Barbados
Just when you thought you knew it all about Barbados – the many glorious white sandy beaches with exciting watersport activities, the endless sunny days and rum-soaked nights, the luxury resorts and enchanting restaurants – you find out that there’s so much more the island has to offer !
Barbados has become one of the world’s most aspirational destinations. For an island of just 166 sq. miles, Barbados offers a refreshing mix that goes beyond sun, sea and sand. Scratch the surface and discover a vibrant culture and fascinating heritage that has even earned us a UNESCO World Heritage inscription.
Barbados also plays host to numerous major sporting events throughout the year, drawing both competitors and spectators from across the globe. The international events include test cricket, a hockey festival, international sailing regattas, game fishing, surfing and windsurfing championships, motor racing, thoroughbred horseracing and polo.
Barbados is, by its very nature, a health haven having a magical effect on people’s sense of well-being with year-round sunshine and sea breezes. Several top-notch spas offer the most luxurious ways to pamper yourself. Revive and restore yourself in Barbados!
Dining
Barbados is the unofficial ‘dining and nightlife capital of the Caribbean’. Farm-fresh local produce, livestock and dairy, and daily catches of fresh fish and seafood grace our tables, alongside some of the finest international fare. With toasts to the traditional and almost every other imaginable cuisine represented, variety is the spice of your Barbados dining experience.
Dinner shows run year-round. Clubs with live entertainment are open nightly until the wee hours of the morning.
Quick Facts
Languages spoken: English
Banks: Republic Bank Ltd (RBTT), Royal Bank of Canada, (CIBC) First Caribbean International Bank and Scotia Bank all have branches in Barbados. Interac machines will accept any bank cards on their network.
Banking Hours: Monday to Thursday from 8:00am to 3:00pm and on Friday until 5:00pm. They are closed Saturday and Sunday. The airport exchange counter is open daily from 8am until the last plane leaves or arrives.
Currency: Barbadian (BBD) dollars although USD are widely accepted. Change will be given in BBD.
Pounds Sterling at the daily bank exchange rate. Credit cards are widely accepted. Canadian visitors may bring Canadian dollars.
Climate: Barbados is located in the windward part of the Caribbean and enjoys a tropical climate. Average temperature of 26.8C year-round.
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Dress Code: Casual and comfortable is the rule, but please cover up when not on the beach. For men, dress shorts are acceptable in casual restaurants but slacks are always appreciated. It is illegal to wear any type of camouflage clothing (reserved for the Barbados Defense Force only).
Driving: Taxis, cars and moped rentals are readily available. Driving is on the left-hand side of the road. A temporary driver’s permit is required and may be obtained where you rent your car. A valid Canadian driver’s license is required. Bus service is frequent and runs on regular schedules along the coastal and interior routes.
Electricity: 110v/50 cycles – adapters are not required.
Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (AST), GMT-4. Barbados does not observe Daylight Savings Time. Barbados is one hour ahead of EST in the winter period, then on the same time zone as EST during the summer period.
Water: Barbados boasts the purest water supply you will find anywhere. Rainwater is filtered naturally through nature’s own coral filter system, and eventually collected underground. You can drink water from the tap anywhere on the island.
Activities
Barbados is blessed with superb conditions for just about every water sport at all levels. When combined with our crystal clear, warm waters and constant northeast trade winds, surfing, windsurfing, jet skiing, kitesurfing, stand-up paddle boarding, saiing, snorkelling, scuba diving, deep sea fishing and open water swimming – can all be enjoyed here.
Land activities abound as well. Zoom along in a safari jeep through forest trails, fly over the island in a Microlight aircraft, careen across sea cliffs on a segway or test your skill around the leading circuit-racing facility in the Caribbean. Meander through four tropical gardens, swim in sea caves, explore underground streams, sample rum in a refinery, tour historic Bridgetown…there’s all that and so much more.
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Shopping: An impressive selection of shops is available offering excellent duty-free prices; as much as a third off prices in Canada. By showing your travel documents and return ticket you may take certain purchases with you. Locally produced handicrafts are widely available and make the perfect souvenir.
Sightseeing: Island excursions are available from local suppliers. Sights include Nicholas Abbey, the Barbados Museum, Farley Hill, Welchman Hall Gully, Harrison’s Cave, the Flower Forest, Andromeda Gardens, and the rugged East Coast.
Golf: The Island boasts seven golf courses, two- 9 holes and five-18 holes. Two of these courses are certified by Tom Fazio, one by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and one by Ron Kirby.
Bridgetown and its Garrison: Distinguished by a degree of preservation that remains relatively unheard of in the rest of the world, Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison offer a rare and fascinating insight into British colonial history. The town, with its dense network of streets built up over the centuries, contains many outstanding examples of British Colonial architecture. The neighboring Garrison, the site of the former British Military Headquarters in the Caribbean, still retains many buildings with a distinctly military appearance and history. Walking through Bridgetown and exploring the Garrison really is like taking a trip back in time.
Travel Essentials
Flight Information
From Toronto:
Air Canada offers daily service from Toronto, year-round.
West Jet has 4 flights per week from Toronto, year-round.
From Montreal:
Air Canada offers seasonal service only (January through March), five times weekly; on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
From Halifax:
*NEW – Air Canada will offer a Thursday direct nonstop flight this winter from Halifax to Barbados – beginning December 17, 2026 through to April 1, 2027.
For additional information on how to get to Barbados from other gateways, click HERE.
Entry Requirements for Canadians
Canadians do not require a visa to enter Barbados. A valid passport must be presented on entry along with a valid return ticket. The passport must be valid for the entirety of your stay. Visitors cannot stay in Barbados for more than six months.
