Facts & Figures

POPULATION:   Approx 265,000

SIZE:  14 x 21 miles

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE:  English

CURRENCY:  Barbados Dollar (Bds) but US dollars are also accepted. The Barbados dollar is permanently linked to the US dollar at a fixed rate of 1.98 Bds to 1 USD

TIME DIFFERENCE:  GMT -4 hours in winter and -5 hours in the summer

FLIGHT TIME FROM UK:  8 hours

PRIME MINISTER:  Rt. Hon Owen Arthur

MAIN INDUSTRIES:  Tourism, Sugar, Rum

AIRPORT- Grantley International (Code BGI)

INTERNATIONAL DIALLING CODE:   - 1 (246)

WATER

Barbados boasts the purest water supply you will find anywhere. Rainwater is filtered naturally through natures own coral filter system, and eventually collected underground. You can drink tap water anywhere on the island.

ELECTRICITY

115/230 Volts 50 Cycles. (Two prong flat plug the same as most North American devices).

VACCINATIONS

There are no specific Vaccinations required for visitors to Barbados. All travellers should be up to date on routine immunisations. There is no present risk of malaria in Barbados, therefore no preventative measures are required.

A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers, coming from infected areas.

DRIVING IN BARBADOS

Good news for Brits is that driving in Barbados is done on the left! There is a fairly good network of roads including a highway which links North to South. A permit must be obtained to drive in Barbados. All visitors must be over 25 and hold a valid driving license to obtain a permit. The cost of a permit, which is valid for a year is $10 BDS or $5 USD. If you hire a car - most Barbados car hire companies will issue the permit for you. Alternatively you can obtain a permit from the Airport, Ministry of Transport or the Police Stations based in Hastings, Worthing or Holetown. By law you are required to wear a seat belt at all times.