Barbados

Barbados is an island in the Caribbean, or West Indies, northeast of Venezuela, in Central America, lying between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. The island is portrayed as the little England of the Caribbean because of its long association as a British colony.

Cities

Barbados towns and cities include

Bridgtown

Bridgetown is the capital of Barbados, the western most island of the Caribbean. Bridgetown is the only city on Barbados and well over half the island's residents live there. Bridgetown is the port of call for many cruise ships and is known for its duty-free shopping as much as for its more cultural and historical attractions.

Waterfront

Barbados History Museum

Parliament

Broad Street

Swan Street

St. Mary's Church

Cheapside Market

Bathsheba

Bathsheba is a small town on the open and rugged coast of Barbados with breakers crashing in from the Atlantic. The eastern coast of Bim has been compared to the Cornish coast. Bathsheba is the wilder side of Barbados, away from the crowds and swanky hotels and it's worth it.

What to See and Do

Long Pond

The old Sugar Mill.

Take a walk along this breezy coast and stare in wonder at the enormous boulders dominating Bathsheba, then visit Andromeda Gardens, or go north to Codrington College and St. Lucy.

Generally, the waves are too rough for ordinary swimmers, although surfers and windsurfers are drawn to the waves here.

Bath Beach, One of the best 'bathing beaches' on this coast is a little to the south.

Holetown

Holetown is set on the west coast (also known as 'the Platinum Coast') of Barbados island, amongst the posher hotels and villas. Holetown offers shopping, eating and drinking, but there isn't much of a town centre to speak of. Walk through the numerous alleys down to the beach, and you will see why this the most expensive coastline of Barbados.

South Coast

The south coast is made up of several very small towns strung along the coast. Most of the budget hotels, guesthouses, and apartment are located here. Towns include Hastings, Rockley, Worthing, St.Lawrence, Oistins, Silver Sands and Maxwell.

Speeking the Lingo

Bajans speak English but usually as their second tongue. their first language is a Creole called Bajan or (Bajan Kriyol). It mixes English, along with words from such African languages as, Twi, Igbo and Fula and is spoken in an African syntax.

Money Matters

The local currency is the Bajan dollar, but US dollars are accepted just about everywhere in shops and restaurants. The exchange rate is fixed at 2 Bajan dollars to the US Dollar. Keep in mind that exchangers in hotels may insist on taking an additional percentage of the exchange (typically 5%). Lots of duty free shops in Bridgetown catering to the cruise liner trade, where you can buy jewellery, etc.

How to Keep Out of Danger

Although a very safe place to travel, it is generally suggested to avoid certain high risk activities. Such activities include walking on secluded beaches late at night, or walking in unfamiliar residential neighborhoods away from main roads.

The most common kinds of crimes against tourists include taxi fraud, robbery, and shortchanging; however, even these are rare and usually confined to high-traffic places like Bridgetown. Bajans are by nature exceptionally friendly, and will go out of their way to be kind to tourists, especially in the earlier part of the tourist season (November and December).

A special area of concern for visitors to Barbados is drugs. The country's strict anti-drug policy is made apparent to visitors coming through Customs. In practice, however, Europeans and Americans in Barbados can be offered marijuana or even cocaine frequently. Sellers will often roam the beaches selling aloe vera or other such innocuous goods as a pretense to begin a conversation about "ganja," "smoke" or "bad habits." As a result, many hotels and resorts now ban the use of aloe vera under the pretense that it "stains the towels." Regardless of one's inclination to using these drugs, it is not advisable to accept these offers. While Bajan police are not frequently encountered, they prosecute drug crimes with great prejudice.

Healthy Matters

Beware of the sun, Barbados is only 13 degrees off of the equator and you can burn very easily. It is very important to keep your water intake high. Drink plenty of water or bring an umbrella to shade yourself against the sun, which is commonly done in the country.

During nightfall, it is advisable to put on bug spray, as mosquitos are often a nuisance to anyone staying outdoors for prolonged periods. This is most prevelant while eating at outdoor restaurants.

Respect Other Cultures

Despite, or maybe because of the tropical climate, Bajans tend to dress conservatively when not on the beach. A bikini probably won't be appreciated in town and certainly not in church.