All travellers to Barbados are required to complete and submit an Immigration/Customs Passenger Declaration Form. The form is now available online and is required for entry to the island. Visitors can access the form at https://www.travelform.gov.bb/
For additional information, consult your Travel Advisor or The Government of Canada’s Entry and Exit Requirements: English / French
Long Stays
Please remember to see the Quick Facts section above for information on languages spoken, banking information, currency, weather, driving requirements, and more.
Please see the Medical tab for information on hospitals, dental services and pharmacies. If you are a diver, information on the closest hyperbaric chamber is included.
Here is additional information that you may require when planning a longer stay away:
Entry Requirements for Long Stays
Canadians do not require a visa to enter Barbados. A valid passport must be presented on entry along with a valid return ticket. The passport must be valid for the entirety of your stay. Visitors cannot stay in Barbados for more than six months.
All travellers to Barbados are required to complete and submit an Immigration/Customs Passenger Declaration Form. The form is now available online and is required for entry to the island. Visitors can access the form at https://www.travelform.gov.bb/
Pet Policy
Groceries
Phone Plans & Internet
Getting Married
Dream of the wedding you wish and watch it become a reality in Barbados – from traditional church nuptials to the iconic, intimate beach ceremony to the lavish and luxurious gala affair, our local professionals and internationally trained wedding planners boast a wealth of island knowledge invaluable to the destination bride and groom.
A wedding in Paradise is easy to arrange. Barbados has no residence requirements, and the ceremony can be performed within 24 hours of arrival. Non-residents pay BDS $200 (US $100) license fee to the Ministry of Home Affairs and must also submit a stamp worth BDS $25.00 (US $13) with their application. This stamp may be obtained from any one of the local post offices on the island.
Learn More about Weddings at Oceans Hotels (O2 Beach Club & Spa, The Rockley and Sea Breeze)
Cultural/Annual Events
Unique cultural, social and traditional events throughout the year provide a host of great reasons to visit Barbados. We have fabulous music festivals like the Naniki Music Festival in January, the Reggae Festival in April, Broadway to Barbados in February and March and Gospelfest in May. Cultural festivals include the Holetown Festival in February, Celtic Festival in May and the fantastic summer festival of Crop Over with music, parades, art, crafts and heritage from June to August. The Food & Rum festival in October is a weeklong event of indulgence, followed by The Run Barbados Marathon in December.
PUBLIC AND/OR GOVERNMENT HOLIDAYS:
The Government of Barbados observes the following holidays each year:
(Some services may be impacted with reduced hours, or there may be full closures on these days)
2026 Public Holidays
Thursday, January 1, 2026 – New Year’s Day
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 – Errol Barrow Day
Friday, April 3, 2026 – Good Friday (Stores closed)
Sunday, April 5, 2026 – Easter Sunday
Monday, April 6, 2026 – Easter Monday
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 – National Heroes Day
Friday, May 1, 2026 – May Day
Monday, May 25, 2026 – Whit Monday
Saturday, August 1, 2026 – Emancipation Day
Monday, August 3, 2026 – Kadooment Day
Monday, November 30, 2026 – Independence Day
Friday, December 25, 2026 – Christmas Day
Saturday, December 26, 2026 – Boxing Day
Medical & Dental Information
Barbados is home to the highest standard of medical care in the Eastern Caribbean and boasts quite a few government and privately-run medical facilities throughout the island.
There are various doctor’s offices and pharmacies throughout most communities, and the main hospital on the island is the Queen Elizabeth Hospital which is supported by highly qualified professionals.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Open 9am to 9pm daily. Closed on Public Holidays.
Main Phone: +1 (246) 436-6450
Help Desk Phone (Patient Advice & Liaison Service): +1 (246) 536-4800
Email: helpdesk@qeh.gov.bb
Accident & Emergency Operator: +1 (246) 436-6450 (Ext. 5540 or dial 511)
For Appointments: +1 (246) 436-6450 (Ext. 6120, 6190, 6339 or 6182)
Sandy Crest Medical Centre and Coverley Medical Centre also provide public medical care, each with one location on island: Sandy Crest, Holetown St. James and Coverley, Christ Church, Barbados respectively.
Sandy Crest Medical Centre
Phone: +1 (246) 419-4911
Email: medicalcentre@sandycrest.net
Coverley Medical Centre
Phone: +1 (246) 627-1000
Email: medicalcentre@sandycrest.net
Emergency Services
Our Emergency Services are as follows:
- Police – 211
- Ambulance – 511
- Fire – 311
- Directory Assistance – 411
- Operator – 0
EMERGENCY DENTAL CARE SERVICES:
Urgent Care Dental, The Estates, St. George: PH 1-246-538-3384
Dr. Golding’s Dental Office, Bridgetown, St. Michael: PH 1-246-228-2201
Oasis Dental Barbados, Bridgetown, St. Michael: PH 1-246-271-0800
Apex Dental Services, Bridgetown, Barbados: PH 1-246-228-9990
South Coast Dental, Oistins, Christ Church: PH 1-246-622–1495
Beckwith Dental Services Ltd., Holetown, St. James: PH 1-246-426–3001
FOR DIVERS:
Divers should be aware that there is a hyperbaric chamber on island, located at the Barbados Defence Force.
Accessibility
Barbados is pleased to offer accessibility services throughout the island through the Fully Accessible Barbados (FAB) programme. This initiative was designed to encourage the changes needed in our environment that will enable persons with disabilities as well as the elderly from Barbados and around the world to have access to all our facilities.
Phone: 1-246-427-8136
Email: operations@bcd.org.bb
