Barbados Island Travel
Barbados Overview
Barbados is an island in the Caribbean, northeast of Venezuela. The island is portrayed as the little England of the Caribbean because of its long association as a British colony.
The island of Barbados has eleven parishes and can be divided into roughly five parts:
Bridgetown, including the capital city of Barbados and surrounding areas in St. Michael Parish.
Central Barbados, including the parishes of St. George and St. Thomas. Harrison Cave, the site of a massive limestone cavern, is the main sight.
Eastern Barbados, (the East Coast) the rugged Atlantic side of the island. Crane Beach in St. Phillip Parish, and Bathsheba in St. Joseph Parish are the main sights. Also includes the less traveled parishes of St. John and St. Andrew. Bathsheba is a popular areas, with the island's best-known surfing spot (The Soup Bowl) and tide pools - ideal for soaking, and Cattlewash, a long stretch of beach with very rough waters. Other fishing villages include: Martin's Bay and Consett Bay.
Western Barbados, (the West Coast) the calm, caribbean side of the island covering the parishes of St. James and St. Peter and St. Lucy. Holetown, Speightstown are the two main towns.
Southern Barbados, (the South Coast) the parish of Christchurch. Includes St. Lawrence Gap, a lively area full of bars and restaurants; Oistins, famous for its Friday fish fry on the beach; and Grantley Adams International Airport. Most of the budget hotels, guesthouses, and apartment are located here.
Barbados has experienced several waves of human habitation. The first wave were of the Saladoid-Barrancoid group, farmers, fishermen, and ceramists who arrived by canoe from Venezuela's Orinoco Valley around 350 CE. The Arawak people were the second wave, arriving from South America around 800 CE. Arawak settlements on the island include Stroud Point, Chandler Bay, Saint Luke's Gully, and Mapp's Cave. According to accounts by descendants of the aboriginal Arawak tribes on other local islands, the original name for Barbados was Ichirouganaim. In the 13th century, the Caribs arrived from South America in the third wave, displacing both the Arawak and the Salodoid-Barrancoid. For the next few centuries, they lived in isolation on the island.
The name "Barbados" comes from a Portuguese explorer named Pedro Campos in 1536, who originally called the island Los Barbados ("The Bearded Ones"), after the appearance of the island's fig trees, whose long hanging aerial roots resembled beards. Between Campos' sighting in 1536 and 1550, Spanish conquistadors seized many Caribs on Barbados and used them as slave labor on plantations. The others fled the island, moving elsewhere.
Barbados was formally settled by the British in 1627. After several failed crops of cotton, sugarcane was introduced, and the colony established itself as a profitable plantation economy. Enslaved Africans were the primary source of labour on these plantations until 1834, when they won their freedom through several years of rebellion, supported by increasing pressure from anti-slavery movements in Britain.
The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. Though the shackles were removed, much of the repressive labour conditions of slavery remained on the island, until the 1930s, when the educated black middle class fought for universal adult suffrage and took the control of the country's local governance away from the British-descended local aristocracy. The country began a process of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s which led to complete independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1980s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance. Barbados has developed into a stable democracy with one of the highest rates of literacy in the Western Hemisphere.
Locals refer to themselves as Bajans and things Barbadian as Bajan.
The official language in Barbados is English. Locals also speak an English dialect reminiscent of the Scottish highland dialect.....which is referred to as Bajan. There are a few African words interspersed with the dialect. Communication will not be a problem for any English speaker as Barbados has one of the highest literacy rates in the Western Hemisphere of around 99.9 percent.
Although a very safe place to travel, it is generally suggested to avoid certain high risk activities. Such activities include walking on secluded beaches late at night, or walking in unfamiliar residential neighborhoods away from main roads.
The most common kinds of crimes against tourists include taxi fraud, robbery, and shortchanging; however, even these are rare and usually confined to high-traffic places like Bridgetown. Bajans are by nature exceptionally friendly, and will go out of their way to be kind to tourists, especially in the earlier part of the tourist season (November and December).
A special area of concern for visitors to Barbados is drugs. The country's strict anti-drug policy is made apparent to visitors coming through Customs. In practice, however, Europeans and Americans in Barbados can be offered marijuana or even cocaine frequently. Sellers will often roam the beaches selling aloe vera or other such innocuous goods as a pretense to begin a conversation about "ganja," "smoke" or "bad habits." As a result, many hotels and resorts now ban the use of aloe vera under the pretense that it "stains the towels." Regardless of one's inclination to using these drugs, it is not advisable to accept these offers. Marijuana is considered bad and is not accepted by Bajan police. While Bajan police are not frequently encountered, they prosecute drug crimes with great prejudice.
