The Facts About Barbados

Barbados vacation guests will see a culture as diverse as its geography. Barbados travel guests will see two sides of this Caribbean island, first an urban escapist's dream awaits, complete with low-cost, isolated Barbados hotel and Barbados resort accommodations set upon high cliffs overlooking the Barbados beaches of the Atlantic crashing against a rocky shore. On the opposite end, Barbados vacation guests will find a developed, highly-urban society, with some of the Caribbean's top-notch shopping and nightlife.

Regardless of which side Barbados vacation guests choose, Barbados still maintains a strong sense of British sensibility mixed with its West Indian cultural heritage; don't be surprised if everyone stops for afternoon tea, or if an islander speaks to you in a British accent.  This is a real treat for the Barbados travel guest. For more great information in detail, the Barbados vacation guest can visit the official website of the Barbados Tourism Authority or check out the Government of Barbados Information Network.

CURRENCY:
The Barbados vacation guest will find the Barbados dollar (BD$) is the currency of Barbados, and is fixed to U.S. currency at a rate of $2(BD) = $1(USD).

ELECTRICITY:
The Barbados travel guest will find the electrical system in all of the Barbados hotels and Barbados resorts use the same 110-volt AC system used in the U.S.; Barbados vacation guests from countries with different voltages should bring converters.

GDP PER CAPITA
The annual income per household in Barbados is $14,500(USD).

ISLAND SIZE
The island is about 166.4 square miles in size, making it one of the smaller Caribbean islands.

LANGUAGE
Barbados vacation guests will find English is the official language of Barbados, but is spoken with a British accent and a local lilt. A treat for all Barbados travel guests.

POPULATION
Barbados has 264,800 native residents, and the island sees about 507,100 Barbados vacation guests annually.

Entry Requirements

For Barbados vacation guests that are U.S. and Canadian citizens planning on staying in Barbados hotels or Barbados resorts for less than three months, a birth certificate, photo ID, and return or on-going ticket are sufficient for entry, but a passport is highly recommended for all Barbados travel guests - as it always is with international travel. Barbados vacation guests from the U.K. and all other countries, including those of the Caribbean, will need valid passports and on-going or return tickets.

Geography

Barbados vacation guests will be on the Furthest east of the Caribbean islands, Barbados is a hop, skip, and a jump away from the continental country of Venezuela. The island formed on coral between the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. The Barbados beaches on Caribbean shore is soft and calm. The Barbados beaches on the Atlantic coast, despite being home to rough seas, offers gorgeous scenery. Sight-seeing from atop the cliffs of the Atlantic is a favorite experience for locals and Barbados travel guests alike.

Getting There

Barbados vacation guests can fly to Grantley Adams International Airport is the only international airport on Barbados; flight availability is very good for Barbados travel guests, with many direct flights arriving daily from Miami and New York, and connecting flights arriving from all across the Caribbean. Many major airlines service Grantley Adams, including, but not limited to, American Airlines, Air Canada, Air Jamaica, BWIA, British Airways, Canadian Airlines, Caribbean Star, and LIAT making it easy for most Barbados vacation guests to travel to Barbados.  Keep youe eye on the Barbados beaches as you fly in.

Health and Safety

The number of crimes reported in Barbados is fairly low making the island safe for Barbados vacation guests, and the gap between socioeconomic classes is not so great as to cause major problems. Still, Barbados travel guests should use common - keeping an eye on your valuables, being aware of your surroundings both in Barbados hotels and on Barbados beaches, and taking other basic precautions can go a long way to making your Barbados vacation more enjoyable.

As far as water goes, Barbados vacation guests are lucky to have a naturally pure water supply; water is filtered through the coral rock base of the island and is pumped from an underground supply.

People

The Barbados vacation guest will find the people of Barbados maintain the British traditions introduced to the country during colonization; Bajans speak British English with a gorgeous combination of an island lilt and British accent that makes otherwise"ordinary" English sound absolutely charming to the Barbados travel guest. Tea time is strictly maintained on the island, so don't be surprised if shop owners in Barbados hotel and Barbados resorts, business people, and even cab drivers take a break in the afternoon to enjoy their tea.  We hope that the Barbados vacation guests will partake in this grand tradition. 

Barbados travel guests will find one of the more amazing things about Bajan culture is the modern attitude of the city despite a traditional culture. There is as much development on the island as there is preservation of natural beauty and of the Barbados beaches, which leads to an interesting blend of attitudes among locals. Further,  the Barbados vacation guest will find that the country is not as densely crowded as other Caribbean islands, creating a more casual, less rushed atmosphere that is reflected in the behavior of the Bajan people.

Weather and Climate

The Barbados weather is delightful year-round climate enhances its natural and cultural beauty for all Barbados vacation guests. Truly tropical, Barbados experiences stable, pleasant year-round temperatures with January seeing average lows of about 74 and highs of 82, and July basking in lows of 78 and highs of 85 is perfect for Barbados beach goers (all temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit). Bajan rainfall averages 46.7 inches annually, so the Barbados travel guest will also enjoy gorgeous, lush vegetation.

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