Spa and Beach Vacation Guru

Getting There

By Air

Several international carriers offer frequent nonstop or direct flights between North America or Europe and Barbados, which is a regional hub.

These include Air Canada, Air Jamaica (which also has connecting service through Montego Bay), American (which also has connecting service through San Juan), British Airways, BWIA (which flies from both the U.S. and the U.K.), Continental, USAirways, and Virgin Atlantic. Barbados is also well connected to other Caribbean islands via Caribbean Star or LIAT. Mustique Airways, SVG Air, and Trans Island Air (TIA) link Barbados with St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

By Boat

Half the annual visitors to Barbados are cruise passengers. Bridgetown's Deep Water Harbour is on the northwest side of Carlisle Bay, and up to eight cruise ships can dock at the Cruise Ship Terminal. Downtown Bridgetown is a ½-mi (1-km) walk from the pier; a taxi costs about $3 each way.

Getting Around

By Bus

Bus service is efficient, inexpensive, and plentiful. Blue buses with a yellow stripe are public, yellow buses with a blue stripe are private, and private "Zed-R" vans (so called for their ZR license plate designation) are white with a maroon stripe. All buses travel frequently along Highway 1 (St. James Road) and Highway 7 (South Coast Main Road), as well as inland routes. The fare is Bds$1.50 (75¢) for any one destination; exact change in either local or U.S. currency is appreciated. Buses pass along main roads about every 20 minutes. Stops are marked by small signs on roadside poles that say to city or out of city, meaning the direction relative to Bridgetown. Flag down the bus with your hand, even if you're standing at the stop. Bridgetown terminals are at Fairchild Street for buses to the south and east and at Lower Green for buses to Speightstown via the west coast.

By Car

Barbados has nearly 975 mi (1,570 km) of paved roads that follow the coastline and meander through the countryside. A network of main highways facilitates traffic flow into and out of Bridgetown. The Adams-Barrow-Cummins (ABC) Highway bypasses Bridgetown, which saves time getting from coast to coast. Small signs tacked to trees and poles at intersections point the way to most attractions, and local people are helpful if you get lost. Remote roads are in fairly good repair, yet few are lighted at night -- and night falls quickly at about 6 PM year-round. Even in full daylight, the tall sugarcane fields lining both sides of the road in interior sections can hinder visibility.
Gasoline is expensive; stations are located in and around Bridgetown, on the main highways along the west and south coasts, and in most inland parishes. Although times vary, you can find most open daily with hours that extend into the evening; a few are open 24 hours a day.

Drive on the left, British style. Be mindful of pedestrians and occasional livestock walking on country roads. When someone flashes headlights at you at an intersection, it means "after you." Be especially careful negotiating roundabouts (traffic circles). The speed limit, in keeping with the pace of life and the narrow roads, is 30 mph in the country, 20 mph in town. Bridgetown actually has rush hours: 7-9 and 4-6. Park only in approved parking areas; downtown parking costs Bds75¢-Bds$1 per hour.

Car Rentals

To rent a car in Barbados, you must have a valid driver's license and major credit card. More than 75 agencies rent cars, Jeeps, or minimokes (small, open-air vehicles), and rates are expensive-about $100-$125 or more per day (or $400-$500 or more per week) in high season, depending on the vehicle and whether it has air-conditioning. Most firms also offer discounted three-day rates. The rental generally includes insurance, pickup and delivery service, maps, 24-hour emergency service, and unlimited mileage. Baby seats are usually available upon request.

Coconut Car Rentals (Bay St., Bridgetown, St. Michael, Barbados. PHONE: 246/437-0297). Courtesy Rent-A-Car (Grantley Adams International Airport, Christ Church, Barbados. PHONE: 246/418-2500). National Car Rentals (Lower Carlton, St. James, Barbados. PHONE: 246/426-0603). Sunny Isle Sixt Car Rentals (Worthing, Christ Church, Barbados. PHONE: 246/435-7979). Sunset Crest Car Rental (Sunset Crest, Holetown, St. James, Barbados. PHONE: 246/432-2222).

By Taxi

Taxis operate 24 hours a day. They aren't metered but charge according to fixed rates set by the government. They carry up to four passengers, and the fare may be shared. For short trips, the rate per mile (or part thereof) should not exceed $1.50. Drivers are courteous and knowledgeable; most will narrate a tour at an hourly rate of about $25 for up to three people. Be sure to settle the price before you start off and agree on whether it's in U.S. or Barbados dollars.

Business Hours

Banks are open Monday through Thursday from 8 to 3, Friday from 8 to 5 (some branches in supermarkets are open Saturday morning from 9 to noon). At the airport, the Barbados National Bank is open from 8 AM until the last plane leaves or arrives, seven days a week (including holidays). The General Post Office in Cheapside, Bridgetown, is open weekdays from 7:30 to 5; the Sherbourne Conference Center branch is open weekdays from 8:15 to 4:30 during conferences; and branches in each parish are open weekdays from 8 to 3:15. Most stores in Bridgetown are open weekdays from 8:30 or 9 to 4:30 or 5, Saturday from 8:30 to 1 or 2. Stores in shopping malls outside of Bridgetown may stay open later. Some supermarkets are open daily from 8 to 6 or later.

Electricity

Electric current on Barbados is 110 volts-50 cycles, U.S. standard. Hotels generally have plug adapters and transformers available for appliances made in countries that operate on 220-volt current.

Safety

Crime isn't a major problem, but take normal precautions. Lock your room, and don't leave valuables in plain sight or unattended on the beach. Lock your rental car, and don't pick up hitchhikers.

Tax and Service Charges

At the airport, each adult passenger leaving Barbados must pay a departure tax of $12.50 (Bds$25), payable in either Barbadian or U.S. currency; children 12 and under are exempt. Although it may be included in cruise packages as a component of port charges, the departure tax is not included in airfare and must be paid in cash by each traveler prior to entering the secure area of the airport.

A 7½% government tax is added to all hotel bills. A 10% service charge is often added to hotel bills and restaurant checks in lieu of tipping. At your discretion, tip beyond the service charge to recognize extraordinary service. A 15% V.A.T. is imposed on restaurant meals, admissions to attractions, and merchandise sales (other than duty-free). Prices are often tax inclusive; if not, the V.A.T. will be added to your bill.

Telephone

The area code for Barbados is 246.

Local calls are free from private phones; some hotels charge a small fee. For directory assistance, dial 411. Calls from pay phones cost Bds25¢ for five minutes. Prepaid phone cards, which can be used throughout Barbados and other Caribbean islands, are sold at shops, attractions, transportation centers, and other convenient outlets.

Direct-dialing to the United States, Canada, and other countries is efficient and reasonable, but always check with your hotel to see if a surcharge is added. Some toll-free numbers cannot be accessed in Barbados. To charge your overseas call on a major credit card without incurring a surcharge, dial 800/744-2000 from any phone.

Tipping

If no service charge is added to your bill, tip waiters 10%-15% and maids $2 per room per day. Tip bellhops and airport porters $1 per bag. Taxi drivers appreciate a 10% tip.