Barbados is quite a small island, just 21 miles long by 14 miles wide, but it can seem a lot bigger when driving around our winding country roads.
Therefore you will need to organize a method of transportation for getting around Barbados to make sure you fully experience all the natural beauty this gem in the Caribbean sea has to offer.
There are various methods of transport that you can choose from in Barbados.
Car Rentals
If you want to be independent and are used to driving on the right hand side of the road, then check out the car rental companies in Barbados who advertise on TotallyBarbados.com.
You can choose from luxury vehicles with air conditioning down to the smaller fun open top mini mokes - not advisable in the rainy season!
Whatever your choice there are cars and packages to suit all your needs and budgets. Just remember to bring your full driving licence from home, as the car rental company will need this to get you insured and to issue you with a local drivers permit.
Taxi
There are plenty of taxi's on the island who are more than happy to take you on a full island tour for a fixed fee agreed in advance, or just to drop you from A to B.
All licensed taxi's have a Z starting their number plates. The larger mini bus taxi's have ZM starting their number plate and are easily confused with ZR'S, just note if you get in a ZM you will be charged usual taxi fare and not the $1.50 you can expect to pay on a ZR.
Island Tours
There are a number of tour companies operating on the island, who have a variety of tours on offer, you may want to try one of the more adventurous ones in the 4x4' s who take you off road to places of natural beauty or you may prefer to try one of the less bumpy ones that stick to the road and offer shorter 4 hour trips.
Buses
There are three different types of buses to choose from:
ZR Vans or ZR's (pronounced Zed-R's) are privately owned mini buses that work specific routes, these are frequent and really get you into the local way of life.
Fares are fixed at $1.50 regardless of how far you go. They are clearly visible as white vans with a burgundy stripe down the side and have the letters ZR starting their licence plates.
The National Transport Buses are painted in the Barbadian national colors of blue and yellow. They are mainly blue with a yellow strip down the side and have BM starting their licence plates and also charge $1.50 regardless of how far you go.
They run frequently and can be caught from any bus stop. The stops are also clearly marked 'to Bridgetown' and 'Out of Bridgetown' so that you know which direction you are heading in.
The other buses are privately owned and are yellow with a blue stripe, they have B starting their licence plates and again charge $1.50 regardless of the length of your journey.
Limousines
There are many reputable Limousine companies operating on the island with exceptionally equipped vehicles. All cars for hire in Barbados are licensed and will state clearly how many passengers they are licensed to carry, so a Limousine may be able to carry 14 persons, 10 persons, 8 persons or 6 persons.
The general rule of thumb, to ensure a comfortable journey is to have 2 less people than the vehicle is licensed to carry, this guarantees enough space for everyone.
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