If travelling with a group of friends try to keep a tally of who gets offered drugs the most. Anything less than three times per day is abnormally low.
Beware of the sun, Barbados is only 13 degrees off of the equator and you can burn very easily. It is very important to keep your water intake high. Drink plenty of water or bring an umbrella to shade yourself against the sun, which is commonly done in the country.
During nightfall, it is advisable to put on bug spray, as mosquitoes are often a nuisance to anyone staying outdoors for prolonged periods. This is most prevalent while eating at outdoor restaurants.
Despite, or maybe because of the tropical climate, Bajans tend to dress conservatively when not on the beach. A bikini probably won't be appreciated in town and certainly not in church.
Barbadians are particularly sensitive to manners and saying good morning to people even strangers goes a long way to earning their respect.
There are several small internet cafes located around the island as well as connections offered by the larger resort hotels.
Barbados Main Attractions
Barbados has the following towns and cities:
Bridgetown - 'Capital'
Fustic
Holetown
Oistins
Speightstown
St. Mary's Church, Bridgetown, Barbados. The current Georgian building was constructed in 1827 but there has been a church here since 1630.
Holetown monument a monument that commemorates the first English landing.
St. James Parish Church the first church in Barbados, the St. James Parish church has been in continuous operation since 1628. Damaged and rebuilt many times thanks to hurricanes, the present structure dates from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Barbados Family Fun
Barbados Museum, St. Ann's Garrison, St. Michael (On the western edge of the race course), Tel + 1 (246) 427 0201 (musepr@barbmuse.org.bb, fax: + 1 (246) 436 1956). Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 2pm-6pm. Housed in the former British Military Prison, the Barbados Museum is an excellent place to go to catch up on the history of the island though you'll have the place to yourself. The exhibits start from the time the coral island first appeared; briefly cover the history of the indigenous people of Barbados; the arrival of Europeans and African slaves and the culture of the island during the colonial period; the emancipation of slaves; independence from the British; and more recent history. There is an interactive children's section that the young ones will enjoy. A small concession serves cold drinks.
Long Pond.
The old Sugar Mill.
Saint Joseph Anglican Church
Barbados Romantic Spots
Careenage. Once a port for ships, the Careenage now houses restaurants, bars, and boutiques set in what used to be warehouses and and stores for ship supplies. Well protected from the open sea, walk along the Careenage with period buildings on one side and fishing and pleasure boats on the other, stop off for a rum at the Waterfront Cafe, and (with a bit of imagination!) you can almost step 150 years back in time!
Harrison Cave, a large crystallized limestone cavern.
Gun Hill Signal Station Located in the parish of St. George, Gun Hill Signal Station was built in 1818 by the British as a look out point. Well restored, the lookout tower provides a panoramic view of the western side of the island. A statue of a lion carved out of a single block of stone sits below the station.
Bath Beach - One of the best 'bathing beaches' on the eastern coast is a little to the south of Bathsheba.
Barbados Activities
Take in the Gothic buildings of Bridgetown's Parliament and more by strolling along Broad Street and Swan Street.
The Holetown Festival in February celebrates the arrival of the English in Barbados with parades, dances, games, street fairs, and hymns and prayer at the St. James Parish Church.
Hire a car (preferably open) for a day or two in Barbados and cross the island to the eastern coast to experience Bathsheba and you might just come across a green Barbados monkey on the road to the sea.
Take a walk along the breezy Eastern coast and stare in wonder at the enormous boulders dominating Bathsheba, then visit Andromeda Gardens, or go north to Codrington College and St. Lucy.
Generally, the waves are too rough for ordinary swimmers, although surfers and windsurfers are drawn to the waves here.
Barbados Accommodation & Dining
The local currency is the Bajan dollar, but US dollars are accepted just about everywhere in shops and restaurants. The exchange rate is fixed at 1.98 Bajan dollars to the US Dollar but almost everyone uses US$1 = BD$2. Keep in mind that exchangers in hotels may insist on taking an additional percentage of the exchange (typically 5%).
Many duty free shops in Bridgetown cater to visitors, e.g., from cruise ships. The small mall at the harbor also offers decent prices and selection, though goods produced in Barbados may be more expensive at that mall than elsewhere on the island, e.g., rum. Goods offered at the harbor and downtown include those typical for cruise destinations, but least one department store in Bridgetown (Cave Shephard) offers a wide range of mercantile.
