Transportation
The island has a network of good roads. Bridgetown has a deep-water harbour. An international airport is located near the southern coast. Several international and regional airlines offer regular scheduled and charter services.
The Barbados Transport Board is a government operated body that provides regularly scheduled bus service to all parts of the island. Service on the blue colored buses runs from as early as 6 a.m. to midnight. The fare is $1.50 for adults and $1 for school age children. There’s also a privately operated mini-bus system. Visitors can easily tell the difference because the private system vehicles are painted bright yellow with a blue strip. The government bus system is reasonably on time and well marked but the private buses are more reliable, though drivers are known for packing as many as possible into the vehicles.
Taxis are also available and fares are fixed by the government. However vehicles are unmetered so establish a fare in advance especially if you hire a taxi for a sightseeing tour.
Renting a Car
Another popular method of getting around the island is to rent a car. There are numerous Barbados car hire companies across the island offering a range of options from the popular 4×4 jeeps to modern air-conditioned cars. Most of these Barbados car rental companies will deliver the vehicle to the airport or your hotel if needed. These companies will also help you to arrange local driving permit (required by the law) at a cost of 5USD for a 2-month period or 50USD for a 1-year period.
Please remember:
You have to drive on the left side of the road. If you are accustomed to driving on the right side we suggest you take your time and drive with caution as you first get accustomed to the ‘opposite’ side.
Seatbelts are mandatory here and you can be ticketed if stopped while not wearing one.
Some roads are narrow or without sidewalks for pedestrians so it is best to take great care when driving on the smaller roads.
‘Pot holes’ do exist on the smaller so be careful not to damage your rental car.
Rush hour traffic during the work week, 7:30-9:00 a.m. and 4:00-5:30p.m., can be quite heavy avoid the major roads at these times if possible.
Don’t be concerned if someone flashes their light or makes sound signals, locals tend to do this often not as an alarm but more of a traveling “hello” or as a means of alerting you of an opportunity to turn, exit a minor road or otherwise.
Barbados has a number of roundabouts at major junctions for smoothflow of traffic. If you exit is the first left one you stay in the left lane, for all other exits off the roundabout you should drive in the right lane. Always give way to vehicles on your right at the roundabout.
Most of the island’s major fuel service stations are operated on a 24hour basis and will accept major credit cards and US dollars.
While drinking and driving is not illegal in Barbados we urge you to drink responsibly and if you know you will be driving, limit your consumption as the local ‘spirits’ can be quite strong and judgment impairing.
Remove or hide items of value when you leave your car. If parking at night, try to park in a well lit area.
Barbados does not have parking attendants, so if approached by someone trying to pass as one, politely refuse his help.
