Barbados is the easternmost of the Lesser Antilles islands and enjoys the caress of two oceans – the Caribbean Sea on its west side and the Atlantic Ocean at its eastern end, converging on the island’s southern shores. 

The local Bajans have a wealth of traditions that have influenced every facet of life, from music and dance to cuisine and herbal “bush” medicine.

The island boasts an adult literacy rate of  97% and its parliament is the third oldest in the world, with 358 years as an uninterrupted system of government.  Tourism, sugar, light manufacturing and component assembly for export make up its main industries. In 1996 the UN ranked Barbados third in terms of quality of life among 160 developing countries worldwide, ahead of countries such as Spain, Italy and Ireland.

Barbados was the only vacation destination in this Hemisphere with a scheduled Concorde service. One of the retired British Airways concordes now resides at the island's international airport.

The island is 21 miles long and 14 miles wide and is the only coral island in the region with all white sand beaches. The island, which is less than one million years old, was created by the collision of the Atlantic crustal and Caribbean plates, along with a volcanic eruption. Later coral formed, accumulating to approximately 300 feet. It is geologically unique, being actually two land masses that merged together over the years.

 

2011 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
01-Jan	New Year's Day	13-Jun	Whit Monday
21-Jan	Errol Barrow Day	01-Aug	Emancipation Day
22-Apr	Good Friday	01-Aug	Kadooment Day
24-Apr	Easter Sunday	30-Nov	Independence Day
25-Apr	Easter Monday	25-Dec	Christmas Day
28-Apr	National Heroes' Day	26-Dec	Boxing Day
02-May	Labour Day

 

OTHER 2011 EVENTS
08-Jan	Barbados Music Awards	27-Apr	Sir Garfield Sobers Golf Festival (1 week)
10-Jan	Jazz Festival (1 week)	15-May	Celtic Festival (2 weeks)
21-Jan	Mount Gay Round Island Race	19-May	Mount Gay Boatyeard Regatta (4 days)
13-Feb	Holetown Festival (1 week)	21-May	Gospel Fest (1 week)
02-Mar	Holders' Season (2 weeks)	08-Jun	Football Legends Invitational (4 days)
05-Mar	Sandy Lane Golf Cup	03-Jul	Cropover Festivar begins
17-Apr	Reggae Festival	21-Aug	Banks International Hockey Fest (1 wwek)
21-Apr	Oistin's Fish Festival (5 days)

 

Climate	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average Temp (C)	28	28	29	30	31	31	31	31	31	30	29	28
Average Rainfall (mm)	66	28	33	36	58	112	147	147	170	178	206	97

 

 
GMT–4 (GMT–5 in summer)

Folkstone Marine Park

About one mile north of Holetown is the government-run Folkestone Marine Park. This is basically an underwater park with exhibits, diving and beach facilities. Folkestone has a good beach, many water-related activities, along with fresh water showers and shops. There is an interpretive centre and museum with marine and coastal environment displays, exhibits of the island's fishing industry and a salt water aquarium. The underwater park zone extends from Sandy Lane to Colony Club and you can rent gear for snorkelling around the fringe reef, or secure a boat for diving. A glass bottom boat also plies the area.

Animal Flower Cave

The Animal Flower Cave is located under the cliffs at the Northern tip of Barbados. The Cave is an interesting study in geology, local history and stunning sea activity. This beautiful sea –cave is a “must see” for all nature loving visitors.

Cherry Tree Hill

In the hilly parish of St. Andrew lies Cherry Tree Hill, from which one most beautiful views on the island can be captured. Cherry Tree Hill overlooks the rugged Scotland District, the powerful Atlantic Ocean and the longest beach on the island - Cattlewash Beach. This view is a must for all visitors to the island: The magnificent view combined with the fresh aromas of the sea help make this an almost religious experience.

Barbados Wildlife Reserve

Once you enter through the gates of the Barbados Wildlife Reserve, you are in the Animals' World. Most animals (except ones like parrots & pythons) are compatible and free to roam where they please. You may find them anywhere as they go about their daily lives, so, as you walk along... take your time... look up... look down... look carefully amongst the bushes and the trees in the mahogany woods. In this tropical haven, exotic animals, reptiles and birds, some threatened with extinction and some disabled, thrive. It's a community devoted to man's love and respect for nature as well as to research and conservation. It is important that you move quietly. These animals are not tame, and unexpected noises may frighten them away from you.

Flower Forest of Barbados

Located in the heart of St. Joseph is the Flower Forest. This 50 acre attraction offers an explosion of greenery and commanding vistas of the island's stunning Scotland District. The owners aptly consider this attraction "a cross between a botanical garden and a nature trail", since you can take an hour or a day to leisurely stroll the Forests winding paths while eyeing a virtual wonderland of tropical flora. The paths are all amusingly named, and while you will never get lost, you might get confused as there are several short and long cuts coming off the main paths. Not to worry, as there is no time limit and no fixed way to travel through this forestland.

Traffic drives on the left. Road conditions are generally good across the region, but beware of potholes outside the larger towns and cities.

Use caution when driving at night because of narrow roads with no shoulders and frequent pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

A temporary yearly Barbados licence costs BDS$10 and is obtainable from car rental agencies and police stations. Full licence must be shown.

The Barbados dollar (BD$) is the official currency, available in $5, $10, $20, and $100 notes, as well as 10¢, 25¢, and $1 silver coins, plus 1¢ and 5¢ copper coins.

The Barbados dollar is permanently fixed because of an international agreement at the rate of approximately US$1=BD$2.

Most stores take traveler's checks or U.S. dollars. However, it may be best to convert your money at banks and pay in Barbados dollars, since you could save over U.S. dollars.

A reciprocal health agreement with the UK entitles UK nationals to free public hospital and polyclinic treatment, ambulance travel.
Prescribed medicines are provided cost-free for children and elderly patients. All dental treatment bears a cost.
To receive treatment, UK nationals must show their UK passport or NHS medical card, as well as their temporary entry permit.

Medical insurance is recommended for all other nationals.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital is located on Martinsdale Road in St. Michael (tel. 246/436-6450).

Of the several private clinics, one of the most expensive and best recommended is the Bayview Hospital, St. Paul's Avenue, Bayville, St. Michael (tel. 246/436-5446).

Barbados Fertility Centre is the only full time fertility unit in the Caribbean region, claiming success rates higher than the UK and the USA.

Porters expect Bd$ 1 per piece.

In restaurants or night-clubs, the Bajans prefer to leave it to the customer's discretion.

Service is usually included in hotels. If not, 10% is the accepted tip.

Barbados has a pure water supply, pumped from underground sources in the coral rock that covers most of the island, and it's safe to drink.

Bus service is frequent and comprehensive across the island, with a flat, inexpensive rate for all journeys. Buses are crowded during the rush hours; most terminate at Bridgetown.

Cars may be hired by the hour, day or week. Anything from a mini-moke to a limousine may be hired at the airport, at offices in Bridgetown and at main hotels. Petrol is comparatively cheap.

Taxis do not have meters but fares are regulated by the Government.

110 volts AC, 50 cycles. Most hotels have 220 AC.

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