Little England Uncovered...Barbados Insider Tips

Beautiful beaches, lively nightlife in the island's south, superb local cuisine and lots of prime location accommodation options. That's why Barbados is so popular with UK tourists!

Beautiful beaches…

Barbados boasts some of the most beautiful beaches not only in the Caribbean but the world. With crystal clear warm seas, it’s an idyllic location for swimming, water sports and relaxation. So don’t let mandatory hazards ruin you Barbados beach break...

Look out for any warning signs such as dangerous water conditions or sharks before you enter the sea.

Never go swimming by yourself or on a deserted beach, with unpredictable currents you can’t be sure what will happen.

Don’t swim too far off shore and check there are lifeguards on the beach before you head out.

Make sure you keep yourself hydrated; drink plenty of water and watch out for heatstroke signs.

With average temperatures of 27-30°C, it is essential you take the relative sun cream with you as you can burn even on cloudy days.

How do I get around?

Barbados transport system is fast, inexpensive and convenient. The blue buses, run by Barbados Transport Board tend to provide a relaxed quiet ride. It’s just $1.50 (Barbados dollars) for a ride but, don’t forget to keep change on you as BDB only accept local currency and doesn’t give change.

For a more fun trip to your destination, Barbados private operators have yellow buses and play very loud music. Be aware, the private transport drivers have a habit to drive very fast and carelessly. These buses also charge $1.50 a ride.

Taxis are also reasonably priced; you will find most of them will not have a metre so negotiate a price before you get in, though most drivers are very honest and helpful so it’s not a huge worry.

Great nights out:

Barbados nightlife is buzzing 7 nights a week. Providing entertainment for every taste, spend your evenings at late night dinner shows, open air nightclubs, listening to live music and much more. lowcostholidays.com recommend you visit St.Lawrence Gap as it is celebrated for its fine restaurants and lively nightlife.

If you’re lucky enough to be travelling to the island in the summer months of May or June, look forward to the legendary crop over festival. The traditional festival fills the streets with reggae and calypso music, bajan food, colourful dancers, singing, competitions and fun activities including climbing greased poles.

Duty-free shopping:

Barbados offers an exciting shopping experience. Known for its quality goods and tax-free reasonable prices, you get your value for money with pretty much everything you buy.

Remember your passport or ticket when shopping for duty free goods as you will be asked to show them when purchasing goods.

Flying fish and fresh fruit…

You can eat amazingly well on your Barbados holiday break, the culinary experience is amazing.

Traditional food such as flying fish, chicken rice and peas and pork stew can be found in countless restaurants and stalls. Prices range from $5 snacks from takeaway stalls and street vendors to $25-$30 for quality, mid-range restaurant meals.

Popular fruits include papaya, mangos, guava, bananas and pineapples. Try some of the islands local produce such as cherries and grapefruit to get a true taste of the island.

Liquid gold…

You will find some of the world’s finest and strongest rum in Barbados. The island is home to the world's oldest known rum; Mount Gay Rum, which is over 300 years old. Appreciate the taste of Barbados rum and its creation process with the Mount Gay Rum Tour.

With such a huge variety of branded rum in Barbados, you can pay anywhere from $10 to $30 and above for a bottle of the liquid gold.

Drinking alcohol on the street or on the beach is allowed but, remember to take your rubbish with you.

Hidden Gems:

Gigi’s gourmet restaurant is a must see in you are staying in Christ church. Providing excellent value for fresh local dishes, it is certainly worth a visit. It is slightly difficult to find but definitely a Barbados hidden gem.

Other useful Tips:

-The local currency is the Barbadian Dollar. Everything on the island is sold in the Barbadian dollars although the US dollar is also widely accepted. For convenience, lowcostholidays recommend you exchange your money to Barbadian dollars before arrival but, money and travellers cheques can be exchanged on the island.

-Remember driving is on the left, this might take a little adjusting for those who live outside the UK.

The naturally filtered water in Barbados is safe to drink and make sure you drink plenty of it to avoid dehydration.
Go crazy with the bug spray at night, mosquitoes are notorious for their itchy bites.

-Visit a sugarcane plantation such as the Francia Plantation to see first-hand where sugar comes from.

-Swimming is not recommended in the Atlantic Ocean (on the east coast) due to strong currents and high waves.

-Many restaurants will add a service charge of at least 10%; make sure you check your bill before leaving a hefty tip on top of a large service charge.

The local church in the St. Lawrence Gap area, Christ Church, also acts as the Hurricane Shelter. There’s no need to panic, the island is located on the edge of the Atlantic hurricane belt so it’s rare one will occur, buts is reassuring to know.