What should I be aware of in Barbados?

The U.S. State Department has rated Barbados at Level 1, indicating tourists should “exercise normal precautions.” The crime rate in Barbados is lower than in the U.S. Solo travelers, including women, should feel secure but are advised to exercise general precautions, especially at night.



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Most visits are trouble-free, but there have been incidents of violent crime including armed robbery, sexual assaults and gang-related shootings. There has been an increase in gang-related murders involving guns. Some incidents have taken place in populated and public areas. Remain vigilant.

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Short pants, crop tops and skirts are pretty much the daily uniform to fight the heat. Modesty is not practised on the island, unless attending a religious ceremony. As you enter any rum shop or shop, you are kinda expected to greet everyone, not individually but with a friendly Good Morning, Good Evening or Goodnight.

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Many establishments will accept payments in US Dollars with change being given in local currency. However please note that smaller establishments, especially in country areas, may only accept BD Dollars. We suggest you take US$ or £GB and exchange them for local currency. ATM machines are widely available.

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Mosquitoes are resident nuisances on the island of Barbados. Of particular threat to the island is the Aedes aegypti mosquito which is a carrier of dengue and yellow fever.

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Tipping. Tipping in Barbados is discretionary and should reflect the service you have received, however, a service charge of between 10 to 15% is typically added to your bill in hotels and restaurants.

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Rockley Beach – or Accra Beach, as it's often known – can't be beaten when it comes to family-friendly beaches in Barbados. Little ones can safely play in the calm waters on the southern end, while older children can boogie board the livelier waves further up the cove.

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The best time to visit Barbados is between December and June, when the weather is driest. The island has a warm, tropical climate year-round, with temperatures averaging highs of 86°F and humidity levels of 70% to 75%.

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Unfortunately, Barbados isn't primarily known as a budget travel destination. The endless array of high-end hotels and luxury resorts combined with high import costs means that expenses can add up quickly. Most travelers to the island prefer to stick to all-inclusive resorts and expensive excursion packages.

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The import of local currency is unlimited but amounts of over BDS$10,000 must be declared on arrival. The export of local currency is prohibited. There are no restrictions on the import of foreign currencies and monetary instruments provided amounts with the equivalent of over BDS$10,000 are declared on arrival.

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A service charge of between 10 and 15 percent is typically added to your bill at hotels and restaurants. Once this appears on your bill, any additional tipping is at your discretion and should reflect the quality of service you received. The standard rate of tipping in Barbados is approx. 10%.

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The national dish of Barbados is cou-cou and fried flying fish with spicy gravy. Another traditional meal is pudding and souse, a dish of pickled pork with spiced sweet potatoes. A wide variety of seafood and meats are also available.

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As of September 2022, Barbados is listed at a Level 1 Advisory, with the U.S. State Department indicating to exercise normal precautions and avoid high-risk areas like Crab Hill at all times, Nelson and Wellington Streets at night, and to use added vigilance if boarding a non-reputable nighttime party cruise.

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Spend the night dancing away to Caribbean music Barbados nightclubs are popular after-dinner places to head to on the Caribbean island. You will find a lively club scene, especially in St Lawrence Gap, on 1st Street in Holetown, and Bay Street in Bridgetown.

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