Barbados has a great variety of street vendors. Haggle aggressively. Don't stop until you're at about a third of the original price.
There is a surprisingly good selection of bars and restaurants in Holetown:
Angry Annie's Restaurant & Bar, 1st Street, Tel 246 432-2119. Daily 6-10 pm. Seafood, chicken, rasta pasta, curries, ribs. Colourful decor. Warning, some patrons in 2006 reported nausea & vomiting after drinking bottled "mineral water" that arrived at the table already opened. Hopefully this lapse in food safety has been resolved. Mains US$15-$US$30.
Blue Rare Steakhouse and Rum Bar, 1st Street, Tel 246 432-6557 (paolagarm@sunbeach.net, fax: 246 432-5917). Daily from 6:30 pm. Enjoy prime USDA steaks, New Zealand lamb, or fresh local seafood, in an atmosphere of cool contemporary design. Air-con. Expensive.
Chefette
Cocomos
Coach House
The Mews
Olive's Bar & Bistro
Patisserie Flindt, 1st Street Holetown, St. James, Tel 246 432-2626 (patisserieflindt@caribsurf.com, fax: 246 432-2634). Mon-Fri 7 am - 6 pm, Sat 7 am - 2 pm, Sun 7 am - noon. Imaginative and delicious breakfasts and lunches, featuring sandwiches, salads, quiches, pizzas. Exquisite desserts: cakes, pastries, beautiful handmade chocolates. Delivery and catering services available.
Raffles
Ragamuffins
Sakura Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Sitar Indian Restaurant
Surfside Restaurant and Bar
Tam's Wok
Barbados Shopping & Nightlife
Barbados offers everything from inexpensive guest houses with bed and breakfast from under $40.00 U.S daily for a single in the summer to luxury accommodations at some of the world's best hotels at $1,600 in the prime season.
Barbados apartments and apartment hotels offer the comfort of a hotel room combined with the convenience of your own cooking facilities. Most are located on/near the beach and are especially suitable for families. There is a wide selection of luxury villas and cottages available for rent throughout Barbados. Many of these villas and cottages are located on or near the beach.
Privately owned vacation rentals are often rented at much lower costs than hotel or resort rooms. There is a wide selection of these holiday properties available throughout Barbados and many are located on or near the beach. Vacation properties range from beach houses to condos and apartments.
Luxury Villa On Sandy Lane Estate Gurland House
Rent or Buy this Luxury Villa on the famous Sandy Lane Estate. set in 2 acres of land overlooking the nine hole Sandy Lane Hotel golf course. Also has its own Cabana on private beach.
Luxury Barbados Villa Rentals - Villas in Barbados by CaribbeanDays provide guests with an extensive collection of more than one hundred and fifty of the finest Barbados vacation rentals. Usually fully staffed and generally offering private pools, outdoor dining and other upscale amenities, Barbados villas are ideal for couples, families or groups seeking privacy, relaxation and comfort.
34 Banyan Court Apartments - Exclusive and newly refurbished apartment in St. Michael. 5 minute walking distance to beach, large shared swimming pool, free Internet access.
Bajan Breeze Guest House - Beautiful guesthouse rooms US $49 with private bath in a newly renovated home. 2-minute walk to beaches. Convenient to dining, shops, nightlife, transport, and attractions.
Sunset Blue Villa - A luxury villa and apartment located near Holetown in the parish of St. James. Ten minute walking distance to beaches, restaurants, and shops. Features wireless broadband internet access.
Barbados Villa Holidays from Villa Retreats - Selection of luxury villa and apartments available around the island, many with private pool.
BarbadosVillaVacations.com - Wide selection of both luxury Barbados villa rentals and moderately priced vacation rentals and holiday homes.
Villas in Barbados - Palmer and Parker - Luxury houses with pools in and around the Sandy Lane Estate
Flying fish -- the icon of the islands is found on coins, bills, and menus. Flying fish is usually served lightly breaded and fried, with a yellow sauce. Be warned: this yellow sauce consists of VERY hot Scotch Bonnet peppers with onions in a mustard sauce.
Pepperpot -- a dish of long tradition and great pride among the Bajans, it is a pork stew in a spicy dark brown sauce. Don't miss this.
Try "Flying fish cutters," a local sandwich.
Visitors seeking fast food will probably be disappointed; the titanic burger chains of the US failed miserably upon introduction to Barbados (Bajans eat nearly no beef). However, chicken and fish sandwiches are wildly popular, so KFC and Chefette are ubiquitous.
