Barbados is as diverse as it is beautiful. Visitors are known to fall in love with this exquisite coral stone island, making it their primary vacation destination. Many of them return annually and express a desire for wanting to stay longer and the Barbados Welcome Stamp is a new visa programme which is designed to allow visitors to work from a distance while enjoying all that this tropical island has to offer. With its island-wide internet connectivity, high-quality education from the nursery to tertiary level and it’s globally recognised health care facilities, Barbados is offering itself as the ideal ‘home away from home’ for individuals and families. But what do you and your family need to know about the island before packing your bags and relocating to Barbados? Listen up...
Business & Banking
Banks typically open from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday – Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Friday and are closed on all National Holidays. Alternatively, you can use your credit card at most businesses island-wide or withdraw up to $1000 USD per day at any one of hundreds of ATM Machines. These ATM machines can be found island-wide, outside of banks or at most 24hr gas stations. They Only Dispense Local Currency.
Business: From Monday to Friday businesses and stores in Barbados are traditionally open from 8:30/9 am and close at roughly 4:30/5:00 pm. On Saturdays stores in the main towns can typically close between 1 pm and 2 pm. However, shopping malls and larger supermarkets open till later in the night - until 8:00 pm in many instances.
*There may be some changes to opening hrs due to COVID - 19 protocols or restrictions.
Buses
Getting around on the bus is easy once you know how! Public transport is only $1.50 (USD) and it is a convenient and economical way of getting from place to place or simply for sightseeing. The bus service is accessible from as 6:00 am, and continues until as late as midnight in some areas.You must be sure to consult with the local bus schedule for more information. www.transportboard.com.
Blue Buses: These government-owned vehicles provide a comfortable ride, only stop at marked bus stops and require exact change. The blue colour and yellow stripes make them easily recognisable. However, you can also keep your eyes peeled for tour buses that the Government has recently added to supplement their fleet of Public Service Vehicles. They will bear the transport board emblem on the front and side.
Yellow Buses: These privately owned buses pass frequently along almost every route.They arrive at their destinations quickly and can be quite crowded, depending on the time of day. These buses are predominantly seen on mid-length routes, 30 - 45 minutes from beginning to end.
ZR Vans or route taxis: In these minivans space ( Including leg room) can be limited. These vehicles pass frequently on shorter routes from the city and are one of the most popular modes of local transport for short trips.
Dress Code
We are a casual and comfortable island but there are a few rules
● Even though we have a beach culture, you will encounter some establishments were No Shoes and No Shirt = No Service
● Dress comfortably but make it elegantly casual for Fine Dining.
● To wear camouflage gear of any kind is illegal.
Drinking Water
Our water is amongst the purest in the world, it’s tasty and perfectly safe to drink from the tap.
Education
Barbados’ education level has been ranked by UNESCO as falling within the top 5 countries in the world. Literacy is estimated to be very close to 100%. Our system consists of nursery (0-4 years), primary (4-11 years), secondary (12-16 years) and tertiary (16+ years) levels. If you are travelling to Barbados on the Welcome Stamp programme, you will require a student visa in order to be enrolled in any of the institutions. There are public primary and secondary schools in every parish of the island, however, these types of schools are also accessible privately at several facilities dotted across the island. Some of the private school in Barbados are:
Primary Schools
● Al-Falah Muslim School (St Michael)
● Cave Vale Preparatory School (Christ Church)
● Codrington School (St John)
● Lockerbie College (St Michael)
● People’s Cathedral Primary School (St Michael)
● Providence Elementary School (St George)
● St. Angela's (St Michael)
● St Cyprian’s Boys’ School (St Michael)
● St Gabriel’s School (St Michael)
● St Luke’s Academy (St Peter)
● St Winifred’s School (St Michael)
● The Ifill School (St Michael)
● The Rock Christian School (St Michael)
● Wills Primary School (Christ Church)
Secondary Schools
● Al-Falah Muslim School (St Michael)
● Codrington School (St John)
● Lockerbie College (St Michael)
● Providence Secondary School (St George)
● St Winifred’s School (St Michael)
● The Ursuline Convent School (St Michael)
For tertiary education, the Barbados Community College is located in St. Michael and offers a range of speciality programmes across several disciplines from the Associate’s to Bachelor’s degree levels. You can also enroll in the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies which has a choice of diploma, certificate, undergraduate, graduate and professional qualifications. There are also the American University of Barbados and the Ross University School of Medicine which offers medical training.
