A to Z of Barbados

The A to Z

ALCOHOL. Drink Driving laws do exist (see Getting Around).

ANIMALS. The hygiene and care of animals overseas differs vastly from the UK. Don't feed or play with animals domestic or wild.

BANKING. Generally banking hours are Monday to Thursday 8-00am to 3-00pm and Fridays 8-00am to 5-00pm. The RBTT bank is open on Saturday mornings from 9-00am to 12-00 noon.

BUSINESS HOURS. Offices and shops usually open from 8.30am to 5-00pm although of course you will find a number of supermarkets and tourist shops that are open longer hours. Shops in Bridgetown close on a Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday.

CHEMISTS Most pharmacies in Barbados open Monday to Friday 9-4.00 Some do open on weekends.

• Holetown Jamestown Pharmacy 432 5592
• Speightstown Pharmacy 422 1908
• Speightstown Roach Noel and Sons 422 2473

CHURCHES AND RELIGION. Barbados is predominantly Anglican but has approximately 125 different denominations.

CLIMATE. Light, prevailing NE trade winds bring a constant cooling breeze which helps keep the average temperature down to about 28 degrees Celsius, whilst during the night the temperature drops to around 22 degrees C. Rain comes intermittently, but never lasts for too long, once its stopped the sun soon dries up any signs of the downpour. All in all a great climate all the year round.

CREDIT CARDS. Major credit cards are widely accepted – but always check before buying. If heaven forbid you lose them, you need to call the following numbers:

• Visa 1 800 847 2911
• Master card 1 314 275 6690

Banks Cash points/ATM will take Visa and MasterCard. They will dispense local currency only.

CURRENCY. The Barbados dollar is tied directly to that of the USA at a rate of US$1.00 equals BD$1.98. One pound sterling is currently approximately BD$3.90

DIVING. Barbados has some excellent dive sites, instructors and opportunities for divers of all levels. Remember that the final dive must be at least 24 hours before your flight home.

DOCTORS. There are a number of clinics. Pay direct to the doctor and reclaim on your travel insurance when you return to the UK. Please read your Insurance Policy to check your cover.

• Jamestown Clinic, Holetown, St. James 432 1772.
• Speightstown Medical Centre, St Peter 422 5023
• FMH Emergency Medical Clinic St Michael 228 6120

ELECTRICITY. 110V. Power outlets take 2 or 3 round - pin plugs. Any UK 3 square – pin plugs will require an adaptor. Power cuts can happen but tend to be very occasional?

FESTIVALS.

• Holetown in February. This festival celebrates when the 1st European settlers arrived at the site of the present day Holetown. Usually in February around 17th there is a street parade, a local craft market and dancing.
  
• International Festival and Fair.
  Each year the multi-national women's group hosts the fair at Government House on the 1st Saturday in February. Large tents are erected, each one depicting a different part of the world and they sell local foods, arts and crafts.
  
• Oistens Fish Festival – Easter week.
  This event recognises and pays tribute to all those related to the fishing industry. Music, dancing and exhibition of local art are just part of the celebration. The festival usually takes place around Easter weekend.
  
• De Conga line Carnival.
  This takes place in April and provides a daily exhibition of crafts, arts and free entertainment. Most of the activities happen on the Dover playing field in St. Lawrence Gap.
  
• Crop over Festival
  This occurs at the end of July as Barbados finishes harvesting its sugar cane. The local Barbadians celebrate by arranging fairs, dancing and music including a parade, a calypso competition and lots of art, culture and local tradition. The festival finishes on 1st Monday in August with Radiomen day a national holiday and the biggest party day of the year with spectacular costumes, parade and the most popular calypso music.
  
• Barbados jazz festival.
  This is generally every year in the month of January for one week and features international jazz artists. It is an explosion of jazz music.

LIBRARY. The main public library can be found in Bridgetown on Coleridge Street.

DRY CLEANING. There are various competent companies dotted about the island. The nearest is in Holetown.

HOLDERS FESTIVAL. Held in the month of March it is an open air extravaganza of international music and dance. Attracting thousands of visitors and artists alike it is one of the highlights of the year. Pavarotti once performed here.

MEDICAL. There is no shortage of doctors on Barbados. The nearest hospital is in Bridgetown and called The Queen Elizabeth. There is a private hospital called Bay View, which may be covered by your insurance.

NATIONAL FLOWER. The national flower of Barbados is called “The Pride of Barbados” however this is not the biological name of the plant. This is the flower of a shrub like plant, which is often used to form hedges and borders in many of the public and private gardens on the island. The flowers are usually red, orange or pink and they take the form of 12 to 20 flowers on a spire, with long stamens from the centre of each flower.

NEWSPAPERS. Barbados has 2 local daily newspapers – The Advocate and The Nation. British dailies are available. Newspapers direct – newspapers same day delivery 436 1314.

PHOTOGRAPHY An extremely photogenic island. Flowers, palms on beach, colourful boats.

Please remember though people do not like being photographed without being asked and many adults do not like being photographed at all. (Children are often delighted to pose).

PLANT LIFE. Whilst here in Barbados, a visit to the Andromeda Gardens or the Flower Forest is a must. Barbados is a tropical island and as such the flora is spectacular.

POST OFFICE. These are not usually in a prominent position.
In Holetown – opposite the Sunset Crest Supermarket and next to the Police Station.
You can get stamps at most places that sell postcards. Post to UK takes around a week, but varies quite a bit (3 – 14 days!)

RESTAURANTS. See Restaurants Section as well as local magazines.

SECURITY. This is not a dangerous country, but do take sensible precautions.

• Deposit valuables in the safe.
• Lock cars, bikes etc as you would at home and leave nothing visible in them.
• Please do not wear lots of jewellery – but probably less needed here for guards in shops and banks than in England.

TELEPHONES. To dial back to the UK the code is 0044 (then your area code minus the 0).

TIPPING. A tricky one. If you think you have paid enough already, you are fully entitled to that view! However, wages in Barbados are quite low compared with the UK and living costs are surprisingly high (look around any supermarket) so tips are extremely welcome and hoped for if not expected.