Home | About Us | About Barbados | Rates & Reservations | Other Services & Details | Photo-gallery | Comments of Past Guests | Cricket Events | Contact us

• Barbados In A nutshell
• The Parishes
• Weddings & Honeymooning in Barbados
• Bajan Festivals
• Barbados Calendar of Events
• Bajan Dishes
• Bajan Proverbs
• Other helpful facts

Barbados In A Nutshell

Barbados is a stable independent, parliamentary democracy modeled after the British system of government. Its parliament is 365 years old, making it the third oldest in the British Commonwealth. The island is regarded as the top developing country in the world, and is consistently cited as one of the freest nations in the world by Freedom House, and institution that monitors human rights globally.

Barbados is a coral island, pushed out of the sea by volcanic activity. The constant breeze of the trade winds gives Barbados a mild and pleasant tropical climate, which peaks at 88 degrees Celsius in the summer. Barbados is mostly flat and easy to get around with some rolling hills and gullies and an interesting distribution of flora and fauna. The vast array of caves and underground lakes provide an excellent supply of drinking water, which is among the purest in the world.

Barbados has an extensive network of about 1,475 kilometres of paved roads with connecting highways packed into a surface area of 425 square km. The island is 34 km long by 22km wide, and its highest point, Mount Hillaby, a mere 372 metres high. The island’s sparkling turquoise seas afford unparalleled water sports with coral reefs for snorkeling and diving. Our pure white sand beaches stretch for over 70 miles and are perfect for lazing in the sun. In terms of beaches, Barbados is blessed with some of the best, and many manned by qualified lifeguards for protection.

Barbados is a very beautiful island with lots of art, activities, nightlife, music, history and some of the best restaurants found anywhere. But what makes Barbados special and the reason why so many visitors keep returning year after year is its people. Barbadians, called Bajans, are warm and friendly souls always ready to greet you with a smile. Barbadians make you feel welcome and special, in their lovely Caribbean home. You will feel like this unique Caribbean paradise which is also surprisingly sophisticated is your home and you will want to come back time and time again.

With 3 new world-class courses and the improvement of 2 other courses, including 4 PGA standard courses, Barbados is considered a genuine “golf destination”. On the west coast is Sandy Lane Golf Course, home of 2 Tom Fazio designed courses, and the fabulous Green Monkey, where the legendary Tiger Woods wedded his bride.

Although Barbados has an ample supply of the classic Caribbean dream vacation requirements in “Sun, Surf & Sand” this action-packed island offers so much more. There is polo, water polo, squash, tennis, table tennis, surfing, windsurfing, marathons, horseracing and cycling. For those wishing to experience the natural wonders of the island there is scuba diving at several reefs, complete with shipwrecks. There are nature trails, cave tours, submarine dives and helicopter tours.

After dark, entertainment in Barbados runs the full gamut of beach bars, pubs, wine bars, sports bars, jazz clubs, reggae clubs, discos, nightclubs which party well into the wee morning hours, floorshows including flaming limbos and dancers, Latin parties, karaoke bars, cinemas, live theatre and even opera. Many bars feature daily happy hours, which are usually around sundown.

The Parishes

The country is divided into 11 parishes. The northern parishes are:

1. St. Lucy – where the Animal Flower Cave, with its exotic sea anemones rarely found in caves, is located

2. St. Peter – home of Barbados’ second town and beautiful beaches where Karekath is located. It was once called Little Bristol because of its thriving trade with that English city

3. St. Andrew – where panoramic scenery and rugged beauty makes it a must to tour

The western and southern parishes are:

4. St. James – where the site if the island’s first settlement is located at Holetown

5. St. Michael – home of capital, Bridgetown, and the centre of fantastic duty free shopping bargains

6. Christ Church – the location of the most popular night-spots and important bird sanctuary in the hemisphere

The central and eastern parishes are:

7. St. Thomas – where the most spectacular natural attraction in the entire Caribbean, Harrison’s Cave, is located

8. St. Joseph – home to international surfing and breathtaking beauty of Bathsheba, possibly the most photographed landscape on the island

9. St. John – where history, architecture and scenery combine at one of island’s oldest churches, St. John Parish Church

10. St. George – with its imposing lifelike ‘lion ‘ sculpture carved from stone

11. St. Philip – the island’s largest parish and home to the most stunning seascapes like Bottom Bay, Ragged Point and Crane Beach

Weddings & Honeymooning in Barbados

Barbados has a long tradition of providing the perfect wedding and honeymoon location and Karekath Apartments has all the ingredients for the intimate honeymoon you’ll always remember with delight.

Our resident wedding coordinator will take care of all the wedding plans, before, during and even after the big event. This allows the bride and groom to relax and enjoy the island ambience at their leisure while someone else takes care of the details.

