbean and South America.
Flying Times: Houston (via Miami) – 7 hours. London – 8 hours. Miami – 3.5 hours. Montreal – 5 hours. New York – 4.5 hours. San Francisco – 9.5 hours. San Juan – 1 hour. Toronto – 5 hours.
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Weddings & Honeymoons
Photo credit: Renaissance Designs
The island’s combination of picturesque hotel settings, beautifully architecture churches, wonderfully preserved plantation homes, white sand beaches, turquoise waters and tropical serenity make Barbados a favourite Caribbean destination for dream weddings and honeymoons.
Getting married in Barbados is easy as there is no minimum stay or residency requirement. However, there are legal requirements that must be met including obtaining a marriage license. There are several resources on the island that can help you plan your ideal wedding.
RELATED: Online Barbados Bridal Show by Caribbean Event Suppliers Network
Meetings & Incentive Travel
Photo credit: Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre
Barbados venues are ideal for business conferences, events and corporate meetings. The island is equipped with one of the most modern information technology and telecommunications infrastructures in the Caribbean and its cellular networks use the international GSM standard.
WiFi access is available for free in many areas across the island but mainly in the most populated areas (the western and southern coasts).
Barbados’ Destination Management Companies offer a wide range of services to meet your group or corporate needs. Planning a group meeting or a business conference? Perhaps you want to add in some vacation time as well. Barbados’ destination management specialists can assist you with your event activities.
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