Bring
'Off' or equivalent as
mosquitoes love the island and love you even more! You can
buy mosquito coils from us (light them and they release
a vapour that keep bugs away) Available in Barbados shops.
There is a fairly serious illness called Dengue which is
passed by infected mosquitoes and this can be reduced by
never leaving water to stagnate - so don't leave water in
vases, paddling pools etc. You must not take asprin if you
have any of the symptoms of Dengue - so the best advice
is not to take asprin at all for pain relief.
Other
than that there are the usual creepy crawlies but nothing
particularly dangerous. Cockroaches can be zapped with fly
spray but they won't actually do you any harm.
ARRIVING
AT THE AIPORT
On
the plane you will be sprayed with mosquito repellant -
don't be alarmed as this is not harmful to you or your children.
Just keep your eyes and mouths closed! Make sure your landing
card has been completed correctly - and remember that if
you do not have an address listed, of where you are staying
on the island, you will not be allowed through!
The
airport is very busy and very hot! So change into something
cool on the plane before you land. Don't even consider wearing
jeans or tying a sweater around your waist. Parents with
young children will usually be allowed to go through "Fast
Track". Keep a look out for officials and if you aren't
automatically shown the way then ask politely if there is
any way you can avoid the busy line with your infants. Have
a drink and something for children to play with when waiting
for bags if possible. It's often a long wait. Don't forget
pushchairs!
When
you go through to collect bags, porters will offer to help
you - unless you really do only have light bags then make
use of them. There are no trolleys available for you to
use yourselves. Tip them about US$1.50/2
per bag (SO HAVE SMALL BILLS AVAILABLE!) They will also
help you get a taxi. If you aren't sure how much you will
need to pay the taxi driver then ASK US before you leave.
These are set fares but as with anywhere in the world some
drivers may try to take advantage of visitors lacking local
knowledge. See our list of rates (Transport and Car Hire)
and agree the price before you leave. Tipping is up to you
but around 10% will suffice if
the taxi driver was friendly and helpful. You could also
go to our Transport page to see who offers airport transfers.
Telephone
calls
- The island code is 246 and when on the island all local
calls are free! It is cheaper to go to a pay phone than
to call from your apt, villa or hotel AT ALL TIMES when
placing international calls.
Internet
Access
- you can find Internet Cafes at several locations on the
island, some more expensive than others! See our Internet,
Communication and Business Services Page for options. If
you plan to bring your laptop then we would suggest you
visit one of our listed internet service providers BEFORE
YOU LEAVE and set up a temporary account.
Power
Cuts / Water Shortage - as wonderful as
the island is you're likely to experience the odd power
cut or discover that the water has been turned off (usually
just as you are about to take a shower!) So be prepared,
and just accept that you cant have everything in paradise!
Always keep a few bottles of water stored under the cupboard
for the essentials such as washing and making a cuppa (or
is that just a British thing?) Also keep candles in several
places, along with matches, so that when there is a power
shortage in the middle of the night and you are plunged
into complete darkness (you're usually woken up when the
fan is suddenly not working as you realise how much you
need it!) you can easily reach out and light the room. Don't
worry - they don't last long!
If
you're travelling during Hurricane Season then make sure
you have some supplies incase of emergency (canned food,
long life milk etc) There hasn't been a serious hurricane
for years so you don't need to really worry about this -
and the island has great warning systems and clearly marked
(and known) shelters) but better to have that peace of mind.
Topless
sunbathing - this is against the law!! Men
also please note that you wont be allowed in shops or restaurants
if you are not wearing a shirt!
Sun
Block / Cream - this is an obvious one but
every day there are literally hundreds of cases of sunburn,
especially after a cloudy day. Even if the sun is not out
you will burn! Children should wear tshirts and hats even
when swimming (especially when swimming!)
Swimming
on the East coast, in Bathsheba areas is
not advised!! Professional or experienced surfers only…..unless
you want to drift away and end up in the Gulf of Mexico.
Drugs
are strictly prohibited and if you are caught smoking so
much as a joint you will end up in court and be deported.
Length
of Stay in Barbados - you can stay for up
to 28 days on a tourist visa although if you want to stay
longer and have a return ticket then ask politely if you
could be stamped for three months. They may or may not do
this for you at the airport. Depends on who you get! If
not you will need to go to the Immigration Office in Bridgetown
and apply. Go as early as you can (they open at 8.30am)
and definitely get there before 10.45am Pick up the form
while you wait and you will be given an interview. Take
passport size photos. It will cost Bds$25
whether they give you it or not, and you wont be told for
three days (you leave your passport and tickets there) EXPECT
them to be unfriendly and don't take it personally. They
will want to know how you intend to support yourself during
your extended stay. If you want to know about working on
the island (don't get too excited -its not easy) then see
our Caribbean Job Vacancies page.
Officials
- As much as we love the island please expect Immigration
Officials, Police Officers and other government officials
to be unhelpful, stoney-faced and unfriendly. We don't know
why they have this attitude but there you go. Sex in Barbados
- there is increasing awareness on the island of the need
to have protected sex at all times. When you leave home
please don't leave your senses or condoms behind.
Laundry
- if you are on vacation and especially travelling with
children you will need to know where to do your laundry
if facilities are not available at your lodgings. See our
page dedicated to this for details! Don't tell us we haven't
thought of everything...
Poisonous
plants / insects - luckily Barbados is pretty
safe all round! Just keep an eye out for small apple type
looking fruits that are often on beaches. Don't sit under
the trees or pick the fruit off the ground as they have
a type of acid on the skins and will burn. If sheltering
under a tree during rain check you're not under one of these!
Not life threatening but can be uncomfortable. It is rare
but there has been known to be stinging jelly fish in the
waters and again they aren't life threatening but uncomfortable.
If in doubt see one of our listed doctors)
Aloe- this plant has wonderful soothing properties and
is often used for sun-burn. We suggest you don't have too
much sun in the first place but if necessary then check
what you are buying is the real thing. Vendors on the beach
have been known to sell something looking a lot like the
plan that wont help you with anything except for losing
money!
Gas
stations- attendants will
fill you up and often clean your windows for you. Tip if
you wish -around 10% The same
applies for the people that help you out with carrying groceries
from the supermarket to your car.
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