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General Information on Barbados
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Barbados is a limestone island which is 21 miles by 14 miles wide, making a total of 166 square miles. We are the easternmost island in the Caribbean chain, located NE of Venezuela and west of Africa. The highest point on our island is Mount Hillaby on the east coast, which is 1,089 feet. Year-round our climate is pretty much perfect with average temperatures ranging between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit and a gentle sea breeze courtesy of the north east trade winds.
Our native language is English but the Bajan dialect often seems like a language all of its own. The population is roughly 270,000 and our capital city is Bridgetown located on the south west coast. Barbados is predominantly Christians 71%, of various denominations, with a vast majority of the population being Anglican, about 40% altogether, however, we do host 100 other denominations.
The Barbados dollar is pegged to the U.S. dollar at a rate of BDS$1.98 ~ US$1.00 and most places will accept the U.S. dollar or the Barbados dollar. Most banks are open from 8am - 3pm Monday through Thursday and 8am - 5pm on Friday. The Barbados National Bank at the airport is open form 8am until the last flight departs or arrives, seven days a week. There are also multiple ATM / ABM machines island wide and most hotels and restaurants accept major credit cards such as Visa, Master card, American Express, and Diners Club.
There is a large selection of airlines that fly into Barbados. The inter-island services include Air Jamaica, BWIA, LIAT, Caribbean Star, Caribbean Sun and American Eagle. Barbados is also very easily accessible from just about all major American gateways including; New York on Air Jamaica, BWIA and American Airlines; Miami on American Airlines and BWIA; Philadelphia on US Airways and Washington D.C. on BWIA. Visitors can also access Barbados form outside the U.S., including Canada, on BWIA and Air Canada; from the U.K. on British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, BWIA, Monarch and Airtours; from Germany on Condor; from Italy on Lauda Air, from Venezuela on Aeropostal and from Puerto Rico on American Eagle. Barbados has a departure tax of BDS$60 that must be paid at the airport in cash upon departure. Baggage tipping is a suggested $1.50 U.S. per bag.
A valid passport is mandatory for all persons entering the island. Visas are required for citizens from Eastern European countries, the People's Republic of China, Taiwan, Pakistan, the non-Commonwealth countries of Africa and all South American countries except Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela.
Barbados hosts a wide range of accommodations ranging form all-inclusive resorts to guest houses, incredible villas and hotels for the multimillionaire and less expensive apartments for the low-budget tourists. It is very easy to get around in Barbados with multiple public transport options including buses, minibuses, ZR's and taxis. The taxis in Barbados are not metered so it is essential that a rate be established with the taxis driver before receiving the ride. We offer rental cars all over the island. A visitor's driving licence costs a mere BDS$10.00 and is available form any local police station, rental car company, or at the airport from the agency there. The visitor's driving permit remains valid for one full year.
We offer extensive duty-free shopping in Barbados; visitors need only produce their passport or other travel documents and airline ticket for the duty free privilege. There are certain things that cannot be purchased duty-free, spirits and wine, cigars, cigarettes; video sets, home computers and food are amongst them. Barbados has quite a selection of cuisine, including our very own "Bajan Cooking" which has strong influences of African and European dishes and fresh seafood is also abundant. Barbados's national dish is flying fish and cou-cou, definitely a must for visitors! The restaurants across the island range from very informal, even side of the road "food vans" all the way up to 5 star sophisticated dining. When out for a night on the town or just lying on the beach, have no fear of drinking our fresh water, for Barbados' water is among the purest in the world and can be enjoyed straight form the tap.
After dinner at any of our fabulous eateries, the nightlife beckons visitors and locals alike. Popular nightclubs and bars include: The Boatyard and Harbour lights in Bridgetown, St. Lawrence Gap on the south coast, and Baku on the west coast. Barbados's rich culture can also be experienced at a number of wonderful locations including Plantation Theatre's "Bajan Roots and Rhythms Dinner Show" or Oistins Fish-Fry. music, dancing, steel bands and cabaret shows are offered at some of our hotels.
Barbados has a large and varied art community. Local art can be viewed and purchased at a number of beautiful local art galleries, such as On The Wall Art Gallery, The Verandah Art Gallery, Carriage Art Gallery, The Barbados Museum and the Barbados Gallery of Art.
The electricity in Barbados is 115/230 volts 50 cycles and most hotels provide adaptors for European or Asian appliances. North American appliances do not need adapters.
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