North and Central America and Caribbean

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• The hurricane season in Barbados normally runs from June to November.  See the Natural Disasters (Hurricanes) section of this advice and the Tropical Cyclones page of the FCO website for more details.
  
  
• There are confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) (Swine Flu) in Barbados. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. Check swine flu for further information. Guidance about pandemic flu is available through the UK Department of Health .
  
  
• Around 250,000 British nationals visit Barbados each year (Source: Barbadian Immigration).  Most visits are trouble-free.  71 British nationals required consular assistance in Barbados in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (23 cases); hospitalisations (9 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (22 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (59 cases). There have also been cases of armed robbery and muggings of tourists. See the Crime section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism in Barbados. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and travel insurance for more details.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism, but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  For more general information see terrorism abroad.

Crime

Around 250,000 British tourists visit Barbados each year and the vast majority of visits are trouble-free. Barbados is a friendly and welcoming country and crime rates are relatively low.  Despite the relaxed atmosphere, however, there have been incidents of violent crime including murder. These tend to occur within the local community but can sometimes affect tourists. There have been occasional incidents of serious attacks on foreign visitors, including armed robbery and rape, as well as more opportunist theft of wallets, handbags and personal possessions. For more information see the 'assault, sexual assault and rape overseas' and 'victims of crime abroad'.

You should therefore maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness as you would in the UK and ensure that your living accommodation is secure. Avoid walking alone in isolated areas, including beaches, after dark. Two Canadian tourists were recently violently attacked at Long Beach in the Christchurch area and visitors should exercise particular caution here. Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery. Valuables and travel documents should be left, where possible, in safety deposit boxes and hotel safes.

Political situation

Barbados Country Profile

Local travel

Road travel

You must obtain a local temporary driving licence from any police station at a cost of BD$100 (US $50) which is valid for 12 months. You will need to produce your UK/EU licence to obtain the local one.

Motorists drive on the left in Barbados. There is a high incidence of road accidents, including fatalities, for the size of the island. Most roads are paved but, with the exception of the main highways, many have potholes. In rural areas they are narrow, usually unlit and often have obscured side roads and blind corners.  Road surfaces lack grip and become very slippery when wet.  Speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour (40, 60 and 80 kph maximum) and are lower than the UK. Road signs are poor. Vehicle directional indicators are used intermittently; exercise caution, particularly on roundabouts.  Pedestrians walk on the roads because of a lack of pavements. In the event of an accident, leave your vehicle where it comes to rest and call the police.

Standard taxi fares exist for some destinations but not all. It is sensible to clarify the fare in Barbados dollars with the driver before beginning the journey. You can often pay in US Dollars (fixed exchange rate: $2 Barbados Dollars = $1 US Dollar) as well as Barbados Dollars.

For more general information see driving abroad.

Local laws and customs

You should note that there are severe penalties for all drug offences. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.

You should be aware that it is an offence for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing.

Although not illegal, topless bathing is frowned upon.

Certain homosexual acts are illegal under Barbadian laws.

For more general information for different types of travellers see your trip.

Entry requirements

Visas

UK passport holders do not need visas to enter Barbados for visits up to six months. But you are normally only granted 28 days entry on arrival. You should note that overstaying without permission from the authorities is an offence, as is taking any form of employment without a work permit. Visa extensions and work permits must be applied for at the Immigration Department, Careenage House, The Wharf, Bridgetown.

Entry requirements may change from time to time and should be checked with the Barbados High Commission in London.

Passport validity

As long as your passport is within its stated validity you should be able to enter and leave Barbados without a problem.

Meat products

You are banned from bringing meat products into Barbados from the United Kingdom in your personal luggage.

Health

Private medical insurance is essential as medical treatment in Barbados can be very expensive. Local private clinics provide good on the spot treatment with minor surgery in some cases. State hospital can cope with many surgical requirements but serious cases that require specialist treatment will mean emergency evacuation (usually to USA)

Dengue Fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. Dengue Fever is found throughout Barbados.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 2,200 adults aged 15 or over in Barbados were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.2% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.  For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Barbados and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

A (H1N1) – Swine Flu

There are confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) (Swine Flu) inBarbados. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its PandemicThreat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. Check swine flu for further information. Guidance about pandemic flu is available through the UK Department of Health. For more general health information see travel health.

Natural disasters

Hurricanes

The hurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from June to November.  You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation. You can also access the National Hurricane Centre for updates. Please also see Tropical Cyclones for more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a hurricane.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel (covering theft and unexpected losses or expenses (e.g. stolen bank/credit cards and cash, lost luggage, cancelled/missed flights) and medical insurance before travelling. This should cover medical evacuation by air ambulance. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see travel insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is how we can help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

Passports

Keep a copy of the photo page of your passport and relevant entry stamp in case your documents are stolen.

Package Holidays

If you are on a package holiday, you must travel on the specified return date.  If you fail to do so, you will have to pay the additional costs of accommodation and a replacement air ticket.