Barbados

Understand

Geography The main chain of Caribbean islands are along the rim of a tectonic plate that is migrating east, throwing up a line of volcanoes. Around that rim formed a shallow sea with a build-up of corals: one million years ago this was uplifted to become the present island, a slab of limestone.

History The first inhabitation of Barbados was probably about 1600 BC but little is known of those people. Better evidenced are the Saladoid-Barrancoid people who arrived by canoe from Venezuela's Orinoco Valley around 350 AD. Next were the Arawaks, arriving from South America around 800 AD; they called the place Ichirouganaim meaning "teeth", referring to the island's reefs. In the 13th century, the Caribs arrived from South America and displaced the previous populations. For the next few centuries, they lived in isolation here. In 1536 the Portuguese explorer Pedro Campos called the island "Os Barbados" ("The Bearded Ones") because the long hanging aerial roots of the island's fig trees resembled beards. Later, Spanish conquistadors seized many Caribs on Barbados to use as slaves, and many other Caribs fled from the island. However, neither Spain nor Portugal settled here. The first Europeans to do so were the British from 1627 and, unlike other Caribbean islands, Barbados never passed into the control of other nations as the later centuries' wars played out. Early crops were of cotton, tobacco, ginger and indigo, worked by indentured labourers, mostly English and Irish. Their conditions were harsh but not slavery, and after several years labour (if they survived), they were awarded freedom, money and land - so a colony evolved. But those crops suffered competition as North American production grew. Sugarcane was introduced in 1640 and proved more profitable and reliable,

See

If you're a member of a heritage organisation at home, such as the National Trust or RHS in Britain, bring your membership card, you'll get a discount at many Barbados heritage sites. Botanical gardens are mostly in the hilly, less-developed country of Central Eastern Barbados. They include Andromeda Gardens, Hunte's Gardens, Flower Forest and Orchid World. Grand houses from the plantation and colonial eras. Those routinely open for visits include the George Washington House and Wildey House in Bridgetown, and Sunbury Plantation House and Codrington College in Central Eastern Barbados. Several others are only open on special occasions, such as the Open House days in Jan-March. But you need to time your visit to dodge the coach parties and cruise ship excursions. While that applies to any tourist attraction on Barbados, it's especially true for these houses - they're grand but not palatial, and cramming into a Georgian four-poster bedroom with fifty other amply-fed folk takes the gloss off the experience. Caves: the island limestone is riddled with them, there must be hundreds down there. The most popular is Harrison's Cave in the centre of the island. You

Getting there

Entry requirements

All foreign visitors require a passport valid for the duration of their trip, and a return ticket. Very few need a visa for tourist or business visits: since 2022 the exceptions are for citizens of Afghanistan, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Laos, Libya, North Korea, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Somalia and Syria. All others may enter for a period between 28 days and six months. See Visit Barbados for specifics by country.

By plane 1 Bridgetown Grantley Adams Airport (BGI IATA). By air is the main way in and out of Barbados, so the airport has good connections to North America, Europe (especially Britain and Germany), and the Caribbean region. Many long-haul flights are by package tour operators such as TUI or Virgin Atlantic, but these also offer flight-only tickets. Regional short hops are by Caribbean Airlines and InterCaribbean Airways. Departing, check-in is a semi-open-air triangle with a couple of small cafes and free rest-rooms. After check-in, emigration comes before security, as there are no domestic flights. Airside has a large retail mall with cafes but the exchange desk charges a minimum fee so it's not the best option for leftover small amounts of B$. Arriving, you may use the duty-free shop before immigration. You have to fill in a landing card for immigration, and must keep the counterfoil for departure. (updated Feb 2026) The airport is 8 miles east of downtown. Public buses and minibuses run from a stop just outside the airport. They ply to the south coast hotel strip, Bridgetown, and up the west coast as far as Holetown and Speightstown for B$3.50 per person, but a taxi is the most convenient way to get to your hotel on arrival. Across the road is a little collection of bars and eating places.

By boat There are no

Getting around

Drive on the left. The bus system is extensive, cheap and fast if you are headed somewhere on the main route, but a car or mini-moke is the only way to reach the out-of-the-way sights. Buses run by the Barbados Transport Board are blue, and quiet. Private operators include the yellow buses, which play very loud music, and private white mini-vans, which are usually cramped and crowded. The private buses and mini-vans are often driven fast and furious. All charge the same flat fare for any journey: in 2026 it's B$3.50. They accept either B$ or US$, but BTB buses don't give change. Taxis are plentiful and prices are reasonable. They don't use meters, so negotiate the price before you start. Your hotel or any friendly locals will know the going rate for a cab ride to the main destinations. Renting a car is expensive. Island roads are narrow and twisty with poor sight-lines and unexpected bumps. The exception is the ABC highway, which is part dual carriageway. Out of town, few roads have sidewalks, so watch for pedestrians especially children, folk stood waiting for buses, and oncoming vehicles wrong-side as they try to pass slower traffic. All this is especially hazardous to cyclists and mopeds. Road signs are not always helpful (they often indicate the next two settlements in reverse order, furthest first), so be prepared to get lost: just ask the way as people are always eager to help. At most car rental agencies, a full collision damage waiver policy is included. But these exclude tyre damage, a testament to the state of the smaller roads and tendency of foreign drivers to miscalculate driving lanes and hit curbs. Another way to get around is to rent a moke, an open top car or buggy. But the same hazards prevail, it's not as fancy-free as in the commercials.