Barbados Travel Inspiration

Once you get to Barbados you will want to stay forever. If that is you and you need to know what to see, where to eat and lots of other practical stuff for an idyllic ‘bajan’ stay.

Where to find Information about Barbados

The one-stop shop for all-Barbados information is Visit Barbados’ official website. Everything you need to know is there. It’s a great site. Trust us.

Best things to see and do in Barbados

If you’re attending BarbadosSEO you must know by now we’ve prepared an action-packed networking day enjoying some of the best that the nature and cuisine of Barbados have to offer. But, if you still want more and choose to linger a little longer in this Caribbean island, we think you shouldn’t miss any of these:

  • Descend to the tunnels and caves of Harrison’s Cave
  • Go visit Animal Flower Cave
  • Swim with turtles – and remember to not touch them and respect their space.
  • Sail – we may help you tick that one of
  • Find a secret beach and relax
  • Go for a walk around historic Bridgetown
  • Explore the east coast of Barbados
  • Check out the rainforests
  • Visit Bathsheba Beach
  • Check out Speightstown
  • Do a rum tour and tasting at a distillery – again, we may help you with this one.
  • Go on a tour of St Nicholas Abbey
  • Enjoy everything that Oistins Fish Fry has to offer

What to eat (and drink) in Barbados

Ready for your visit to Barbados? Well, prepare your palate because ‘Bajan’ cuisine is as tasty and delicious as it gets. Flavours from Africa, Portugal and India mix with Irish, Creole, and British influences. Ingredients, herbs, and species are fresh and home-grown. Given that it’s an island, seafood is unsurprisingly at the top – with Mahi-Mahi, flying fish, barracuda, or crab top favourites in local menus. Don’t know where to start, here’s a selection of traditional ‘bajan’ dishes you need to sample:

  • Flying fish, with a side of cou cou – the official national dish of Barbados.
  • Macaroni Pie (the REAL national dish!)
  • Fish cakes
  • Chicken curry with Bajan seasoning and plain rice.
  • Pepperpot stew with pork, mutton, beef and more.
  • Jug – Barbados’ answer to Scottish haggis
  • Mahi with a side of fries – the locals call it ‘dolphin’ but it’s not really dolphin, so don’t worry about it.
  • Pudding and Souse – steamed sweet potatoes with onions, salt and pepper, and a pickled pork dish.
  • Roti
  • Barbecued pig tails
  • Brown Stew chicken
  • Cou cou

And, of course, Rum. Because Barbados is also known as “The Rum Island” and that is what you need to drink there. You’ll love it.

What to pack for Barbados

Ready for BarbadosSEO? Well, it’s time to start packing your bags – or at least think about what to pack. It’s in the Caribbean, so pack mostly summer clothes and leave your heavy coats and winter boots at home. You won’t need them here!

  • Swimwear: once you see the water it will be impossible to resist going for a dip
  • Sunscreen (SPF50 minimum), Aloe Vera Gel (for cooling in case you get sunburnt), a hat and sunglasses
  • Bug spray for all the mosquitos.
  • A small umbrella and/or raincoat just in case you get caught in a tropical shower.
  • Comfy shoes and sandals
  • Some nicer, but still light, clothes for networking events and fine dining.

Practical Information to visit Barbados

Barbados Currency

The currency of Barbados is the Barbados Dollar (BBD). It has been their legal tender since 1935 and the symbol used of it is the same as the US Dollar ($). It’s subdivided into 100 cents.

At the moment of writing these were the conversion rates:

  • 1 BBD = 0.46 GBP
  • 1 BBD = 0.51 EUR
  • 1 BBD = 0.50 USD (The BBD is tied to the USD, so the exchange rate is always BB$2 = USD$1

Time Zone

Barbados is on Atlantic Standard Time GMT -4. It does not use daylight savings time, so it stays on GMT-4 throughout the year.

Weather

Barbados weather tends to be warm and sunny all year round. With over 3 thousand hours of sunshine a year, it’s not strange that the average temperatures are around 25-26 degrees Celsius. The nights are usually a bit cooler, but still nice and cosy. And it can rain in the form of quick tropical showers that disappear soon enough to leave room for sunny skies, particularly during the rainy season (June to November).

Language

English is the official language of Barbados.

Power

Barbados uses a 115V supply voltage and 50Hz.

The power plugs and sockets are of type A and B (USA standard), and you may need a power plug adapter if you’re travelling from the UK or the EU.

Average prices in Barbados

  • Basic lunchtime menu: 40 BBD
  • Cappuccino: 8.42 BBD
  • 1 beer (0.5L): 5 BBD
  • Water (0.33l bottle): 0 BBD
  • Basic dinner for 2: 00 BBD

Emergency Phone Numbers

  • Fire Service: -311
  • Ambulance/First Aid: -511
  • Barbados Police: -211

Travel Insurance

We highly recommend you get some travel insurance that covers you in Barbados. Anything can happen anywhere in the world and medical aid abroad can be expensive, so better get covered.