Recent legislation has eliminated the advance notice requirements to marry on the island, allowing couples to marry as soon as a license is obtained. The general requirements to get married in Barbados are as follows:

• Valid passports
   

• Original or certified copies of the couple’s birth certificates
   

• If either person is widowed, a certified copy of the marriage and death certificates
   

• If either person is divorced, an original Decree Absolute (NOT the Degree Nisi) is required. If the Decree Absolute is in a language other than English, it must be accompanied by a certified translation.
   

• A letter or written indication from the Marriage Officer (including the church to which he belongs) who has agreed to perform the marriage ceremony
   

• Application for a marriage license must be made by the bride and groom in person at the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs, 5th Floor, General Post Office Building, Cheapside, Bridgetown, St. Michael. If neither the bride nor the groom is a citizen or resident of Barbados, the license fee is BD$150 cash ad a $25 stamp. Return airline tikes must also be presented.

Bajan Festivals

1. Crop Over Festival – The sugar cane harvest ends in June and Crop Over, our major annual festival, starts in mid-July and finishes in August. Visitors to the island are welcome to participate in all the celebrations. The events include:

   1. The Opening Gala and Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes

   2. Bridgetown Market, a busy food and craft festival at Spring Garden

   3. A Calypso Competition which runs for the duration of the Festival at calypso tents island wide. Judging takes place at the Pic-o-de-Crop Finals and the Party Monarch Finals

   4. Cahobblopot is a spectacular variety show which brings together all the best elements of Crop Over, including the best music, dance and the judging of the Kadooment King and Queen costumes

   5. Junior Kadooment gives the children the opportunity to dress up and dance in their own festival parade
       

   6. Grand Kadooment Day is when the Crop Over Festival reaches its grand finale on the first Monday in August. It is a national holiday and the biggest party day of the year. Every component of Crop Over culminates in a huge carnival parade. Groups of revelers form a “band”, dressed up in spectacular costumes and “jump up” along the streets to the pulsating sounds of the most popular calypso and soca music.

2. Barbados Jazz Festival – Each January, this Festival brings together some of the world’s best talent for a powerful weekend –long explosion of Jazz. One of the highlights is the two days of open-air concerts at Farley Hill National Park, where spectators bring coolers full of drink and food, and blankets or chairs to sit on the shaded sloping hillside to watch the show

3. Holetown Festival – On February 17th 1627 the first European settlers arrived at the site of present day Holetown. To celebrate this historic event this Festival features music and dancing, a large street fair and market, parades and organized sports. Lots of good Bajan fool, entertainments and local art and craft

4. Holders Season – acclaimed as one of the premier international festivals in the Caribbean, this takes place every year in March. Founded in 1993, the Season is held on the magnificent grounds of the 18th century Holders Plantation House. It traditionally features opera, classical music, drama, jazz, Latin and Caribbean music. More details in the Calendar of Events for March

5. The Celtic Festival – Held during the last two weeks of May every year, this festival features traditional Welsh Gymanfa Ganu, community hymn singing, with a 200 strong mixed choir and six local choirs; traditional Scottish music; Appalachian music and dancing; a Barbados styled Highland Games held on the beach; and a variety of performances at churches, hotels and halls; as well as workshops at schools

6. Oistins Fish Festival – Oistins is the main fishing town in Barbados. Each Easter this festival recognizes the efforts of people in the fishing industry. As well as street fairs, singing and dancing, and exhibitions of local art, the people of the industry are given a chance to exhibit the skills of their trade

7. NIFCA – Starting in September annually this festival encourages Barbadians of all ages to match their talents in the fields of music, singing, drama, visual art, videography, culinary art, dance and writing. Featuring performing arts in dance, music and drama on stages throughout the island, it culminates with a gala presentation featuring the finalists. There are also many colourful zonal exhibitions of photography, art, craft, sculpture, pottery and paintings. The finalists are showcased in a central venue during the month of November

Barbados Calendar of Events

Download the Calendar in PDF format.

Bajan Dishes

1. Sno-cone – a welcome cooler consisting of shaved ice packed into disposable cups and soaked with a choice of flavoured syrups

2. Cou-cou – A local delicacy usually served with steamed fish in a light gravy. Prepared from corn meal, okras, water, salt and butter.

3. Fish cakes – prepared with salted cod, flour, baking powder and spicy local seasoning. When served hot, they are crisp on the outside and tender inside.

4. Cutter – An individual, lightly salted, small and round loaf of bread cut in half and filled with ham, cheese, liver or anything else – often with a generous sprinkle of hot pepper sauce.

