Travel tips · Barbados
Barbados travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: The original uploader was ROxBo at English Wikipedia ., Public domain
Quick answer
Barbados is English-speaking with strong British traditions such as cricket, Anglican parish churches and driving on the left, mixed with a proud Afro-Caribbean culture of calypso, soca and Crop Over. Bajans tend to be courteous and fairly conservative in public, and church remains important to many families.
Key facts
- Language
- English and Bajan Creole
- Currency
- BBD
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 115 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is filtered naturally through the island's coral limestone and is…
- Emergency
- 211 (police), 511 (ambulance), 311 (fire)
Things to know
- Greet people with 'Good morning' or 'Good afternoon' before asking a question; it is considered rude to skip the greeting.
- Wearing camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians in Barbados.
- Beachwear belongs on the beach; cover up in shops, towns and restaurants.
- Ask before photographing people, especially vendors and fishermen.
- All beaches are public up to the high-water mark, but respect hotel loungers and private property.
- Book Harrison's Cave ahead: Tram tours can sell out when cruise ships are in port; book a time slot online.
- The Barbados dollar is fixed at 2 to 1 with the US dollar, and US dollars are widely accepted; pay in local currency to avoid poor rounding.
Tipping
Many restaurants add a service charge of about 10%. Where none is included, 10–15% is usual. Tip taxi drivers, tour guides and housekeeping a few dollars for good service.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Wuh happenin? | What's happening? / How are you? |
| Lime | Hang out, relax with friends |
| Cheese on bread! | An exclamation of surprise |
| Bajan | A person or thing from Barbados |
What to wear
Light cotton clothing and sun protection by day; smart-casual for dinner on the west coast, where some restaurants ask men to wear long trousers or collared shirts.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 115 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is filtered naturally through the island's coral limestone and is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 211 (police), 511 (ambulance), 311 (fire)
- Phone and internet
- Hotels and many restaurants have Wi-Fi; local SIM cards and eSIMs are available.
- Time zone
- America/Barbados
Most visits are trouble-free, but petty theft from beaches and parked cars happens; keep valuables out of sight. Swim only where it is calm — the east and southeast coasts have strong currents — and heed red flags.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Barbados's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Barbados?
Many restaurants add a service charge of about 10%. Where none is included, 10–15% is usual. Tip taxi drivers, tour guides and housekeeping a few dollars for good service.
+Can you drink the tap water in Barbados?
Tap water is filtered naturally through the island's coral limestone and is safe to drink.
+What plugs are used in Barbados?
Type A and B sockets, 115 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Barbados?
English and Bajan Creole.