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General
Barbados is the most
Easterly of the Caribbean Island and covers an area
of 166 square miles, with a population of 280,000
(Estimated in July 2006). The island is actually an
enormous and ancient coral reef that was formed
around one million years ago, and with its average
of 340 days sunshine per year, friendly inhabitants,
well developed amenities and wonderful restaurants
and nightlife it is no wonder Barbados is one of
the most desirable holiday destinations. The
islanders are called 'Bajans' and are mainly West
Indian by descent, though the island has ties to
England from colonial days when the sugar industry
reigned supreme.
Main Cities
Bridgetown is the
capital of Barbados, with a population of
approximately 96,000. The main west coast town is
Holetown, ideally suited to tourists with a small
mall, boutiques, shops, restaurants and banks.
Speightstown is the second largest town on the west
coast, a very traditional looking and feeling
Barbadian town that offers shops, supermarkets and
restaurants. Oistins,
located on the south of the island, also offers a
wide range of amenities and is famous for its Friday
night fish fry's.
The east coast of the island is more rugged, with
Atlantic facing surf beaches, spectacular scenery
and smaller towns and villages.
Language
English is the official
langauge of Barbados, though the local dialect has a
significant Bajan lilt to their English.
Barbados Time
is GMT -4 hours during UK winter and GMT -5 hours
during UK summer as Barbados does not have daylight
saving time changes.
Climate
Barbados enjoys a
tropical climate, with mostly sunny and fair weather
and an average daytime high of between 25ºC and 29ºC
(75ºF and 85ºF). The island enjoys approximately
3000 hours of sunshine per year, but these hot
conditions are countered by the cooling northeast tradewinds. The dry season
occurs from January to July. Hurricanes usually miss
Barbados, instead the island can experience some
spectacular tropical rainstorms during August to
October, usually short and
heavy spells of rain that dry up quickly in the
humidity. The climate lends itself to a casual dress
sense, with cotton and linen items ideal to keep
cool. You will not need long sleeves, though some
hotels and restaurants have formal dress codes,
particularly during the Winter months of
December to April.
Political History
The island gained
independence from England in 1966, but English
custom and cultures are still noticeable, with the
island dubbed the 'Little England' of the Caribbean.
HM Queen Elizabeth II is still the Head of State of
the island, represented locally by Governor-General
Sir Clifford Husband since 1996. The Head of
Government is Prime Minister Owen Arthur, an
economist and member of the Barbados Labor Party (BLP),
who won a third term as Prime Minister in 2003.
 The
Gun Hill Signal Station remains as a reminder of the
British Influence. It is located in the parish of
St. George and is the highest point on the island,
offering wonderful panoramic views. It has a famous
10ft White Lion, which was carved in 1868 by British Army
Captain Henry Wilkinson from a single piece of rock.
Electricity
The island has 110-115
volts, 50Hz, American-style two-pin plugs in use. In
some hotels and properties you will find the
UK-style three-pin plugs alongside the American
style.
Religion
Christianity is the
main religion on the island, with an Anglican
majority and Roman Catholic minority, plus small
Jewish, Hindu and Muslim communities.
Communication
The international code
for Barbados is +1 followed by 246. The outgoing
code is 011 followed by the relevant country code,
for example the UK would be 011 44. No outgoing code
is needed to call the US. Mobile phones operate on a
GSM network, and can be rented through Cellcom.
Internet cafés are widely available. Payphones exist
throughout the island, though cardphones are better
to use for overseas calls. Local calls on the island
are free when calling from a residence and just 25
Barbados cents for a 5 minute call when made from a
payphone.
Currency
The Barbados Dollar
(BBD) is fixed to the US Dollar via an international
agreement at a rate of between
BDD$1.98 - BDD$1.99 to US$1. Its rate relative to
other currencies fluctuates based on the particular
currencies relation to the US Dollar. US Dollars are
widely accepted on the island, with well-known
credit cards and travellers cheques accepted in most
stores and restaurants (it is best to carry
travellers cheques in US Dollars to avoid additional
charges). Banks and ATMs are freely available and
cash withdrawals can be made. Bills and receipts
will be given to you in Barbados Dollars and in the
majority of places on the island you will simply be
asked to pay half that amount if paying with US
Dollars. In some bigger store and shops they will
stick to the rate mentioned above so you will have
to pay a fraction over half the amount if paying in
US Dollars.
Tipping Advice
Tipping is not
necessary if a service charge has already been
included in the bill, otherwise it is generally
about 10%-15%. Tipping is normal in bars.
Passports and
Visas
All tourists require a
return or onward ticket. Passports must be valid for
the period of intended stay. British tourists
require a valid passport but no visa for stays of up
to 6 months.
Health and Safety
Advice
There are no mandatory
requirements regarding vaccinations for visitors to
Barbados, though mosquito repellent is strongly
recommended, and health insurance vital as medical
care is excellent but very expensive. There are no
extremist groups or areas of instability in
Barbados, but Barbados customs policies dictate that
it is an offence to wear camouflage clothing when
entering or leaving the country.
Emergency Contacts
Emergencies: 511
(Medical); 211 (Police); 311 (Fire).
Public Holidays
Below are the Public
Holidays for 2007:
Jan 1st: New Years Day
Jan 21st: Errol Barrow
Day
April 6th: Good Friday
April 9th: Easter
Monday
April 28th: National
Heroes' Day
May 1st: Labor Day
May 28th: Whit Monday
August 1st: Emancipation Day
August 6th: Kadooment Day
November 30th: Independence Day
December 25th-26th: Christmas
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