5. Cane juice – The ultra-sweet and tangy juice of the sugar cane plant

6. Guava cheese – a delicious treat made from guavas, water and sugar. Served as a candy in bite-sized squares

7. Mauby – a bitter but refreshing non-alcoholic drink made by boiling the bark of the mauby tree and adding sugar, vanilla essence and spices. Available in most supermarkets in the form of syrup.

8. Pepper Sauce – Whether you like spicy foods or not you are sure to enjoy Bajan yellow or red pepper sauce.

9. Baxter’s Road fish is as must; This is coal pot fried fish or chicken

Bajan Proverbs

1. Make sure better than cock-sure – It is better to make certain that everything is absolutely sure, than to assume that all is well

2. Evah fool got ‘e sense – No matter how ignorant a person may seem they will always be knowledgeable about a subject

3. De tongue dat buy yuh does sell yuh – The same person who flatters you immensely, may betray you later

4. Cat luck en’ dog luck – What one person may get away with, might be a problem for somebody else

5. When yuh leave home pon a morning, yuh don’ know who gine feed yuh – you never really know who will assist you

6. If greedy wait, hot will cool – Your patience will be rewarded

Other Helpful Facts

1. Flying to Barbados – There are non-stop daily scheduled services to major international cities including New York, Miami, Toronto and London as well as to the Caribbean islands. Airlines include American Airlines, US Airways, Continental Airways, Air Canada, British Airways, BWIA, LIAT, Caribbean Sun, Air Jamaica, TIA, Virgin Atlantic, British Midland and several other charter flight companies such as Brittania Airways and Condor. By air the journey to Barbados is about 3 ½ hours from Miami, 4 ½ hours from New York, 5 hours from Toronto and 8 hours from London. All departing passengers pay a departure tax of BD$25.00 on checking in, both at the airport and seaport. Children under 12 years and persons who have been on the island for less than 24 hours are exempt
   
    

2. Visa Requirements – Nationals of CARICOM member states, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and some Commonwealth countries can travel directly to Barbados with acceptable proof of nationality and identity (e.g. valid passport, original birth certificate, national ID) and may be admitted for a maximum period of 3 months. All visitors are required to have onward or return tickets. Visas are required for citizens of Eastern European countries. The Peoples Republic of China, Cuba, Taiwan, South Africa, India, Pakistan, non-Commonwealth countries of Africa, all S. American countries except Argentina, Brazil, Columbia and Venezuela. Visas are not required for passengers of cruise ships with the exception of the Eastern European countries, The Peoples Republic of China, Taiwan, South Africa and Korea
   
    

3. Money – The Barbados dollar (BDS) is the official currency, and has a parity of BDS$1.98 to US$1 for cash at most banks. The rate of exchange for other currencies varies from day-to-day.
   
    

4. Electricity – The domestic and commercial supply voltage in major residential areas and all new developments is 115/230 volts 50Hz. In Bridgetown and some other areas the supply voltage is 115/220Hz
   
    

5. Water – The water service in Barbados is safe and refreshing to drink
   
    

6. Phones – All local calls in Barbados are free. To telephone overseas, you can dial direct from your apartment, use your credit card, purchase a pre-paid calling card available from vendors island wide, or use any phone booth around Barbados. Rental of cellular phones can be arranged or the roaming feature can be added to your mobile if you brought it with you
   
    

7. Internet - We can arrange this for you in 15-hour segments. In addition, there are Internet kiosks dotted across the island
   
    

8. Driving – Hiring a car is the best way to appreciate the beauty of Barbados and we can arrange this for you. When hiring a car you will be required to produce a valid driver’s license from your home country. A local permit is required to rent and drive a vehicle in Barbados, and are usually supplied by the rental agent at a fee of BD$10.00. Our roads are narrow and we drive on the left hand side of the road and the driver’s side is on the right. A honk of the horn or the flashing of lights usually means “after you”. If you have an accident the law requires that you leave your vehicle in its position until the police arrive. Call your car hire company immediately
   
    

9. Dress – Enjoy our lovely weather to the fullest in bikinis and swim trunks, but please, only wear them on the beach
   
    

10. Banking – Barbados has a sophisticated banking sector offering a range of services, including offshore banking. There is also an extensive network of automated banking machines which accept most major credit cards
    
     

11. Tips – if a service charge is not included on your restaurant bill tipping at 10% of your bill is acceptable. There is no tipping rate for taxis so in this instance tipping is entirely up to you
    
     

12. Postcards – You can post greeting cards and letters using post offices, one in each parish, plus numerous post boxes that are cleared daily. Express mail services are also readily available.
    
     

13. Shopping – Duty-free shopping in Barbados offers a wide range of desirable and brand name products at low prices. To secure these savings, you need your immigration form, passport and ticket at the time of purchase. Stores usually close at 5:00 pm on weekdays, at 1:00 pm on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays.

For more information about Barbados, please here.