Electricity
The voltage is mostly 110 volts, 50Hz cycle. Check your accommodation to see if you will need a converter or if one is provided in room.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
● Police – Tel: 211
● Fire – Tel: 311
● Ambulance – Tel: 511
● Queen Elizabeth Hospital - 246 436 6450 (Open 24 hours)
● FMH Emergency Medical Clinic: Tel: 246-228-6120
● Sandy Crest Medical: Tel: 246-419-4911 (Open 24 hours)
Exchange Rates
The US dollar typically has an exchange rate of US $1.00 to Bds. $1.98 dollars.
Major credit cards and US dollars are accepted island-wide. Traveller’s checks in the U.S., U.K. and Canadian funds can also be used at many outlets.
Health Care
The healthcare system in Barbados is world-class, comprising both public and private medical centres complete with highly trained staff to facilitate the care of those in need. There is no need to worry about vaccinations. However, while here, use mosquito repellent to prevent mosquito bites and wails.
The main hospital, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, is located in Bridgetown and provides emergency, surgical and specialist treatment in areas such as radiology, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology , cardiology, and many more. There are also public polyclinics which are in operation around the island. The Winston Scott Polyclinic in Bridgetown is the only one which provides 24-hours service for asthma patients as well as those with non-life-threatening complaints. The other polyclinics across the island are:
Christ Church Randall Phillips Polyclinic
St George Glebe Polyclinic
St John David Thompson Health and Social Services Complex
St Michael Branford Taitt Polyclinic
Edgar Cochrane Polyclinic
Eunice Gibson Polyclinic
St Peter Maurice Byer Polyclinic
For private emergency care, you can contact Urgent Care Mobile which facilitates emergency home visits. There are also private 24-hour health care emergency facilities which are available, such as:
Christ Church Elcourt Clinic
St James Sandy Crest Medical Centre
St Michael FMH Emergency Medical Clinic
The island also has the Enmore facility which, along with the Harrison’s Point facility in St Lucy, have been set up specifically to treat highly infectious diseases, in the event that such arise on this usually very safe island.
Safety:
Barbados is generally considered to be a secure island with a relatively low crime rate. However, it is always advised that visitors take the same precautions they would at home, whether they are conducting business or engaging in leisure around the island. Valuables should never be left in plain sight or within easy reach and should be locked in your room or hotel safe where possible. Additionally, you should lock the doors of your car or accommodation when leaving them. Notably, some activities which are legal elsewhere are Prohibited by law in Barbados including wearing camouflage and the use of marijuana and other illicit drugs.
Seasons
As a tropical island, Barbados enjoys warm weather year-round. It has relatively flat topography and is constantly cooled by gentle easterly tradewinds which sweep across the island.
1. While temperate countries are used to 4 seasons, Barbados has only 2 (wet season and dry season) which each last for an average of 6 months. The wet season is generally considered to be the latter half of the year when the Atlantic Hurricane Season is active. Notably, as the island sits on the outside of the hurricane belt, it has not been severely affected by hurricanes since 1955, however, it is recommended that residents and visitors remain prepared and vigilant in the event of adverse weather conditions during these months.
Taxes & Gratuities
VAT - Value Added Tax (VAT) - 17.5% is charged on most items that are non essential.
Gratuities (10% - 15%) will be automatically added to the bill in many places.
At your accommodation ask what room charges are applicable.
Telecommunications
Stay Connected while on the Island!
Make a Direct Call to:
● North American / Canada territories-Dial: 1, the area code, and the telephone number.
● United Kingdom – Dial: 011 44, the area code (Omit the usual 0 before the area code), and the telephone number.
Local Calls:
● Purchase a FLOW / Digicel SIM card to utilise in your “unlocked” international cell phone by purchasing from marked retail outlets islandwide.
● From The hotel/ Accommodation – Ask if fees are attached to local calls from your room.
Wildlife
We have an intimidating wildlife scene…no not really. You will mostly find the native (and often mischievous) green monkeys, ‘yard fowls’ ( neighbourhood chickens) and perhaps a few stray cats and dogs. Occasionally those living in the country will spot wild hares.