Barbados is a breathtaking island country located in the Caribbean Sea.
It’s 34km long and 23km wide.
It is known for the clear water and beaches with soft sand that looks like it’s out of this world.
Besides swimming, diving and working on the tan, tourists can also enjoy horse racing, cricket, polo, explore the wonderful nature, visit festivals and museums, see George Washington House or Nidhe Israel Synagogue, try out the local dishes and go to night clubs and bars to get a sense of the local nightlife.
No matter what you choose for yourself, you will definitely enjoy your stay on Barbados.
Warnings & Dangers in Barbados
OVERALL RISK : MEDIUM
Barbados is generally a safe island for tourists. However, certain scams occur and the more you learn about them before you go on vacation, the less likely it is to get tricked into anything. Also, be careful when withdrawing money on the ATM, particularly at night.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK : LOW
Transport is pretty safe in Barbados. Tourists can choose between going by a Transport Board Bus, Maxi Bus, Mini bus or taxi. If you want to get on the bus simply raise your arm for 5 seconds to give a signal to the bus driver that you want a ride.
PICKPOCKETS RISK : MEDIUM
Pickpocketing can occur in Barbados. Thieves usually work in groups, so one person tries to distract you, while the other one grabs valuable things you own when you are not looking. The other version is that the girls in clubs target drunken men and take their money from the pockets.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK : LOW
Barbados is at risk for various natural hazards such as tropical storms, hurricanes, floods, soil erosions, earthquakes, landslides, and coastal vulnerability. However, they occur very rarely and Barbados is named one of 3 countries where the tourists are least likely to find themselves in the middle of a natural disaster.
MUGGING RISK : MEDIUM
Mugging is not frequent but can occur in Barbados. The tourists are advised to take precautions such as leaving expensive things at home or at least in the hotel's safe deposit box. Sometimes leaving things in the hotel room may be risky, especially in cheaper hotels.
TERRORISM RISK : LOW
There is no history of previous terrorist attacks in Barbados, but they can't be completely ruled out. Be cautious always and in case some dangerous situation happens, make sure you follow the security protocol to protect yourself as much as possible.
SCAMS RISK : HIGH
The scam risk is high on Barbados. If a stranger stops you while you're driving and offers you to guide you and show you the best places to have fun, you can expect that you will be asked to pay a significant amount of money.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK : LOW
Female solo travelers can travel to Barbados without any additional risk, it is safe. Just keep in mind to pay attention to the general recommendations concerning safety and you should have no problems while you are spending your vacation in Barbados.
How Safe Is Barbados for Tourists?
Barbados is pretty safe for tourists.
However, there are some things you should know before you go.
There is a scam with aloe vera massage on the beaches when the tourists get a massage that they didn’t ask for, but once when the massage is finished, the tourist is asked to pay.
The only way to protect yourself from this is to negotiate a price first or decline on time.
Also, taxies located where tourists gather usually don’t use meters so they can ask for more money.
If you hear the taxi driver saying that the meter is not working, either negotiate the price or look for another taxi.
Sometimes, tourists can be offered to feed the turtle and may seem friendly, after the feeding is done, a high price gets requested.
Make sure you pay special attention when withdrawing money on the ATM because scammers sometimes install a skimmer that can get all the information from the credit card.
Taking the card gets harder and when the tourists start being distracted, a scammer usually grabs it at that moment.
Even though these things happen, it doesn’t mean that they need to happen to you.
Learn from the mistakes of tourist that were there before you and be careful.
Do I Need a Visa to Visit Barbados?
Most visitors do not need to have a visa to visit Barbados.
To make sure if the citizens of your country need to have one, check the status before making arrangements.
Which Currency Is Used in Barbados?
The official currency of Barbados is the Bajan dollar.
The symbol is $.
One U.S. dollar equals 2,02 Bajan dollars.
The good news is that U.S. dollars are accepted all over the island.
How's the Weather like in Barbados?
The weather is sunny in Barbados throughout the year with more than 3,000 sunny hours.
The average temperature goes around 30 °C.
The hurricane season begins in June and ends in October.
What Do I Need to Know about Airports in Barbados?
There is only one airport in Barbados.
It is called Grantley Adams International Airport.
This airport is located almost 13km away from Bridgetown.
It serves more than 2 million passengers a year.
Should I Get Travel Insurance for My Travels?
Travel insurance is recommended no matter how long you plan to stay.
Take travel insurance that covers things that are important to you.
Make sure the coverage for medical expenses is included.
What Are Some Things to Do in Barbados?
Besides many beaches you can visit, where you can rest, swim and dive, there are also museums where you can learn more about the history of Barbados.
There is something for everyone’s taste.
Is the Water in Barbados Safe to Drink?
The water in Barbados is safe for drinking and the water supply is reliable.
Besides, it is tasty and refreshing to drink.
You can consume it straight from the tap.
Is Uber Safe in Barbados?
There is no Uber in Barbados, but there are many taxies readily available that tourists can use.
Their service is good and safe, so you can explore the island without any issues.
Just make sure to choose the ones that use the meter.
