Shopping
Overview
Barbados has been a trading center since the 17th century and today has excellent business relations with the other Caribbean islands. High-quality yet affordable goods and excellent service make shopping, especially on Bridgetown’s main shopping street, Broad Street, a real pleasure in this eastern Caribbean tax haven. Many items can be purchased duty-free on presentation of your flight ticket and passport. As a result, the prices are not the cheapest, but they are often 30 to 50% cheaper than in Europe or North America. The international goods on offer, from jewellery, watches, clothing, crystal and porcelain, are of high quality, which makes shopping worthwhile. Rum, Straw work, coral jewellery, batik fabrics, brightly printed cotton fabrics, handmade pottery and wood carvings are the most beautiful souvenirs. Craft and gift shops can be found at the Pelican Craft Center on the outskirts of Bridgetown, as well as in Holetown, Speighstown and St Lawrence Gap. Crane Village on the south-east coast is one of the island’s most fashionable and upscale shopping havens, with a number of duty-free shops too. The exquisite shops in the Limegrove Lifeytle Center (Internet: www.limegrove.com) in Holetown, which only opened in 2011, also promise a luxurious shopping experience.
- Topmbadirectory: Offers information about politics, geography, and known people in Barbados.
Opening hours
Mon-Fri 09.00-17.00, Sat 08.30-13.00 or 14.00. Some shops, often including supermarkets, are open until 6 or 9 p.m. on weekdays and until 3.30 p.m. on Saturdays.
Nightlife
Introduction
On the West Indies, people like to party and there are plenty of opportunities to do so in nightclubs, discotheques, bars or directly on the beach. Entertainment from limbo to fire eaters and steel bands to dance bands is everywhere. Most bands play calypso and reggae, with a few playing excellent rhythm ‘n’ blues. A (relatively inexpensive) entrance fee is often required. Like everywhere in the Caribbean, entertainment venues open and close seasonally. Boat trips (fun cruises) along the coast are very popular, departures are usually twice a day, and there are various entertainment programs, buffets and bars on board. Caribbean dinner shows are well attended and usually feature steel bands, dancing men on stilts, grilled food and (free) drinks until the early hours. Most of the nightlife options are found along the southern and western coasts. St Lawrence Gap in Christ Church Parish, also known as ‘The Gap’, boasts some of the liveliest and most diverse nightlife on the island; numerous bars, pubs and clubs are lined up in one street. If you want to party with the locals, head to the Oistins Fish Market on a Friday or Saturday night, where Barbadians dance al fresco until the wee hours to country, western and the latest calypso tunes. numerous bars, pubs and clubs are lined up in one street. If you want to party with the locals, head to the Oistins Fish Market on a Friday or Saturday night, where Barbadians dance al fresco until the wee hours to country, western and the latest calypso tunes. numerous bars, pubs and clubs are lined up in one street. If you want to party with the locals, head to the Oistins Fish Market on a Friday or Saturday night, where Barbadians dance al fresco until the wee hours to country, western and the latest calypso tunes.
Culinary
Overview
Eating out in Barbados is relatively inexpensive compared to the other Caribbean islands. There is plenty to choose from, ranging from world-renowned restaurants such as The Cliff (website: www.thecliffbarbados.com) to reasonably priced food stalls at street markets such as Oistins. There are over 100 rum shops on the island, which while basic, sometimes even run down, always have a friendly atmosphere and cops and locals alike sipping their afternoon drink. Hotel guests do not always have to take their meals in their own hotel, but can dine in another hotel of the same class at no extra charge.
Regional specialities
Island specialties include flying fish, lobster, yams, breadfruit, plantain, okra and yams. Sea urchins (Oursin or Sea Egg) are a very special delicacy. Avocados, pears, the exotic sour sops, papayas, mangoes, bananas, figs and coconuts thrive in the island’s tropical climate.
Useful information
Beware of the fruits of the manchineel tree, which resemble apples – they are extremely poisonous!
Tip
Porters expect BDS$1 per bag. In restaurants and nightclubs, tipping is left to the discretion of the guest. In hotels, the service charge is usually included in the bill, otherwise 10-15% is common.
Regional drinks
Large selection of mixed drinks such. B. Sangria or various rum-based cocktails (rum punch, planters punch, etc.). The rums distilled in Barbados, including Mount Gay, are among the best in the world. Connoisseurs appreciate the Cockspur’s Five Star. Many bars are reminiscent of English »pubs« and serve real English beer (the so-called bitter, semi-dark and top-fermented). Banks is the local (pale) style of beer.
Minimum age for consumption of alcoholic beverages
In Barbados, you can drink alcohol from the age of 18.
Accommodation
Hotels
The spectrum ranges from exclusive luxury hotels to simple guesthouses. The luxury hotels are on the west coast, the cheaper hotels can be found in the south-west. There are only a few hotels and guesthouses on the east coast. In the high season in winter, the hotels are more expensive. Winter prices are valid from December 16th to April 15th. A 7.5% government tax is added to all nightly rates and almost all hotels add a 15% service charge. Air conditioning is common, most hotels have swimming pools. The prices given in hotel guides are often only for overnight stays without meals. Categories: There is no star system. Hotels usually offer either the European Plan (EP = room only) or the Modified American Plan (MAP = half board). Contact the Tourist Office (see addresses) or the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, PO Box 711C, Fourth Avenue, Belleville, St Michael (tel: 426 50 41. Internet: www.bhta.org).
Camping
Camping is generally not permitted, exceptions for youth group travel.
Culture
Religion
There are more than 100 religious groups on the island, mostly Christian (mainly Anglicans, but also Catholics, Baptists, Pentecostals, Seventh-day Adventists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, the Salvation Army and Quakers); furthermore Jewish, Hindu and Muslim minorities. Locals are generally very religious, no matter what their denomination. They are always open and tolerant towards people of other faiths.
Social Rules of Conduct
General: Barbados is generally easygoing, enjoying life. The architecture and administrative structure are reminiscent of English provincial towns. The English colonial influence is unmistakable. Personal freedom is valued particularly highly in the former slave colony. Social etiquette: Barbadians are known for their openness and hospitality. The usual courtesy formulas should be observed. They shake hands to greet each other. People should be asked before being photographed. Clothing: Casual clothing is accepted throughout. Light cotton clothing is recommended. Wearing military camouflage or patterned clothing is strictly reserved for the military. In hotels and restaurants, more elegant attire (suit and tie, evening or cocktail dress) is expected in the evenings. Swimwear belongs at the beach or pool. It is forbidden to sunbathe on the beach naked or without a top. Smoking: Since October 2010, smoking in public places has been banned by law. Failure to comply will result in fines.
Climate
Best travel time
Pleasant, mild, tropical climate. Constantly blowing trade winds bring welcome cooling. Sunnier and drier than the other Caribbean islands. The dry season lasts from December to June. From July to November there are sometimes short, tropical rain showers. From November to March the sun shines an average of 8-10 hours, between April and October 8-9 hours. Tropical cyclones can occur between June and November.
Country data
Phone prefix
+1 246
Area (sq km)
430
Population
287,375 (Source: homosociety)
Population density (per square km)
663 per sq km
Population statistics year
2020
Main emergency number
511
