Before you go to Barbados, here are some useful facts and things to know so when you arrive on the island you know what to expect.

Barbados has one airport: Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI). The airport is in the south of the island and is 16 km from Bridgetown, the capital. There is only one terminal at the airport. The airport has no airways, so passengers must exit the plane via a flight of stairs and walk to the arrivals hall.

Barbados has a strict rule that prohibits any form of army camouflage clothing, including hats, scarves, shorts, T-shirts, backpacks, etc. The Authorities will ask anyone using such items in the country (including children) to remove them.

LANDING CARD

On board the flight you will be given an Immigration/Customs form to complete. The forms must be completed before entering the Arrivals Hall. Visitors must provide the address where they will be staying while in Barbados. On the back of the Landing Card there is a blue Customs Form that must be completed and given to the Customs Officer once he has collected your baggage.

MEET AND GREET AT THE AIRPORT

Take the hassle out of your arrival experience by arranging a personal Meet and Greet service. This service includes being personally escorted through Immigration, immediate assistance with baggage retrieval, and continuing through Customs to a waiting air-conditioned taxi.

RED CAPS

After you have cleared Immigration, you will see numerous “red caps”. These men and women are available to help you with your bags and escort you through Customs to the outside. It is customary to tip Red Caps Bds$2 (US$1) per bag, however, for extra luggage or exceptional service, an extra tip will not be refused.

TAX FREE ARRIVAL SHOPPING

There is a duty-free liquor and wine store next to baggage claim where prices can be up to 70% less than retail purchases on the island. Especially good bargains are found on vodka, gin, and whiskey. There are no savings on our local rum. Each person is allowed 1 liter, but connoisseurs know they can buy more than the 1 liter limit.

TRANSPORT

Unless you have made prior arrangements for a private taxi, on leaving the Arrivals Hall there is a counter immediately to the left where a taxi dispatcher will direct you to the next available taxi. There are signs with published fares for all the major destinations on the island, but be aware that most, if not all, drivers will charge an additional fee depending on the number of passengers and the amount of luggage. We suggest you agree on a price before leaving the airport.

CAR RENTAL

There are numerous car rental companies on the island, but only a few meet international standards. Courtesy of Rent-a-Car, one of the oldest and best-known car rental companies in Barbados, and Drive-a-Matic have kiosks immediately to the left after exiting the Arrivals Hall. With a prior reservation, other companies will usually greet you with a hand sign outside the Arrivals Hall.

DRINKING WATER

Barbados’ water is naturally filtered through limestone and coral and is therefore safe to drink. Some say that Barbados water is fit for a queen, as Queen Elizabeth herself declared that Barbados water is delicious.

TAX FREE SHOPPING

If you’re shopping at any of the many shops on the island, be sure to take your passport and immigration card with you, as you’ll need to present these documents to purchase certain duty-free items. Alcohol and tobacco purchases cannot be taken with you, but will be waiting for you at the Chamber of Commerce counter after you pass security in the Departures Hall.

MOVE

We drive on the left side of the road, which means the steering wheel is located on the right side of the vehicle. For those of you who drive on the “other side of the road”, be careful and be careful and look both ways before crossing the road. Easy tip: the steering wheel should always be in the middle of the road, never to the side!

Bajans like their car horns. Horns are rarely blown in anger in Barbados, but more as a friendly greeting, a “please go ahead” and a thank you. A flashing of the lights is a “please proceed before me” indication.

Navigating our extensive road system can be quite a challenge. You can download a free SatNav map to your Garmin and some car rental companies offer SatNav with the car rental. Bus stop signs are useful for knowing which way you are going. They are marked “Into Town” or “Out of Town.” This is useful if you want to go in either of those directions, but traversing the country can be a bit trickier.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Our public transport system is quite good, however, there is no particular schedule. The blue buses are owned by the Government; the yellow minibuses and small white ZR vans are privately owned. Unfortunately, there is sporadic enforcement of the sometimes unsafe driving practices exhibited by public transportation vehicles. Use these vehicles at your own risk. Bus fares are Bds$2/US$1 to anywhere on the island. Just raise your hand to point to a bus.

LOCAL DRIVING LICENSE

If you rent a vehicle, the car rental company will issue you a driving license valid for 3 months. The cost is Bds$10 / US$5. Alternatively, if you are borrowing a car from a family member or friend, you can get your local driving license at any police station. They only accept Barbadian dollars. Remember to bring your own driving license.

BABY EQUIPMENT RENTAL

Car seats, strollers, cots, cribs, even toys, can all be easily rented if you want to leave those bulky items at home to facilitate a hassle-free trip to Barbados.

SPENDING MONEY

US dollars are easily accepted throughout the island at a conversion rate of $2.00 Bds equivalent to $1.00 US. Any other currency can be converted to Barbados Dollars at any of the island’s banks or at the Baggage Claim bank at the airport. On departure, the Barbados National Bank kiosk located in the Departures Hall can exchange your remaining Barbados dollars for your local currency. All major credit cards are accepted in Barbados, although American Express is not widely accepted.

TIPS

It is not customary to tip taxi drivers, although a tip will not be refused. The average tip at a restaurant is 10%, but check that a service charge or gratuity has not been included in the restaurant bill. In the supermarket it is customary to give a couple of dollars to those who pack your grocery bags and then take them to your car. In the private villas, the staff appreciate a tip at the end of your holiday and this amount is discretionary, depending on the level of service you have received. Check with your villa manager or reservation agent for guidelines. Hotels typically automatically add a 10% service charge to your room and food and beverage bill.