Bajan cuisine is a strange mix of spicy, flavorful treats along with bland traditional English fayre. So be prepared for meals where firey stews sit side-by-side with beans on toast.
Every Friday night the place to be is the town of Oistins (on the south coast) for the "fish fry". This is a market where you can buy fresh fish cooked according to local recipes. Locals stay there late and dance until the early hours of the morning. This is now the second most popular tourist attraction on the island, after Harrison's Cave.
There are many fine restaurants on the island with the top two being The Cliff (on the west coast) and The Restaurant at South Sea (on the south coast). Both are quite expensive, but serve beautiful food and a wonderful dining experience, overlooking the sea. Still, you can find many hidden gems if you look hard enough. Waterfront Cafe on the Careenage is an excellent place to sample Bajan Cuisine while sipping the local Banks Beer or a spicy Rum Punch.
Fish cakes, BBQ pig tails, fresh coconut, and roasted peanuts are offered by the many street vendors.
Weekend shut down! Everything shuts down on the weekend so plan ahead especially if you are self-catering. Most stores are open till noon on Saturday and then nothing opens till Monday morning. On holiday weekends (Good Friday, national holidays, etc.) that fall on or close to a weekend stores may be closed for three or four days at a stretch. Convenience stores attached to gas stations may stay open but don't assume they will be.
Barbados has some of the purest water in the world that can be drunk straight from the tap. Cruise ship employees are often seen stocking up on their water supplies while docked at the island.
Rum and rum drinks are featured at every bar. Perhaps the most famous domestic brand offered is Mount Gay Rum, which is very delicious. Tours of the Mount Gay Rum factory are available, during which samples of their premium aged rum may be given.
Beer and wine is easy to find as well. Banks beer is Barbados' own beer and very good.
Tours of the Banks brewery are also available. While the tour itself is very hot and only moderately interesting an unlimited amount of beer is provided to those waiting for the tour to begin. Try to show up a few hours early and take advantage of a very good deal.
Getting To & Around Barbados
Getting There
By plane
Sir Grantley Adams International Airport (IATA: BGI),(ICAO: TBPB) For its size, Barbados boasts a large international airport with dozens of flights arriving in the high season from the UK and Canada as well as the United States. Virgin Atlantic and British Airways have many flights to Barbados while American is the dominant carrier from the United States (Miami and New York). The airport is 13km (8 miles) east of Bridgetown. Buses run from a stop across the road from the airport up the coast to Bridgetown, Holetown, and Speightstown, but a taxi is the most convenient way to get to your hotel on arrival.
By boat
Many cruise ships dock in Bridgetown, and in fact the Bridgetown deep water harbour has just been expanded to accommodate even more vessels. Private moorings are available around the island. Note: stiff penalties prohibit the dropping of anchors on coral reefs.
Getting Around
Driving is on the left. The bus system is extensive, cheap, and fast - if you're headed to somewhere on the main route - but a car (or mini-moke) is the only way to see many of the out-of-the-way sights. Many of the drivers will hold a bus for you if they see you're from out of town reflecting the typical welcoming spirit. Buses are run by the Barbados Transport Board (blue color) and are quiet. Private operators include the yellow buses, which play very loud music, and private mini-vans (white color), which are usually cramped and crowded. The two privately run means of transport are often driven very fast and recklessly. All charge the same fare (BD$1.50). Yellow buses and minivans offer change and even accept US dollars. BTB buses only accept local currency and do not give change.
There are also more than enough taxis to take you wherever you need to go on the island for reasonable prices. They do not use meters and it is best to negotiate the price before you get in. However, most taxi drivers are honest and you are unlikely to be overcharged.
Mopeds and bikes can also be rented, on the island, to explore sites that aren't easily reached by cars.
Another fun way to get around is to rent a moke available from any number of local car rental agencies.
If you are driving, roads on the island are generally quite narrow, with the exception of the ABC highway. It is advisable to be extra cautious as many roads on the island have sharp turns, steep inclines, and are generally quite bumpy, although most are paved. Many of these proclaimed highways do not have sidewalks, so there can be pedestrians on the street sharing the road. Many bus stops are also on the side of roads where there are no sidewalks.
The information on this page has been extracted from http://wikitravel.org/en/Barbados and is based on work by Wandering, Nick Roux, D Merchant, David, Todd VerBeek and Patrick McDonald, Wikitravel user(s) WindHorse, Atavisme and DorganBot, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.
